For Professors – Overview – Grants Programs

Collaborative Health Research Projects (CHRP)

Duration	Application Deadline	How to Apply
Up to 3 years	May 2, 2005	Phase 1: Letter of intent must be received by May 2
	June 30, 2005	Invitation to submit a full application
	October 3, 2005	Phase 2: Full proposals must be received by NSERC
Program Contacts		Apply on-line

Important Information

• Application Procedures
• Frequently Asked Questions
• 2005 Competition Results
• Contact Us
• Committees on Research Partnerships
• Peer Review Manual (PDF - 557 kb - 51 pages)
• Other sources of funding
  • Partnerships for Health System Improvement - Operating Grant

Objectives

• translate research results to end users/stakeholders (the mechanism for translation must be clearly described);
• encourage the NSERC and CIHR communities to collaborate and integrate their expertise and research activities;
• advance interdisciplinary research leading to knowledge and technologies useful for improving the health of Canadians; and
• train highly qualified personnel in collaborative and interdisciplinary research of relevance to health.

Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) will not be considered under this program. RCTs are defined as any study involving humans where at least two interventions are compared using random allocation, statistical methodologies, and blinding techniques for the purpose of determining whether an innovative intervention leads to improved health.

However, RCT applications may be submitted to CIHR’s regular RCT program. CIHR recommends that you familiarize yourself with the RCT specific guidelines and instructions, which are fully described in the CIHR Randomized Controlled Trials Program Guidelines for Completion. Potential applicants are strongly advised to consult with CIHR RCT staff listed in the Contact Us section of the above Web site.

Description

The CHRP program supports focused collaborative research projects involving any field of the natural sciences and engineering and the health sciences. If successful, the projects will lead to health benefits for Canadians, more effective health services, or economic development in health-related areas. The proposed project may range from fundamental knowledge creation to research on knowledge application relevant to industry or public policy. Typically, support will be for up to three years for defined projects with milestones, a beginning, an end, and clear decision points.

The participation of two or more independent researchers with complementary expertise is required. Team composition must include expertise in the natural sciences and engineering, and in the health sciences. New and genuine collaborations between researchers in the natural sciences and engineering and medical researchers, clinicians, social scientists, and humanists are strongly encouraged. The onus is on the applicant to clearly demonstrate that the assembled research team under the leadership of the principal investigator collectively has the necessary expertise for successful execution of the project. Collaborators from other sectors (e.g., government and industry) and foreign researchers are welcome to participate, but are expected to bring their own resources to the project. While the participation of partners from outside the academic sector is not required, applicants are strongly encouraged to form linkages with relevant users and stakeholders.

Applicants and co-applicants applying to receive funds must hold eligible appointments at a Canadian postsecondary institution and these must take effect no later than April 1 following the year of the application.

Application Procedures

Note: Continuing research programs on the same topic are not, at present, being identified as appropriate for funding.

Applying to the CHRP program involves two phases and this process is described below.

Phase 1:

A letter of intent must be submitted to NSERC by May 2, 2005. The letters of intent will be used to screen for fit to the objectives of the CHRP program and to set up the appropriate expertise on the peer review panel.

Applicants whose projects are determined to fit the CHRP program objectives will be invited to submit complete applications by the deadline date of October 3, 2005.

A letter of intent consists of a Notification of Intent to Apply for a Collaborative Health Research Project Grant (Form 182) which contains the following information:

• a cover page including the title of the proposal, the name and contact information (full address, e-mail and phone number) of the applicant, research subject code(s), key word(s) that best describe the team and goals (in contrast to earlier projects), and a description of the research proposal;
• a research summary and an estimate of the annual funding to be requested (maximum one page);
• a list of co-applicant(s) and their institution(s) (maximum one page);
• a list of external referees;
• a description of how the proposed research would address the objectives of the program (maximum of one page);
• a list of collaborator(s) and their institution(s); and
• previously successful applicants must include an additional half-page describing how this project is novel with respect to the team and goals (in contrast to earlier projects).

Submit your letter of intent electronically by completing a Form 182.

Only full applications which have been invited will be considered.

Phase 2:

The full application must include the following:

• an Application for a Grant (Form 101). Requests for any equipment must be incorporated into the research proposal. Applicants must justify the need and urgency for the equipment to effectively conduct the research;
• a Personal Data Form (Form 100) for the applicant and each co-applicant. A CIHR Common CV module for the applicant and each co-applicant will be accepted.

See the instructions regarding Forms 100 and 101 for details.

Resubmissions: An applicant who was unsuccessful in one competition may resubmit the same or similar application in a subsequent competition. The applicant, however, must include a one-page response to any previous committee comments with the resubmission.

Previously successful applicants must include the additional half-page, submitted with the letter of intent, describing how this project is novel with respect to the team and goals (in contrast to earlier projects).

Review Procedures and Selection Criteria

Peer review of the applications will occur in two distinct phases.

Phase 1: The letters of intent will be screened by the CHRP panel against the objectives of the CHRP program that are described above.

Phase 2: General criteria for assessing full applications are listed below.

External reviewers and the CHRP selection panel will evaluate all applications.

Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria (the onus is on the applicant to address these explicitly in the proposal):

• Impact and potential for the translation of the results into improved health for Canadians and more effective health services and economic development; including a plan for communicating the results to the appropriate users, stakeholders and segments of the health care sector. This includes the anticipated impact of the proposed research on the health of Canadians, the importance of the proposed health issue, demonstrated potential for translation of results and their significance to the health care sector, and a plan for translation to relevant target audiences or health care segments.
• Quality of the research project. This includes the originality of the project; clarity/scope of objectives; methodology and feasibility.
• Appropriateness of the team and management, including the team’s leadership and the integration of team members. This includes the knowledge, expertise and experience of researchers; quality of, or potential for, contributions of the team members; complementarity and synergy of the expertise of the team members; appropriateness of the management of the project; co-ordination and integration of activities; contribution and time-commitment of participants; and clarity of roles and responsibilities.
• Contributions to training in collaborative research and providing trainees with an understanding of the impact of the research on human health. This includes the quality and extent of past and potential contributions to collaborative training in the health context (e.g., opportunity for trainees to spend time in different laboratories or settings), the training environment, and evidence and scope for continued training.

In addition, the committee will consider the appropriateness and justification for the budget in their final recommendations.

Reporting

Awardees will be required to acknowledge NSERC and CIHR as sources of their support in all communications and publications.

All recipients of three-year grants in this program must submit a progress report during the second year. Payment of the final installment of the grant is contingent upon satisfactory progress.

All grantees will be advised of the requirements for, and timing of, such reports.