CIHR Institute of Genetics (IG)
In partnership with
CIHR Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH)
CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health (IPPH)
CIHR Ethics Office
| Important Dates | |
| Opportunity Launched | June 2006 |
| Content Last Updated | (No updates since launch) |
| April 1, 2007 | Registration Deadline - Registration packages must be courier stamped by this date. |
| June 1, 2007 | Full applications must be courier stamped by this date. |
| January 31, 2008 | Notification of decision. |
| February 28, 2008 | Anticipated start date. |
| Funds Available | |
|
CIHR's contribution to the amount available for this initiative is subject to availability of funds voted annually to CIHR by parliamentary appropriations, and the conditions that may be attached to them.
| |
| Summary | |
|
The Institute of Genetics wishes to fund applications that address ethical, legal and social issues relevant to the design, conduct and dissemination of genomic and genetic research; development and application of technologies, and their integration into society. Suggested research areas:
| |
Background
Partners
Objectives
Eligibility
Allowable Costs
Review Process and Evaluation Criteria
General CIHR Guidelines
Conditions of Funding
Communications Requirements
Monitoring, Performance Measurement and Evaluation
How to Apply
Contact Information
Description of Partners
This RFA is designed to stimulate and promote research from many different disciplines into the ethical, legal and social issues relevant to population-based genetic research. Many of these issues remain under-explored, particularly in the Canadian context.
Around the world, population-based genetic research is fast emerging as an important area of investigation, and Canada is well placed to be a leader in this field. Our public health care system, the emergence of increasingly comprehensive health information databanks, our strong and vibrant genetics research community, and the existence of several unique populations combine to make Canada an ideal place to do this important work.
In order to build research capacity and promote original work in this area, the Institute of Genetics (IG), Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH) and the Institute of Population and Public Health (IPPH) have developed a strategic initiative to investigate the ethical, legal and social issues relevant to the study of gene-environment interactions in human populations. This RFA is in support of CIHR's cross-cutting initiative, the "Canadian Lifelong Health Initiative" (CLHI), which is intended to facilitate the establishment of a research program to conduct large multi-centered longitudinal cohort studies of Canadians. These studies will analyze the role and interaction of different genetic and environmental exposures involved in the human development and aging processes over the life course, the multi-factorial causes and evolution of common diseases and the utilization of health care services. The resulting infrastructure will help create a common research platform that will give Canadian scientists a unique advantage in allowing the conduct of original population studies, over decades, that will place Canada at the forefront of modern health research and help attract and retain the best investigators and trainees. As such, this research will require the collection of significant amounts of identifiable health information, and the possible linkage of health information with other personal data. Work in this area has the potential to alter how we think about health, disease, and the disease process, and could impact the manner in which we organize and deliver health care and prevention services in the future. Hence the pressing need to explore the emerging ethical, legal and social issues relevant to this area of research.
The Institute of Genetics is dedicated to identifying and developing collaborations with other CIHR institute(s), branch(es) or office(s), funding organizations and stakeholders to enhance the availability of funding for this strategic initiative, and to create, where appropriate, opportunities for knowledge exchange and translation related to the scope of this particular initiative. Applicants are invited to visit the Descriptions of Partners to find a list of partners and their respective mandates and/or strategic interests. This list will continue to evolve as new partners join in this initiative. The specific research foci and requirements for each partner are outlined in the section "Objectives".
This RFA is designed to solicit small development grant applications for research projects that meet one or both of the following two objectives:
In this RFA, the term "research" includes both original investigation and systematic consolidation of previous research and analysis.
Relevant Research Areas:
Proposals must address and critically analyze one or more of the following research areas:
Defining "Populations" in Population-Based Genetics Studies
Potential Social Impact of Gene/Environment Research
Care must be taken when assessing the relative proportions of genetic and environmental contributions to multifactorial diseases.
Defining "Normalcy," "Health," and "Disease" in the Genomics Era
Rights and Responsibilities in Relation to Genomics Research and Databanks
Enduring issues around the question of who "owns" and "controls" genetic material - both in a legal and a cultural sense - raise numerous problems and research questions, especially in relation to population-based research. The following are examples of issues that require further consideration: the understanding of human DNA as a personal private, public, or human good; the understanding of rights in relation to DNA databases (e.g., application of existing or unique forms of property/intellectual property law); the legal/ethical obligations of researchers/clinicians involved with DNA databanks and their usage, including gene chip technology; and the appropriateness of current autonomy-based consent and privacy models in both the clinical and research setting.
The substance and content of the final deliverables (peer-reviewed publications or final project report) will vary depending on the type of research that is pursued (original investigation or systematic consolidation of previous research and analysis) and the topic area. However, projects that aim at a systematic consolidation of previous research and analysis are generally expected to include the following information:
The Institute of Genetics and its partners will provide funding for applications that are relevant to (in alignment with) the objectives and research priority areas described above.
Prior to peer review, representatives from the Institute of Genetics and partner organizations will have access to anonymized project titles and summaries to conduct relevance review.
The following criteria will be used in conducting the relevance review:
Upon completion of peer review, the Institute of Genetics and its partners will receive the ranking list, merit scores (ratings) and recommendations on funding level and award term for the applications that fall in the fundable range and have been determined to be relevant to the specific research areas and objectives of the initiative. The list will be used for funding decision-making purposes and will remain anonymous. Based on the total funds available for the initiative, applications will be funded from the top-ranked down. Applications receiving a score of less than 3.7 will not be considered for funding.
The review of applications for relevance to the strategic initiative will have no impact on the peer review process.
Eligibility criteria for all CIHR research funding programs apply. The business office of the institution of an eligible Nominated Principal Applicant generally administers CIHR funds. Please refer to the Eligibility Requirements for CIHR Grants and Awards regarding the eligibility requirements for individuals and institutions.
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) will not be considered under this RFA.
Applicants should review the Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC) financial administration guidelines Use of Grant Funds for a complete listing and description of allowable costs and activities.
The full application must provide a detailed justification of all costs.
A CIHR peer review committee will evaluate the full applications. The committee may be drawn from one of CIHR's pre-existing committees or may be created specifically for this Request for Applications. Committee members are selected based on suggestions from many sources including the institute(s) / portfolio(s) and partner(s), following CIHR's Policy on Confidentiality, Conflict of Interest and Privacy Issues in Peer and Relevance Review (CCIP). For information on CIHR's peer review process in general, see Peer Review.
Peer review will be conducted in accordance with The CIHR Peer Review Process: Policies and Responsibilities of Grants Committee Members, including the standard evaluation criteria described under "Factors for Assessment" (section 6.2).
In addition, the following evaluation criteria specific to this Request for Applications will apply. CIHR recognizes that applications will emphasize different approaches to research and to knowledge translation, therefore reviewers and committees are expected to weight criteria such as these differently from one application to another.
The Research Proposed
The Applicant's Productivity, Experience and Training
Taking into consideration "stage in career":
This Request for Applications will follow the General Guidelines for Grant Programs. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate the use of gender and sex-based analysis in applications.
All conditions specified in CIHR General Grants and Awards Policies shall apply to applications funded through this Request for Applications. Conditions cover areas such as Applicant and Institutional Responsibilities, Ethics, Official language policy, Access to Information and Privacy Acts, and Acknowledgement of CIHR Support. Successful applicants will be informed of any special financial conditions prior to the release of funds or when they receive CIHR's Authorization for Funding (AFF) document.
In addition to CIHR standard guidelines and requirements, the following special conditions shall apply:
Within six months after the end of the grant's term, the Nominated Principal Applicant is required to submit a final performance report, summarizing the results and describing how the grant funds were used. A standard form will be provided by CIHR.
Access to Information Act and Privacy Act, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
All personal information collected by CIHR about applicants is used to review applications, to recruit reviewers, to administer and monitor grants and awards, to compile statistics, and to promote and support health research in Canada. Consistent with these purposes, applicants should also expect that information collected by CIHR may be shared as described in Use and Disclosure of Personal Information Provided to CIHR for Peer Review.
CIHR as a federal entity is subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, therefore the requirements of these two statutes will apply to all information located in CIHR's premises including, without limitation, cost-sharing agreements related to this Request for Applications and all matters pertaining thereto.
While respecting the application of the Privacy Act to federal entities, all signing parties involved in a collaborative agreement will also be bound by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). All personal information (as identified by the PIPEDA) collected, used or disclosed in the course of any commercial activity under collaborative agreements related to the Request for Applications will be collected, used and disclosed in compliance with the PIPEDA.
Grant recipients are required to acknowledge CIHR, its institutes and partners in any communication or publication related to the project. See CIHR General Grants and Awards Policies, Acknowledgement of CIHR's Support for details on CIHR's communication requirements. The contributing institutes / partners will be identified on the Authorization for Funding and decision letter.
CIHR is committed to demonstrating results to Canadians for the money invested in health research. Therefore, processes for monitoring progress and appropriate use of funds, as well as for performance measurement and program evaluation are in place. As a result, funding recipients must:
The following table is intended to further clarify objectives by linking them to expected outcomes and measures which will be included in CIHR's Management Resources and Results Structure (MRRS) required by Treasury Board.
| Objective | Outcome | Measure / Indicator |
|---|---|---|
| To stimulate and promote single-discipline and interdisciplinary research by new, developing and/or established investigators, alone or in small teams, in four topic areas. | Increased research on the ethical, legal and social issues relevant to population-based genetic research in the four topic areas. Increased publication accessible to a wide audience. Establishment of strong baseline knowledge/ information for future studies and research. Identification of capacities and resources for further research. |
Quality and type of research conducted in each topic area with support from the program. Areas of planned future research by investigators and students supported by this research program. |
| To support research activities, research team development and training in the ethical, legal and social areas related to genetics. | Increased interest in the ethical, legal and social research. |
The number of new researchers who apply to this RFA, either as individuals or as a part of a team. |
| To determine the best direction for future research, policy and practice in the four topic areas. | Foundation of a national research agenda in the four topic areas. |
Lists of research priorities in each topic area developed by subject area experts and non-specialist stakeholders. |
The application process is comprised of two steps: Registration and Full Application.
Review the application instructions provided in How to Apply for Funding.
Select "Operating Grants" (Registration and Application) from the Grant Programs Application Packages.
Additional instructions must be followed for this RFA:
Send the completed registration and application packages by courier to:
RE: "Human Genetics, Ethics, Law and Society: Facing Our Future"
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Room 97, 160 Elgin Street
Address locator: 4809A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0W9
For questions on CIHR funding guidelines, how to apply, and the peer review process contact:
Jonathan Faulkner
Program Officer
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: (613) 946-6568
Fax: (613) 954-1800
Email: jfaulkner@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
For questions about this initiative and research objectives contact:
Jennifer Jennings
Project Manager
CIHR Institute of Genetics
123 Edward Street, Suite 1211
Toronto ON M5G 1E2
Telephone: (416) 813-7400
Fax: (416) 813-7673
Email: jennig@sickkids.ca
Or
Anne-Cécile Desfaits
Assistant Director
CIHR Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health
The Montreal Children's Hospital
Les Tourelles T - 118, 2300 Tupper Street
Telephone: (514) 412-4400 X 22889
Fax: (514) 412-4253
Email: adesfaits@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Or
Erica DiRuggiero
Assistant Director
CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health
Suite 207-L, Banting Building
100 College Street
Toronto ON M5G 1L5
Telephone: (416) 946-7987
Fax: (416) 946-7984
Email: e.diruggiero@utoronto.ca
Or
Geneviève Dubois-Flynn
Senior Ethics Policy Advisor
Ethics Office
Institutional Conflicts of Interest, Clinical Trials, Commercialization, Research on Ethics
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: (613) 948-5851
Fax: (613) 946-0885
Email: gdubois-flynn@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Note: Additional partners, including partners from industry and the private sector are expected to join this funding initiative over the coming year.
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
CIHR is Canada's major federal funding agency for health research. Its objective is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care system.
CIHR - Institute of Genetics (IG)
Supports research on the human and model genomes and on all aspects of genetics, basic biochemistry and cell biology related to health and disease, including the translation of knowledge into health policy and practice, and the societal implications of genetic discoveries.
Partners
CIHR - Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH)
Supports research that ensures the best start in life for all Canadians and the achievement of their potential for optimal growth and development. Through our support, researchers address a wide range of health concerns, including those associated with reproduction, early development, childhood, and adolescence.
CIHR - Institute of Population and Public Health (IPPH)
Supports research into the complex interactions, which determine health, and its application to improve the health of individuals, communities and global populations.
CIHR - Ethics Office
As Canada's major health research funding agency, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is committed to promoting health research that meets the highest standards of excellence and ethics. CIHR encourages interdisciplinary, innovative and integrative research on ethical issues pertaining to health, and also fosters the discussion of ethical issues to strengthen the culture of research ethics and integrity in Canada.
