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Chair: GlaxoSmithKline Partnered (2006-2007)

The CIHR/Rx&D Collaborative Research Program
In partnership with
GlaxoSmithKline Inc.

Request for Applications

Important Dates
Opportunity Launched	July 2006
Content Last Updated	(No updates since launch)
A - August 15, 2006 B - February 1, 2007	Letter of Intent to be submitted by GSK must be courier stamped by these dates (please refer to the "How to Apply" section of this document.)
A - September 15, 2006 B - March 1, 2007	Full applications must be courier stamped by this date.
A - January 31, 2007 B - June 30, 2007	Anticipated notification of decision.
A - February 1, 2007 B - July 1, 2008	Earliest start date.
Additional Information	This funding opportunity has 2 competitions A and B. To prevent duplicate reviews of the same application, applicants may not submit the same (or very similar) application to more than one funding opportunity simultaneously.
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. The maximum salary range for a single award is $500,000 to $700,000 in total for up to 5 years: Salary contribution: $100,000 to $140,000 per annum. Operating grant component: typically $100,000 per annum. Fringe benefits are in addition to the salary contribution and are estimated at 10% (reconciled at year-end). This award is renewable once.
Summary
GlaxoSmithKline Inc. (GSK), with an investment totalling over $22M, intends to establish endowed Research Chairs at many of Canada's medical schools (or affiliated research institutes) in disciplines where specific universities are particularly strong, and where GSK and CIHR both have clear scientific interest.

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

Background

GlaxoSmithKline Inc. (GSK), with an investment totalling over $22M, intends to establish endowed Research Chairs at many of Canada's medical schools (or affiliated research institutes) in disciplines where specific universities are particularly strong, and where GSK and CIHR both have clear scientific interest.

With the aim of maximizing the impact of the Research Chairs, including their effective placement and distinction, CIHR, through the CIHR/Rx&D Collaborative Research Program, will co-fund awards for as of yet to be identified non-incumbent nominated candidates judged successful and meritorious through CIHR Peer Review. To further augment the value of this initiative, nominating institutions are encouraged to seek additional funds for the endowment from other partners, e.g., local and provincial governments, not-for-profit organizations, private donors, and industrial partners.

The perpetuity of the endowed Research Chair awards established through this strategic partnership initiative between GSK and CIHR will allow such awards to become a cornerstone of a university's long-term research strategy.

Partners

CIHR's Innovation and Industry Programs 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."

Objectives

The specific objectives of this initiative are:

To provide attractive, long-term personnel awards.
To promote recruitment and retainment of highly-qualified personnel.
To establish Chairs in disciplines where specific universities are particularly strong, and where GSK and CIHR have clear scientific interest; e.g., therapeutic areas: metabolic diseases, respiratory medicine, virology, oncology, vaccines; related fields that are important to specific elements of development and commercialization, such as pharmaceutics, clinical pharmacology, functional genomics, and structural biology; and emerging research areas that include social sciences, such as health outcomes.

In addition, the intent of this initiative is to facilitate the translational objectives of CIHR, with particular interests in clinical research. Clinical research combines discoveries from the basic science laboratory incorporating the observations and insights of health professionals (a key aspect of translational research). It is the creation of new health knowledge and the translation of that knowledge from the research setting into applications where it ultimately impacts on the health of Canadians.

Through the nominating letter, each proposal must describe how the award will address the "Specific Objectives and Eligible Research Areas" above.

Eligibility

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.

Specific to CIHR industry-partnered programs, please refer to the General Guidelines for Industry-Partnered Programs.

Specific to CIHR salary awards, please refer to the General Guidelines for Salary Programs as well as the Research Chairs - Industry Partnered program description, in addition to qualifying or superceding specific eligibility clauses below.

Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) will not be considered under this RFA.

Specific Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility requirements specific to this Request for Applications include the following:

Candidates must be nominated by, and the location of tenure of the awards must be, a CIHR-eligible academic institution (university and/or hospital) that is participating in the GSK endowment fund program for the purpose of supporting the award (see list of participating institutions below).
The nominating institution must have complete control over the nomination and subsequent recruitment of the candidate.
Candidates are to receive at a minimum a salary of $70,000 per annum excluding fringe benefits. The salary should be at a level that is commensurate with the candidate's experience and with institutional policies.
Candidates must devote at least 75% of their time to research in the area of research for which the award is granted.
Candidates cannot hold the award at the same time as they hold a Canada Research Chair, or any other federally-funded Chair or major personnel award.
At the time of application, candidates must not have nor be already receiving or be guaranteed salary support by the nominating institution through the GSK endowment.
Applications will be accepted up to eighteen months prior to the anticipated start date of the award.
Renewal applications must be received at CIHR no later than six months before the termination of the first five-year term.
All partners' funds must be in cash;
For the salary component of the award, CIHR will match up to a maximum of $350,000 over five years towards the salary, but the matching amount will not exceed the cash flow generated by the eligible industry portion of the GSK endowment fund.
For the operating grant component of the award, CIHR requires a minimum 1:2 contribution ratio (CIHR:eligible contributor) where at least one of the eligible contributors is GSK (through its endowment). CIHR's contribution will not exceed the 1:2 ratio and also will not exceed the eligible industry contribution by GSK.

Mechanism of Support

This funding opportunity is funded as a strategic partnership initiative and is designed to support Research Chair awards of a duration of 5 years; renewable once subject to satisfactory progress and peer review. Awards will consist of an annual salary with a possible operating grant component, as determined by the nominating institution.

Funds Available

The total amount available for this initiative is over $22 M. CIHR funds are contingent on matching funds derived from the GSK endowments held by the nominating institution and on satisfactory passing CIHR peer review.
The nominating institution will be accountable for the cash flow derived from the endowment.
The nominating institution will be encouraged to seek additional funds for the endowment from institutional sources (hospital, university, research institute), local and provincial governments, not-for-profit organizations, private donors, and appropriate private sector industry. In order to augment or supplement the value of the award with funds from other (non-GSK) private sector contributors, the institution shall seek approval from GSK, which will not be unreasonably withheld. To be considered eligible for CIHR matching, the private sector (or industry) contribution must come from companies meeting CIHR's definition of an industry partner, as outlined in the CIHR Partnerships Programs Guidelines.
For the salary component of the award, typically a level of $100,000 to $140,000 per annum (excluding fringe benefits) is anticipated. The salary should not be less than $70,000 per annum and be at a level that is commensurate with the candidate's experience and with institutional policies.
For the operating grant component of the award, if requested, the grant level is typically $100,000 per annum.
In cases where two or more candidates are nominated for one position at a nominating institution, the award offer will be first made to the highest-ranked candidate.

Allowable Costs

The awards consist of a salary contribution, fringe benefits and, if applicable, an operating grant component.

In addition, the following expenditures will be considered eligible for funding received through this Request for Applications.

CIHR funds may not be used to contribute directly to an endowment fund.
CIHR will refund 50% of the employer's share of contributions to employee benefit plans. Fringe benefits are estimated at 10% per annum and will be reconciled at year end.
For the operating grant component, if requested, applicants should review the Tri-Agency (CIGR, NSERC and SSHRC) financial administration guidelines Use of Grant Funds for a complete listing and description of allowable costs and activities.
The full application for the operating grant must provide a detailed justification of all costs.

Review Process and Evaluation Criteria

Peer review will be conducted in accordance with the CIHR Peer Review Process: Policies and Responsibilities of Salary and Clinician Scientist Awards Committee Members.

Applications will be evaluated by a CIHR peer-review committee. The committee may be drawn from one of CIHR's pre-existing committees or may be created specifically for this initiative. Committee members are selected based on suggestions from many sources including the Institute(s) and partner(s). Names of committee members are published on the CIHR website. The committee will follow the CIHR peer review process.

General criteria for assessing applications are listed below in accordance with to the peer review criteria for the CIHR Research Chair award and Research Grants (as applicable). It is understood that referees and committees will weigh questions such as these differently from one application to another.

Applicant Productivity, Experience and Training
Research Proposed
Environment and Support

The Applicant's Productivity, Experience and Training

How appropriate to the research proposed is the training or track record of the applicant(s)? How important and original is the recent productivity of the applicant(s)? How much confidence do you have that the applicant can do the work proposed? (The proposed time commitment to the research may influence this judgment.)
Academic and research training received by the applicant.
What prestigious awards or acknowledgements of academic achievement has the applicant received?
Does the applicant have a good publication record in peer reviewed journals? To what extent does he/she appear to have contributed to the work published?
What research has been accomplished to date and has the applicant clearly demonstrated independence and originality?
What peer-reviewed grant funding has been obtained?
Does the applicant demonstrate leadership in the field? What is the quality of the applicant's training and mentorship activities?

The Research Proposed

How important and/or original are the hypotheses or the questions to be addressed, and how clearly are they formulated?
How important and original are the contributions expected from the research proposed? What is the potential for important new observations or knowledge?
How well will the proposed experiments address the hypotheses or questions? How appropriate are the methods to be applied and the proposed analyses of data? How well will the applicant implement new methods that are to be introduced and/or explored? How well have the applicants anticipated difficulties in their approach and considered alternatives?
How critically is the relevant literature appraised and evaluated?
Quality and extent of proposed dissemination and outreach activities within and beyond the academic community.
Is the project feasible, given the resources and support available to the investigator?

Environment and Support

What is (or will be) the applicant's position within the institution?
Does the institution or organization demonstrate leadership in the candidate's chosen field?
Space, operating funds and/or infrastructure will be provided to the candidate.
Institution's demonstrated a commitment to protect the candidate's research time.
Nature and value of any collaborative arrangements between the applicant and other researchers and/or institutions.
Letters of support.

General CIHR Guidelines

This Request for Applications will follow the CIHR General Grants and Awards Policies. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate the use of gender and sex-based analysis in applications.

Conditions of Funding

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.

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.

Communications Requirements

Award 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.

Monitoring, Performance Measurement and Evaluation

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:

contribute to the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR's programs, policies and processes by participating in evaluation studies, surveys, workshops, audits and providing data or reports as required for the purpose of collecting information to assess progress and results;
encourage their associates, trainees and administration to participate in the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR's programs, policies and processes as required.

As such, the following special conditions shall apply:

Awardees must submit an annual 2-page progress report, as well as a list of related publications to be submitted 2 months past the anniversary date of the award's start. Upon submission, CIHR will forward the progress reports to GSK.

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 provide attractive, long-term personnel awards	Attraction of candidates of high caliber to Canadian universities	Program activity
		Peer review results
	Increase awareness of individual university strengths	Candidate-university interactions
To promote recruitment and retainment of highly-qualified personnel	Increase number of researchers of high caliber in Canadian Universities	Accepted faculty appointment offers
	Leadership of research programs of international calibre	Peer reviewed research results
To establish Chairs in disciplines* where specific universities are particularly strong, and where GSK and CIHR have clear scientific interest	Advancement of specific research areas	Peer reviewed research results
	Application of research results	Products, services or processes adopted by GSK

*e.g., therapeutic areas metabolic diseases, respiratory medicine, virology, oncology, vaccines; related fields that are important to specific elements of development and commercialization, such as pharmaceutics, clinical pharmacology, functional genomics, and structural biology; and emerging research areas that include social sciences, such as health outcomes.

How to Apply

The application process is comprised of two steps: 1) Letter of Intent and 2) Full Application.

Review the application instructions provided in How to Apply for Funding.

1) Letter of Intent

In lieu of the traditional Registration requirement of the CIHR/Rx&D Collaborative Research Program, GSK is required to inform CIHR, in writing, of any upcoming applications for the award at least one month before the application deadline. These dates are August 15, 2006 and February 1, 2007.

The letter should be addressed to the Deputy Director of Innovation and Industry Programs and must be postmarked no later than the date indicated herein. The letter should include:

the name(s) of the candidates(s) and nominating institution;
the value of the CIHR requested contribution towards the salary component of the award and, if applicable, the operating grant component;
the proposed title and area of research;
keywords describing the research;
the clarification of affiliation between applicant and industrial partner (if applicable);
the proposed submission date for the full application.

2) Full application

Complete the full application using the Industry-Partnered Research Chairs Full Application package which consists of the Common CV, the CIHR Research Module (including an eleven (11)-page research proposal); and if applicable, the CIHR Operating Budget Module (if applying for equipment or operating funds). Additional Common CVs are required for any co-applicants participating in the research project described in the operating grant application.
Provide a paragraph (free letter form) on how the application will ultimately contribute to the improved health of Canadians. How does the proposed research address the translational research objectives of CIHR? How can the proposed research be incorporated, developed or integrated into clinical research? Clinical research combines discoveries from the basic science laboratory incorporating the observations and insights of health professionals (a key aspect of translational research). This may include basic research endeavours that have not yet reached the clinic, per se.
The Industrial Partnership Module is not required.
When completing the CIHR Operating Budget Module provide a detailed justification of all project costs. Costs to be covered by CIHR's funding partners should be listed in the "Other Funding Sources" column on Page 1 of the Budget Module.
Full applications must be accompanied a nominating letter to be accepted at CIHR. The Nomination Letter must include the following:
(i) confirmation of the execution of the endowment contract between GSK and the nominating institution;
(ii) confirmation by the nominating institution of a cash flow from the endowment that will support the salary component of the award at a level that is commensurate with the incumbent's experience and with institutional policies. Typically, a confirmed cash flow (excluding CIHR funds) of $250,000 to $350,000 over five years earmarked to support the salary is anticipated;
(iii) confirmation by the nominating institution that the salary component of the award and its level will be maintained after the term of CIHR funding as long as the incumbent remains at the nominating institution; and
(iv) relevant information on the contributors (private, public and NGO sector) to the endowment (or cash contribution) and a breakdown of the proportion of the endowment that is provided by GSK and, other contributors (to endowment or cash).

Send completed application packages by courier to:

RE: "GlaxoSmithKline CIHR/Rx&D Research Chairs"
Research Translation Programs Branch
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Room 97, 160 Elgin Street
Address locator: 4809A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0W9

Contact Information

For questions on CIHR funding guidelines, how to apply, and the peer review process contact:

Jacqueline Jorge
Program Delivery Officer, Innovation and Industry Programs
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Tel: (613) 952-5728
Fax: (613) 954-1800
Email: jjorge@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

Description of Partners: CIHR and Partner Organizations

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/Rx&D Collaborative Research Program
CIHR/Rx&D Collaborative Research Program enables scientists, clinicians and members of the full spectrum of health professions, and Rx&D members to optimize opportunities in clinical research benefiting the health of Canadians.

Partners

GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
GSK is a Canadian research-based pharmaceutical company with a powerful combination of skills and resources that provides a platform for delivering strong growth in today's rapidly changing health care environment. GSK is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.

Participating Institutions

Institution	Research Domaine	Chairholders
Ubc	HIV/AIDS - VIH/SIDA
Ubc	Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
U. Alberta	Virology	Dr. Lorne D. Tyrrell
U. Alberta	Respirology
U. Calgary	Respirology
U. Saskatchewan	Structural Biology
U. Manitoba	To be determined
U. of Toronto	Clinical Genetics (Hospital for Sick Children)
	Pharmaceutics (School of Pharmacy)	Dr. Ping I. Lee
	Respirology (University Health Network)
Queens U.	Health Policy
U. Ottawa	David Grimes Chair- diseases of aging	Dr. Leo Renaud
U. Western Ontario	Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology	Dr. Michael J. Rieder
McMaster U.	Gastroenterology
McMaster U.	Respirology
McGill U.	Pharmacology
U. Montreal	Optimal Management of Chronic Diseases
U. Laval	Respirology
U. Sherbrooke	To be determined
Dalhousie U.	To be determined
Memorial U.	To be determined

Created: 2006-07-14
Modified: 2006-07-14
Reviewed: 2006-07-14
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