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Operating Grant: Aboriginal Health Networks

(CIHR Network Environments for Aboriginal Health Research)

Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health
In partnership with
Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis
Institute of Population and Public Health and
Health Canada, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch

Request for Applications

Important Dates
Opportunity Launched	June 2006
Content Last Updated	November 1, 2006 (Description of Partners)
February 1, 2007	Registration Deadline - Registration packages must be courier stamped by this date.
March 1, 2007	Full applications must be courier stamped by this date.
July 1, 2007	Anticipated notification of decision.
October 1, 2007	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. The total amount available for this initiative is $7,400,000: $7,200,000 for the Full Grants and $200,000 for the Planning Grants. (Updated: 2006-06-06) The maximum amount awarded for a full grant is $600,000 per annum for up to three years. The equipment amount is awarded in year one. The maximum amount for a one-year planning grant is $50,000.
Summary
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research - Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health supports health research that addresses the special health needs of Aboriginal peoples in Canada, and aims to improve the health of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples through the assertion of indigenous understandings of health and by fostering innovative community-based and scientifically excellent research. The purpose of this initiative is to sustain, develop and evolve a collaborative CIHR Network Environment for Aboriginal Health Research across Canada between researchers and communities. Proposals for CIHR Network Environment for Aboriginal Health Research can go through one of two routes. Applicants that are ready to undertake the initiative may apply for a full grant, for a term of three years with a possibility of renewal for an additional three years, dependent upon available CIHR funding. Applicants with the intent to eventually apply for a full grant are encouraged, in preparation, to apply for a one-year planning grant.

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

This Request for Applications is announced under the Strategic Initiative Network Environment for Aboriginal Health Research.

The goal of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research - Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health (CIHR-IAPH) is to lead a national advanced research agenda in the area of Aboriginal health. The CIHR-IAPH will play a lead role in increasing the productivity and impact of Aboriginal health research by advancing capacity and infrastructure in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, enhancing knowledge translation and forging partnerships with diverse communities and organizations at the local, national and international level.

The purpose of this initiative is to develop a collaborative CIHR Network Environment for Aboriginal Health Research across Canada between researchers and communities.

These environments will consists of researcher capacity and infrastructure, research platforms and leadership that is required to enhance the relevance and impact of Aboriginal health research in improving the health of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across the country. The value of partnership and collaboration is central to the vision as is the heightened commitment of CIHR-IAPH to focus its attention equally on its dual mandate of fostering research in Aboriginal health and promoting its use through knowledge translation.

Partners

The Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health 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 develop a collaborative CIHR Network Environment for Aboriginal Health Research across Canada between researchers and communities while sustaining and evolving the existing "Aboriginal Capacity and Developmental Research Environments".
To secure funding opportunities to conduct Aboriginal health research.
To translate new knowledge to improve the health of Aboriginal communities.
To advance capacity and infrastructure in Aboriginal health research.

Relevant Research Areas:

Relevant research areas include, but are not limited to:

Indigenous knowledge including traditional medicine.
Infectious diseases.
Chronic diseases (e.g. cancer, cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, musculoskeletal).
Mental health.
Health services and policy.
Complex interactions of factors (e.g. biological, social, cultural, environmental, economic, gender, life stage) which determine the health of populations.
Public health.
Ethics.

The CIHR Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health will provide funding for applications that are relevant to (in alignment with) the objectives and research priority areas described above.

Prior to peer review, the Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health will have access to anonymized project titles and summaries to conduct relevance review.

The following criteria will be used in conducting the relevance review.

Health research that addresses the special health needs of Aboriginal peoples in Canada, and aims to improve the health of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples through the assertion of indigenous understandings of health and by fostering innovative community-based and scientifically excellent research.

Upon completion of peer review, the Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health 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.

The review of applications for relevance to the strategic initiative will have no impact on the peer review process.

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 Eligibility Requirements

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

The Nominated Principal Applicant must have held an operating grant as the Nominated Principal Applicant from any national health research funding agencies within the past 5 years (e.g. the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), or the National Institutes of Health (NIH)).

Allowable Costs

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.

In addition, the following expenditures will be considered eligible for funding received through this Request for Applications. Note that an application for either a Planning or Full Grant must provide a detailed justification of all costs.

A one-year planning grant will not exceed $50,000 total. The budget justification must explain how the funds requested will be used to prepare a proposal in preparation of an anticipated future CIHR Network Environment for Aboriginal Health Research competition.
The maximum full grant is $600,000 per annum for up to 3 years. The budget justification must clearly explain how the funds requested fall under each of the following pockets without exceeding the indicated maximum for each.

Core Operating Costs - a maximum of $175,000 per annum may be requested for general support of the CIHR Network Environment for Aboriginal Health Research. These costs can include:
1. Up to $10,000 to support a national secretariat - at a location determined by the network - to work as a collaborative network environment across Canada;
2. Up to $20,000 to support the annual national gathering of graduate students in Aboriginal health; and,
3. Costs such as administrative costs, meeting costs, staff salaries etc. (including faculty time) which can be justified as necessary for meeting the objectives of the program.

Research Development and Knowledge Translation Costs - a maximum of $175,000 per annum is available to support the exchange, synthesis and ethically-sound application of knowledge - within a complex system of interactions among researchers and users - to accelerate the capture of the benefits of research for Canadians through improved health, more effective services and products, and a strengthened health care system. These costs may also include:
1. Funds to secure funding opportunities to conduct research (i.e. research development, feasibility studies, formulation projects); and,
2. Exchange between researchers, policy makers and community-based organizations.

Human Resource Development - a maximum of $250,000 per annum is available to provide financial support for undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty career support.

Based on the total funds available for the initiative, applications will be funded from the top-ranked down as far as budgets will allow. Applications receiving a score of less than 3.5 will not be considered for funding.

Review Process and Evaluation Criteria

A CIHR peer review committee will evaluate the applications. The peer review 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.

Each proposal must describe how the grant will address at least three of the relevant research areas listed under the section of this RFA entitled "Objectives." General criteria for assessing applications are listed below. Because different applications will emphasize different approaches to research and to knowledge translation, it is understood that reviewers and committees will weigh questions such as these differently from one application to another.

A. Planning Grant application must describe the extent to which the applicants are planning to meet the four objectives described above and the criteria listed below, as well as describe the specific budget activities, which will be undertaken with the aid of the planning grant. Applicants must explain how these activities will better enable the nascent CIHR Network Environment for Aboriginal Health Research to meet the criteria fully.

B. Each proposal for a Full Grant must describe how the CIHR Network Environment for Aboriginal Health Research will meet the four objectives described above, AND the following criteria:

Demonstrate a working relationship with Aboriginal communities and organizations. The nominated principal applicant must identify a volunteer advisory board, with majority from the Aboriginal community. Proposals must include a letter of support from an Aboriginal organization in order to ensure meaningful partnerships. Proposals must also demonstrate a partnership with a research-intensive public institution, such as a teaching hospital or a university. The proposal must also include an appropriate governance model for the CIHR Network Environment for Aboriginal Health Research.
Identification of at least three major relevant research areas that will be developed as areas of primary excellence (e.g. indigenous knowledge, infectious diseases, and chronic diseases), including a discussion of why they are priorities in the specialty of Aboriginal health. Proposals must include descriptions of the current funded initiatives of applicants and co-applicants to demonstrate that there are appropriate scientific resources available to support the training and mentorship of new researchers in the theme areas identified. Applicants must also demonstrate how research programs will facilitate the integration of Aboriginal values and principals underlying research and health with scientific values and standards of research excellence.
How the development of Aboriginal health researchers at all career stages will be facilitated with support and training opportunities for Aboriginal health students at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and career opportunities for Aboriginal health researchers at the post-graduate level. Budgets may include resources to support the salaries of new Aboriginal health faculty including a clear discussion of how the resources will be deployed, and a letter from a responsible official of the research intensive public institution confirming its willingness to provide faculty positions and appropriate research facilities for appropriately qualified individuals supported through this grant.
Demonstration of how the applicant(s) will facilitate health research capacity development in Aboriginal communities and organizations. Proposals should include a specific plan that will ensure that Aboriginal communities and organizations develop enhanced capacity both to collaborate in research initiatives and to become more informed users of research results. The plan should provide a description of outreach educational strategies, for example workshops, internet-based interactive training and internship/apprentice models.
What is the nature and extent of community involvement in the identification of the research question and development, and knowledge translation strategies (i.e. working relationship with Aboriginal communities and organizations)? Required information on community partnerships include:
1. Identified partnership(s) with Aboriginal community organizations, and a brief description of how they operate or will operate with regard to governance, mutual accountability and interaction during the research.
2. What is the potential for research development?
3. How feasible and appropriate is the knowledge translation plan? What was the origin for the impetus of the research? Is attention given to barriers to participation, with consideration of those who have been underrepresented in the past?
4. Explain how and in what form the research findings will be translated and the definition used for the concept of "knowledge translation."
5. Explain how the research project will ensure that the outcomes are translated to policy and policy-makers for implementation in the Aboriginal health sector?
6. How does the proposed research balance the pursuit of scientific excellence with direct involvement of the Aboriginal community in research and knowledge translation processes?
7. How important and original are the contributions expected from the research and knowledge translation strategy?

General CIHR Guidelines

This Request for Applications will follow the General Guidelines for Grant Programs.

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.

In addition to CIHR standard guidelines and requirements, the following special conditions shall apply:

The Nominated Principal Applicant will be expected to submit a performance report at the end of the grant's term, 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.

Communications Requirements

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.

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.

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 develop a collaborative CIHR Network Environment for Aboriginal Health Research across Canada between researchers and communities while sustaining and evolving the existing "Aboriginal Capacity and Developmental Research Environments".	Increased number of health researchers in the specialty of Aboriginal health. Increased number of Aboriginal communities engaged in research. Increased networking between Aboriginal health researchers and communities across Canada.	Number of researchers involved. Number of Aboriginal communities and other partners involved. Type and frequency of consultations between researchers and Aboriginal communities. Data on networking and dissemination activities.
To secure funding opportunities to conduct Aboriginal health research.	Increased numbers of research grants from various sources.	Evidence of a strategic approach to the developing and obtaining funding for current and future research. Number and type of partners involved. Data on applicants' success rates.
To translate new knowledge to improve the health of Aboriginal communities.	Enhanced opportunities and mechanisms to facilitate sharing of indigenous knowledge, community-based and scientific research. Increased evidence of the transformative nature of research to benefit the community.	Evidence of a strategic approach to the knowledge translation and dissemination of results. Number and type of knowledge translation activities.
To advance capacity and infrastructure in Aboriginal health research.	The development and advancement of capacity in Aboriginal health research. Short and long term support for Aboriginal health researchers and trainees.	Data on recruitment and training activities. Promotion efforts to engage potential future recruits into Aboriginal health research. Number of enrolled undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral fellowships, investigators, and professors specializing in Aboriginal health.

How to Apply

For a Planning Grant:

The application process is comprised of one step: Application.

A complete Application includes:

A letter signed by the Nominated Principal and Co-Applicants, and the responsible official of the research-intensive partner, providing the information outlined in the section of this RFA entitled "Peer Review and Evaluation Criteria. The letter must not exceed five pages in length.
A CIHR Operating Budget Module, which fully justifies each item of funding requested.
A letter of support from an Aboriginal organization or band council.
A Common CV validated for CIHR from all applicants.

For a Full Grant:

The application process is comprised of two steps: Registration and Application.

Review and follow 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 a Full Grant application:

In the Research Funding Program section of the Research Module, select "Strategic Initiative/RFA" and enter the title of this RFA.

For both a Planning Grant application and Full Grant registration and application, send the required documentation by courier to:

RE: "CIHR Network Environment for Aboriginal Health Research"
Research Capacity Development 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:

Blanka Finta
Program Delivery Coordinator
Research Capacity Development Branch
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: (613) 957-0296
Fax: (613) 954-1800
Email: bfinta@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

For questions about this initiative and research objectives contact:

Earl Nowgesic, BScN, RN, MHSc
Associate Director
PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria BC V8W 2Y2
Telephone: (250) 472-5453
Fax: (250) 472-5450
Email: nowgesic@uvic.ca

Description of Partners: CIHR Institutes and Partner Organizations

Note: Additional partners, including partners from industry and the private sector are expected to join this funding initiative over the coming year.

The Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (Updated: 2006-08-09)
The goal of the CIHR - Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis is to support research to sustain health and enhance quality of life by eradicating the pain, suffering and disability caused by arthritis, musculoskeletal, oral and skin conditions. To achieve its vision, IMHA will focus on three research priorities:

The Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis will provide funding for applications that are relevant to the following 2 priorities as they relate to this RFA and CIHR-IAPH's priorities:

CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health (IPPH)
The Institute of Population and Public Health (IPPH) supports research into the complex interactions (biological, social, cultural, environmental) which determine the health of individuals, communities, and global populations, and into the application of that knowledge to improve the health of both populations and individuals. IPPH is particularly interested in applications that either address the complex interactions of factors (e.g. biological, social, cultural, environmental, economic, gender, life stage) which determine the health of populations; or public health, as outlined in the RFA.

(Updated: 2006-11-01)
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB), Health Canada
Health Canada is working with First Nations people and Inuit to improve their health. Together with First Nations and Inuit organizations and communities, FNIHB carries out many activities aimed at helping people keep healthy, and prevent chronic and contagious diseases by supporting the delivery of public health and health promotion services on-reserve and in Inuit communities. It also provides drug, dental and ancillary health services to First Nations and Inuit people regardless of residence. The Branch also provides primary care services on-reserve in remote and isolated areas, where there are no provincial services readily available.The mandate of First Nations and Inuit Branch is to ensure the availability of, or access to, health services for First Nations and Inuit communities; assist First Nations and Inuit communities address health barriers, disease threats, and attain health levels comparable to other Canadians living in similar locations; and build strong partnerships with First Nations and Inuit to improve the health system.

FNIHB is interested in research that is relevant to First Nations and Inuit populations and to FNIHB's programs and policies. FNIHB is interested in research that strengthens capacity to accurately define health risks, trends, and emerging issues; supports effective design and delivery of health programs and services; and supports increased control by First Nations and Inuit people.

Created: 2006-06-01
Modified: 2006-11-01
Reviewed: 2006-06-01
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