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Operating Grant: Biology of Pain

The CIHR/Rx&D Collaborative Research Program (CIHR/Rx&D)
In partnership with
The Canadian Pain Society (CPS)
AstraZeneca Canada Inc. (AstraZeneca)
CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA)
CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA)

Request for Applications

Important Dates
Opportunity Launched	September 2006
Content Last Updated	(No updates since launch)
October 15, 2006	Letter of Intent deadline - Letter of Intent must be courier stamped by this date.
October 31, 2006	Letter of Intent decision will be completed by this date.
November 30, 2006	Full applications must be courier stamped by this date.
March 31, 2007	Notification of decision will be completed by this date.
July 1, 2007	Anticipated start date.
Additional Information	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 total amount available for this initiative is $165,000. The maximum amount awarded for a single grant is $82,500 per annum for up to two years. The equipment amount is awarded in year one.
Summary
The goal of the program is to support research activities in the area of pain and enhance the understanding of pain pathophysiology and underlying mechanisms.

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 program is a joint research initiative between the Canadian Pain Society, AstraZeneca Canada Inc., the CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction, the CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis, and the CIHR/Rx&D Collaborative Research Program. The goal of the program is to support research activities in the area of pain and enhance the understanding of pain pathophysiology and underlying mechanisms.

Partners

CIHR's Research Translation Programs Branch 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 support research activities in the area of pain;
to enhance the understanding of pain pathophysiology and underlying mechanisms; and,
facilitating the translational research 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.

CIHR, CPS and AstraZeneca 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 CPS, AstraZeneca, INMHA and IMHA will have access to anonymized project titles and summaries to conduct relevance review.

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

Research program and relevancy - Describe the program and justify why it is responsive to the RFA, including a brief description of:
- the individual research components that make up the project; and
- the objectives of the research project.

Principal Applicant - Justify the leadership capacity of the individual identified as the Principal Applicant.

Upon completion of peer review, the CPS, AstraZeneca, INMHA and IMHA 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.

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:

At the time of application, applicants must be within seven years of compIeting their postdoctoral training.

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.

The full application must provide a detailed justification of all costs.

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

Funds should be aimed at methodological or intellectual content innovations as opposed to personnel or training innovations (the latter being supported by CIHR elsewhere).
Funds may only be used in the process of generating novel data in accordance with CCRA, Scientific Research and Experimental Development program.
The purchase of equipment, up to a maximum of 50% of the value of the first year's budget, is permitted.

Grants should NOT be used as bridging or emergency funding or in support ongoing studies.

Review Process and Evaluation Criteria

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

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 applicant anticipated difficulties in their approach and considered alternatives?
How critically is the relevant literature appraised and evaluated?

The Applicant's Productivity, Experience and Training

How appropriate to the research proposed is the training or track record of the applicant? How important and original is the recent productivity of the applicant? 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.)

General CIHR Guidelines

This Request for Applications will also follow the General Guidelines for Industry-Partnered Programs. 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.

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.

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.

Research dissemination and commercialization: All Partners shall receive copies of manuscripts upon acceptance for publication, and conference presentations, which arise during or result from the funded project.

The Parties expect to be informed immediately of any commercial exploitation arising from activity supported through the Program.

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.

How to Apply

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

1) Letter of Intent (LOI)

The Letter of Intent is comprised of:

the first two pages of the CIHR Research Module for the CIHR Operating Grants Program (Research Module, Page 1, and Page 2a);
a three page letter; and
attachments.

i) CIHR Research Module:

The Research Module must be completed using the Webforms:

Note: page numbers will not be identified while you are entering the data. While you must complete all of the sections of this form for the full application, for the purposes of the Letter of Intent, it is sufficient to complete only the following sections: "Research Funding Program," "Nominated Principal Applicant/Candidate," and "Project".
Indicate Biology of Pain Young Investigators Grant in the section: "Name of Strategic Initiative (RFA)"
Once you have completed these sections, Save and Exit, then chose the print option for "Registration Pages Only." You will then be able to choose to print only the first two pages of the form.
On the Research Module, Page 1, signatures are required from the appropriate authorities at the Nominated Principal Applicant's employing institution.
On the Research Module, Page 2a, only the signature of the Nominated Principal Applicant is required.

ii) Letter

The letter itself must not exceed three (3) pages and must address the following:

Research program and relevancy. Describe the project and justify why it is responsive to this Request for Applications, including a brief description of the:
1. Individual research components that make up the project;
2. Objectives of the research project;
Principal Applicant: Justify the leadership capacity of the individual identified as the Principal Applicant.

iii) Attachments

An abbreviated CV (maximum two pages) for the Principal Applicant and each co-applicant, using the Common CV as a guideline for content. This must include information on current grants held, relevant publications from the last five years, and expertise keywords.* Full CVs will not be accepted.
A short bibliography (one page) of any references cited in the letter of intent
A list of the areas of expertise of the Principal Applicant and each co-applicant

Applicants are advised to follow the instructions on the Acceptable Application Module Formats which outline formatting requirements for letter and attachments.

Submit one original and six copies of the Letter of Intent to the address below, by the deadline date indicated at the beginning of this Request for Applications.

Applicants that successfully pass the relevancy review will receive an invitation to submit a full application.

2) Full Application

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

Select "Operating Grants - Industry-Partnered" (Registration and Application) from the Grant Programs Application Packages.

Additional instructions must be followed for this RFA.

Complete the following form [ PDF (259 KB) | Help ] and include it on the top of your application package.
In the Research Funding Program(s) section of the Research Module cover page, select "Rx&D;" under "Operating". Your selection will be dependent on the type of industrial partner involved. Reference "Who We Are" for more information.
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.

Submit one original and eight copies of the full application to the address below, by the deadline date indicated at the beginning of this Request for Applications.

Send the completed LOI and application packages by courier to:

RE: "Biology of Pain Young Investigator Grants"
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
Research Translation Programs Branch
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: (613) 952-5728
Fax: (613) 954-1800
Email: jjorge@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

Description of Partners: CIHR Institutes 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.

The CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA)
INMHA supports research to enhance mental health, neurological health, vision, hearing, and cognitive functioning and to reduce the burden of related disorders through prevention strategies, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation.

The CIHR Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA)
IMHA is committed to sustaining health and enhancing quality of life by eradicating the pain, suffering and disability caused by the broad array of musculoskeletal (MSK) diseases and conditions.

CIHR/Rx&D Collaborative Research Program (CIHR/Rx&D) is a partnership between Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D) and CIHR established to provide an opportunity for health researchers to work in collaboration with Rx&D companies. The 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

Canadian Pain Society (CPS)
CPS is a society of scientists, health care professionals and educators with an interest in the study of pain, its mechanisms, the assessment and treatment of clinical pain, and the dissemination of knowledge about pain.

AstraZeneca Canada Inc. (AZ)
AZ is an international pharmaceutical company with a strong research base and product portfolio designed to fight disease in seven areas of medical need including the central nervous system (CNS). The company's CNS research portfolio is focused on the areas of chronic pain management and both neurologic and psychiatric disease.

Created: 2006-09-05
Modified: 2006-09-05
Reviewed: 2006-09-05
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