| Important Dates | |
| Opportunity Launched | October 2006 |
| Content Last Updated | October 17, 2006 (Contact Information, Description of Partners) |
| December 4, 2006 | Letter of Intent Deadline - Letter of Intent must be courier stamped by this date. |
| February 1, 2007 | Letter of Intent Decision. |
| April 2, 2007 | Full applications must be courier stamped by this date. |
| August 31, 2007 | Anticipated notification of decision. |
| October 1, 2007 | Anticipated start date. |
| Funds Available | |
| The minimum amount available from CIHR for this program is approximately $3 million, and is subject to availability of funds voted annually to CIHR by parliamentary appropriations, and the conditions that may be attached to them. Though the funding ratios described below are the acceptable minimum, there is no limit on partner contributions that can be applied to a project. For research being conducted in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, the maximum CIHR contribution to each project is $150,000 over the life of the project (up to a maximum of 3 years). Applicants are required to find matching funding at a 1:1 ratio. For research being conducted in the provinces of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the maximum CIHR contribution to each project is $200,000 over the life of the project (up to a maximum of 3 years). Applicants are required to find matching funding at a 2:1 (CIHR : Partner) ratio (e.g. $100,000 to CIHR's $200,000 over the life of the project). This provincial partnership initiative is intended to expand the pool of available funds and thereby increase health research activity in these provinces. For these provinces, please note that applicants submitting an application to PHSI may not, in addition, apply to the CIHR Regional Partnership Program; such applications will not be reviewed. | |
| Summary | |
| The purpose of this initiative is to support teams of researchers and decision-makers interested in conducting applied health research useful to health system managers and/or policy makers over the next two-to-five years. More specifically, successful applicant teams will conduct health services (including public health), health systems and policy research projects of up to three years in length, in thematic areas identified as high priority in national consultations conducted by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) - Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR), the Nursing Research Fund (Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF)) and partners. | |
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
Appendix 1
Canadians care about their health and that of their families, friends and communities, and they take great pride in Medicare and the broader health system. Canadians have come to expect convenient access to high quality health services based on need. Canadians' confidence in their health care system significantly declined during the 1990s and has not yet rebounded to earlier levels. They are ready for new models of service delivery that will improve or sustain the level of care already provided.1 Canadians are open to a wide variety of initiatives to improve the health system, including a robust public health infrastructure, and strongly support the notion that health research will contribute to the pace of innovation in health care, public health and evidence-based decision-making.2
In order to forge an "integrated health research agenda across disciplines, sectors and regions that reflects the emerging health needs of Canadians and the evolution of the health system and supports health policy decision-making" (CIHR Act), CIHR and its Institutes have engaged, with a variety of partners, in consultations intended to elicit national priorities, and in a number of innovative research funding programs. Through partnerships with key stakeholders, CIHR is striving to support internationally competitive research initiatives that produce timely, high quality evidence with near term improving effects on the Canadian health care system and the health of Canadians. Partnerships are about shared vision, common objectives and alignment of priorities and programs. Partnerships are also critical to making more effective use of resources for research and are key to any successful knowledge translation strategy. In keeping with that spirit of collaboration and common vision and objectives, this strategic funding initiative involves partnerships between researchers, users of research, and funders of research.
In early 2004 CIHR published Investing in Canada's Future: A Blueprint for Health Research and Innovation to articulate its vision, mandate and strategic directions for the coming years. One strategic direction is to "support health innovations that contribute to a more productive health system." The foundation for CIHR's Blueprint is the extensive work of its 13 institutes in developing their own strategic plans. Since 2001, CIHR's 13 institutes have conducted wide-ranging consultations to develop coordinated, focused and integrated health research agendas within their respective health research domains. This strategic funding initiative has been designed to provide operating grant funds to support applied health services (including public health), health systems and policy research in thematic areas that have been identified as a priority by one or more of CIHR's 13 institutes.
Applied health services (including public health), health systems and policy research has played an important role in discussions, debate and decision-making in health and health care in Canada for decades, and will continue to do so in the current 'evidence-based' environment. While decision-making in health care and public health organizations is a complex process, research evidence has an important role to play. When the research process is guided by the information needs of users of research, findings are more likely to be translated into new knowledge. Moreover, it is becoming increasingly evident that effective knowledge translation requires continuous long-term interaction between researchers and users of research. Therefore, this initiative requires meaningful collaboration between a researcher(s) and system decision-makers likely to be able to make use of the results of the research, and will involve merit review of proposals where researchers and decision-makers jointly assess potential impact of the research on the health system, as well as scientific merit.
In addition to financial support from CIHR3, this funding program relies on the participation of partners and stakeholders to promote effective knowledge translation and to match CIHR's contributions. Applicants are invited to visit the Description of Partners to find information about Partners and their specific mandates, involvement and contributions. This list will continue to evolve as new Partners join this initiative.
Three types of partnerships are part of this competition:
1) Decision-maker Partners
These are active participants or advisory bodies on specific projects of research and are identified on grant applications.
Letters of Intent and Full Applications must involve relevant decision-maker partners. A decision-maker is a health system manager or a health services policy maker who makes decisions about health policies or practices, often working in a ministry of health, a relevant regulatory agency, a regional health authority, a public health service organization, a hospital, a health services organization, a relevant professional society (e.g., the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Public Health Association), a provincial medical and nursing association or a drug company.
Decision-makers and decision-maker organizations are considered partners when active as members of the investigative team or when participating through a significant advisory mechanism. Proposals that do not include relevant decision-makers as investigators or as significant advisors are not eligible for funding. Decision-makers' participation on research projects is a concrete demonstration of the importance of the topic to them and their commitment to the regular sharing of issues and results related to the research. Their partnership indicates a commitment to developing an ongoing relationship with a group of researchers to help answer questions in their managerial or policy-making area.
Although it is desirable to have decision-maker partners who also contribute funds or in-kind contributions such as staff release time, in situations where this is not possible, one or more of the other partner types must be approached to meet the matched funding requirement.
2) Competition Partners
These are organizations that have agreed to provide funding support to this competition.
CIHR has negotiated competition partnerships with a number of health research funding agencies, Ministries or Departments of Health, and other stakeholders that have expressed an interest in supporting this competition. These commitments are generally restricted either to researchers from, or working on issues that are a priority for, a particular province, or to research on a particular theme. Although many competition partners only support researchers from their own province, they may also consider supporting other researchers with multi-jurisdictional projects.
To date, the following organizations and stakeholders have committed their support to the current competition: (For additional information on these competition partners, please see the Description of Partners.)
The funding available from each of the competition partners is subject to revision without notice. Funding from competition partners may also be subject to confirmation that the proposed research fits within the partner's priorities.
Partnership arrangements with competition partners are negotiated directly between the applicant and the competition partner in question. Researchers and decision-makers interested in exploring such partnerships should communicate directly with the appropriate contact for each organization as indicated in the Description of Partners. Researchers must also obtain a Letter of Support from the competition partner indicating their commitment to the project.
3) Project-specific Partners
Eligible applicants may obtain contributions (cash or in-kind) from other partners that they identify themselves and with whom they negotiate. Such partners could be universities, foundations, voluntary health charities, provider associations, other provincial government departments, or the private sector.
A list of such partners, active in the first PHSI competition, is provided as a reference in the Description of Partners. Where "decision-maker partners" also bring resources (cash or in-kind) to a project, they may also be considered project-specific partners.
The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support teams of researchers and decision-makers interested in conducting applied health services and policy research in theme areas identified below, that will be useful to health system managers and/or policy makers over the next two-to-five years. More specifically, this initiative is intended to:
Ten priority thematic areas emerged during a national consultation (Listening for Direction II) that was undertaken by CHSRF, CIHR - IHSPR, the Canadian Institute for Health Information, the Advisory Committee on Governance and Accountability of the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Conference of Deputy Ministers of Health, and the Health Statistics Division of Statistics Canada. All of these are eligible research areas for this competition. These themes are as follows:
Detailed descriptions of, and sample research questions for, each of these themes can be found in the Listening for Direction II final report.
Within these research areas, as appropriate, applications focused on particular populations such as: official language minority communities, informal/voluntary care givers, isolated populations (e.g., Aboriginal or northern communities) and vulnerable populations including ; immigrants, refugees, the disabled, the poor, the homeless, people with stigmatizing conditions, the elderly, children and youth in disadvantaged circumstances, people with poor literacy skills, and women in precarious circumstances are of particular interest.
Note that applications focusing on the development of technologies are not eligible. For example, developing equipment or devices would not be acceptable for this program, but the testing of this equipment or device in relation to the themes listed above would be relevant to this initiative.
In addition to these 11 themes, CIHR Institutes have identified a number of priority research areas. Areas of focused interest to which targeted funding has been assigned are detailed in the Description of Partners.
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.
Applications in which the funding request from CIHR exceeds the maximum allowable amount are ineligible and will not be merit reviewed.
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) designed to examine organization and system level interventions within eligible research areas will be considered for funding. Examples include RCTs of program or policy interventions designed to improve health care delivery or strengthen health care systems. RCTs designed to study clinical interventions are not eligible.
Note that it is the applicant's responsibility to identify their application as an RCT. However, CIHR and the CIHR RCT Team will determine which applications qualify as an RCT.
In addition to the PHSI full application, applicants who are submitting an RCT application or include an RCT in their proposal are required to complete an RCT protocol which is to be submitted with the full application. Please consult CIHR RCT staff listed in Contact Information for instructions.
Full applications containing an RCT will be reviewed by the Randomized Control Trial Committee and the PHSI Merit Review Committee, and must meet the threshold of excellence of both committees to be considered for funding. Applicants who include RCTs in their proposal will be provided with additional instructions to facilitate this parallel review.
Specific Eligibility Requirements
Please note: In addition to standard CIHR applicant roles (i.e., Principal Applicant, and Co-applicant), two applicant roles have been added for this competition: Principal Decision-maker Applicant and Decision-maker Applicant, which are equivalent to Principal Applicant and Co-applicant respectively.
In addition to the standard CIHR eligibility requirements, the following special conditions apply:
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.
Mechanism of Support
This competition is funded as an operating grants competition, and is designed to solicit project grant applications with a duration of up to 3 years.
Funds Available
The minimum amount available from CIHR for this program is approximately $3 million.
Though the funding ratios described below are the acceptable minimum, there is no limit on partner contributions that can be applied to a project.
The full application must provide a detailed budget and justification of all costs. This justification must include direct costs that relate to the proposed knowledge translation activity outlined in the project description itself.
Grants should NOT be used:
Allowable costs for these project grants include:
Merit Review
A CIHR Merit Review committee will evaluate all letters of intent and full applications. The committee will be created specifically for this competition. 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). CIHR will make reasonable efforts to ensure that the same committee evaluates the letters of intent and the ensuing invited full applications. Names of committee members are published on the CIHR web site following the announcement of results from the competition.
Each letter of intent and full application will be assigned to three members of the committee: two internal reviewers (a decision-maker and a researcher) and a reader. CIHR staff will send the applications to external reviewers as required. Each review will be lead by the internal reviewers and the reader, who need not provide a written review, will act as a discussant.
Evaluation Criteria
Merit Review will involve using the following criteria to evaluate both the letters of intent and invited full applications:
a) Potential Impact
b) Scientific Merit
Common Scale for Evaluation
The committee will use the CIHR Merit Review Scale to assess letters of intent and invited full applications:
| Potential Impact | Scientific Merit | ||
| Fundable: | enormous extremely significant very significant |
4.5-4.9 4.0-4.4 3.5-3.9 |
outstanding excellent very good |
| Not fundable: | significant moderate limited negligible |
3.0-3.4 2.5-2.9 2.0-2.4 0-1.9 |
acceptable, but low priority needs revision needs major revision seriously flawed |
Although committee members score to one decimal place, final scores are calculated to two decimals. Only those letters of intent that receive a final score of 3.50 or more on both potential impact and scientific merit will be considered for invitation to the full-scale application stage. Only those invited full applications receiving a score of 3.50 or more on both potential impact and scientific merit will be considered for funding.
Relevance Review
The appropriate Institute and/or Competition Partner representatives may evaluate invited full applications for relevance in relation to their particular interests (for partnership purposes). As such, those representatives will have access to the anonymized project titles and full application summaries (page 9 of the Research Module). Relevance review will have no impact on the merit review process.
Upon completion of merit review, the participating CIHR Institutes and Competition partners will receive the anonymized ranking list, merit scores (ratings) and recommendations of the merit review committee with regards to funding level and award term, for the submitted applications that fall in the fundable range.
This Request for Applications will follow the General Guidelines for Grant Programs.
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 to this competition:
Funded teams will be expected to file an interim progress report with CIHR once per annum. The report should not exceed three pages and should:
Final reports: CHSRF has developed guidelines to help researchers write a reader-friendly report, in a 1:3:25 format. The reports have been very well received as well as helpful to knowledge users. Therefore, CIHR will require that the applicants complete the 1:3:25 reports (1 page of bullet points on the main messages, 3 page executive summary, and 25 pages for the complete report of your work) within six months of the completion of the project. Please refer to the CHSRF reader-friendly report writing guidelines [ PDF (27 KB) | Help ].
Please note that the 1:3 portion of the report will be posted on the CIHR Website in both official languages. CIHR will arrange for translation services.
Successful applicants are encouraged to take all reasonable steps to ensure timely dissemination of research findings to a broad array of appropriate audiences and stakeholders.
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, Public Communication and 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.
All funded applicants will be expected to participate in the evaluation strategy, contributing advice, data and reports as required for assessment purposes.
| Objective | Outcome | Measure/Indicator |
| Support research that "reflects the emerging health needs of Canadians and the evolution of the health system and supports health policy decision-making". | Funded research is identified as a high priority by health policy decision-makers. Funded research supports health policy decision-making. |
Active decision-maker involvement throughout the research project due to their perceptions of high priority theme. Decision-maker partners report that funded research supports health policy decision-making. Examples of policy decision-making based on research. |
| Support research relevant to decision-makers by producing results that can be applied to multiple regions and/or settings. | Applicability of results to multiple regions and/or settings. | Decision-makers in other regions and/or settings who are not involved in the funded research report that the work supports health policy decision-making. Peer reviewed article addresses the applicability of the results to multiple regions and/or settings. |
| Foster "collaboration with the provinces and with individuals and organizations in or outside of Canada that have an interest in health or health research" and engage a variety of partners, "in or outside Canada, with complementary research interests". | Collaborations among a variety of researchers and decision-makers that are attributable to involvement in the funded research. | New collaborations among a variety of researchers and decision-makers, attributable to involvement in the funded research, that last throughout the term of the work. Collaborations among a variety of researchers and decision-makers, attributable to involvement in the funded research, that are sustained long after the term of the work. |
| Promote the involvement and recognition of, and respect for, health researchers from an array of health disciplines. | Multidisciplinary research teams. | The array of disciplinary backgrounds of research team members, and the extent to which these backgrounds are engaged to enhance the quality of the funded work. |
| Enable the dissemination of knowledge and application of health research to improve the health of Canadians and the strength of the Canadian health system. | Improved linkages and exchanges among researchers and users of research. Created new knowledge and influenced decision-making in health policy and practice. |
Number and nature of knowledge translation activities. Increased awareness among decision-makers about the research findings. Increased awareness among researchers about the research needs of decision-makers. Extent to which new knowledge has been created. Extent to which new knowledge has influenced decision making. |
There are two stages to the application process:
Both letters of Intent (LOI) and Full Applications must address the criteria described under the Review Process and Evaluation Criteria section of this competition. Please refer to the Tips and Traps at the end of this section when applying.
To access CIHR web forms, all applicants and co-applicants (including Decision Maker applicants) must acquire Personal Identification Numbers (PIN). There will be a delay of approximately one working day to receive confirmation of a PIN. More than one working day may be required in peak periods - late January and early August. The PIN will also be needed to complete the Common CV for CIHR.
Applicants are advised to refer to the "Guidelines for Completion" specific to each application module, and the instructions on How to Apply for Funding, including the applicable section of the Grants and Awards Guide.
The following special instructions apply to this competition:
1) Letter of Intent (LOI)
The team must submit one original and six copies of a Letter of Intent, which will be reviewed for responsiveness/thematic fit. Letters of Intent must be postmarked no later than December 4, 2006. The Letter of Intent is comprised of:
a) CIHR Research Module
You must access the Research Module through the CIHR Web Forms. When creating a new application, select "Operating" under "Grant Programs" and complete the following six sections of the Research Module web form. Print the "Registration Pages Only."
On the printed forms, the following pages must be completed:
Please refer to "The Meaning of Signatures on Application Forms" and "Participant Categories for CIHR Grants," in the CIHR Grants and Awards Guide.
b) Short Research Proposal
The research proposal must not exceed five pages including budget, figures and tables and the Summary of Research Proposal (p. 9). References may be listed in additional pages.
Letters of Intent will be evaluated as per the evaluation criteria detailed in the Criteria for Merit Review section. Applicants are expected to use the headings below to organize the short research proposal:
Research: This section should describe: the objectives and question(s) to be addressed, based on an assessment of the existing literature and practice; the methods and approach to be employed; the importance and likely outcome of the research, the likely generalizability and validity of the results, and the research timeline. Please note that the methods and approach should be sufficiently well developed and clearly described so that it is possible for the merit review panel to assess feasibility and relevance.
Impact: This section should address questions such as the following: Are the "process" or "outcome" measures relevant and useful to a significant number of health-system managers and policy makers? How will the research results be used in the planning, allocation, or management decisions of policy makers? Can the research results be applied? Are they applicable outside a single region or institution? Are appropriate numbers of the decision-maker audience active in the proposal? Will this audience still be interested in the results when they are available? Will the dissemination of the research results respect the ways in which decision-makers are likely to acquire and apply information? Has the communication plan been informed by decision-maker preferences?
Investigative team: This section should include the names and affiliations of the investigative team members, with a brief statement of their roles (e.g., researcher, decision-maker), experience, area(s) of expertise, time commitment and planned contributions to the project. It should also include a brief description of the structures and processes in place (or that will be put in place) to encourage the regular collaborative planning, resolution of issues, and sharing of results between members of the investigative team.
Knowledge Translation Plan: This section should include the identification of the audience(s) the research is relevant to, and a description of the approaches that will be taken to reach the audience(s). Applicants should describe plans for linkage and exchange activities, and outline how these approaches will increase potential use/broader application of results. Applicants should indicate whether there are plans to informally evaluate the effectiveness of the chosen approach to knowledge translation. The more sensitive the plan is to the preferences of the relevant managers and/or policy makers, the higher it will be rated.
Budget: This section should include:
c) Attachments
The formatting guidelines for CIHR applications described in the "text to be attached" section on the CIHR Web Forms must be followed for all attachments.
Send the original Letter of Intent and six copies by courier to:
RE: "Partnerships for Health System Improvement"
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Room 97, 160 Elgin Street
Address locator: 4809A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0W9
2) Full Application
All invited teams must submit one original and eight copies of the full application. Full applications must be postmarked no later than April 2, 2007.
The Full Application is comprised of:
a) Covering Letter
The cover letter should identify the name of this funding initiative (i.e., Partnerships for Health System Improvement), and the name of the decision-maker partner's organization. The name of a contact person within this partner organization should be provided, as well as his/her contact information. The letter should also state which of the 11 eligible thematic areas the proposal primarily addresses and any priority research area identified by a CIHR Institute, if applicable.
b) The CIHR Operating Grants application package
Applicants are required to use the CIHR Web Forms when completing the operating grants application forms. PDF forms will not be accepted.
When completing the CIHR Operating Grants application package, please note the following information:
In the Research Module:
In the CIHR Operating Budget Module:
In the Common CV (for CIHR):
c) Decision-Maker CVs
A two-page free form CV must be included for EACH decision maker applicant. The CV must contain the following information:
d) The Partnership Module [ PDF (106 KB) | Help ]
e) Attachments
Consider the following TIPS and TRAPS when you are applying:
Send the original Full Application and eight copies by courier to:
RE: "Partnerships for Health System Improvement"
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 details about the merit review process, please contact:
Todd Lavictoire
Program Delivery Officer
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: (613) 941-4439
Fax: (613) 954-1800
Email: PHSI-PASS@cihr-irsc.gc.ca (Updated: 2006-10-17)
For questions regarding Randomized Control Trials, please contact:
Irwin Schweitzer
Trials Officer (RCT program)
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: (613) 941-0718
Fax: (613) 954-1800
Email: ischweitzer@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Note: Additional partners may join this funding initiative over the coming year.
Sources of CIHR Support
Applicants are not required to contact the individual CIHR Institutes, Branches, Programs or Initiatives described below to secure funding from CIHR.
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.
In addition to the strategic funding identified below, an allocation of $500,000 is available to researchers undertaking projects of research in the provinces of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. This provincial partnership initiative is intended to expand the pool of available funds and thereby increase health research activity in these provinces. Researchers in the provinces identified above will be required to secure only 1/3 of the total cost of the project (e.g., up to $100,000 out of $300,000 over the life of the project) from their partners.
CIHR - Institute of Aging (IA)
IA supports research to promote healthy aging and to address causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions associated with aging. IA has identified five priority areas for research on aging and health (in no particular order): healthy and successful aging; biological mechanisms of aging; cognitive impairment in aging; aging and maintenance of functional autonomy; and health services and policy relating to older people.
IA will contribute up to $200,000 per year to successful applications that fit within one or more of its priority research areas, with emphasis on the area of mobility in aging in the context of the aging and maintenance of functional autonomy priority.
CIHR - Institute of Cancer Research (ICR)
ICR fosters research based on internationally accepted standards of excellence, which bear on preventing and treating cancer and improving the health and quality of life of those living with the disease.
In 2005, in response to increasing public concern about access to health care services and programs, ICR adopted 'Access to Quality Cancer Care' as a new strategic research priority. ICR is interested in research across the entire spectrum of cancer control from prevention to palliation that will lead to improvements in access to quality cancer care.
Depending on available funds, through this competition the CIHR-ICR will support at least one successful application with a cancer care focus in the thematic area of "Timely Access to Quality Care for All".
CIHR- Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH)
ICRH supports research into the causes, mechanisms, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions associated with the heart, lung, brain (stroke), blood vessels, blood, [critical care, and sleep].
CIHR-ICRH encourages researchers from the circulatory-respiratory community to participate in this research initiative and will consider providing funding to highly ranked applications of relevance to ICRH's mandate.
CIHR - Institute of Gender and Health (IGH)
IGH supports research that addresses how sex (biological-genetic dimensions) and gender (social-cultural dimensions) interact with other socio-cultural, bio-physical, and political-economic factors to influence health and create conditions that differ with respect to risk factors or effective interventions for males and females throughout the lifespan. The objectives of the Institute for Gender and Health are to (1) generate evidence regarding the impact of sex and gender on health status, health behaviour, and health services use throughout the life span; (2) enhance understanding of how gender, sex and health interact with other health determinants; (3) provide evidence to inform the design of programs, policies and practices; (4) build the capacity of gender and health researchers in Canada; and (5) advance the gender and health perspective nationally and internationally.
Depending on available funds, IGH will support successful applications in all research theme areas that are relevant to its mandate and any of the following research priorities:
The Institute of Gender and Health strongly encourages applicants to demonstrate the use of Gender/Sex-based or Gender/sex-sensitive analysis (GSBA) in applications. GSBA is an approach to research and evaluation which systematically inquires about biological (sex-based) and sociocultural (gender-based) differences between women and men, boys and girls, without presuming that any such differences exist. The purpose of GSBA is to promote rigorous sex/gender-sensitive health research which expands understanding of health determination in both sexes, in order to provide knowledge which can result in improvements in health and health care. Consult the GSBA Resource Guide for applicants and reviewers produced by IGH for more information.
* Please note that if you locate and/or use alternate sex and gender sensitive guidelines, we would appreciate their citation.
CIHR - Institute of Genetics (IG)
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.
Depending on available funds, the CIHR-IG will support applications - relevant to its mandate - in all research themes.
CIHR - Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH)
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.
Depending on available funds, through this competition the CIHR-IHDCYH will support research in all research themes.
CIHR - Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR)
IHSPR supports outstanding research, capacity-building and knowledge translation initiatives designed to improve the way health care services are organized, regulated, managed, financed, paid for, used and delivered, in the interest of improving the health and quality of life of all Canadians.
IHSPR has committed up to $700,000 per year to this competition available to applicants working in areas identified as priorities in the recent LFDII priority setting-process. Detailed descriptions of, and sample research questions for, each of these themes can be found in the Listening for Direction II final report.
Without limitation, researchers could address questions such as:
Health care system improvement requires ongoing monitoring of performance over time. Recognizing that valid measures of system performance may either be lacking or may differ across jurisdictions, proposals to develop and validate performance measures related to LfDII priority areas are encouraged. These performance indicators should be developed with a view to portability across jurisdictions.
Again we stress that researchers are not limited to these suggestions and any research question that falls within one of the eleven PHSI themes listed in the Relevant Research Areas section above is welcome.
CIHR - III - HIV/AIDS Research Initiative
The CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity (CIHR-III) manages the CIHR HIV/AIDS Research Initiative, a component of the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada. In line with the goals of the Federal Initiative, the HIV/AIDS Research Initiative seeks to develop knowledge that will help prevent new infections, improve the quality of care and treatment for people living with HIV and, ultimately, to contribute to finding a cure for AIDS.
Priorities for the HIV/AIDS Research Initiative include issues of health systems and services which are necessary to guide effective decision making and policies regarding the response to the epidemic. The priorities for HIV/AIDS research are aligned with several of the thematic areas outlined under this RFA and the themes of Timely Access to Quality Care for All and Sustainable Funding and Ethical Resource Allocation in particular. The Initiative encourages researchers from the HIV/AIDS community to participate in this funding opportunity and will consider providing funding to highly ranked research projects in the following areas:
CIHR - III - Pandemic Preparedness Research Initiative
Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Infection and Immunity (CIHR-III) is leading the Pandemic Preparedness Research Initiative to develop a coordinated and focused research effort and to build influenza and pandemic preparedness research capacity in Canada. The ultimate goal is that the new knowledge will allow Canada and others around the world to prevent or mitigate an influenza pandemic or to be better prepared to respond to a pandemic should one arise. Many of the issues that will be faced in the event of a pandemic relate to health systems and services. Research is needed to create new knowledge for informed decision making in pandemic planning and policies.
Through the Pandemic Preparedness Research Initiative, CIHR-III will contribute up to $150,000 per year to support applications. CIHR-III will support successful applications in research themes as they relate to the following research priorities:
CIHR - Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA)
IMHA supports research to sustain health and enhance quality of life by eradicating the pain, suffering and disability caused by arthritis, musculoskeletal, oral and skin conditions.
CIHR-IMHA will support research across any of the six foci in its mandate:
Specifically, depending on available funds, IMHA will support research that addresses the "access to care" theme, as it relates to IMHA's pain, disability and chronic diseases strategic priority. IMHA also supports innovations in improving access to care through knowledge creation and translation.
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.
In early 2004, CIHR's Institutes of Population and Public Health, and Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addictions sponsored a national workshop that focused on Mental Health in the Workplace. Please consult the full workshop report for more information.
Depending on available funds, through this competition the CIHR-INMHA will support research within the topic: Mental Health and the Workplace, which fits within the theme Management of healthcare workplace.
Eligible research questions under this topic focus on mental health and health care workplaces, and include health system decision-makers from human resources, other relevant departments, and/or a variety of agencies (e.g., institutions, health regions, provincial ministries). Research priorities include, but are not limited to: mental health promotion in health care workplaces, stigma and health care work, transforming knowledge into practice, and disability management and return to work.
CIHR - Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes (INMD)
INMD following an extensive environmental scan and stakeholder input identified 'Obesity and Healthy Body Weight' as its focus for strategic research funding. To effectively reverse this epidemic it is imperative that research generate new knowledge on the multiple and interacting causes of obesity, on best practices for its prevention in both individuals and populations, and on cost-effective and ethical measures for treatment. Other examples of areas of interest to INMD include: access to care for obese and morbidly obese patients, impact of obesity on other areas of health services such as orthopedic surgery, cost effectiveness of bariatric surgery programs and research to evaluate the need for specialized hospital equipment for morbidly obese people. For more information about INMD's strategic priority visit Excellence Innovation and Advancement in the Study of Obesity and Healthy Body Weight.
Depending on available funds, through this competition CIHR-INMD will support research in all research themes, which are relevant to issues related to the measures, causes, prevention, treatment or consequences of obesity.
Joint CIHR-Institute of Population and Public Health & PHAC-Office of Public Health Practice Initiative
CIHR - IPPH supports research into the complex interactions, which determine health, and its application to improve the health of individuals, communities and global populations. This initiative directly responds to one of the Institute's strategic priorities, which is to strengthen public health policy and practice capacity across the country and encourage linkages with research. The mission of the Public Health Agency of Canada is to promote and protect the health of Canadians through leadership, partnership, innovation and action in public health. Focused on more effective efforts to prevent chronic diseases, like cancer and heart disease, prevent injuries and respond to public health emergencies and infectious disease outbreaks, PHAC works closely with provinces and territories to keep Canadians healthy and help reduce pressures on the health care system. PHAC's Office of Public Health Practice aims to improve public health infrastructure by focusing on workforce, information and knowledge systems, and public health law and information policy through leadership, innovation and concerted action. CIHR-IPPH and PHAC-OCHP jointly support a number of other funding programs to encourage linkages between academia and public health practice.
Eligible Research Areas
IPPH and PHAC will contribute up to $300,000 to the following eligible research areas that link with a number of LfDII theme areas including Workforce planning, training and regulation; Governance and accountability; Managing and adapting to change; Linking public health and health services; and Sustainable funding and ethical resource allocation.
Threats to the public's health continue to be highlighted in Canada's media. These threats include: the contaminated water, as in Walkerton, Ontario, SARS and influenza; increases in chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes; and shifts in their underlying socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental determinants. These trends have underscored the critical importance of public health but also highlighted the vulnerability of our public health infrastructure. A number of federal, provincial, and territorial commissions and committees have produced reports with several recommendations to address the public health system's weaknesses. These reports recommend infrastructure renewal to more effectively execute the five essential functions of public health - population health assessment, health promotion, disease and injury, health protection and health surveillance. In response to these challenges, the CIHR-Institute of Population and Public Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada's Office of Public Health Practice would like to encourage applied public health services research in partnership with decision-makers in public health policy and practice settings. Illustrative examples of such research include but are not limited to the following:
CIHR - Knowledge Translation Branch (KT)
An important part of CIHR's mandate is to translate knowledge into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened health care system.. In responding to this broad mandate, it will be necessary for CIHR to strengthen relationships among health researchers and users of health knowledge, enhance capacity for knowledge uptake, and accelerate the flow of knowledge into beneficial health applications.
Depending on available funds, through this competition the CIHR- KT Branch will support applications which will strengthen relationships among health researchers and users of health knowledge for effective knowledge translation.
CIHR - Innovation and Industry Programs (IIP)
CIHR's Innovation and Industry Programs are designed to help the academic community interact with Canadian companies with an interest in health research and development. The programs promote a wide variety of peer-review research and training projects jointly funded by Canadian companies and CIHR. The research planned should be beneficial to both parties, while improving the quality of health of Canadians.
Depending on available funds, through this competition the CIHR-IIP will support research in all research themes, where applicant teams secure the required matching funds (cash or in-kind) from private sector sources.
Note that CIHR-IIP's financial contribution to a project under this competition must meet a 1:2 (CIHR:private sector partner) ratio. For this purpose, the private sector is meant to include for-profit organizations, including companies, industry consortia, industry associations, and commodity or producer groups with the ability to further develop and/or exploit benefits of research. Eligibility Guidelines is available.
Competition Partners
Partnership and support is being negotiated with a number of other health research funding organizations. These commitments are generally restricted to either researchers from or working on the issues related to a particular province, or research on a particular theme. Although many provincial partners will only support researchers from their own province, consideration may also be given to multi-jurisdictional projects.
In all cases commitment is subject to availability of appropriated funds in the budgets of each party. The funding ceilings are subject to revision without notice and are also subject to their confirmation that the proposed research fits within their priorities and regulations. Each applicant is responsible for contacting the appropriate competition partner to solicit a Letter of Support for the Letter of Intent stage of the competition. Further information on the format can be found by clicking on Letter of Support.
Researchers undertaking projects of research in the provinces of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba and Saskatchewan will only be required to get financial commitment from their respective provinces for 1/3 of the total cost of the project or up to $100,000.
Nursing Research Fund (Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF))
Up to $200,000 is available for successful projects in this CIHR competition (maximum of $100, 000 per project), submitted under the nursing leadership, organization and policy theme. Applicants can continue to access other Nursing Research Fund funds made available through the CHSRF through the Research Exchange, and Impact for System Support (REISS) Competition. Funds will be allocated according to the merit review panel ratings as funds are available. Applicants under this theme may also wish to identify other potential partners in case there are insufficient funds from the Nursing Research Fund to support all the meritorious proposals approved under this theme.
Theme description: Nurses make up the largest healthcare provider group in the healthcare system. Staffing and other workplace issues remain critically important to this group. As well, a recent nursing consultation identified the need for further work on strategies that address generational differences, such as recruitment and retention issues related to work-life balance expectations; full-time employment opportunities; and specific education and mentoring needs that support the transition of new nurses into a complex work environment. There is also increasing evidence that nursing care has a large impact on quality of care and patient safety. Thus there is significant overlap between this theme and two of the other strategic themes: management of the health care workplace and managing for quality and safety. Proposals responding to these other themes can be within the scope of the nursing theme as long as they have a nursing health services focus.
Examples of issues that proposals could address include:
All proposals to the nursing theme should use the report "Looking forward, working together: Priorities for nursing leadership in Canada" [ PDF (579 KB) | Help ] as a resource in preparing the submission. This report identifies priority areas for the foundation's nursing theme.
Please note that applicants seeking CHSRF support within the nursing leadership, organization and policy theme are required to send a copy of their LOI and Full Application to CHSRF, at the time of application, as a condition of CHSRF's support. Letters of support from CHSRF for applications in this theme will not be required. CHSRF will fund applications in this theme on the basis of the merit review process, up to the total available of $200,000. (Updated: 2007-10-17)
For further information contact:
Joanne Casey
Program Officer, Grants, Awards & Partnerships
Canadian Health Services Research Foundation
Tel: (613) 728-2238 ext. 218
Fax: (613) 728-3527
Email: joanne.casey@chsrf.ca
Website: http://www.chsrf.ca/
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR)
AHFMR supports a community of researchers who generate knowledge whose application improves the health and quality of life of Albertans and people throughout the world. The long-term commitment is to fund health research based on international standards of excellence and carried out by new and established investigators and researchers in training.
AHFMR will not usually contribute more than $150,000 per project or 50 percent of total costs, whichever is less. AHFMR's total contribution through the fund will not normally exceed $500,000 per year. Funding is usually reserved for Alberta-based researchers and decision-makers. Applicants must contact AHFMR in order to receive a letter of support to include with their Letter of Intents.
For further information contact:
Mr. Mark Taylor
Director, Grants & Awards
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research
Telephone.: (780) 423-5727
Fax: (780) 429-3509
Email: mark.taylor@ahfmr.ab.ca
Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec et Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux du Québec
In this competition, funding is available for successful projects at an amount equivalent to 40 percent of the annual budget. For projects, the maximum contribution is $80,000 over the duration of the project. Applications will be funded based on available funds. Applicants must obtain the remaining 10 percent from another source. Note that as for other FRSQ operating grant's programs, priority will be given to applications originating from new investigators, i.e. from investigators that would normally be eligible for a Junior 1 FRSQ Chercheur Boursier award (8 years or less after last degree). However, in compliance with CIHR guidelines, priority applications from senior investigators could be funded by the MSSS.
Letters of intent should be submitted simultaneously to the FRSQ and to CIHR by the December 4 deadline. Funding is for Quebec researchers only. For further information contact:
Mme Ginette Piché
Directrice des programmes
Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec
Telephone: (514) 873-2114, poste 241
Email: gpiche@frsq.gouv.qc.ca
M. Claude Dussault
Directeur général adjoint de l'évaluation, de la recherche et des affaires extérieures
Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux
Telephone (418) 266-7025
Email: claude.dussault@msss.gouv.qc.ca
Government of Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan will fund applications in all themes depending on availability of funds through the Innovation and Science Fund established by the Saskatchewan government. Funds are usually reserved for Saskatchewan-based researchers and decision-makers.
Mr. Kevin Veitenheimer
Saskatchewan Learning
Telephone: (306) 787-7974
Email: kveitenheimer@sasked.gov.sk.ca
Manitoba Health
Manitoba Health has up to $10,000 per year available for successful new applications. In the event that there are more successful applications than available funds, applications will be funded based on the priority rating established by the CIHR merit review panel, until the fund is expended. Please note that this competition is administered by CIHR. All queries regarding the application process should be directed there, not to Manitoba Health.
For further information regarding specific requirements contact:
Mr. Louis Barre
Manitoba Health
Telephone: (204) 786-7149
Email: lbarre@gov.mb.ca
Medical Research Fund of New Brunswick
The purpose of the Medical Research Fund of New Brunswick is to provide financial assistance for health-related research within the province. Depending on available funds, through this competition the Medical Research Fund of New Brunswick will support research in all research themes. Please note that this funding is only available to researchers based in New Brunswick.
For further information contact:
Mr. John Boyne
Administrator
Medical Research Fund of New Brunswick
Telephone: (506) 444-3222
Email: john.boyne@gnb.ca
Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research
The Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR) leads, partners and serves as a catalyst to build British Columbia's capacity for excellence in clinical, biomedical, health services and population health research. Through a restricted grant from the BC Ministry of Health, the Foundation facilitated the development and supports the operations of a provincial Health Services and Policy Research Support Network (HSPRSN) to advance health services and policy research activity and capacity in the Province.
For the past two years, the HSPRSN Steering Council has recommended and MSFHR has approved use of HSPRSN funds to partner with the CIHR Institute of Health Services & Policy Research in the Partnerships for Health System Improvement Operating Grants competition. The HSPRSN will undertake a review of all its programs in the spring of 2007 and develop funding recommendations going forward. Until this process is complete, it will not be possible to confirm whether or not matching funds will be available from the HSPRSN for BC applicants to future PHSI competitions.
In the interim, BC researchers applying to the 2006 PHSI competition should identify alternative sources of matching funds.
Patricia Coward, RN, PhD
Executive Director
Health Services & Policy Research Support Network
c/o Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research
Telephone: (604) 714-6606
Email: pcoward@msfhr.org
Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Applied Health Research (NLCAHR)
The Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Applied Health Research has a mandate to increase the capacity of the province of Newfoundland to carry out high-quality research on applied health issues (by which is meant all health matters with a relevance to public policy and clinical decision-making).
NLCAHR has up to $30,000 per year available for successful new applications. Only projects involving a principal investigator who is a researcher or a decision maker based in Newfoundland and Labrador are eligible for funds. In the event that there are more successful applications than available funds, applications will be funded based on the priority rating established by the CIHR merit review panel, until the funds are expended. For further information contact:
Stephen Bornstein
Director
Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Applied Health Research
Telephone: (709) 777-6768
Email: sbornste@mun.ca
Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation
The mission of the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation (NSHRF) is to help improve the health of Nova Scotians through the development and support of a vibrant and sustainable health research community in Nova Scotia to the extent possible with efficient use of available funds.
The purpose of the Partnership for Health Systems Improvements (PHSI) matching funds program is to support alliances of researchers and decision-makers in conducting applied health services and policy research that will be useful to health system managers and/or policy makers. Funding is for projects of research in which Nova Scotia researchers and decision makers figure prominently.
Researchers interested in being considered for a PHSI matching grant must submit a detailed letter of request to NSHRF with a copy of their letter of intent. Priority is based on funding availability and the potential impact of the proposed research on the health of Nova Scotians. To be eligible for PHSI matching funds from the NSHRF, applicants must pre-register with the NSHRF by submitting a detailed letter of request to the NSHRF with a copy of their letter of intent. This request to NSHRF must be made not less than 2 weeks before the CIHR deadline. Prior approval from NSHRF is required to be eligible for NSHRF matching funds. A letter of support will be provided by NSHRF if the application meets the NSHRF requirements.
The maximum NSHRF funding available is $100,000 per grant (pending budget availability). Please direct any requests for Matching Funds to NSHRF c/o Program Manager, Research Awards.
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Lesley Poirier Manager Research Awards
Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation
Telephone: (902) 424-4043
Email: poiriell@gov.ns.ca
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) aims to achieve better health in Ontario. To deliver better health care, fundamental changes to the health care system are required. In order to achieve this goal we must re-establish a health care system in Ontario that is patient-focused, results-driven, integrated and sustainable. The plan for transforming the system is complex, but is anchored on a clear vision for health care in Ontario - healthy Ontarians in a healthier Ontario.
MOHLTC is a non-funding partner who continues to encourage partnerships with researchers in creating a more evidence-based health care system.
Project-specific Partners/ Decision-maker Partners
Applicants may also approach other organizations when seeking sources for matching funds. A list of such partners active in the first PHSI competition is available.
Please note: CIHR's financial contribution to a project is not to exceed that of any private sector partner(s). The private sector consists of for-profit organizations, including companies, industry consortia, industry associations, and commodity or producer groups. Special circumstances may be considered on a case by case basis.
| List of Partners | Type of Contribution (cash or in-kind) | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIHR | cash | $33,333 | $33,333 | $33,333 | $99,999 |
| CHSRF | cash | $33,333 | $33,333 | $33,333 | $99,999 |
| Ontario Community Support Association | In-Kind | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $15,000 |
| St. Michael's Hospital | In-Kind | $10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $30,000 |
| St. Michael's Hospital | cash | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $15,000 |
1 Health Care in Canada Survey: Retrospective 1998-2003 [ PDF (228 KB) | Help ]. 2003. Pollara Research. Accessed August 10, 2004.
2 Health Care in Canada Survey [ PDF (510 Ko) | Help ]. 2003. Pollara Research. Accessed July 6, 2004.
3 CIHR support for the current competition Partnership for Health System Improvement (PHSI) comes from (at time of posting):
Institute of Aging (IA)
Institute of Cancer Research (ICR)
Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH)
Institute of Gender and Health (IGH)
Institute of Genetics (IG)
Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR)
Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH)
Institute of Infection and Immunity (III)
Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA)
Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA)
Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes (INMD)
Institute of Population and Public Health (IPPH)
Knowledge Translation Branch
Innovation and Industry Programs
4 The Objectives for the current competition refer to: Statutes of Canada 2000 Chapter 6 Bill C-13. "Act to establish the Canadian Institutes of Health Research" 13, April 2000.
