Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes
Heart and Stroke Foundation
La Fondation Lucie et Andrée Chagnon
Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health
Institute of Gender and Health
Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health
Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction
Institute of Population and Public Health
Introduction
Background
INMD Strategic Plan, Mandate and Vision
Objectives of the Strategic Initiative
Eligible Research Areas
Specific Requests for Applications
Additional Opportunities
Relevance Review Process
Peer Review Process
Contacts for Further Information
References
The Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes (INMD) is pleased to announce this third round of requests for applications under its strategic initiative "Excellence, Innovation and Advancement in the Study of Obesity and Healthy Body Weight".
This strategic research focus was identified by the Institute's Advisory Board (IAB) after an extensive environmental scan of researchers and other stakeholders in 2001. For the third consecutive year, the Board has re-affirmed obesity and healthy body weight as INMD's primary strategic research focus.
As in previous years, select opportunities will be directed towards research in the broad domain of obesity and healthy body weight. To this end, INMD will support Operating Grants submitted to the open CIHR competitions, which are highly ranked by the open competition peer review panel, yet fall below the funding CIHR cutoff. These applications must be accompanied by a completed Responsiveness Form that outlines the relevance of the proposed research to INMD's strategic research focus.
In addition, funding opportunities targeting research relevant to childhood obesity are being offered this year. This includes a new three-year, childhood obesity operating grant, as well as a one-year pilot project grant, designed to enable innovative, high risk, pilot, and/or feasibility research in childhood obesity. An ad hoc peer review committee of obesity research experts will review applications to the childhood obesity operating and pilot project grant programs. These childhood obesity programs are possible through the collaboration of many health research partners, including the Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF), the Foundation Lucie et André Chagnon, and the CIHR Institutes of: Aboriginal Peoples' Health (IAPH); Gender and Health (IGH); Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH); Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA); and Population and Public Health (IPPH).
Finally, a third funding commitment will be towards research that builds on the Canada on the Move research platform. This specific Request for Applications (RFA) will be released later this year.
The work supported in the above three Requests for Applications will be in any of CIHR's research themes: 1) biomedical, 2) clinical, 3) health systems and services, and 4) the health of populations, the societal and cultural dimensions of health and environmental influences on health. Due to relatively limited funds available for new commitments in 2005-06, New Emerging Team (NET) grants offered in 2003-04 will not be among this year's RFA's.
Timelines: Application and funding dates vary. Check details for each specific RFA.
Funds Available: At present, the maximum funds available per annum for all programs under this strategic initiative are $2.0 million. However, we anticipate that through the development of partnerships, we will be able to expand the funds available for research on obesity and healthy body weight.
The prevalence of obesity has increased at an alarming rate over the past two decades to the extent that it is now a pandemic, affecting millions globally1. The Canadian experience has been no different than that of many other developed countries. Recent analyses have indicated that between 1981 and 1996, the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased from 48 to 57% among men and from 30 to 35% among women2. Similar dramatic trends have been reported for Canadian children2,3. In all, over one quarter of Canadian children and close to one half of adults are overweight, that is, their body fatness is associated with a decreased life expectancy, poor health and decreased quality of life.
Overweight and obesity, and in particular, high levels of abdominal adiposity, are related to an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular disease, and cancer 4,5. Recent analyses of U.S. population data have shown that obesity and overweight in adulthood are associated with large decreases in life expectancy with increases in early mortality similar to those seen with smoking6. The total direct and indirect cost of obesity in Canada were estimated to be $4.3 billion in 20017. Strong evidence indicates that loss of body weight by as little as a 5-10% reduces many of the health risks associated with adult obesity8-10. However, more must be learned about the basic science of obesity, and about human behaviour, clinical intervention, and a host of environmental factors before the epidemic of obesity and its associated health problems can be turned around.
A thorough understanding of the pathophysiology of obesity is essential in order to fully understand the condition and its ramifications. The available data suggest that multiple systems regulate energy homeostasis11-13. Familial clustering and the high concordance of body weight among monozygotic twins provide strong evidence for a genetic component to human obesity and a number of genes associated with human obesity have been identified14. Research must advance knowledge within and across these domains in order to understand the interactions of known homeostatic mechanisms, recognize new ones, and place these into the context of the human-environment interface.
Environmental factors and social forces play a significant role in the development of obesity, especially among certain sub-groups of the population15. Those that raise energy intake include inexpensive and widely available high energy-density foods; large portion sizes; and greater energy consumption outside the home in the form of snacks, fast-foods and convenience foods16. The technological evolution of the physical environment has perpetuated the decline of physical activity and the rise of sedentarism15,17-19. There is an urgent need for a clear understanding of the effects of environmental interventions and public policy on food and physical activity-related behaviour in order to provide directions for stemming the epidemic at a population level.
While the root cause of obesity is a mismatch of energy intake and energy expenditure, there is considerable new knowledge that needs to be generated before the epidemic can be effectively managed. Researchers are only beginning to unravel the mysteries of this complex condition. Through this strategic initiative, we hope to challenge scientists working across a host of disciplines to help develop an understanding of the mechanisms (ranging from gene regulation to population behaviour), that will inform the activities of health professionals, policy makers, and the Canadian public in the prevention and treatment of obesity and the maintenance of healthy body weight.
The Strategic Plan of the CIHR Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes (May 2004) identifies specific goals designed to address INMD's overriding objective of generating and translating new knowledge about obesity, such that the health of Canadians is improved and the health care system of Canada is strengthened. More information on the mandate, vision, specific strategies, actions, outcomes and timelines for each goal are described in INMD's Strategic Plan.
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) will not be considered under this RFA. RCTs are defined as any study involving humans where at least two interventions are compared using random allocation, statistical methodologies and blinding techniques for the purpose of determining whether an innovative intervention leads to improved health.
However, RCT applications may be submitted to CIHR's regular RCT program. CIHR recommends that you familiarize yourself with the RCT specific guidelines and instructions, which are fully described in CIHR Randomized Controlled Trials Program Guidelines for Completion. Potential applicants are strongly advised to consult with CIHR RCT staff listed in the Contacts for Further Information section.
The objectives of this strategic initiative Excellence, Innovation and Advancement in the Study of Obesity and Healthy Body Weight are to:
In subsequent announcements we hope to provide additional programs that reflect increased funding, partnership activity, and the range of programs necessary to meet the needs of the research community.
Research within and across CIHR's research themes, and within and across disciplines will be required to achieve the ultimate goal of improving the health of Canadians.
It is anticipated that individuals working in a wide variety of disciplines such as nutrition and dietetics, metabolism, pharmacology, exercise physiology, physical sciences, public health, pediatrics, and many others may be interested in this initiative. Investigators with expertise in diverse areas such as genetics, integrative physiology, epidemiology, sociology, health services, health promotion, environmental psychology, public policy, economics, and political science, among others, will likely be necessary to tackle the growing problem of obesity.
Applicants submitting proposals under the strategic initiative Excellence, Innovation and Advancement in the Study of Obesity and Healthy Body Weight can come from any discipline or expertise, and can propose research in any number of areas. Applicants must justify how their work meets the INMD's goal of increasing our understanding of the measures, causes, prevention, treatment and consequences of obesity and maintenance of body weight.
Applicants must also explain how their research will generate and translate new knowledge about obesity/healthy body weight, leading to improvements in the health of Canadians and strengthening of the health care system of Canada.
For instructions on how to apply to the strategic initiative Excellence, Innovation and Advancement in the Study of Obesity and Healthy Body Weight, please refer to the specific Request for Applications:
| Childhood Obesity | Timelines |
| Operating Grants under the childhood obesity theme are designed to provide support for a research project by an individual or small group of investigators. | Registration: Oct 1, 2004 Full Application: Nov 1, 2004 |
| Pilot Project Grants under the childhood obesity theme are designed to encourage unique or original pilot research in the field of childhood obesity. | Registration:
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| Obesity and Healthy Body Weight- General | Timelines |
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Operating Grants : Under this request for applications, INMD will fund applications submitted to the open CIHR operating grants competition that are highly ranked but fall below the CIHR cut off and are considered relevant to the strategic initiative "Excellence, Innovation and Advancement in the Study of Obesity and Healthy Body Weight". Applicants interested in the operating grant program under the strategic initiative Excellence, Innovation and Advancement in the Study of Obesity and Healthy Body Weight will be required to complete the Responsiveness Form avaliable through the Priority Announcements Program. INMD's contribution to a single grant will be based on peer review committee recommendations, but will not exceed $200,000. Operating grants will be funded for a period of up to 3 years. |
Registration: Aug 15, 2004 Registration: Feb 1, 2005 |
| Canada on the Move | Timelines |
| Operating Grants under the Canada on the Move initiative | To be announced on further notice |
| Pilot Projects under the Canada on the Move initiative | To be announced on further notice |
The INMD is committed to considering the support of highly ranked applications to the following initiatives being launched by CIHR and partner organizations. Applications rated 3.5 or above, which appear to be pertinent to INMD's Strategic Focus of childhood obesity and/or Obesity/Healthy Body Weights will be put forward to the INMD, where they will be formally reviewed for relevancy by members of the INMD Advisory Board. INMD's decision to support relevant applications, and to what degree, will rest on the peer review ratings and budget projections at the time of review.
| Obesity and Healthy Body Weight- General | Deadlines / Funds Available |
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Proof of Principle Phase I & Proof of Principle Phase II Proof of Principle Phase II (POP-II) Grants will fund proof of principle research at the co-investment stage undertaking proof of principle activities in partnership with a non-academic investor. This new funding opportunity is aimed at providing a platform to better enable the academic institution/researcher to move the discovery/invention further down the innovation pipeline. Obesity and Healthy Body Weight Research Examples:
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Letters of Intent: Oct 1, 2004 |
| International Opportunity Program
CIHR recognizes the important role that international collaborations play in improving and advancing the health of Canadians and citizens around the world. As a result, CIHR wishes to encourage Canadian researchers to collaborate internationally in CIHR and the Institutes' priority areas of health research through the International Opportunities Program (IOP). This program offers two types of one-time funding grants for Canadian researchers in different stages of an international collaboration: (1) Development/Planning Grants and; (2) Collaborative Research Project Grants. These one-time grants will enable Canadian researchers to develop new international collaborations and to participate in major international research projects, gain access to cutting edge research and technologies that are not currently available in Canada, as well as position CIHR as an international player in health research. |
One-time Development / Planning Grants One-time Collaborative Research Grants
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Obesity and Healthy Body Weight - General |
Deadlines / Funds Available |
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An important part of the mandate of the CIHR Ethics Office is to promote research on ethical issues related to health and health research. This is being accomplished through the identification of substantive issues as well as the building of capacity in research on ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI). There are several EO initiatives being launched in June, 2004 that might be of interest to obesity and healthy body weight researchers (for a complete list, and more detail about each initiative, please see the Ethics Office web site. ELSI Priority Announcement: The CIHR Ethics Office will use a portion of a recently-created CIHR fund designated specifically for research on ethical, legal and social issues to support operating grants and fellowship awards related to one of four strategic areas (presented in no particular order):
Ethical, Legal and Social (ELS) Issues in Health and Health Research - Research Network Grants: The CIHR Ethics Office, in collaboration with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), is pleased to announce an RFA to further strengthen research capacity in ELS fields by offering small New Emerging Team (NET) grants for ELS research. It is hoped that this initiative will encourage new and established investigators to develop multidisciplinary teams and work together on high priority ELS issues. The ultimate goals of this targeted investment include new training opportunities, innovative avenues of inquiry, and more successful applications for operating grants in ELS research through CIHR's open competition. |
Please see Ethics Office website for application process details. |
Relevance to this strategic initiative will be assessed on the extent to which the proposed research seeks to address any of the strategic objectives outlined in INMD's Strategic Plan. In addition, the degree to which a proposed investigation pertains directly to obesity/healthy body weights and is relevant to a broader population or greater burden of disease, disability or health risk, will influence its relevancy rating. Applications submitted to the Childhood Obesity RFA and the Canada on the Move RFA will be additionally scrutinized for their relevancy to these foci.
Relevance review of applications submitted to the CIHR open competitions and other partnered programs will be performed by a panel made up of members of the INMD Advisory Board together with representatives from partner organizations supplemented with additional members knowledgeable in obesity/healthy body weight added as needed. This review will take place in the absence of any knowledge about the outcome of peer review. Relevance of childhood obesity Pilot Projects and Operating Grants will be determined by the ad hoc Obesity/Healthy Body Weight Peer Review panel.
Applicants should refer to the specific RFAs of interest for details on the criteria for peer review.
Applications to the Childhood Obesity RFA will be evaluated by a special ad hoc, multidisciplinary, peer-review committee with expertise in areas relevant to the strategic initiative Excellence, Innovation and Advancement in the Study of Obesity and Healthy Body Weight. Names of the peer review committee members will be posted on the CIHR website.
Applications submitted to other competitions will be reviewed by the peer review committees for these programs.
On completion of the peer review, the Institute and partner organizations will consider the ranking lists and merit scores (ratings) of the applications. Top-ranked, relevant applications under each RFA will be funded. Applications receiving a score of less than 3.5 will not be considered for funding.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at one of the numbers below.
For questions regarding application forms, submission requirements,and the review process please contact:
Janet Lemoine
Program Delivery Coordinator
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Room 97, 160 Elgin Street
Address locator: 4809A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0W9
Telephone: (613) 952-0916
Email: jlemoine@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
For general questions about the strategic initiative Excellence, Innovation and Advancement in the Study of Obesity and Healthy Body Weight, please do not hesitate to contact:
Paul Bélanger
Assistant Director-Ottawa
Institute of Nutrition Metabolism and Diabetes
Room 97, 160 Elgin Street
Address locator: 4809A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0W9
Tel: (613) 941-6465
Email: pbelanger@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
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