Institute Development Initiatives:

Guidelines for Applications for Workshop Support

1. Background and Rationale

The IHSPR is in the process of developing a five-year strategic plan. As part of that process, we identified some early strategic research themes/issues highlighted in our Strategic Direction Outlook document (SDO). Workshops or developmental meetings, and associated supporting activities (e.g. background/synthesis papers, environmental scans) that further the Institute's understanding of key research priorities in areas outlined in the SDO document may be eligible for funding through the Institute's "Support Grant". A standing committee composed of rotating members of the Institute's Advisory Board will review applications.

2. Workshop Definition

It is anticipated that workshops supported through this initiative will be cross-disciplinary. The CIHR defines a workshop in the context of the IHSPR as:

".a meeting of a limited number of persons (10 - 30) individually invited to address specific questions or problems important to health services and policy research in Canada, with the purpose of reaching a consensus on recommendations or conclusions leading to an improved focus on research issues. The majority of participants should hold appointments in Canada".

In contrast, scientific symposia must be open to all interested parties and generally involve more participants. Symposia are not eligible for funding by the Institute, but funds are available through the CIHR secretariat.

3. Workshop Objectives

Eligible workshops would have, among their objectives, the development of:

• proposals for regular CIHR operating grant competitions that are relevant to health services and policy research, that might not evolve spontaneously without such a meeting, and that are likely to address pressing issues in the area;

• consensus on priority policy issues and research questions in specific areas within the general ambit of health services and policy research, where such common understanding is currently lacking;

• proposals for future IHSPR strategic initiatives.

4. Eligible Activities

Any initiative may be eligible for support provided it involves collaborative meetings of individuals from a variety of disciplines, backgrounds and roles (e.g. researchers, managers, policy-makers and providers), to undertake activities such as:

• further development of existing Institute strategic research themes/sub-themes; identification and development of emerging/leading edge research themes;

• advancing of areas of research that are underdeveloped or emerging;

• development of new multidisciplinary networks of researchers and research users (across geography and/or discipline and/or sector); and

• other development activity (e.g. knowledge translation) consistent with the furthering of the objectives of the Institute (see IHSPR Strategic Direction Outlook)

5. Evaluation Criteria

The following criteria (unranked) will be used to evaluate proposals and make funding decisions. Therefore we strongly recommend that applications for funding organize their content in such a way that it will be clear to reviewers how the proposal addresses each of these criteria:

• Strength of the applicants/coordinating group and consistency of objectives with backgrounds, experience and interests of key participants;

• Importance and relevance of the research or policy issue being addressed, relative to available research in the area;

• Alignment of proposal with development objectives of Institute;

• Feasibility, appropriateness and likelihood of success of the proposed activity(ies);

• Likely research impact - potential to catalyze new (theoretical, methodological or applied) initiatives in health services and policy research;

• Degree of multidisciplinary participation and CIHR pillar or Institute theme-crossing potential;

• Inclusiveness - research community/stakeholder/end-user involvement;

• Appropriateness of the budget/value for money; and,

• Reporting, dissemination and evaluation plan.

6. Allowable Costs

There is no restriction on the size of a workshop budget; however, the maximum amount of support from IHSPR for any individual workshop will be $30,000 (value for money will be assessed). Expenses eligible for support include:

• Travel and ground expenses for participants

• Meeting rooms and associated meeting costs

• Administrative and support costs

• Publication, translation and dissemination costs

• Modest honoraria for 1 or 2 guest experts

• Fees or honoraria for the preparation of background documents such as environmental scans.

The following costs are NOT ELIGIBLE:

• Support of research trainees or technical assistants (other than for travel and accommodation or for purposes identified above)

• Purchase of equipment

• Operating costs of research projects

7. How to Apply

Applications should be limited to 4 pages (approx. 1000 words) that include the following:

• Title of proposal;

• Name, affiliation and signature of project leader(s);

• Names and affiliations of representatives from any partner organizations including the host institution/organization for administrative purposes;

• Abstract of proposal (max. 500 words) to include the rationale for the meeting and a statement of objectives.

• Clear articulation of how the proposal addresses each of the evaluation criteria above;

• Number of participants; names and affiliations of key participants other than project leader(s);

• Budget for proposed activities with justification for specific lines;

• Other funding secured or to be applied for (including other CIHR Institutes to which applicants have applied, or intend to apply);

• Amount requested from IHSPR

• Send application in electronic format to:

IHSPR
Craig Larsen
craig.larsen@ihspr.ubc.ca
(604) 222-6874

8. Application Dates

Applications for workshop support will be received at anytime so long as they have been received by IHSPR at least ninety days prior to the proposed event.

This process is under review and may be subject to change (January 2002).