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Institute of Aging
The purpose of this strategic initiative is 1) to provide support for researchers to allow them protected time to devote to research in targeted, high priority areas in the field of aging or 2) to support career reorientation of researchers who are planning to enter targeted, high priority areas of research in aging. CIHR-IA would like to encourage established researchers across disciplines and sectors to develop research in areas covered by the Institute's priority topics: healthy and successful aging, biological mechanisms of aging, cognitive impairment in aging, aging and maintenance of functional autonomy, health services and policy relating to older people. CIHR-IA anticipates funding up to 3 awards and the maximum amount for a single award is up to $80,000, including a research allowance of $10,000, for one year.
| Timeline | |
| June 1, 2004 |
Full proposals must be courier stamped by this date. (Please refer to "How to Apply" section of this document.) |
| January 2005 | Notification of decision |
| February 2005 | Anticipated start date |
| Duration of projects | One year |
| Funds Available | Up to $240,000. The maximum amount per grant is $80,000, including a research allowance of $10,000 |
Introduction
Background
Specific Objectives and Eligible Research Areas
Eligibility Criteria
Mechanism of Support
Funds Available
Allowable Costs
How to Apply
Evaluation Process and Criteria For Peer Review
General CIHR Guidelines and Conditions of Funding
Performance Measurement and Evaluation
Address for Submitting Application and Contact Information
The goal of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research-Institute of Aging (CIHR-IA) is to support research that promotes healthy aging and addresses causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions associated with aging. The purpose of this strategic initiative is 1) to provide support for researchers to allow them protected time to devote to research in targeted, high priority areas in the field of aging or 2) to support career reorientation of researchers who are planning to enter targeted, high priority areas of research in aging.
The Institute of Aging elaborated its Strategic Plan through consultations with investigators from all four CIHR research themes as well as with representatives from governments and other stakeholders. Five strategic orientations were identified for the Institute: (1) Leadership in setting strategic research directions in the field of aging in Canada, (2) Development and support of capacity-building research initiatives and programs in the field of aging, (3) Development and support of strategic research initiatives, programs and projects on aging, (4) Promotion of the importance of research on aging and of the needs of the research community in aging and (5) Facilitating the dissemination, transfer and translation of knowledge from research findings into potential applications through policies, interventions, services and products. This RFA is part of strategic orientation 2.
The Institute also identified five priority areas for research on aging and health. These priorities include (in no particular order):
The specific objectives of this request are:
CIHR-IA would like to encourage established researchers across disciplines and sectors to develop research in areas covered by the Institute's priority topics (listed above).
It is expected that applicants will have demonstrated excellent research productivity and training capabilities and will be able to show in the case of career reorientation that the reorientation is realistic.
Only established investigators in the field of aging or established investigators in other fields who want to reorient their research to include the field of aging into their research are encouraged to apply. To be considered as an established researcher, the investigator should hold peer reviewed grants, show adequate research training, research capabilities and a strong track record.
Awards for career reorientation involve a mentor currently doing research in targeted, high priority areas in the field of aging. Eligibility criteria for all CIHR research funding programs apply. Please refer to General Guidelines for All CIHR Programs on the CIHR website.
The business office of the institution of an eligible Applicant generally administers CIHR funds. The eligibility requirements for Institutions are found on the CIHR website in the Financial Administration of Funds Guide .
This RFA is funded as a strategic initiative and is designed to solicit award applications with the duration of one year.
Up To $70,000 will be provided as a contribution to salaries (including Fringe Benefits) to release the awardee from teaching and administrative responsibilities. The research allowance of $10,000 can be used towards equipment, materials and supplies, relocation to and from the host research facility (where applicable), travel to research meetings held either inside or outside of Canada, and other costs related to the research. These funds cannot be used to pay for course fees or health insurance. At the end of the award period, unspent funds must be returned to CIHR.
The full application must provide a detailed justification of all costs.
To ensure that your application is forwarded to the appropriate CIHR staff, indicate "Mid-Career Award in Aging, Institute of Aging"(exactly as specified in the Title at the top of the RFA). Applicants are encouraged to use the Webforms.
The full application should include a Common CV for each applicant (and that of the proposed supervisor/mentor at the host institution, if applicable) and CIHR Training Module, pages 1, 3, 5, 7 and 8 with these additional instructions:
Only the original application is required. Courier the full application by June 1,2004.
Each proposal must describe how the award will address one of the five priority topics of the Institute of Aging described under "Background" above. The Institute of Aging may first evaluate proposals for relevance/responsiveness to the RFA.
A CIHR peer-review committee on Aging will review the applications. The committee may be drawn from one of CIHR's pre-existing committees in Aging or may be created specifically for this Initiative. Committee members are selected based on suggestions from many sources including the Institute of Aging. Names of committee members are published on the CIHR website. The committee will follow the CIHR peer review process for grants.
In addition to scientific excellence, the peer review committee shall consider the criteria below:
1. Applicant's Productivity, Experience and Training. Whether the applicant is an established researcher. To be considered as an established researcher, the investigator should hold peer reviewed grants, show adequate research training, research capabilities and a strong track record.
2. Relevance/Responsiveness. How research is oriented or focused towards the Institute's priority topics ?
3. Added Value. Demonstration that the Award will bring added value, in terms of the approach to the eligible research area, and that it would not be possible to do so by submitting the proposal to the usual Salary Support and Training Program.
4. Research Plan. How original, coordinated and feasible is the research plan ? How important and original are the contributions expected from the research proposed ? In the case of career reorientation, how the reorientation is realistic ?
5. Quality of the host environment and the mentor/supervisor (if applicable). Evidence that the applicant's host institution is supportive of the goals of the mid-career Award (having protected time to devote to research or career reorientation).
On completion of the review, the Institute of Aging will receive the ranking lists, merit scores (ratings) and recommendation of the Committee for the applications submitted. Based on the total funds available for the Initiative, applications will be funded from the top-ranked down as far as budget will allow. Applications receiving a score less than 3.5 will not be considered for funding.
All conditions, as specified in CIHR's Grants and Awards Guides, shall apply to those funded through this Initiative. Conditions cover areas such as Applicant and Institutional Responsibilities, Ethics, Official Language Policy, Access to Information and Privacy Acts, Acknowledgement of CIHR support etc. Successful recipients will be informed of any special financial conditions when they receive CIHR's Authorization for Funding Form (AFF).
Recipients who receive funding are required to acknowledge CIHR - Institute of Aging in any communication or publication related to the grant as follows: CIHR- IA.
The CIHR Institute of Aging has made plans to assess performance of this initiative through ongoing monitoring and periodic evaluation. We are committed to informing Canadians about the performance of our initiatives and the results that they deliver.
The following table is intended to further clarify objectives by linking them to expected outcomes and measures. All funded applicants will be expected to participate in the evaluation strategy, contributing advice, data and reports as required for assessment purposes.
|
Program Objectives |
Expected Outcomes |
Outcome Measures |
| To build research capacity in aging by attracting researchers within the five priority topics |
Increased number of researchers focusing on one of the five priority topics | Number of applicants for the Mid Career Award in Aging |
| To encourage and enable highly motivated individuals to undertake additional training in the field of aging | Increased number of researchers undertaking additional training in the field of aging | Number of researchers doing research in the field of aging |
Send Application by Courier to:
RE: "Mid-Career Awards in Aging"
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Research Portfolio
410 Laurier Avenue W., 9th Floor
Address Locator 4209A
Ottawa, ON K1A 0W9
Contacts for Further Information:
For questions on CIHR funding guidelines or how to apply contact:
Tamara Marshall
Program Delivery Coordinator
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
410 Laurier Avenue West, 9th floor, Address Locator 4209A,
Ottawa, ON K1A 0W9
Telephone: (613) 954-1960
Fax: (613) 954-1800
Email: tmarshall@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
For questions about this initiative and research objectives contact the Institute Representative:
Anne-Cécile Desfaits, PhD
Assistant Director
Institute of Aging
Telephone: (819) 821-5112
Fax:(819) 821-5205
Email: anne-cecile.desfaits@usherbrooke.ca
