ResearchNet - RechercheNet

Table of Contents

• Description
• Objectives
• Eligibility
• Guidelines
• Review Process and Evaluation
• How to Apply
• Contact Information
• Sponsor Description

Description

This funding opportunity is part of the Government of Canada’s continued rapid response to address the health challenges of the viral COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will enable rapid and timely research responsive to the current phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, which is focused on slowing and stopping the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus and mitigating the health and social consequences of the disease. The Government of Canada will provide funding for research focused on addressing the impact of COVID-19 on the health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous Peoples (i.e., First Nations, Inuit, and Métis), including Urban Indigenous communities, are dealing with the unprecedented health, economic and community impacts of COVID-19. Indigenous people experience health and social inequities, such as poor infrastructure, unsafe water to clean with and drink, crowded housing or homelessness, food insecurity, and high rates of chronic health conditions, all of which contribute to their increased risk of severe illness, complications and dying from COVID-19. In addition, the unintended consequences of COVID-19 countermeasures (e.g., social isolation, program restrictions, and restrictions on Indigenous ceremonies) are disproportionately impacting Indigenous communities and exacerbating pre-existing health and social inequities. More information related to COVID-19 and Indigenous Peoples (e.g., epidemiology, surveillance, community health needs assessments, and program evaluations) is required for Indigenous communities, the healthcare sector, and governments and decision-makers to respond optimally to the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of Indigenous Peoples, including  Urban Indigenous communities.

This funding opportunity will provide research funding for Indigenous communities (i.e., First Nations, Inuit, Métis and/or Urban Indigenous communities), Indigenous organizations and researchers of Indigenous ancestry (or researchers who provide evidence of having meaningful and culturally safe involvement with Indigenous Peoples)in Canada who are responding to the unique health and well-being needs of Indigenous Peoples as they relate to the COVID-19 pandemic. More specifically, this opportunity will support strengths-based, solutions-focused research that is bold, innovative, Indigenous community-led, and that addresses the immediate, intermediate, and/or long-term consequences of COVID-19 and/or informs future preparedness. To this end, research supported by this funding opportunity must include a knowledge translation and knowledge mobilization component to ensure that results can be used by Indigenous communities, researchers and decision-makers.

To enhance collaboration and create multi-sectoral opportunities to build capacity for, and conduct COVID-19 related research that is relevant, meaningful and culturally safe for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, including Urban Indigenous communites, applicants are encouraged to connect with one of the 9 CIHR-funded Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR), and other CIHR initiatives involving Indigenous communities. CIHR initiatives could include: the Aboriginal HIV and AIDS Community-Based Research Collaborative Centre; Centres for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and STBBIs Research; and Canada’s Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR).

Research Areas

This funding opportunity will support projects relevant to one or more of the following research areas:

• Indigenous Peoples’ Understanding and Experience with Respect to COVID-19, including cultural responses grounded in Indigenous Knowledges and self-determination; intersections with, and impact on, on-going health, social, economic and climate crises; and/or perspectives of (or participation in) vaccine research, sero-surveillance studies, and clinical trials.
• Delivering COVID-19 Testing, Contact Tracing, Self-Isolation and Other Management Practices, and Policies Related to Indigenous Peoples and the COVID-19 Pandemic, including culturally safe approaches and challenges.
• Culturally Safe COVID-19 Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery for Indigenous Peoples, including design and delivery of programs and services that are grounded in Indigenous Knowledges, self-determination, and local community context.

This funding opportunity will provide funds for two streams of research:

1. Knowledge Synthesis Grants: This stream will fund knowledge synthesis activities related to COVID-19 such as literature reviews (e.g., integrative review/structured review; synthesis of qualitative research; realist review; meta-analysis of quantitative research; systematic review; and scoping review), needs assessments, environmental scans, and knowledge gaps or strength identification (including community engagements, or arts-informed events, with Indigenous Elders and/or Knowledge Keepers, youth, decision-makers, etc.). See National  Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health for other knowledge synthesis ideas.
2. Evaluation and Assessment Grants: This stream will fund the evaluation and assessment of new or on-going initiatives, programs, policies or interventions related to COVID-19, including but not limited to, community-based and/or cultural initiatives, arts-based interventions, proof of concept, pilot studies, and social or economic impact studies.

Sex and gender differences exist in the research areas above, making sex and/or gender issues an important component of this research initiative. CIHR will require applicants to consider sex as a biological variable and gender as a socio-cultural factor in their research.

Funds Available

CIHR and partner(s) financial contributions for this initiative are subject to availability of funds. Should CIHR or partner(s) funding levels not be available or are decreased due to unforeseen circumstances, CIHR and partner(s) reserve the right to reduce, defer or suspend financial contributions to grants received as a result of this funding opportunity.

• The total amount available for this funding opportunity is $2,000,000, enough to fund approximately 15 grants.
• Of this total amount:
  • Up to $1,000,000 is available to fund applications relevant to Knowledge Synthesis Grants. The maximum amount per Knowledge Synthesis Grant is $100,000 per year for up to one year.
  • Up to $1,000,000 is available to fund applications relevant to Evaluation and Assessment Grants.  The maximum amount per Evaluation and Assessment Grant is $200,000 per year for up to one year

For more information on the appropriate use of funds, refer to Allowable Costs.

Objectives

The specific objectives of this funding opportunity are:

• Identify wise programs, policies or actions, and/or address critical knowledge gaps, including data, related to further understanding of the immediate impacts and/or future consequences of COVID-19 among First Nations, Inuit, Métis and/or Urban Indigenous populations, communities and/or individuals;
• Identify, implement and evaluate culturally safe, and community-led solutions to address the COVID-19 pandemic and its immediate and/or future consequences among First Nations, Inuit, Métis and/or Urban Indigenous communities;
• Accelerate First Nations, Inuit, Métis and/or Urban Indigenous community-led knowledge translation and knowledge mobilization activities related to COVID-19 within the context of Indigenous health; and
• Inform and contribute to relevant research capacity and infrastructure, or adapt existing programs and infrastructure, in First Nations, Inuit, Métis and/or Urban Indigenous communities to enable Indigenous communities to design, lead, and meaningfully participate in culturally safe responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Successful applications will meet at least one of the above-noted objectives.

Eligibility

Eligibility to Apply

This funding opportunity seeks applicants who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) or provide evidence of having meaningful and culturally safe involvement with Indigenous Peoples in order to:

1. Prioritize First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples and communities, including Urban Indigenous communities, in leading their research agendas;
2. Promote cultural safety of and appropriate engagements by researchers working with Indigenous Peoples in meaningful ways to ensure that respectful relations are established;
3. Add value to the research through the use of Indigenous culturally relevant theoretical and conceptual frameworks, and Indigenous culturally relevant research protocols, including Indigenous methodologies; and
4. Promote equity and development of trainees, researchers and knowledge users who are of Indigenous ancestry.

For an application to be eligible:

1. The Nominated Principal Applicant must be:

   1. an Indigenous non-governmental organization in Canada with a research and/or knowledge translation mandate.

      or

   2. an individual affiliated with an Indigenous non-governmental organization in Canada with a research and/or knowledge translation mandate.

      or

   3. an individual (an independent researcher or a knowledge user) affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution and/or its affiliated institutions (including hospitals, research institutes and other non-profit organizations with a mandate for health research and/or knowledge translation).

      or

   4. an individual (an independent researcher or a knowledge user) working in a municipal, provincial or territorial government in Canada where the activity which forms the subject matter of the funding is not being funded by specific programs of those municipal, provincial and territorial governments.

2. The Nominated Principal Applicant must have their substantive role in Canada for the duration of the requested grant term.

3. The team must include at least one (1) team member from each of the following categories:

   1. an Indigenous Elder and/or an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper* identified on the application as a Principal Knowledge User or Knowledge User.

   2. a Sex and Gender Champion identified on the application in any role, with experience in meaningful and culturally safe sex and gender-based analysis or gender diversity in Indigenous communities.

4. The Nominated Principal Applicant and Sex and Gender Champion must have successfully completed one of the sex- and gender-based analysis training modules available online through the CIHR Institute of Gender and Health and submit a Certificate of Completion. See How to Apply for more details. Select and complete the training module most applicable to your research project. Applicants are encouraged to review the “How to integrate sex and gender in research” section on the CIHR website.

*A Knowledge Keeper (also known as a Knowledge Holder or a Knowledge Guardian) is an Indigenous person, regardless of age, who possesses the Indigenous cultural knowledge necessary for the proposed research project or activities, as recognized, validated, and authenticated by the Indigenous community.

Administration of Funds

CIHR grants are generally administered by the business office of an institution or organization declared eligible to administer CIHR funds after a financial and eligibility review.

Organizations identified as the Institution Paid may be required to undergo a financial and eligibility review, if they have not already done so, in order to administer the grant funds. They may be required to sign a funding agreement with CIHR. If necessary, a successful applicant may choose to have their funds administered by a CIHR eligible institution.

Funds will not be released to the Institution Paid of a successful applicant unless they have been approved to administer funding.

If your Institution Paid is not currently eligible to receive funding from CIHR, please contact the Contact Centre to enquire about the process.

Guidelines

General CIHR Policies

Before submitting an application to this funding opportunity, applicants should review the relevant policies and guidelines on the CIHR Funding Policies page to ensure understanding of their responsibilities and expectations.

Allowable Costs

Applicants should review the Use of Grant Funds section of the Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC) Financial Administration Guide for requirements regarding allowable costs and activities.

The following expenses will be considered eligible for funding received through this funding opportunity:

• Full-time or part-time salaries of research team members (i.e., principal investigator, co-investigator, principal knowledge user, co-knowledge user or collaborator) who are independent or based at community organizations, as long as they do not also have an academic appointment.
• Rental and operating costs of space in non-academic institutions if it is justified as a direct cost of the research project. The cost must cover the rental of space required specially for the research project that would not otherwise be available to the institution.
• The Tri-Council Policy Statement 2 (TCPS 2 - Chapter 9 Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada) recognizes the importance of respecting the culture and traditions of Indigenous Peoples and acknowledges the necessity to incur expenditures in that regard in the conduct of research. As such, the Agency considers these expenditures eligible for payment from the grant holder’s grant funds (with appropriate backup documentation);
  • Costs related to community mobilization and engagement, including culturally relevant promotional items such as, tobacco, cloth, feasting and gift giving for honoring ceremonies, and cash reimbursements (in a method acceptable to the individual or community being reimbursed) to compensate community participation; and
  • Contracts and/or consultant fees for knowledge translation and communication activities for Indigenous Elders, community members, and Indigenous Knowledge Keepers involved in activities related to the Indigenous community.

Conditions of Funding

• The applicant must consent to the use and disclosure of full application and nominative information at the time of application, for purposes of relevance review and/or funding decisions by the relevant sponsors.
• Data related to research by and with First Nations, Inuit, Métis or Urban Indigenous communities whose traditional and ancestral territories are in Canada must be managed in accordance with data management principles developed and approved by those communities, and on the basis of free, prior and informed consent. This includes, but is not limited to, considerations of Indigenous data sovereignty, as well as data collection, ownership, protection, use, and sharing. (Updated: 2021-09-16)
• Nominated Principal Applicants will be required to submit a Final Report to CIHR.  Requirements for this report will be provided by CIHR.
• The Nominated Principal Applicant will be required to contribute to the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR's programs, policies and processes by participating in evaluation studies, surveys, workshops, audits, and by providing data or reports as required for the purpose of collecting information to assess progress and results.
• The Applicant team who is successful in this competition are strongly encouraged to actively participate in peer review, and as members of the CIHR College of Reviewers, when invited.

Review Process and Evaluation

Relevance Review Process

CIHR-IIPH will perform a relevance review to identify applications that are in alignment with the objectives and research areas of this funding opportunity. 

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

• Alignment with at least one of the objectives and one of the research areas of this funding opportunity.

Applications that are not deemed to be relevant will be withdrawn from the competition.

Review Process

Peer review will be conducted in accordance with the Review guidelines – Priority-driven initiatives.

For information on CIHR’s peer review principles, see the Peer Review: Overview section of CIHR’s website.

Evaluation Criteria

To support the strategic objectives of this funding opportunity, the following evaluation criteria will be used:

1. Quality of Project:
   1. Extent to which the application aligns with the Description, research areas, Objectives and Guidelines of the funding opportunity and addresses the identified issues;
   2. Extent to which the application aligns with CIHR’s definition of Indigenous Health Research and Meaningful and Culturally Safe Health Research;
   3. In addition to demonstrating scientific excellence (non-Indigenous, Indigenous, or both), the proposed research approaches and methods must respect Indigenous values and ways of knowing and sharing and abide by the Tri-Council Policy Statement Chapter 9: Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit and  Metis Peoples of Canada and/or Indigenous partnering community/organizational ethical guidelines or clearly explain why other guidelines have been developed and agreed upon with the study governance body;
   4. Quality and appropriateness of the sex- and gender-based analysis+ (SGBA+). SGBA+ refers to the consideration and examination of sex, gender and other identity factors (e.g., age, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, geography, education, disability, income and sexual orientation) at all stages of the research process including planning and implementation of the research project and related activities. For additional information, please visit How to integrate sex and gender into research and Why sex and gender need to be considered in COVID-19 research;
   5. Appropriateness of the description of the data/evidence elements of the research. For example, identifying data/evidence sources, assessing the gaps in data/evidence sources, and creating partnerships to share data if appropriate;
2. Quality of Applicants:
   1. Appropriateness of the team based on their overall scientific experience (non-Indigenous, Indigenous, or both) and skills, as well as their Indigenous Knowledge and Indigenous community-based research experience, track record, and relevance of past experience;
   2. Ability of team to quickly mobilize necessary resources, including by leveraging existing networks and/or research initiatives such as the CIHR NEIHRs and other CIHR initiatives involving Indigenous communities such as the Aboriginal HIV and AIDS Community-Based Research Collaborative Centre; Centres for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and STBBIs Research; and Canada’s Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR).
3. Impact of the Research:
   1. Clear justification for the rapid response nature of the project, including the use of funding to achieve timely impacts and maximize health benefits;
   2. Relevance of the proposed research to First Nations, Inuit, Métis and/or Urban Indigenous community priorities, and the potential of the research to produce valued outcomes from the perspective of First Nations, Inuit, Métis and/or Urban Indigenous community participants and/or Indigenous Peoples more broadly;
   3. Quality and innovation of the proposed knowledge translation and knowledge mobilization plans to accelerate translation of research into policy, practice, and/or clinical guidelines to address the immediate impacts and/or future consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting Indigenous Peoples. 
4. Budget
   1. Appropriateness of the budget and justification for amount requested.

Funding Decision

Applications relevant to each pool will be funded from the top down in order of ranking as far as budget assigned to each pool will allow. If a pool does not have a sufficient number of fundable applications, funds will be reassigned to the other pool.

The names of successfully funded applicants will be published on the CIHR website.

How to Apply

• The application process for this funding opportunity is comprised of two steps: 1. Registration and 2. Full Application
• To complete your Registration, follow the instructions in the Grants “Registration” Phase Instruction Checklist, along with any additional instructions found below under “Specific Instructions”.
• To complete your Full Application, follow the instructions in the Grants “Application” Phase Instruction Checklist, along with any additional instructions found below under “Specific Instructions”.
• All participants listed, with the exception of Collaborators, are required to:
  • Have/obtain a CIHR PIN
  • Complete the Equity and Diversity Questionnaire.
• Organizations applying as Nominated Principal Applicants must contact CIHR’s Contact Centre for guidance in creating a ResearchNet account and registering for a CIHR PIN.

Specific instructions to complete your ResearchNet application

Step 1 — Registration

Task: Identify Participants

• The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) must remain unchanged between the registration and full application phases of the competition. Other participants can be added or removed between the two stages.
• All participants, with the exception of Collaborators, must submit a CIHR Registration CV.
  • All CVs must be submitted using the Canadian Common CV confirmation number.

Task: Complete Summary of Research Proposal

• Summarize your research proposal. Note that your summary cannot exceed one page.

Task: Complete Peer Review Administration Information

• Suggest reviewers that have the expertise to review your application.

Task: Apply to Priority Announcements/Funding Pools

• You must select the funding pool for which you are applying: Knowledge Synthesis or Evaluation and Assessment.
• You must select only one funding pool for your application. If you select more than one, your application will only be considered for the first one identified.

Step 2 – Full Application

Task: Identify Participants

• All participants are required to be identified in ResearchNet, including the applicant role that they will have (e.g. Nominated Principal Applicant [NPA], Knowledge User, Co-Applicant, Collaborator, etc.).
• For this competition, Biosketch CVs and Personal CVs (maximum two [2] pages per applicant) are uploaded as PDFs in the Identify Participants task. After you add each participant, press "save" and the Attachment subtask will become available for you to upload the PDF Curriculum Vitae. Please verify that your CV has loaded correctly and save this task.
  • Independent Researchers (academic applicants): Independent researchers (and the NPA if applicable) are required to submit a Biosketch CV.
  • Knowledge Users: Principal Knowledge Users and Knowledge Users (and the NPA if applicable) must attach a Personal curriculum vitae (CV) (maximum two [2] pages per applicant) or a CIHR Biosketch CV, as they see fit. Each Personal CV must include 5-10 expertise keywords; a summary of the applicant’s education, current/past affiliations and employment/research experience with effective dates; and any other information pertinent to the participant’s role on the application.
  • Indigenous Elders and Indigenous Knowledge Keepers: Indigenous Elders and Indigenous Knowledge Keepers must attach a Personal curriculum vitae (CV) (maximum two [2] pages per applicant) or a CIHR Biosketch CV, as they see fit. Each Personal CV must include 5-10 expertise keywords; a summary of the applicant’s training and experience as an Elder or Knowledge Keeper; current or past engagement in research with effective dates; and any other information pertinent to the participant’s role on the application.
  • Organizations as the NPA: If an organization is identified as the NPA, a description of the organization’s mandate as a Personal CV (maximum two [2] pages) must be attached. This document must include: 5-10 expertise keywords; a description of how the organization meets the eligibility requirement of being an Indigenous non-governmental organization with a research or knowledge translation mandate; current or past engagement in research with effective dates; and any other information pertinent to the organization’s role as NPA.
  • Collaborators are not required to submit a CV.

Task: Enter Proposal Information

• The Research Proposal is limited to eight (8) pages, not including references, charts, tables, figures and photographs. Please refer to the evaluation criteria to describe how the proposal addresses the objectives of this initiative.
• References, charts, tables, figures and photographs can be uploaded under “Attachments – Research Proposal Appendix”.

Task: Complete Summary of Research Proposal

• Summarize your research proposal. Note that your summary cannot exceed one page.

Task: Enter Budget Information

• Details entered under ‘Financial Assistance Requested’ must reflect all funds requested for the grant.
• Provide a full justification for all budget items relative to the proposed research:
  • A justification for amount requested: Applicants must justify the use of grant funds to be used for planning activities, community personnel costs, and travel if applicable.
  • All sources of revenue, including both cash and in-kind contributions (e.g., funds requested from CIHR, other grants/awards, registration fees, donations, sponsorships).
  • Detailed breakdown of all expenses, distinguishing between costs to be covered by CIHR and costs to be covered by other sources.
• You may also include additional supporting documents (e.g., quotes) as part of your budget attachment.
• For release time allowance requests (if applicable), you must include a letter (upload as “Other Supporting Documents”) from the recipient's organization certifying that the individual for whom the release time allowance is requested:
  • Is a knowledge user on the grant whose primary responsibilities do not include an expectation to engage in research (i.e., as part of their regular employment);
  • Has their organization's approval for the research time on the project that would justify the allowance; and
  • Is engaged in the activities for which funds are being disbursed.

Task: Attach Other Application Materials

• Other: Upload the following:
  • Certificate of Completion for the sex- and gender-based analysis training modules. Download the PDF Certificate and upload the PDF (or Print Screen jpg) here. Note that this document is mandatory for the NPA and for the Sex and Gender Champion (see Eligibility).
• Participant table:
  • In table format, list all applicants (including Collaborators) with their affiliations and their role within the team. You must clearly identify the designated Elder and/or Indigenous Knowledge Keeper for the team, as well as the Sex and Gender Champion.
• Letters of Support (optional): Signed letters of support, although optional, are encouraged and will enhance the quality of the application during the review. Letters of support may include a description of:
  • specific cash or in-kind contributions from partners.

Task: Download Supplemental Application Material

• The NPA must complete and upload the Indigenous self-declaration form.

Task: Complete Peer Review Administration Information (optional)

• Suggest reviewers that have the expertise to review your application.

Task: Apply to Priority Announcements / Funding Pools

• You must select the funding pool for which you are applying: Knowledge Synthesis or Evaluation and Assessment. You must select only one funding pool for your application. If you select more than one, your application will only be considered for the first one identified.

Task: Print/Upload Signature Pages

Required signatures:

• Signatures must be included for all applicants (except Collaborators), and individual(s) with signing authority from the Institution Paid.
• Original signatures are not required. The scanned signed signature pages and the Routing Slip must be uploaded in the Print/Upload Signature Pages task in ResearchNet prior to submitting your application.

Contact Information

For all inquiries, please contact:

CIHR Contact Centre
Telephone: 613-954-1968
Toll Free: 1-888-603-4178
Email: support-soutien@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

For service hours, please consult our Contact us page.

Sponsor Description

Note: Additional partners/internal collaborators, including from industry and the private sector, may join this funding initiative over the coming year.

Internal Collaborators

Canadian Institutes of Health Research
At the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), we know that research has the power to change lives. As Canada’s health research investment agency, we collaborate with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen our health care system.

CIHR – Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health (IIPH)
The Institute of Indigenous Peoples’ Health (IIPH) fosters the advancement of a national health research agenda to improve and promote the health of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in Canada, through research, knowledge translation and capacity building. The Institute’s pursuit of research excellence is enhanced by respect for community research priorities and Indigenous knowledges, values and cultures.

CIHR – Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH)
The Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (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, blood vessels, critical and intensive care, and sleep. The ICRH vision is to achieve international leadership by fostering an environment of openness, excitement, energy, commitment and excellence in highly ethical, partnered initiatives focused on research, research training and research translation for the circulatory and respiratory sciences and for the betterment of the health of Canadians.

CIHR – Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR)
The Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR) is dedicated to supporting innovative 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.

CIHR – Institute of Population and Public Health (IPPH)
The Institute of Population and Public Health (IPPH) supports research into the complex biological, social, cultural and environmental interactions that determine the health of individuals, communities and global populations; and applies knowledge to improve the health of individuals and populations through strategic partnerships with population and public health stakeholders and innovative research programs. IPPH’s mission aims to improve the health of populations and promote health equity in Canada and globally through research and its application to policies, programs, and practice in public health and other sectors.

Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR)
CIHR is a partner in Canada’s Strategy for Patient Oriented Research (SPOR). SPOR is a national coalition of federal, provincial and territorial partners (patients, provincial health authorities, academic health centres, charities, philanthropic organizations, industry, etc.) dedicated to the integration of research into care.