ResearchNet - RechercheNet

Funding Organization
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Program Name
Team Grant : Sleep Research Consortium ARCHIVED
(Team Grant: Sleep Research Consortium - Research Team)
Sponsor(s)
Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH) in partnership with Mitacs.
Program Launch Date
2022-09-16
Deadline Date
TBD

Important Dates

Competition 202302SLC
CLOSED
Registration Deadline 2022-10-12
Application Deadline 2023-02-02
Anticipated Notice of Decision 2023-04-28
Funding Start Date 2023-05-01

Notices

The content of this funding opportunity has been updated
Date updated: 2022-12-08
Section(s) updated: Notices, How to Apply

On December 8, 2022, the Self-Identification Questionnaire task will no longer be available for this funding opportunity as CIHR is working to broaden the response options of the gender identity question (Question 2). As a result, you will not be required to complete the questionnaire for this funding opportunity at this time. As we transition, the collection of self-identification data for some funding opportunities will be paused. (Updated: 2022-12-08)

Webinar

CIHR will be hosting a webinar to review the requirements of this funding opportunity and to answer applicant questions. To find out more information and to register, visit CIHR's Webinars page.

Table of Contents

Description


Background

Along with proper nutrition and exercise, sleep is considered a fundamental pillar of health promotion and disease prevention. In the modern, "connected", around-the-clock society, the proportion of people achieving the required daily quality and duration of sleep for their age is declining. This has raised concerns regarding the harms that insufficient sleep has on an individual's health and wellness [1] [2]. The current COVID-19 pandemic has further underscored the effect sleep has on one's health and wellness, and has revealed the concept of "sleep security" indicating people require access to a safe, secure, and appropriate place that allows for sufficient sleep quality and duration to meet their needs for a healthy life.

Insufficient sleep is a recognized health problem across the lifecycle and has been linked to various chronic health conditions and premature death from causes including (but not limited to): cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, depression, dementia, hypertension, metastatic cancers, obesity, sepsis, and vehicular collisions. Poor sleep can have detrimental effects starting at an early age and insufficient sleep among infants, children and adolescents may trigger irreversible long-term health consequences. In aging populations, sleep patterns tend to change along with sleep disturbances (i.e., sleep loss and sleep disorders), and these changes can exacerbate existing chronic conditions, contribute to cognitive decline and dementia, increase the risk of falls, and affect normal day-to-day functioning.  Sleep is also known to play an important role in both physical and cognitive performance. Sleep loss and sleep-related disorders have been linked to decreased performance in school, increased number of vehicular collisions, industrial injuries, medical errors, and work presenteeism and loss of productivity.

In Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) communities,  sleep is a serious concern, and insufficient sleep and insomnia are linked to health inequities across the lifecycle, such as higher rates of obesity, mental health challenges, and cardiovascular disease [3] [4] [5]. Other contributors to sleep disorders in Indigenous populations include psychosocial stressors, such as colonization and historical trauma, racism and systemic discrimination, economic and job inequity, poor housing and access to safe drinking water, and overcrowded households. New approaches to addressing sleep disorders among Indigenous Peoples are needed as well as solutions to how Indigenous communities, traditional practices, and Indigenous Knowledges (e.g., ceremony and land-based healing) may contribute to improved sleep health and well-being for Indigenous Peoples.

Racial disparities have also been linked to sleep disorders and racial discrimination was shown to result in more severe insomnia symptoms in racial minorities [6] [7] [8]. There are also known sex differences in sleep quality and duration. For example, and in relation to sex and age, menopausal and perimenopausal women generally report lower sleep satisfaction and increased levels of insomnia. (see Insomnia Cause and Effect Across the Lifecyle figure).

Purpose

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support one (1) additional Research Team to join the two recently funded Research Teams and the Coordination and Knowledge Mobilization Centre (CKMC) in the Sleep Research Consortium (Consortium) focused on sleep hygiene and insomnia through the lifecycle. The Consortium has a broad mandate that includes expertise across the CIHR research pillars (i.e., biomedical/basic; clinical; health systems services; and population health), multiple sectors (e.g., government, charities/not-for-profits, and private organizations/industry), multiple stakeholders (e.g., communities, people with lived/living experience, families, caregivers), Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit or Métis Peoples); and focused on co-creating new knowledge and mobilizing knowledge to improve health outcomes as they relate to insomnia and sleep deprivation.

The Consortium is supported by Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH), Institute of Aging (IA), Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH), Institute of Indigenous Peoples' Health (IIPH), and the Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA), in partnership with Eisai Limited and Mitacs (Details of sponsors)

Research Team Structure and Application Requirements

This funding opportunity seeks to fund a single Research Team to join the existing Consortium teams and coordinated by the Coordination and Knowledge Mobilization Centre (CKMC). The Research Team will contribute to the goals and objectives for the Consortium as a whole and will integrate and contribute to the cross-cutting themes for the Consortium led by the CKMC. Research Teams are expected to:

  1. Crossing-Cutting Themes: The following cross-cutting themes are required to be integrated within the Research Team in alignment with the Consortium:
    • Training and Capacity Development: Contribute to an interdisciplinary and cohesive training, mentoring and capacity development plan, that includes experiential learning opportunities in alignment with the Consortium. This will include trainees, researchers at all career stages, representing all CIHR research pillars, and across historically excluded communities, including Indigenous health researchers. Training and capacity development plans must include opportunities for cross-cultural learning to enhance capacity to address systemic racism in research and in health care, including developing capacity for meaningful and culturally safe engagement with Indigenous communities with concrete measures to ensure EDI is considered in mentoring such as there are proactive measures to ensure diverse mentees.
    • Health Disparities and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI): To support research activities that will benefit all peoples within Canada, applicants must outline how their proposed research addresses EDI consistent with the Tri Agency Statement on EDI. CIHR supports the inclusion and advancement of historically excluded communities in science as one of the means to enhance excellence in research, training and knowledge mobilization. Applicants must include their plan to promote an inclusive research and work environment in the research design, methods, analysis and interpretation, and/or knowledge mobilization, such as efforts to increase meaningful participation of historically excluded groups, and any considerations of EDI in the recruitment practices and training/mentorship activities. Additional guidance can be found on the Best practices in EDI in Research webpage. In keeping with the CIHR Sex, Gender and Health Research Policy, all proposals are expected to consider how sex and/or gender might shape sleep research activities. Applicants are encouraged to visit CIHR's Sex, Gender and Health Research resource page for more information on key considerations for the appropriate integration of sex and gender in their proposal.
    • Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit or Métis Peoples): CIHR's Strategic Plan 2021-2031 outlines a commitment to accelerate the self-determination of Indigenous Peoples in health research, and to advance the health and wellness of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. Indigenous Peoples are disproportionately affected by many health conditions due to the on-going legacy of colonization, including intersecting factors such as rural and remote geographies, multiple health care jurisdictions, and systemic racism in the health care system. To address these challenges, applicants must outline their plan to support Indigenous self-determination in research and research data sovereignty, including an Indigenous community engagement plan that is meaningful and culturally safe.
    • Data Management (Please review the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy):The Research Team is expected to contribute to the standardization, use, sharing, linkage, and management of data collected within the Consortium. Applicants should include a plan for applying the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) to the data management strategy. The CARE principles (Collective benefit, Authority to control, Responsibility and Ethics) for Indigenous Data Governance [9], the First Nations Principles of OCAP® (Ownership, Control, Access and Possession) [10], or other relevant Indigenous data governance principles, should be incorporated to reflect and respect Indigenous data governance and data sovereignty.
    • Knowledge Mobilization (KM): Applicants are expected to engage in KM activities committed to transforming existing and co-created new knowledge into better care policies, practices, procedures, products and services to promote sleep health across Canada. To support KM efforts and integrate these with the CKMC KM plan, and to participate in the Consortium annual meeting/engagement events to share and mobilize knowledge in meaningful and culturally safe ways.
    • Technologies: Applicants are strongly encouraged to develop strategies and approaches that leverage technological advances (e.g., artificial intelligence and machine learning, wearable devices) to enable more precise analysis of the genetic, developmental, behavioural, contextual, environmental and social factors that impact sleep hygiene and insomnia for both individuals and populations.

General Research Areas

This funding opportunity will support one (1) grant relevant to the following areas. Proposed research projects must be relevant to at least one (1) area but may also be relevant to multiple areas.

The following research areas currently funded in the Sleep Research Consortium are ineligible:

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 be 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.

Additional Partner Funding

Mitacs funding is available to fund internships for participating trainees of the successful Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA). Internship funding opportunities available through Mitacs include the Accelerate and Elevate programs. To learn more about these opportunities please contact Mitacs directly (see contact information).

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


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Objectives


The specific objectives of this funding opportunity are to:


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Eligibility


Eligibility to Apply

For an application to be eligible:

  1. The NPA must be an independent researcher appointed at an eligible institution (see the CIHR Application Administration Guide – Part 4) at the time of application.
  2. The Institution Paid must be authorized to administer CIHR funds before the funding can be released (see Administration of Funds).
  3. The NPA cannot currently hold a Sleep Research Consortium grant as a Nominated Principal Investigator (NPI).
  4. The NPA 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 have submitted a Certificate of Completion (see How to Apply section).
  5. In addition to the NPA, the Research Team must include Theme Leads responsible for the six (6) Consortium Cross-Cutting Themes identified.
    1. The Indigenous Theme Lead must be:
      • An independent researcher or knowledge user who self-identifies as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) and/or provides evidence of having meaningful and culturally safe involvement with Indigenous Peoples;
        OR
      • An Indigenous Elder and/or an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper*;
        OR
      • An Indigenous non-governmental organization;
        OR
      • An individual associated with an Indigenous non-governmental organization.

      Note: A Theme Lead cannot lead more than two Themes.

  6. In addition to the NPA, at a minimum, each Research Team must include the following:
    1. Early career researcher(s) and/or mid-career researcher(s) as Co-Principal Applicant(s) and ;
    2. Trainee(s) and;
    3. Knowledge user(s); and
    4. Person(s) with lived/living experience: In the context of this funding opportunity, this includes individuals with personal experience of a health issue, and formal and informal caregivers, including family and friends.

    *A Knowledge Keeper (also known as a Knowledge Holder or 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.


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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) Guide on Financial Administration (TAGFA) to determine if an expenditure is an appropriate use of grant funds.

To further clarify, the following expenses are examples of appropriate uses of grant funds, provided they satisfy the principles and pertinent directives of the TAGFA:

Conditions of Funding


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Review Process and Evaluation


Relevance Review Process

The CIHR-ICRH and the Consortium sponsors will perform relevance review at registration and application stages to identify registrations or applications that are in alignment with the objectives and research areas of this funding opportunity. 

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

Review Process

Peer review will be conducted in accordance with the Review guidelines for 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. Research Approach
    1. Clarity and appropriateness of the research question(s), proposed design, research methods and theories.
    2. The extent to which the research proposal is relevant to the objectives of the funding opportunity.
    3. Feasibility of the research approach (including recruitment of participants, project timeline[s], budget, preliminary data where appropriate, etc.) to address research questions.
    4. Extent to which the research proposal exhibits an interdisciplinary and multi-sectoral approach, and the strength of stakeholder and partner engagement, including the engagement and/or inclusion of people with lived/living experience, caregivers, Indigenous communities, racialized communities, government, policy makers, health care providers, researchers across the CIHR research pillars, and industry as appropriate.
    5. Appropriate consideration of enablers, as well as anticipated challenges and mitigation strategies, including those related to Indigenous community engagement, ethics, equity, communities facing vulnerabilities, racialized communities, management of patient engagement, data management, and sex- and gender-based analysis, as appropriate.
    6. Strength of the plan for collaboration with the CKMC and other Research Teams that will make up the Consortium, including strategies:
      • To work together to integrate and implement the Consortium Crossing-Cutting Themes;
      • For internal and external communication and collaboration; and
      • For sharing of resources and ensuring sustainability of the Consortium.
    7. Extent to which the research proposal integrates the Consortium Cross-Cutting Themes including the extent to which the Research Team has a comprehensive and inclusive training and career development strategy that meets the needs for building capacity within the sleep community, and the quality of the engagement plan for the Indigenous Peoples' Health and Wellness Crossing-Cutting Theme.
    8. Extent to which the research proposal addresses Indigenous health and wellness, including:
  2. Originality of the Proposal
    1. Potential for the creation of new knowledge, technologies, and/or positive health system impacts.
    2. Originality of the proposed research, in terms of the hypotheses/research questions addressed, novel technology/methodology, and/or novel applications of current technology/methodology.
  3. Research Team and Applicants
    1. Evidence that the applicants have demonstrated leadership and required expertise in the field of sleep research.
    2. Evidence that the applicants have the necessary qualifications (including training, experience and independence, relative to career stage) in the proposed area of research and with the proposed methodology.
    3. Extent to which the leadership, membership and overall composition of the Research Team reflects EDI and a balance of diverse disciplines, sectors, CIHR pillars, and stakeholders, including knowledge users, people with lived/living experience, caregivers, Indigenous communities, early- and mid-career investigators, and trainees.
    4. Extent to which the Research Team has the necessary knowledge, expertise and experience in Indigenous health research, and complementarity of expertise and synergistic potential to conduct Indigenous health research.
    5. Appropriateness of the Research Team to carry out the proposed research, in terms of complementarity of expertise and synergistic potential and the capacity to overcome challenges.
    6. Potential to successfully disseminate research findings, as demonstrated by knowledge mobilization activities (publications, conference presentations, briefings, media engagements, etc.).
  4. Environment for the Research
    1. Suitability of the environment (including availability and accessibility of personnel, facilities and infrastructure) to conduct the research.
    2. Strength of the approach to optimize the utilization of resources, including the sharing of equipment, facilities and expertise.
    3. Extent to which the budget is appropriate and justified in relation to the proposed activities.
  5. Impact of the Research
    1. Extent of the role(s) and contribution(s) of all applicant partner(s) in advancing research objectives (if applicable).
    2. Proactive and meaningful consideration of partnership risks, including the extent of real and/or perceived conflict of interest and appropriateness of its management and mitigation (if applicable).
    3. Demonstration of the potential of the research plan to co-create new scientific knowledge that may contribute to achieving the objectives of this funding opportunity.
    4. Appropriateness and adequacy of the proposed knowledge mobilization plan, including engagement with people and communities affected by sleep deprivation and insomnia.

Funding Decision

The top ranked application will be funded.

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

Partner and Internal Collaborator Participation

The opportunity to add new partners and internal collaborators to this funding opportunity may arise after publication. These partners and internal collaborators may not be listed; however, the principles that govern relevance review, including consent to share information, and funding decisions will still apply.


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How to Apply


Specific instructions to complete your ResearchNet application

Step 1 — Registration

Task: Identify Participants

Task: Enter Proposal Information

Task: Complete Summary of Research Proposal

Task: Complete Peer Review Administration Information

Step 2 — Full Application

Task: Identify Participants

Task: Enter Proposal Information

Task: Complete Summary of Research Proposal

Task: Enter Budget Information

Task: Attach Other Application Materials

Task: Identify Application Partners (if applicable) – Upload Partner Information

Task: Complete Peer Review Administration Information

Task: Print/Upload Signature Pages


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Contact Information


For all inquiries, please contact:

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

For service hours, please consult our Contact us page.

For all inquiries related to Mitacs, please contact:

Simon Bousquet
Senior Director, Business Development Operations, Mitacs
Email: sbousquet@mitacs.ca
Telephone: 819-571-2936


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Sponsor Description


Note: Additional partners/collaborators, including partners/collaborators 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 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.

Partners

Mitacs
Mitacs is a national, not-for-profit (NFP) organization that designs and delivers research and training programs in Canada. In partnership with companies, eligible not-for-profit organizations, government and academia, Mitacs is developing the next generation of innovators with vital scientific and business skills.


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Additional Information


Administration of Funds

Funds will only be released to the institution or organization identified as the Institution Paid. If the Institution Paid is not already authorized to administer CIHR funds, for the duration of the grant term, it may be required to undergo a financial and eligibility review and sign a funding agreement, or the successful applicant may choose to have their funds administered by a CIHR eligible institution. Please contact the Contact Centre to enquire about the process.

References

  1. M. Hafner, M. Stepanek, W. M. Troxel and C. van Stolk, "Why Sleep Matters—The Economic Costs of Insufficient Sleep: A Cross-Country Comparative Analysis," Rand Health Quarterly, p. 11, 2017.
  2. M. Hirshkowitz, K. Whiton, S. M. Albert, C. Alessi, O. Bruni, L. DonCarlos, N. Hazen, J. Herman, P. J. Adams Hillard, E. S. Katz, L. Kheirandish-Gozal, D. N. Neubauer, A. E. O'Donnell, M. Ohayon, J. Peever, R. Rawding, R. C. Sachdeva, B. Settlers, M. V. Vitiello and J. C. Ware, "National Sleep Foundation's updated sleep duration recommendations: final report," Sleep Health, pp. P233-242, 31 July 2015.
  3. A. Lombardero, C. D. Hansen, A. E. Richie, D. G. Campbell and A. W. Joyce, "A Narrative Review of the Literature on Insufficient Sleep,," Journal of Environmental and Public Health, pp. 1-14, 2019.
  4. S. R. Yiallourou, G. P. Maguire, S. Eades, G. S. Hamilton, J. Quach and M. J. Carrington, "Sleep influences on cardio-metabolic health in Indigenous populations," Sleep Medicine, pp. 78-87, 2019.
  5. IIPH, IIPH Environmental Scan of Sleep and Indigenous Peoples, 2020.
  6. P. Cheng, R. Cuellar, D. A. Johnson, D. A. Kalmback, C. L. Joseph, A. Cuamatzi Castelan, C. Sagong, M. D. Casement and C. L. Drake, "Racial discrimination as a mediator of racial disparities in insomnia," Sleep Health, pp. 543-549, 2020.
  7. M. Grandner, N. Williams, K. Knutson, D. Roberts and G. Jean-Louis, "Sleep disparity, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic position," Sleep Medicine, pp. 7-18, 2016.
  8. M. Grandner, M. Petrov, P. Rattanaumpawan, N. Jackson, A. Platt and N. Patel, "Sleep symptoms, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic position.," Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, pp. 897-905, 2013.
  9. S. R. Carroll, I. Garba, O. L. Figueroa-Rodríguez, J. Holbrook, R. Lovett, S. Materechera and M. Hudson, "The CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance," Data Science, pp. 19(1), 43. , 2020.
  10. OCAP®, is a registered trademark of the First Nations Information Governance Centre.

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