ResearchNet - RechercheNet

Table of Contents

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

Description

The goal of this Funding Opportunity (FO) is to advance the understanding about risk reduction and protective factors involved in promoting cognitive health and mitigating the changes that occur in the onset and progression of cognitive impairment and dementia in aging, while considering the intersection of different factors, including the social determinants of health and other structural and systemic barriers. The intent is also to build training and mentoring capacity for the next generation of researchers in the field.

As such, CIHR is launching this FO to enable expanded research on the impacts of resilience, resistance, cognitive reserve, neuroprotection and other mechanisms on the development and progression of age-related cognitive impairment and dementia, with a focus on knowledge mobilization (KM) practices throughout the research process to increase the usefulness and uptake of findings to relevant stakeholders, including partners and knowledge users.

The influence of factors such as resilience*, resistance*, neuroprotective mechanisms, cognitive reserve*, genetics and environment on the risk for developing cognitive impairment and dementia is not well understood. The impact of these factors on the outcome of risk reduction interventions has not been addressed. Furthermore, the intersections of various aspects of diversity impacted by inequality and the social determinants of health – including socioeconomic factors, age, gender, sexual orientation, population group, Indigenous identity, disability, and language – may intersect with dementia risk and also inform risk reduction measures and their outcomes.

In addition, higher rates of dementia for Indigenous Peoples compared to non-Indigenous Peoples have been reported^{Footnote 1}. Recognizing that First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples lived/living experiences vary, relatively little is known about the distinctions-based impacts that dementia has in Indigenous populations and/or how to provide culturally appropriate care of those impacted.

*Resilience includes the ability to maintain cognitive abilities when brain changes and pathology that are normally associated with dementia are present, whereas resistance involves the ability to avoid the age-related development of brain pathology that is generally found with dementia. Cognitive reserve mechanisms allow compensation in the face of ongoing aging and neurodegenerative processes to maintain normal cognition.

Research Areas

This FO will support will support projects relevant to its objectives in animal models of disease, human populations and/or studies that leverage existing datasets (from Canadian or international cohort studies, platforms, or databases such as the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging [CLSA]), including data from biospecimens and biomarker analysis in any of the following research areas that include, but are not limited to:

• Mechanisms underlying resilience or cognitive reserve that maintain cognitive abilities and/or mitigate risk for cognitive impairment.
• Mechanisms underlying resistance that maintain brain health in the presence of pathophysiology.
• Differing pathophysiology underlying cognitive health, such as individuals with positive β-amyloid and/or tau biomarkers but normal cognition, or individuals that revert from mild cognitive impairment to normal or near-normal cognitive function.
• Role of protective and modifiable risk factors in promoting brain health in aging, including those factors that contribute across the life course. These can include, but are not limited to, modifiable lifestyle factors, common risk factors with metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, rare diseases, other co-morbidities, sleep, inflammaging, as well as genetic factors and sex differences.
• Modifiable risk factors that can delay the onset or slow disease progression.
• Genetic risk factors underlying neurodegeneration and cognitive decline.
• Interplay between and role of genetics, epigenetics and multi-omics in brain resilience and/or cognitive reserve in aging.

In addition, within this FO there are three (3) specific funding pools dedicated to funding projects relevant to:

• Caregiving and Care Providers and/or Aging with Neurodiversity: Focusing on either:
  • Caregiving as a social determinant of healthy brain aging;
  • Effects of caregiving on brain and mental health in preservation of autonomy, aging in place, and/or in long-term care;
  • Short- and long-term health risks and benefits for caregivers of people with age-related dementia;
  • Indigenous caregiving knowledge and applications for cognitive and mental health in aging
  • Novel caregiver-focused approaches and interventions that enable aging in place for people with and without pre-existing disabilities;
  • Defining the determinants of healthy brain aging for neurodivergent people; or
  • Healthcare, community-based and/or caregiver interventions for cognitive and mental health for neurodivergent people, including prevention, diagnosis and risk management;
• Infection and inflammation: Focusing on mechanisms underlying resistance that maintain brain health in the presence of pathophysiology, including chronic inflammatory conditions, infection, or post infection sequelae; and
• Indigenous Health Research: Focusing on either:
  • Social determinants of health that impact the health and well-being of Indigenous Peoples (e.g., food security/sovereignty/nutrition);
  • Indigenous caregiving knowledge and applications for cognitive and mental health in aging; or
  • Multiple comorbidities experienced by Indigenous Peoples (e.g., metabolic disorders).

Applicant Partners (if applicable): CIHR recognizes that a broad range of partners may be relevant to this opportunity and it is expected that applicant(s) describe the role of all applicant partners and how/if they will contribute to the research and research related activities. Any consideration of risk and/or conflict of interest should also be explained, as appropriate.

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 $9M, enough to fund approximately twelve (12) grants. This amount may increase if additional funding partners participate. The maximum amount per grant is $250,000 per year over three (3) years, for a total of $750,000 per grant.
• Of this $9M:
  • $5,250,000 is available to fund up to seven (7) projects in any relevant research area;
  • $2,250,000 is available to fund up to three (3) projects relevant to the Caregiving and/or Aging with Neurodiversity funding pools;
  • $750,000 is available to fund up to one (1) project relevant to the Infection and Inflammation funding pool; and
  • $750,000 is available to fund up to one (1) project relevant to the Indigenous Health Research funding pool.

Applications relevant to each pool will be funded top down in order of ranking. Remaining applications relevant to the competition will be pooled and funded in rank order.

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

Objectives

The aim of this funding opportunity is to advance the understanding about mechanisms underlying changes in the brain that are involved in risk for, or mitigation of risk of, the development of age-related cognitive impairment and potential therapeutic interventions, including considerations of equity, diversity and inclusion and Indigenous Rights.

The specific objectives of this funding opportunity are to:

• Support the creation of new knowledge to improve the understanding of factors and mechanisms that impact cognitive health and resilience and reduce risk of cognitive impairment in aging.
• Catalyze and build training and mentoring capacity to foster career development of the next generation of researchers in the field.
• Foster collaboration and partnerships between stakeholders.
• Enable knowledge mobilization practices throughout the research process and increase the usefulness and uptake of research findings by relevant stakeholders, including partners and knowledge users.

Knowledge Mobilization and Dissemination
Applications must include a plan for Knowledge Mobilization (KM) and Dissemination, that will include anticipated products showcasing the main research results (e.g., infographics, toolkits, videos, policy briefs), accessibility of KM products, and EDI and Indigenous Rights considerations within the KM approach, as applicable. Meaningful engagement with knowledge user(s) throughout the research process should inform approaches to KM and KM product development to increase relevance of findings to end users. As such, applicants will be required to allocate an appropriate budget amount to support KM engagements.

Successful grantees will be expected to participate in a virtual CIHR-led KM Forum at the end of the grant that will bring together researchers, funding partners, policymakers, and other key stakeholders, including partners, people with lived/living experience (PWLE) and Indigenous Peoples/communities, as appropriate. The goal of this forum will be to share learnings and promote a dynamic learning health system on factors and mechanisms that impact cognitive health and resilience and reduce risk of cognitive impairment in aging.

Training and Career Development (Capacity-Building)
Applications must include a plan for capacity building. Interdisciplinary, inclusive, equitable and safe training and mentoring environments are encouraged to help in the development of the diverse next generation of researchers and leaders in brain health and cognitive impairment in aging.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
This FO will promote and embrace equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in research design and practices (e.g., recruitment strategies and processes, including plans for analyzing data), as appropriate, and in the research environment, including the composition of the research team, consistent with CIHR's position on EDI available in the Tri-Agency Statement on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Refer to Additional Information for more details.

Indigenous Rights
The importance of respecting the cultures and traditions of Indigenous Peoples and ensuring a meaningful and culturally safe environment is of high importance. CIHR recognizes that First Nations, Métis and Inuit are rights-holding as First Peoples of Canada and may not consider themselves to be part of equity-seeking groups (e.g., women, racialized minorities, persons with disabilities and members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities). This FO supports rights and distinctions-based approaches to Indigenous self-determination in research to reflect this position and to strengthen Indigenous health and well-being. CIHR's commitment to supporting Indigenous self-determination in health research is available in the CIHR Strategic Plan 2021–2031 and the Action Plan: Building a healthier future for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

Eligibility

Eligibility to Apply

For an application to be eligible, all the requirements stated below must be met:

1. The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) must be:
   1. an independent researcher 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) at the time of funding.
      OR
   2. an individual affiliated with an Indigenous non-governmental organization in Canada with a research and/or knowledge translation mandate.
      OR
   3. an Indigenous non-governmental organization in Canada with a research and/or knowledge translation mandate.
2. The NPA (individual) must have their substantive role in Canada for the duration of the requested grant term.
3. The Institution Paid must be authorized to administer CIHR funds before the funding can be released (for more information see Administration of Funds).
4. The Research Team must include each of the following roles. Note that an individual can fulfill multiple roles.
   1. An Early Career Researcher (ECR) as NPA, Principal Applicant (PA) or Co-Applicant. The ECR must be eligible at the time of the full application deadline date.
   2. A knowledge user (KU), which may include PWLE, as a Co-Applicant, or collaborator.
5. An applicant can only submit one application as an NPA but can participate in any number of applications in other applicant roles.
6. Any research involving Indigenous Health Research must include at least one applicant (NPA or PA) who self-identifies as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) and/or provides evidence of the capacity and experience to work with Indigenous Peoples and communities in a meaningful and culturally safe way (see How to Apply for more details).
7. 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).
   * Organizations as NPAs: For organizations applying as the NPA, a representative of the organization must complete the training module on the organization's behalf.

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 for requirements regarding allowable costs and activities.

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:

• Patient partner compensation is an allowable cost. Patient partners (e.g., patients, PWLE, care givers and care providers) should be offered compensation for their time which helps make participation in research more equitable and diverse by removing barriers to participate. Please refer to these considerations when paying patient partners in research.
• Expenditures that respect the culture and traditions of Indigenous peoples, where needed for the meaningful conduct of research. See TCPS 2 - Chapter 9 Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada and TAGFA Directive on Gifts, Honoraria and Incentives. These include:
  • 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.
  • 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.

For this funding opportunity only, the following statement(s) apply:

• Release Time Allowance: Up to $25,000 per knowledge user who meets TAGFA compensation requirements, per grant.

Use of Personal Information

• Personal information submitted during the application process, including but not limited to information provided through applicant CVs, the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Self-identification Questionnaire and other application documents required by this FO, will be made available to CIHR personnel for the purposes of future program design and delivery, results measurement and reporting. For further information about the EDI self-identification questionnaire and the use of personal information, see the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Self-identification Questionnaire Frequently Asked Questions. 
• The following information submitted to CIHR at the registration stage will be shared with the proposed institution paid for planning purposes: name of the NPA (and other applicants, if provided), application number, title of the proposal and requested budget.
• All reports may be shared with partners supporting the grant (See Conditions of Funding for report details).

Conditions of Funding

• 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.
• Applicants must have proof of access to each data set/cohort included in their proposed project at the time of applying to this funding opportunity.
• The applicants 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.
• The Nominated Principal Applicant may be required to sign a grant agreement by a sponsoring partner.
• The Nominated Principal Applicant will be required to submit an annual report. Requirements for this report will be provided by CIHR.
• The Nominated Principal Applicant will be required to submit an electronic Final Report to CIHR. This online report will be made available to the Nominated Principal Applicant on ResearchNet at the beginning of the grant funding period and can be filled in as the research progresses.
• The NPA will be expected to attend a virtual CIHR-led KM Forum at the end of the grant term.
• The Principal Applicants who are successful in this competition are strongly encouraged to actively participate in peer review, and as members of the CIHR College of Reviewers, when invited.
• CIHR is a signatory to the World Health Organization's Joint Statement on Public Disclosure of Results from Clinical Trials ("WHO Joint Statement") requiring all clinical trials to be registered and the results disclosed publicly in a timely manner. For more information, please consult the CIHR Policy Guide - Requirements for Registration and Disclosure of Results from Clinical Trials.

Review Process and Evaluation

Relevance Review Process

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

Applications that are not deemed to be relevant to the funding opportunity 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. Research Approach
   1. Extent and feasibility of the proposed project, including research question and approach (e.g., recruitment of participants, project timeline[s], budget, etc.), and methods of analysis, are clear, appropriate and rigorous.
      1. Quality and appropriateness of integration of sex, gender and other intersecting aspects of diversity (see SGBA+) throughout the proposal, including study rationale, experimental design, methods, analysis, as well as data interpretation and/or reporting/dissemination.
      2. Quality, appropriateness, and availability of data to be used, and rationale for its use, if applicable.
   2. Potential for the creation of new knowledge.
   3. For research projects with a focus on Indigenous Health Research: projects involving First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples:
      1. The extent to which the proposed project recognizes the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous self-determination and self-governance, of Indigenous Peoples, such as following the First Nations Principles of OCAP®^{Footnote 2} (Ownership, Control, Access and Possession), or other principles of Indigenous self-determination, as appropriate.
      2. Extent to which the application aligns with CIHR's definition of Indigenous Health Research and Meaningful and Culturally Safe Health Research and abides by the Tri-Council Policy Statement Chapter 9: Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit and Metis Peoples of Canada.
      3. Demonstration of the extent to which the Nominated Principal Applicant will ensure that the research is conducted by, grounded in, or engaged with First Nations, Inuit or Métis communities, societies or individuals and their wisdom, cultures, experiences or knowledge systems, as expressed in their dynamic forms, past and present.
2. Research Team
   1. Appropriateness of team members' expertise in the proposed area(s) of research and diverse disciplinary expertise, including evidence of meaningful engagement of participating knowledge users(s) (including PWLE) throughout the research process.
   2. Evidence of steps taken to encourage diversity and inclusivity within the research team composition and an equitable and accessible nature of the research environment.
   3. Appropriateness of team composition related to inclusive, accessible knowledge mobilization.
   4. For research projects with a focus on Indigenous Health Research: projects involving First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples:
      1. The extent to which the overall 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.
      2. Evidence of the capacity and experience of the research team to work in Indigenous communities in a meaningful and culturally safe way.
3. Impact of the Research
   1. Potential of the project outcomes to inform and/or have a substantive and sustainable impact on policies, practices and/or programs.
   2. Clarity and appropriateness of the anticipated outcomes and impacts of the research.
   3. Quality and appropriateness of the proposed KM and Dissemination plan:
      1. Appropriateness and quality of EDI and Indigenous Rights considerations, as applicable, as well as accessibility requirements, for the planned KM products and activities.
      2. Potential to successfully disseminate and mobilize research findings to the intended knowledge user(s) and those impacted by findings, as demonstrated by proposed knowledge mobilization activities and products detailed in the KM and Dissemination plan.
      3. Extent of the role(s) and contribution(s) of all applicant partner(s) in advancing research objectives (if applicable).
      4. 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).
4. Capacity Building
   1. Quality and appropriateness of the proposed research Capacity Building plan and mentoring environment for trainees and ECRs.

Funding Decision

Applications relevant to each pool will be funded top down in order of ranking. Remaining applications in the competition will be pooled together and funded in rank order.

The names of 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.

How to Apply

• The application process for this funding opportunity is comprised of two steps: Registration and Full Application.
• To complete your Registration and Full Application, follow the instructions in the Grants – Registration Guidelines, along with any additional instructions found below under "Specific Instructions".
  • Note that a Registration must be submitted to be eligible to submit a full application.
• All participants listed, with the exception of Collaborators, are required to:
  • Have/obtain a CIHR PIN
  • Complete the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Self-identification Questionnaire.
• Organizations applying as Nominated Principal Applicants for the first time 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

• List all known project participants in the "Identify Participants" task.
• The Nominated Principal Applicant must remain unchanged between Registration and Application. Other participants can be added, removed, or change roles between Registration and Application.
• CVs are not required at registration stage.

Task: Enter Proposal Information

• This task collects information related to the research project. Complete the Overview, Details, and Descriptors sections.
• A Research Proposal is not required at this stage.

Task: Complete Summary of Research Proposal

• Summarize your research proposal (1 page). Please note that this document may be used for relevance review. Additionally, the summary may be used to find reviewers with the expertise required to assess the proposal.

Task: Complete Peer Review Administration Information

• This task collects information used for the purpose of peer review administration and aids CIHR in recruiting appropriate expertise.
• Suggest Canadian and/or international reviewers that you think have the expertise to review your application. CIHR reserves the right to make the final selection of reviewers. You should not suggest reviewers in conflict of interest. Consult the Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Agreement for Peer Reviewers and Peer Review Observers on the CIHR website for more information.

Task: Apply to Priority Announcements/Funding Pools (optional)

• Selecting a funding pool is optional.
• Select the funding opportunity title under the "Priority Announcement/Funding Pool Title' drop-down list, then select the funding pool(s) under the "List of Relevant Research Areas" drop-down list.

Step 2 — Application

Task: Identify Participants

• List all participants in the "Identify Participants" task. Consult the Eligibility section and ensure that all requirements are met.
• All participants are required to submit a CV (excluding collaborators).
  • All Canadian academic applicants are required to upload a CIHR Biosketch CV.
  • Knowledge users, non-academics, Indigenous organizations, and international applicants have the option to submit either a CIHR Biosketch CV or Applicant Profile CV (maximum three pages per applicant).
  • Indigenous non-governmental organizations and individuals affiliated with them applying as an NPA (see NPA types 1b and 1c) must include in their Applicant Profile CV, a description of the organization and how it meets the eligibility requirement of being an Indigenous non-governmental organization with a research or knowledge translation mandate.
  • Submit Biosketch CVs using the Canadian Common CV (CCV) interface. Submit Applicant Profile CVs by uploading the completed document in the "Attachment" tab.

Task: Enter Proposal Information

• Research proposals written in French will be allowed to submit additional pages, in support of evidence demonstrating that French documents require approximately 20% more space than similar English documents. Therefore, to ensure an equitable amount of space is provided, the following page limits will apply:
  • 10 pages for Research Proposals written in English
  • 12 pages for Research Proposals written in French
  Note: For Research proposals submitted in English, any pages over the 10-page limit will be removed with no further notification to the Nominated Principal Applicant.
• References, charts, tables, figures and photographs can be uploaded under "Attachments – Research Proposal Appendix".

Task: Complete Summary of Research Proposal

• Summarize your research proposal (1 page). Please note that this document may be used for relevance review. Additionally, the summary may be used to find reviewers with the expertise required to assess the proposal.

Task: Enter Budget Information

• Financial Assistance Requested:
• Complete the Budget Module in ResearchNet for the total requested budget.
• Budget Attachments:
• Financial Assistance Requested Details:
  • Provide a justification for how the budget requested is appropriate for the scope of the research proposed.
  • Participation of trainees on the applicant team and KM engagement activities should be accounted for in the budget requested (as appropriate).
• Other Supporting Documents (as applicable): For release time allowance requests, you must include a letter 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 – attach the following under "Other":
  • Knowledge Mobilization and Dissemination Plan (2 pages in English / 2.5 in French) – label as "KM and Dissemination Plan" (mandatory) (Updated: 2023-05-02)
  • Capacity Building Plan (1 page in English / 1.5 in French) – label as "Capacity Building Plan" (mandatory) (Updated: 2023-05-02)
  • Proof of access of data – label as "Proof of Access – Name of data set/cohort" (mandatory, if applicable). Provide and individually upload documentation from each data set/cohort that the data requested is available. (Updated: 2023-05-02)
  • Certificate of Completion for the sex- and gender-based analysis training module (mandatory for the NPA) – label as "SGBA Certificate – Name":
    • Download the PDF Certificate and upload the PDF (or Print Screen jpg) here.
  • Applicant Partner COI Document (required if applicable) – Label as "COI Document": Describe the role of all applicant partners, how/if they will contribute to research and research related activities, and any consideration of risk and/or conflict of interest as appropriate (Maximum 1-page).
  • Indigenous self-declaration and/or evidence of meaningful and culturally safe involvement with Indigenous communities' statement (mandatory, if applicable) – Label as "Indigenous Experience – Name/Organization".
    • For the Indigenous Peoples' Health Pool, teams including participants who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) and/or who can provide evidence of meaningful and culturally safe involvement with Indigenous communities. These participants are required to provide a maximum 1-page statement describing how the participant meets the criteria of self-identification and/or meaningful and culturally safe engagement.
• Participant table (mandatory)
  • In table format, list all applicants (including Collaborators) with their affiliations/organization/network (as applicable) and their role(s) (i.e. researcher [clearly identify the ECR], knowledge user, individual affiliated with an Indigenous non-governmental organization in Canada with a research and/or knowledge translation mandate or organization fitting that description, PWLE) within the team, and a short description of the expertise each brings to the proposal.
• Publications (optional) – Upload under "Publications"
  • Append a list of publications (maximum 1 page) relevant to the proposal.
• Letters of Collaboration (mandatory if applicable):
  • A signed letter is required from all Collaborator(s) listed on the application that outlines their contribution to the project.

Task: Complete Peer Review Administration Information

• This task collects information used for the purpose of peer review administration and aids CIHR in recruiting appropriate expertise.
• Suggest Canadian and/or international reviewers that you think have the expertise to review your application. CIHR reserves the right to make the final selection of reviewers. You should not suggest reviewers in conflict of interest. Consult the Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Agreement for Peer Reviewers and Peer Review Observers on the CIHR website for more information.

Task: Apply to Priority Announcements/Funding Pools (optional)

• Selecting a funding pool is optional.
• Select the funding opportunity title under the "Priority Announcement/Funding Pool Title' drop-down list, then select the funding pool(s) under the "List of Relevant Research Areas" drop-down list.
• Describe (in a half-page) how the research proposed will address the relevant research area(s).

Task: Print Signature Pages

• Signature Requirements:
  • Signature of the Nominated Principal Applicant is not required for applications submitted through ResearchNet.
  • Signatures must be included for all other 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.

Partners

Azrieli Foundation

The Azrieli Foundation (including the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence – CCCE) is a federally registered Canadian foundation which funds institutions as well as operates programs in Canada and in Israel. The Foundation supports scientific and medical research, higher education, Holocaust education, youth empowerment and school perseverance, music and the arts, architecture and quality of life initiatives for neurodiverse people. (Updated: 2023-05-19)

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 – Brain Health Cognitive Impairment in Aging (BHCIA) Research Initiative
The Brain Health and Cognitive Impairment in Aging Research Initiative (the Initiative) supports research across the continuum from the healthy aging brain to cognitive impairment and care for those impacted by dementia, with a special focus on Indigenous Peoples and groups that have been historically excluded from research. The Initiative is supported by funding announced in Budget 2022, which provided $20 million over five years for CIHR to ramp up efforts to learn more about dementia and brain health in aging, to improve treatment and outcomes for persons living with dementia, and to evaluate and address mental health consequences for caregivers and different models of care.

CIHR – Institute of Aging (IA)
The CIHR Institute of Aging (CIHR-IA) mission is to support research, capacity building and knowledge mobilization to maintain and improve the health, resiliency and quality of life of older Canadians. This includes addressing the complex health challenges that can be more prevalent in older individuals. The CIHR-IA promotes the use of a lifecycle approach to support advances in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care delivery, and social determinants of health.

The CIHR-IA is a national leader in addressing health research priorities for older adults. Institute initiatives not only link and support researchers located in universities and hospitals across the country, but also bring together different levels of government, practitioners, voluntary health organizations and older adults themselves.

CIHR – Institute of Infection and Immunity (III)
The Institute of Infection and Immunity (III) supports research and helps to build research capacity in the areas of infectious disease and the body's immune system. Through the Institute's programs, researchers address a wide range of health concerns related to infection and immunity including disease mechanisms, disease prevention and treatment, and health promotion through public policy.

CIHR – Institute of Genetics (IG)
The Institute of Genetics (IG) supports research on the human and model genomes and on all aspects of genetics, basic biochemistry and cell biology related to health and disease, including the translation of knowledge into health policy and practice, and the societal implications of genetic discoveries.

Additional Information

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
CIHR is committed to promoting the inclusion and advancement of groups historically excluded from science as one of the means to enhance excellence in research, training and knowledge mobilization. This means recognizing and reducing systemic barriers, mitigating biases, as well as including and benefiting from the full pool of talented researchers and trainees in the system. CIHR's position on EDI is available in the Tri-Agency Statement on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Additional resources include the Best Practices in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research for guidance and examples of systemic barriers and Section 2 of the NSERC guide on integrating equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in research. All applicants are also encouraged to complete the CIHR Bias in Peer Review Learning Module.

First Nations Principles of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP®)
The First Nations Principles of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP®)2 serve as an example of First Nations self-governance but is distinct to First Nations and not distinct to Inuit, Métis, or Urban Indigenous communities, collectives and organizations. CIHR recognizes that a distinctions-based approach is needed to ensure that the unique rights, interests and circumstances of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples, and Urban Indigenous communities are acknowledged, affirmed, and implemented.

People With Lived/Living Experience (PWLE)
In the context of this FO, this includes individuals with personal experience of a relevant health issue (patient), care providers, and caregivers, including family and friends. Through an Indigenous context/lens, this could refer to community. Please refer to the Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research Patient Engagement Framework for additional information related to engaging PWLE in research.

Sex and Gender-Based Analysis Plus (SGBA+)
Sex- and Gender-Based Analysis (SGBA) is an approach that systematically examines sex-based (biological) and gender-based (socio-cultural) differences between men, women, boys, girls and gender-diverse people. The purpose of SGBA is to promote rigorous science that considers sex and gender and therefore has the potential to expand our understanding of health determinants for all people. SGBA is meant to be applied within the context of a diversity framework that considers the ways in which determinants such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, migration status, age and geography interact with sex and/or gender to contribute to exposures to various risk factors, disease courses and outcomes. Applying SGBA brings these considerations into focus and can help formulate health research, policies and programs that are relevant to the diversity of the Canadian population. Please visit How to integrate sex and gender into research and Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) for 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 eligible to administer CIHR funds, 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.

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