ResearchNet - RechercheNet

Table of Contents

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

Description

Canada has a strong basic research community for whom investment in multi-disciplinary and integrative research approaches in new and emerging areas is necessary to support and strengthen this thriving group. The iterative development, validation, and improvement of new technologies often results in major leaps forward in medical research. However, getting funding for new technology development can be challenging as having the technology working and validated is often a prerequisite for its use in discovery research. Examples of current and validated technologies that are used for cutting edge research in Canada include artificial intelligence, machine learning, organoids, Crispr/Cas9 gene editing, mRNA therapies and vaccines, and stem cell differentiation and implantation. Examples of other technologies that basic research consider as essential include Taq polymerase for PCR, restriction enzymes, site-directed mutagenesis (for which Canada’s Michael Smith shared the 1993 Nobel Prize in Chemistry), ‘omics’ technologies, electrophoresis and western blots, and many others. New biomedical technology development and validation was therefore identified as a major gap in funding that is required to advance biomedical research in Canada; this gap will be addressed through the catalyst grants funded through this funding opportunity (FO). Development and validation of new biomedical technologies is a high-risk high-reward endeavour.

There is, and clearly will be, an ongoing and ever-increasing demand for new technologies and applications to carry out highly technical research and its transition to application to human health in the public and private sectors.

Examples of activities that might be conducted under this FO are (but are not limited to):

• Human organs on chips
• Stem cell differentiation and implantation
• Computational methods applied to in vivo applications
• Gene editing, mRNA and other oligonucleotides as potential therapies, vaccines, diagnostics, and detection of diseases
• Software and methods development to support and/or improve ‘omic’ analysis (e.g., increased reliability, reproducibility, analysis, sensitivity)
• Viral vector development and delivery of human genes
• Peptide and/or protein therapies or vaccines
• Nanoparticles for the delivery of therapies or vaccines
• Innovative methods to generate animal models
• Biomedical imaging

Research Areas

This funding opportunity will support projects relevant to the following research areas:

General Pool

Projects in this research area will support the development and validation of new biomedical techniques and technologies that will contribute to increasing our understanding of human health and disease and facilitate new investments in health research. Please note that projects that are focusing on the use of new biomedical techniques and technologies, rather than their development, are considered ineligible to this funding opportunity.

Cancer Research Pool

All research funded through this pool must also align with the General Pool Description.

Projects in this research area must align with the mandate of the Institute of Cancer Research.

Infection and Immunity Research Pool

All research funded through this pool must also align with the General Pool Description.

Projects in this research area must align with the mandate of the Institute of Infection and Immunity.

Role and Contributions of Applicant Partners: 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 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 $3,000,000 enough to fund approximately ten (10) grants. This amount may increase if additional funding partners participate. The maximum amount per grant is $150,000 per year for up to 2 years for a total of $300,000 per grant.
• Of this $3,000,000:
  • $2,400,000 is available to fund eight (8) applications relevant to the General Pool.
  • $300,000 is available to fund one (1) application relevant to the Cancer Research Pool.
    • The top ranked fundable application relevant to the Cancer Research pool will be funded. Any remaining fundable applications in this pool will be combined with the applications in the General Pool; applications in this pool will be funded in rank order as far as funds will allow.
  • $300,000 is available to fund one (1) application relevant to the Infection and Immunity Research Pool.
    • The top ranked fundable application relevant to the Infection and Immunity pool will be funded. Any remaining fundable applications in this pool will be combined with the applications in the General Pool; applications in this pool will be funded in rank order as far as funds will allow.

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

Objectives

The specific objectives of this funding opportunity are to:

• Support the development and validation of new biomedical techniques and technologies;
• Demonstrate that the technology can be transitioned into discovery-based research; and
• Mobilize research collaborations, including across disciplines.

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 one of the following:
   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);
   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 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 by the funding start date.
4. The NPA must have successfully completed one of the sex- and gender- based analysis online training modules available through the CIHR Institute of Gender and Health and submit a Certificate of Completion (see How to Apply section).
5. Any research involving Indigenous Peoples must include at least one applicant who self-identifies as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis) and/or provides evidence of the capacity and experience to work with Indigenous Peoples in a meaningful and culturally safe way (see How to Apply section for more details).
6. An individual or an organization cannot submit more than one application as an NPA. If the NPA submits more than one application, CIHR will automatically withdraw the last application(s) submitted based on timestamp of submission.

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, including the CIHR Application Administration Guide – Part 2 General Requirements for Grants and Awards Applications, to ensure understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

Allowable Costs

Applicants are advised to consult 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:

• Reasonable expenses related to knowledge translation, networking, and commercialization (including patent costs specific to the IP) are eligible. The applicants must justify these and all other expenses in the context of their research proposals and the appropriateness of such requests is subject to peer review.
• Release Time Allowance to facilitate the participation of knowledge user(s) who meet TAGFA compensation requirements, in the research program.
• Full-time or part-time salaries paid to members of the grant team, as long as: a) they do not conduct research independently, as part of the terms and conditions of their employment (i.e., researchers in academia, hospitals and research institutes); or b) they are not themselves the recipient of an agency grant (i.e., the Nominated Principal Applicant or equivalent) or ; c) they are not receiving compensation from other sources for their time spent on the funded research/activities. For more information consult the Directive on Employment and Compensation Expenditures.
• Costs related to the translation and preparation of information/material intended for public consumption, including for the purposes of informing and engaging partners (e.g., website content, information pamphlets, guidelines, promotional and event-related material, etc.).
• 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; 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.

Use of Personal Information

• Personal information submitted during the application process, including but not limited to information provided through applicant CVs, the Self-identification Questionnaire and other application documents required by this funding opportunity, will be made available to CIHR personnel for the purposes of future program planning and design and evaluation and learning for organizational and program strengthening. For further information about the Self-identification Questionnaire and the use of personal information, see the 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.
• For this Funding Opportunity, full application (including CVs) and nominative information (except the data labeled "for Administrative use only") will be shared with competition partners and/or CIHR Institute staff, for purposes of relevance review and/or funding decisions, notwithstanding when consent is not provided in the ResearchNet Consent and Submit Task, Section B. Any applicant to this funding opportunity is deemed to accept this condition by virtue of submission.
• All final reports will be shared with partners supporting the grant (See Conditions of Funding for report details).

Conditions of Funding

In addition to the general conditions of funding governing CIHR grants the following are the program specific conditions of funding applicable to this funding opportunity:

• Data related to First Nations, Inuit, or Métis 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.
• All information intended for public consumption, including for the purposes of informing and engaging partners (e.g., website content, information pamphlets, guidelines, promotional and event-related material, etc.), must be provided in both official languages (English and French) and should be developed using plain language practices. See Allowable Costs for more details.
• 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.
• CIHR reserves the right to terminate or suspend funding if there is a determination of unacceptable national security risk by the Government of Canada.
• The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) is responsible for the following reporting requirements:
  • An electronic Final Report. This online report will be made available to the NPA on ResearchNet at the beginning of the grant funding period and can be filled in as the research progresses.

Review Process and Evaluation

Relevance Review Process

Using the Relevance Form (see How to Apply section) and the Summary of Research Proposal, CIHR-IG, CIHR-ICR, and CIHR-III will perform a relevance review at the Full Application stage to identify applications that are in alignment with the description and objectives of this funding opportunity.

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

Review Process

For information on the peer review process for this funding opportunity, see 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.

Peer review will be conducted in accordance with the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).

Evaluation Criteria

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

1. Research Approach
   1. Extent to which the research proposal is aligned with the description and objectives of the funding opportunity.
   2. Clarity, appropriateness and feasibility of the research design, methodology and expected outcomes.
   3. Feasibility of the research approach in relation to the proposed timelines and budget.
   4. Extent to which difficulties that may be encountered in the research are anticipated and plans for their management provided.
   5. Appropriateness and quality of the plan for integrated knowledge mobilization, including the approach to engage relevant partners and knowledge users.
   6. Appropriateness of plan for integrating principles of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and Indigenous Rights (IR) into the proposed research. Refer to the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Research System resources and How to integrate sex and gender into research for additional guidance. This includes incorporation of biological variables (e.g., sex, age) and/or sociocultural identity factors (e.g., gender, race, ethnicity, language) into the research proposed, where applicable. It could also include a commitment to engaging a diverse research team.
   7. For research projects involving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples: Appropriate consideration of TCPS 2 (2022) – Chapter 9: Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples of Canada and demonstration of meaningful and culturally safe involvement practices, plans and activities throughout the research project.
2. Originality of the Proposal
   1. Potential for the creation of new biomedical techniques and/or technologies. The appropriateness and innovativeness (where relevant) of the technique (including experimental design) and analytical frame, and the identification of, and proposed approach(es) to, difficulties that may be encountered.
   2. Potential for the transition of the techniques and/or technologies to discovery-based research.
3. Applicant(s)
   1. Evidence that the applicant(s) bring the appropriate expertise to lead and deliver the proposed output(s) and achieve the proposed outcome(s).
   2. For research projects involving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples: the extent to which the overall research team has the necessary knowledge and expertise in Indigenous health research, and complementarity of expertise and synergistic potential to conduct Indigenous health research.
4. Environment for the Research
   1. Suitability of the environment (academic institution and/or other organization) to support the proposed research activities, including availability and accessibility to personnel, facilities, and infrastructure.
5. Impact of the Research
   1. The proposed outcomes of the project are well defined, clear, and significant with respect to the development and validation of new biomedical techniques and/or technologies.
   2. Quality and appropriateness of the knowledge mobilization plan to facilitate the transition of the new techniques and/or technologies into discovery-based research.
   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).

Funding Decision

The top-rated applications (in the fundable range) relevant to the Cancer Research pool and the Infection and Immunity Research pool will be funded. Any remaining fundable applications in these two pools will be combined with the applications in the General Pool; applications in this pool will be funded in rank order as far as funds will allow.

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: Registration and Full Application
• To complete your Registration, follow the “Specific Instructions” listed below and where applicable, consult the Grants - Registration Guidelines. Note that a Registration must be submitted to be eligible to submit a full application.
• To complete your Full Application, follow the “Specific Instructions” listed below, and where applicable, consult the Grants – Application Guidelines.
• All participants listed, with the exception of Collaborators, are required to:
  • Have/obtain a CIHR PIN
  • Complete the 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 participants in the "Identify Participants" task. Consult the Eligibility section. The list does not need to be final at the Registration Stage.
• The Nominated Principal Applicant must remain unchanged between the registration and full application phases of the competition. Other participants can be added or removed between the two stages.
• If the Nominated Principal Applicant is a non-governmental organization, then the organization's ResearchNet account must be used to open the registration.
• No CVs are required at this stage.

Task: Enter Proposal Information

• Complete the Overview, Details, and Descriptors sections.
• You are encouraged to include five (5) keywords (descriptors) that best describe your research.
• A Research Proposal is not required at this stage.

Task: Complete Summary of Research Proposal

• The summary must describe how the research proposal is in alignment with the description and objectives of this funding opportunity. Note that your summary cannot exceed 3,500 characters (including spaces) or approximately one (1) page.

Task: Complete Peer Review Administration Information (optional)

• You are encouraged to suggest reviewers that 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.
• You also have the option to exclude reviewers by providing the names of individuals that you feel cannot provide an objective review of your application.

Task: Apply to Priority Announcements/Funding Pools

• Select the relevant funding pool(s) as applicable, under the “Priority Announcement/Funding Pool Title” drop-down list: 1) General Pool, 2) Cancer Research Pool, 3) Infection and Immunity Research Pool.
  • Funding pools should be selected based on priority order (i.e., most relevant under funding pool number 1).
• The information in your Relevance Form must clearly describe (in one half-page) how the objectives of your proposed activity align with the selected funding pool(s). A separate Relevance Form will be required for each funding pool selected.

Task: Manage Access (optional)

• The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) can delegate access to a maximum of five individuals to support the completion of the application. Note: A delegate’s access does not carry over from one stage of the competition to another (i.e., from the registration to the application stage). The NPA will need to delegate access at each stage of a competition. NPAs should revoke delegates’ access prior to completing the Consent and Submit tasks if they do not want them to retain access to submitted applications via their Completed Activities tab. For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Step 2 – Full 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, including partners, must also be listed in the Participant Table under the task "Attach Other Application Materials" below.
• 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). Each Applicant Profile CV must include 5-10 expertise keywords; and 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.
  • NPA categories involving an Indigenous non-governmental organization as an eligibility requirement 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

• The Research Proposal must outline each of the elements presented in the evaluation criteria.
• 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:
  • 5 pages for Research Proposals written in English
  • 6 pages for Research Proposals written in French
  Note: Any additional pages over the above-mentioned 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".
• You are encouraged to include five (5) keywords (descriptors) that best describe your research.

Task: Complete Summary of Research Proposal

• The summary must describe how the research proposal is in alignment with the description and objectives of this funding opportunity.
• Note that your summary cannot exceed 3,500 characters (including spaces) or approximately one (1) page.

Task: Enter Budget Information

• Financial Assistance Requested Details:
  • Provide a detailed budget justification in relation to planned activities and clearly justify all budget items (including cash and cash equivalent contributions, if relevant).

Task: Attach Other Application Materials

• Other – attach the following under "Other":
  • Label as: "SGBA Certificate – Name" (mandatory): After completing the appropriate training module that applies to the research project, you will receive a Certificate of Completion that you will save and upload here. The training module should take approximately 40 minutes to complete.
  • Indigenous Experience (mandatory for applications involving Indigenous Peoples) – label as "Indigenous Experience – Name":
    • For any research involving Indigenous Peoples, this funding opportunity seeks applicants who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis) and/or applicants who can demonstrate their experience working in an Indigenous Health Research environment, which may include Indigenous living experience, addressing power imbalances and cultural safety. The NPA must therefore submit a one (1) page attachment describing how they or a team member meets this requirement.
  • Applicant Partner COI Document (required if applicable): 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).
• Participant Table (mandatory) – upload as “Participant Table”
  • In table format, list all participants (including Collaborators) with their affiliations, region, their role on the application (NPA, Principal Applicant, Co-Applicant, Principal Knowledge User, Knowledge User, Collaborator), the stakeholder group they are representing (independent researcher, clinician researcher, patient/family representatives/caregiver, health system decision maker, eHealth innovation partner, Indigenous Peoples) and a short description of the expertise (and products, if applicable) each brings to the proposal, including Collaborators.
• Publications (optional):
  • A maximum of 5 publications relevant to the proposed research can be attached (one page maximum).
• Letters of Support (optional):
  • Signed letters of support from the community are encouraged. Please review the Writing Letters of Support document for guidance.

Task: Identify Application Partners (Optional) – Upload Partner Information

• A “Partnership Details” form must be submitted for each partner providing cash and/or cash equivalent contributions.
• For each partner, upload a signed “Partner Letter” describing their role, activities, authorities, accountabilities and contributions (including intellectual, financial [cash or cash equivalent] and other resources).

Task: Complete Peer Review Administration Information (optional)

• You are encouraged to suggest reviewers that 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.
• You also have the option to exclude reviewers by providing the names of individuals that you feel cannot provide an objective review of your application.

Task: Apply to Priority Announcements/Funding Pools

• Select the relevant funding pool(s) as applicable, under the “Priority Announcement/Funding Pool Title” drop-down list: 1) General Pool, 2) Cancer Research Pool, 3) Infection and Immunity Research Pool.
  • Funding pools should be selected based on priority order (i.e., most relevant under funding pool number 1).
• The information in your Relevance Form must clearly describe (in one half-page) how the objectives of your proposed activity align with the selected funding pool(s). A separate Relevance Form will be required for each funding pool selected.

Task: Manage Access (optional)

• The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) can delegate access to a maximum of five individuals to support the completion of the application. Note: A delegate’s access does not carry over from one stage of the competition to another (i.e., from the registration to the application stage). The NPA will need to delegate access at each stage of a competition. NPAs should revoke delegates’ access prior to completing the Consent and Submit tasks if they do not want them to retain access to submitted applications via their Completed Activities tab. For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

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

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 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.

CIHR – Institute of Cancer Research (ICR)
The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) funds cancer research in Canada based on internationally accepted standards of excellence, which bear on preventing and treating cancer, and improving the health and quality of life of cancer patients. ICR has a mandate to support research that reduces the burden of cancer on individuals and families through prevention strategies, screening, diagnosis, effective treatment, psychosocial support systems, and palliation.

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.