“To excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care system…”

Section 4, C-6, R.S.C. 2000

ObjectiveObjective

Four Research Themes

• Biomedical

• Clinical

• Health services and health systems

• Health of populations, societal and cultural dimensions of health, and environmental influences on health

13 CIHR Institutes

Aboriginal People’s Health

Cancer Research Circulatory and

Respiratory Health Gender and Health Genetics Health Services and

Policy Research Aging

Human Development, Child and Youth

Infection and Immunity Musculoskeletal Health

and Arthritis Neurosciences, Mental

Health and Addiction Nutrition, Metabolism

and Diabetes Population and Public

Health

Biomedical - Clinical - Health Services and Health Systems - Health of populations, societal and cultural dimensions of health, and environmental influences on health

Clinical Psychology Social Work Nursing Anthropology Sociology Etc

Health Services and Health Systems

Economists Political Scientists Sociologists Geographers Ethics Etc

Health of populations, societal and cultural dimensions of health, and environmental influences on healthIn addition to all mentioned

Performing Arts Religious Studies Linguistics Music Regional Sciences Philosophy Literature History Etc.

CIHR Supports

Investigator-initiated research proposals

Any area of health research

Open competitions

Strategic Research Initiatives

Priority areas chosen by Institutes

Requests for applications

Applying for a Grant Important Deadlines

Program Registra-tion

Deadline Adjudica-tion

Notifica-tion

Funding start

Operating

Grants

Aug. 15 Sep. 15 Dec. End Jan. Apr. 1

Feb. 1 Mar. 1 May End June Oct. 1

Request for Applications (RFA) Important Deadlines

Program Registra-tion

Deadline Adjudica-tion

Notifica-tion

Funding start

RFAsApril 1 June 1 Nov-Dec January 15 Feb

Nov 1 Jan 15 May-June June 15 July

Applying for a grant: Being a Principal InvestigatorApplying for a grant: Being a Principal Investigator

Appropriate training and publications Protected time for research Space and facilities

If not Be a collaborator in an existing team or Find an experienced and established

investigator to help you Explore the Institutes’ Request for

Applications

Applying for a grant Writing:Applying for a grant Writing:

Competition is tough: only 1 in 4 applications is funded!

Start at least 4 months before deadline Application should be completed 1

month before deadline Show it to experienced colleagues for

feedback (mentorship!) Revise, revise, revise

Applying for a grant Writing: in 11 pages explain

Applying for a grant Writing: in 11 pages explain What you want to do

central hypothesis/research question: the big ideaplus specific objectives (or aims)

Why this is a reasonable thing to do review of previous work by you and others,succinct rationale for project (concept and

approach)

Why this is important significant new knowledge to be obtained improvements to health which will result

Applying for a grant. Writing: in 11 pages explain

Applying for a grant. Writing: in 11 pages explain How you are going to do it

detailed work plan, logical sequence and timelinesmethodologies, analysis and interpretation of

resultspitfalls, ways around them, alternatives

Why you should do it relevant prior experience and skillscollaborators for technical gapspreliminary data showing feasibility

Applying for a grant Writing: on budget pages explain

Applying for a grant Writing: on budget pages explain What you need to do it

suppliespersonnel (research assistants, trainees, interviewers)

- named, if possibleequipment, database accessservices (photography, computing) travel to present findings, or for collaboration

Don’t ask forsalary for applicants infrastructure costs (space rental, heat, light, furniture,

regular telephone service, secretarial support, etc.)

Follow instructions exactly Adhere to format guidelines, e.g., font

size, margins, page limits, etc. Write the summary and key hypothesis

and rationale sections for generalists, detailed work plan for specialists.

It should be a pleasure to read Proof-read! Proof-read! Proof-read!

Follow instructions exactly Adhere to format guidelines, e.g., font

size, margins, page limits, etc. Write the summary and key hypothesis

and rationale sections for generalists, detailed work plan for specialists.

It should be a pleasure to read Proof-read! Proof-read! Proof-read!

Help yourself: Do not upset the reviewersHelp yourself: Do not upset the reviewers

Peer Review CommitteesPeer Review Committees 45 for operating grants (currently) Over 600 volunteers Composition for Grants committees:

ChairScientific Officer8-12 members

Review 30-70 applications over 2-3 days, twice a year.

Some Peer Review Committees

Biological and Clinical Aspects of Aging

Social Dimensions of Aging

Children’s Health Ethics and Law and

Humanities Humanities

Perspectives on Health Gender Sex and Health

Health Information and Promotion Research

Knowledge Translation Public Community and

Population Health Psychosocial, Socio-

Cultural and Behavioral Determinants of Health

Clinical Trials

Peer Review Committees (things to do when applying)

You will be asked to suggest external reviewers. To prepare read the guidelines regarding Conflict of Interest.

You will be asked to choose the peer review committee. To prepare, read the mandates on the Web site

Operating Grants – Peer Review Process

Committee officers make final selection of review panel

If necessary, additional expertise obtained by inviting extra members in person or via teleconference, and/or external reviews

Peer Review Process – cont.Peer Review Process – cont.

Chairs and Scientific Officers play a major role in all facets of the peer review Ensure the balance of expertise, regional, gender and linguistic

representation Review applications and assign to external reviewers who provide written

reviews to the committee Assign applications to two internal reviewers who provide oral and written

reports and an initial rating and to a third as a reader Internal reviewers give a preliminary rating and their reports.

Members discuss application (20-30 minutes) Internal reviewers reach consensus on rating and members rate

privately (.5 higher or lower) No one on the Committee knows the final rating.

Budget then discussed and recommended

Evaluation criteriaEvaluation criteria

Proposal Clear, testable hypothesis or central research problem originality and innovation in concept or approach soundness of methodology (ies) significance and relevance to health feasibility of work plan, usefulness of results knowledge of the field (cited literature)

Applicant(s) relevant experience productivity and reputation appropriate to stage of career supportive environment

Rating ScaleRating Scale Range Descriptors

4.5 - 4.9 outstanding4.0 - 4.4 excellent3.5 - 3.9 very good3.0 - 3.4 solid/significant

__________________________________2.5 - 2.9 needs revision2.0 - 2.4 needs major revision1.0 - 1.9 seriously flawed0 not acceptable

Feedback to applicantFeedback to applicant

External and internal reviews (anonymous), plus Scientific Officer’s summary of discussion

Read and take advice (from reviewers’ reports and colleagues)

If not funded, can re-apply to next competition 2 pages of rebuttal to explain how reviewers were

wrong, or right…. and how their concerns have been addressed

Contact CIHR Research Portfolio staff if you have any questions

For more advice

Hyperlinks to Grantscraft guides:

http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/publications/funding/

usefullinks_grants_e.shtml

For :

• Current RFA opportunities

• Grants and Awards Guide

• Database of funded research

• Peer review process in detail

• Application forms

• Staff contacts for assistance of any sort

• Toll-free number 1-888-603-4178

Visit us often at www.cihr-irsc.gc.caVisit us often at www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca