Important Dates

Notices

Table of Contents

• Description
• Objectives
• Eligibility
• Guidelines
• Performance Measurement
• Review Process and Evaluation
• How to Apply
• Contact Information
• Partner/Collaborator Description

Description

The purpose of this funding opportunity is to further strengthen research on vision, hearing and communication disorders. It is expected that this targeted investment will lead to improved prevention, better treatment and more effective rehabilitation strategies. To achieve this objective, and to capture the interest and expertise in their respective research communities, the Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA), in partnership with the Institute of Aging, are pleased to announce this joint support for multidisciplinary emerging research teams.

Background

Vision. The prevalence of Canadians with vision, hearing and communication disorders is high and increasing with the ageing of our population. Vision, hearing and communication disorders have a significant impact on daily life.

The estimated blindness rate in Canada is 0.3%. Elderly people constitute the segment of the population most affected by loss of visual function. The prevalence of irreversible vision loss is increasing with 1 in 4 Canadians estimated to develop it by age 75. However, in more than 70% of cases, preventive or curative eye care can treat these problems. Three eye diseases account for the large majority of irreversible vision loss in Canada: age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and retinal vascular diseases (such as diabetic retinopathy). Severe vision loss not only restricts communication via print and electronic media, but also leads to social isolation.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of legal blindness in Canada, with a prevalence of 1.2-1.4%. It affects 4% of people at age 60 and 25% of those 75 and over. In 2003, AMD was newly diagnosed in 80,000 Canadians. This situation will become worse due to longer life expectancy and a lack of large-scale preventive or curative treatments for this disease. AMD causes central vision loss. It has a major impact on daily life and recreational activities and the ability to communicate, and is especially debilitating at advanced ages when many other factors conspire to limit independence.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness in industrialized countries within the working-age group. The prevalence of diabetes is 3-5% (30,000-50,000 diabetics/million inhabitants). The prevalence of DR in diabetics is 20% (6,000-10,000 affected by DR/million inhabitants). The prevalence of blindness in those affected by DR is 5% (300-500 blind/million inhabitants, i.e., 5% to 10% of all cases of blindness). DR is associated with a higher mortality rate.

In Canada, glaucoma is the second leading cause of irreversible blindness (7.5% of blindness in Canada). An estimated 328,000 Canadians currently have glaucoma (5,000 to 10,000 cases per million population, 600 to 1,000 of whom are blind). The prevalence of open-angle glaucoma increases significantly with age: from 1-2% in people aged 40 and over to 4-8% in people aged 80 and over. The prevalence of glaucoma is 16% in elderly people of African descent. As the population ages, the incidence, prevalence and impact of glaucoma will increase.

Cataracts cause 3.5% of blindness in Canada. In people aged 50 and over, the prevalence of cataracts causing significant vision loss (< 6/12) is 30%. Prevalence increases dramatically between ages 50 and 90: 50% of people aged 70 to 80 and 100% of people over 90 have significant cataracts. More than one person in two will undergo cataract surgery in their lifetime. In developed countries such as Canada, cataracts are often considered a "conquered" disease because surgery can restore vision before visual loss becomes too pronounced. Nevertheless, cataracts result in significant vision loss in many elderly people. Cataract surgery waiting lists have been the focus of numerous healthcare policies. Wait times influence patients' degree of satisfaction. The key challenges to be met here are good planning of human and physical resources and sound management of surgery waiting lists.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the leading cause of blindness in children in industrialized countries. However, blindness can be prevented through screening and treatment. The key challenge is to identify children at risk of blindness (those with threshold retinopathy) and define criteria relating to birth weight or weeks of pregnancy in order to recognize the population at risk.

Refractive disorders are another prevalent source of visual impairment, associated with substantial health-care costs. Myopia (near-sightedness) is very common, with an overall prevalence of ~25% in Canadian children and young adults; because the prevalence is so high, the costs of simple myopia (for eye examinations, corrective lenses and spectacles, and corneal surgery) approach $1 billion per year in Canada, and myopes are at risk of sight-threatening complications such as retinal detachment.

Hearing. With regard to adult onset hearing loss: the prevalence of approximately 10% for those over 18 years of age, 20% for over 65, and 40% for over 75 years. Of the elderly in nursing homes it is estimated that 80% suffer from significant hearing loss. The incidence of hearing loss, as these numbers suggest, increases with age at a rate of approximately 5-6 dB per decade over the age of 55. Risk factors include: age, gender, noise exposure (leisure, recreational, occupational, military), systemic diseases (HIV, tuberculosis, cardiovascular, type 2 diabetes), substance abuse and otoxicity, many of which may show synergistic effects. Vulnerability to many of these factors also seems increasingly to follow from genetic predispositions. The burden of hearing loss includes social and psychological isolation, reduced quality of life, increased dependency and support needs. There are also significant economic costs in terms of health care and reduced income.

The prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss exceeding 40 dB is estimated to be 1/1000 live births. In early childhood, causes of sensorineural hearing loss include single gene disorders, genetic syndromes, and non-genetic factors associated with pre-term birth, asphyxia, meningitis, kernicterus, intrauterine infections, and auditory neuropathy. By age 2 it is estimated that 70-90% of children have experienced at least one episode of middle ear disease and associated conductive hearing loss.

Communication. The ability to communicate confers enormous advantages upon an individual. Language is integral to normal human development, cognition, and social relationships. It is estimated that one out of every six individuals suffers from some form of communication disorder during the course of life (National Institute for Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health). Communication disorders affect all factions of society, from infants and young children to the elderly; each disorder not only has an impact on specific aspects of communication, but has broader implications as well. As an example, hearing loss - the third most prevalent chronic disability among older adults (Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists) - has a strong negative correlation with health and quality of life in aging. Not only are the individuals themselves affected but their family members, friends and colleagues as well. The social and economic costs of these communication disorders are particularly acute in modern economies where high levels of literacy are expected. We still have an incomplete understanding of the human communication process at all levels, from molecular and genetic determinants of basic sensory and motor developmental processes to the neural processes associated with speech and language and the causes and consequences of communication impairments. The consequences of this lack of fundamental knowledge is an inability to develop scientifically-based, targeted treatments - preventative or otherwise - to address the social, psychological and neurophysiological problems associated with developmental and acquired human communication disorders.

Aging. The above disorders are exacerbated in the older population, in which defining and treating conditions is often complicated by the existence of multiple pathologies, cognitive and physiological impairments, polypharmacy, increased incidence of treatment-related side effects and other physiological changes.

The CIHR Team Grant program funds expert teams (uni-disciplinary teams, multi-disciplinary teams, trans-disciplinary teams, community-partnered teams, academic-industry teams, etc.). Partners can include decision-makers, program administrators, care givers, policy makers and practitioners working in health-oriented community organizations, community-based foundations and organizations, local, provincial/territorial and national health charities and non-profit organizations, hospital and research institute foundations, municipal and regional health authorities, public health departments, district health councils, and provincial/territorial government agencies.

Proposals that represent active and meaningful partnerships between community organizations and research teams based in institutions (including universities, colleges, hospitals, and affiliated research institutions) are encouraged. The unifying element underlying all successful CIHR Teams will be a commitment to excellence and the pursuit of a problem-based, collaborative approach to health research.

Funds Available

CIHR's contribution to the amount available for this initiative is subject to availability of funds voted annually to CIHR by parliamentary appropriations, and the conditions that may be attached to them.

• The total amount available for this initiative is $4M over five years, beginning in fiscal year 2010-2011. This amount includes $1.0M of dedicated funding from the CIHR Institute of Aging for research on older adults and aging.
• The maximum amount awarded for a single grant is $300,000 per annum for up to 5 years.
• Teams invited to submit full applications may be offered development grants of up to $5,000 if requested at the Letter of Intent stage (see Letter of Intent instructions).
• Teams recommended for funding through this funding opportunity may be required to submit a revised budget based on the total funds available.
• The total amount available for this initiative may increase if additional funding partners decide to participate.

Duration of Projects

• The CIHR Team Grant program will provide support for a maximum duration of five years. In the case of five year grants, the final 2 years of funding are subject to a satisfactory progress review in the third year of funding.
• The equipment amount, where applicable, is awarded in year one.

Partner/Collaborator Participation

CIHR is dedicated to identifying and developing collaborations with other funding organizations and stakeholders to enhance the availability of funding for this strategic initiative, and to create, where appropriate, opportunities for knowledge exchange and translation related to the scope of this particular initiative. Applicants are invited to visit the Partner/Collaborator Description section to find a list of partners/collaborators and their respective mandates and/or strategic interests. This list will continue to evolve as new partners/collaborators join in this initiative. The specific research foci and requirements for each partner/collaborator are outlined in the "Objectives" section.

Objectives

The objectives of the CIHR Team Grant program are to:

• Support expert teams of talented and experienced researchers
• Support high-quality research that addresses an important health and disease, health care or health system problem or issue which is best approached through a collaborative team
• Provide superior research training and mentorship environments
• Support the production of new knowledge and the translation of research findings into improvements in the health of Canadians and the Canadian health care system

For community-focused proposals, the guiding principle for participation is that community groups are active, influential and ongoing participants in the research, training, mentoring and knowledge translation activities, and that their roles have been formally agreed upon in the spirit of ensuring equity and mutual benefits from the partnership.

It is expected that the partners will contribute to:

• Formulating research agendas
• Providing input into the development of research and training projects
• Synthesizing and disseminating findings
• Applying the research findings to inform policies, programs and/or practices, and
• In some cases, conducting the research

Information about knowledge translation can be found in the section "Defining and Framing Knowledge Translation" of the CIHR Knowledge Translation Strategy 2004-2009.

Within the framework of the objectives of the CIHR Team Grant Program noted above, the specific objectives of this funding opportunity are:

• Foster multidisciplinary teams of researchers bridging basic and clinical sciences as well as research on health services and health systems and on population health
• Promote interaction between the research community and individuals who suffer from vision, hearing or communication disabilities
• Address significant vision, hearing or communication disorders and health outcomes
• Translate new knowledge in improved prevention and treatment strategies and in best practices for health professionals and in better public policy for decision makers

Relevant Research Areas

The CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction will provide funding for applications that are determined to be relevant to the following research areas:

• Epidemiological data. There is a lack of Canadian data on incidence, prevalence, and costs associated with vision, hearing and communication disorders. A viable strategic research plan should include population statistics and cost analysis of primary sensory diseases (e.g. blindness and deafness), speech and language problems, as well as vision, hearing and communication disorders that are the major debilitating symptoms of neurological and mental illness.
• Prevention, screening and early diagnosis. Visually impaired or hard of hearing children comprise two low-incidence populations in Canada. Over 95% of children with sensory disabilities are enrolled in the public school system. Their educational needs are unique. Research is needed to validate the educational approaches that have evolved.
• Treatment of disorders and rehabilitation strategies (including the minimization of the impact of loss of vision, hearing or communication functions). Vision, hearing and communication impairments have a major impact not only on physical health but also on psychological well-being. How effective are current and new rehabilitation strategies? Visual impairment affects reading ability, mobility (walking and falls) and safe driving. Treatment for hearing loss includes medical intervention, the use of assistive listening devices such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, and FM systems, and aural rehabilitation programs.
• Stigma and social isolation. As a society, we need to make progress in inclusion of individuals with vision, hearing or communication disabilities. Inclusion addresses the need for the positive acceptance of difference. Those with sensory and communication disabilities often face social isolation. Research has a role in developing effective intervention strategies to address stigmatization and social isolation of people with disabilities.
• Fundamental research on the problems identified. Fundamental research on the causes, genetic determinants, and neurophysiological bases of communication skills and impairments will necessarily require an integrated, multidisciplinary approach that includes experts in neurobiology and genetics, as well as leading investigators in communication sciences.

The CIHR Institute of Aging will provide funding for applications that are determined to be relevant to the following research areas:

• Functional limitations in aging. Functional limitations as a consequence of vision, hearing and/or communications disorders and their impact on the physical and psychological health and vulnerability of the older individual (generally accepted as 65 and older).
• Biology of aging and extrinsic factors. The aging process and other mechanisms and factors that provoke the increased vulnerability to the development of vision, hearing and/or communications disorders with advancing age. 
• Age-relevant therapies and interventions. Therapies and interventions to prevent, delay or repair vision, hearing and/or communications disorders that consider the unique biology and physiology of the older individual.
• Health services and policy relating to older people. Improved, new and more effective services and policies in order to guarantee accessibility to excellent health and social services by the older individual living with vision, hearing and/or communications disorders.

Eligibility

Please refer to the Eligibility Requirements for CIHR Grants and Awards regarding the eligibility requirements for individuals and institutions. The business office of the institution of an eligible Nominated Principal Applicant generally administers CIHR funds.

Each eligible CIHR Team Grant application will include:

• A team leader who meets the criteria of "Principal Applicant" as described in the CIHR Participant Categories for CIHR Grants. The Team Leader must be a researcher with proven leadership capabilities and experience who will act as research program director and who will assume administrative responsibility for the grant.
• At least two additional independent investigators who have an established research track record in areas related to the collaborative project(s) proposed, who together with the team leader will form an integrated and more effective research team. Teams with a nucleus of experienced and productive investigators are encouraged to include some promising new investigators in the Team.
• Collectively, team members will have an extensive record of success, be creative and original in their approach to research and its translation and have experience working in research teams. The specific contribution of each team member and community partner, where applicable, must be described.

In addition, the following special conditions apply:

• The members of the Team may pursue other avenues of research in addition to their commitment to the CIHR Team Grant; however, each individual investigator must contribute sufficient time to the CIHR Team Grant research program to ensure the achievement of its research objectives.
• Members of a team may be located in one or more departments, faculties or CIHR-eligible institutions in Canada. As well, international or private sector collaborators who make a substantial intellectual contribution to the research program may be listed as additional team members; however, CIHR funding is restricted to work performed within CIHR eligible Institutions, except where second order transfer agreements are in place.

Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) will not be considered under this funding opportunity.

Guidelines

This funding opportunity will follow the General Guidelines for Grant Programs. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate the use of Gender and Sex-Based Analysis in applications.

Allowable Costs

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

Funding can be used to support:

• Research operating costs for the proposed collaborative research program, which must be distinct in its objectives from those for which team members currently receive funding. Where an application includes overlap with an existing CIHR grant, and that application is successful in the CIHR Team Grant competition, continued funding of the ongoing grant will be reviewed.
• Purchase of equipment and maintenance contracts for common services and shared facilities;
• Costs of data collection, database and maintenance of information holdings directly related to the CIHR Team Grant research program;
• Costs of regional, national and international networking activities, including collaboration, planning, and knowledge exchange activities, directly related to the CIHR Team Grant research program;
• Salaries of research assistants, technicians and other personnel who will enhance the collaborative research productivity of the Team;
• Support of research trainees, at the rate specified by CIHR for trainees paid from research grants. CIHR Team Grants are expected to provide a superior training environment;
• Salary of a professional coordinator and/or administrative assistant;
• Release time payments to enable employees of community partners to participate in the research program, limited to 50% of salary costs, and an overall maximum of $100,000 per year;
• A maximum of $20,000 annually for a release time stipend for the team leader;
• Costs involved in linkage with and dissemination of research findings to those who use the results, as appropriate for the research program (including other researchers, the public, practitioner and policy communities, and the industrial sector).

With the exception of co-applicants who are trainees or research associates, co-applicants may not receive a salary, stipend, or honorarium from CIHR grants on which they are a co-applicant (as described in Participant Categories for CIHR Grants). The only exception is the release time stipends for the team leader and employees of community partners as described.

The full application must provide a detailed justification of all costs.

Conditions of Funding

All conditions specified in CIHR General Grants and Awards Policies shall apply to applications funded through this Funding opportunity. Conditions cover areas such as Applicant and Institutional Responsibilities, Ethics, Official languages policy, Access to Information and Privacy Acts, and Acknowledgement of CIHR's Support. Successful applicants will be informed of any special financial requirements prior to the release of funds or when they receive CIHR's Authorization for Funding (AFF) document.

In addition to CIHR standard guidelines and requirements, the following special conditions shall apply:

• Within six months after the end of the grant's term, the Nominated Principal Applicant is required to submit a final performance report, summarizing the results and describing how the grant funds were used.

Access to Information Act and Privacy Act, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)

All personal information collected by CIHR about applicants is used to review applications, to recruit reviewers, to administer and monitor grants and awards, to compile statistics, and to promote and support health research in Canada. Consistent with these purposes, applicants should also expect that information collected by CIHR may be shared as described in Use and Disclosure of Personal Information Provided to CIHR for Peer Review.

CIHR as a federal entity is subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, therefore the requirements of these two statutes will apply to all information located in CIHR's premises including, without limitation, cost-sharing agreements related to this Funding opportunity and all matters pertaining thereto.

While respecting the application of the Privacy Act to federal entities, all signing parties involved in a collaborative agreement will also be bound by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). All personal information (as identified by the PIPEDA) collected, used or disclosed in the course of any commercial activity under collaborative agreements related to the Funding opportunity will be collected, used and disclosed in compliance with the PIPEDA.

CIHR Guidelines for Health Research Involving Aboriginal People

The CIHR Guidelines for Health Research Involving Aboriginal People came into effect as policy for CIHR-funded research on July 1, 2008. Applicants whose proposed research will involve Aboriginal People are strongly encouraged to familiarise themselves with these guidelines and in particular with the section "Application of the Guidelines," which outlines the situations in which these guidelines apply.

Policy on Access to Research Outputs

CIHR believes that greater access to research publications and data will promote the ability of researchers and knowledge users in Canada and abroad to use and build on the knowledge needed to address significant health challenges. Open access will promote accessibility to CIHR-funded research and will serve to increase the international visibility of Canadian research. As of January 1, 2008, CIHR grant recipients are reminded to adhere with the responsibilities outlined in the Policy on Access to Research Outputs. Under this policy, grant recipients must make every effort to ensure that research papers and bio-molecular data generated from CIHR funding are freely accessible online.

Communication Requirements

In addition to following the policies relating to the Public Communication and Acknowledgment of CIHR's Support, team grant recipients will also be required to adhere to special branding requirements as a condition of receiving a CIHR Team Grant. The official Team name is "CIHR Team in (area of research)." In cases where there is another major funding partner a shared title should be considered. The format of a shared title is " CIHR/(partner name) Team in." The Team name must be used in all communication and promotion relating to the CIHR Team Grant. A team name must be proposed as part of the application for a CIHR Team Grant. Successful applicants and their host institutions will be required to agree in writing to proper use of the Team name as well as the CIHR (and applicable partners) logo(s) on appropriate communications materials such as brochures, letterhead, publications and media materials. Recognition guidelines, including instructions on logo use, will be provided to successful applicants as part of the approval package.

Performance Measurement

CIHR is committed to demonstrating results to Canadians for the money invested in health research. Therefore, processes for monitoring progress and appropriate use of funds, as well as for performance measurement and program evaluation are in place. As a result, funding recipients must:

• adhere to CIHR's reporting requirements and provide required information in a timely fashion. A Progress Report for Long-Term Grant Holders (5 or more years) will be required in year 3 of five-year grants. Grantees are required to submit the "Progress Report for Long-Term Grant Holders (5 or more years)" describing the progress made and the publications issued since the start of the grant. CIHR will cancel the last 12 months of the grant if the progress is unacceptable and will cancel the final two years of the grant if it does not receive a report. The "Progress Report for Long-Term Grant Holders (5 or more years)" can be found under Index of Funding Related Forms;
• contribute to the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR's programs, policies and processes by participating in evaluation studies, surveys, workshops, audits and providing data or reports as required for the purpose of collecting information to assess progress and results;
• encourage their associates, trainees and administration to participate in the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR's programs, policies and processes as required.

Review Process and Evaluation

Relevance Review

Relevance review will be conducted at the Letter of Intent stage. Representatives from Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction and the Institute of Aging will have access to the anonymized Letter of Intent package and the one-page attachment describing how the proposed research addresses the objectives and relevant research areas (see "How to Apply") in order to determine relevance. At the full application stage, these representatives will have access to an updated version of the one-page attachment and the anonymized research proposal summary.

The following criterion will be used in conducting relevance review.

• Institute of Aging: For the Institute of Aging, it is critical that proposals include the "Relevant Research Areas" As well as aging and/or the aged as essential elements of the research objectives, hypotheses and analyses (e.g., dynamics of aging, age-relevant models and/or aged subjects).

Upon completion of peer review of the full applications, the representatives from Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction and the Institute of Aging will receive the ratings, rankings and peer review committee recommendations on funding level and term for the applications that are rated in the CIHR fundable range and are found to be relevant to the specific objectives of the research initiative and the research areas described under "Objectives" and "Relevant Research Areas." These applications will be funded from the top down in order of ranking as far as budgets will allow. Applications that receive a ranking below 3.5 will not be funded.

Peer Review

Eligible Letters of Intent (LOI's) and applications will be evaluated by a specifically-constituted, multidisciplinary peer review committee(s) designed specifically for the review of CIHR Team Grants. The committee may include individuals from partner communities. The expert committee may make suggestions to the applicants on how to strengthen their detailed proposal. It could, for example, suggest the grouping of complementary applications, and propose additional partnerships or funding sources.

Once relevance has been determined and the review of LOI's is completed, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application by the deadline date. All applications deemed relevant and rated 3.5 or above on the CIHR 0-4.9 scale will be invited to submit a full application The names of teams that will be invited to apply and the topic of their research will be published on the CIHR website.

CIHR Team Grant applications will be evaluated as a single, integrated entity. While each research component included in the application must be meritorious, it is critical to demonstrate that the CIHR Team Grant brings added value, in terms of the approach to the health and disease, health care or health system issue, and the speed and efficiency with which new knowledge will be generated, or translated into improvements in health or the health care system, when compared with funding the proposed work as a series of separate operating grants.

Evaluation Criteria

General criteria for assessing applications are listed below. Because different applicant teams will emphasize different approaches to research and to knowledge translation, it is understood that reviewers and committees will weight questions such as these differently from one application to another.

Address an important health and disease, health care or health system problem or issue:

• How important is the health problem being addressed? Will anticipated findings be of broad interest and applicability?
• How important, novel and/or original are the hypotheses or the questions to be addressed, and how clearly are they formulated?
• How important and original are the contributions expected from the research proposed? What is the potential for important new knowledge or impact on health and health research?

Research proposed:

• How well will the proposed research address the hypotheses or questions?
• How appropriate are the methods for the conduct of the research? Where applicable to the type of research proposed, does the proposal take into account the social, cultural and environmental factors surrounding the research problem?
• Do the methods represent the best current practice, and the most economical, effective approach?
• How well have the applicants anticipated difficulties in their approach and considered alternatives?
• How critically has the relevant literature been appraised and evaluated?

Applicants' productivity, experience and training:

• How appropriate to the research proposed is the training or track record of the applicants?
• How important and original is the recent productivity of the applicants?
• What is the likelihood that the Team can do the work proposed? (The proposed time commitment to the research may influence this judgment).

Appropriateness of the Team:

• Do key members have a track record of having participated and/or having provided leadership to collaborative research teams?
• Have team members demonstrated sustained productivity, creativity and originality in their research?

Value added of funding through a collaborative program:

• How well will a CIHR Team Grant enhance the understanding and accelerate the resolution of the health and disease, health care or health system issue, when compared to independent research projects?

Propose a coherent, integrated and feasible research plan:

• Is the health and disease, health care or health system issue approached through an original, cohesive/integrated and feasible research plan that will generate valid, reliable and useful knowledge?
• Does the Team have a plan for engaging and linking with, and dissemination of research findings to, those who will utilize and apply the results?
• Has the Team identified the roles and contributions of all the parties in planning, execution, and evaluation as well as management activities?

Provide superior training opportunities:

• Will the research training and mentoring environment provide a superior experience for undergraduate, graduate and/or post-doctoral trainees, including those with a health professional background?

Propose an innovative problem-based approach to research:

• Does the proposed program of research challenge current research thinking and paradigms and/or address unexplored areas?
• Does the proposed program of research bring together, in a meaningful collaboration, researchers from different disciplines?
• How is this approach going to build on the different expertise and perspectives of team members?

Partner engagement:

• Are governance and management structures in place to ensure the meaningful integration of community partners in the decision-making process?
• To what extent are partners involved and committed to formulating the research agenda, providing input into the development of research and training projects, disseminating findings, and applying the outcomes of research?
• Does the proposal demonstrate the involvement of the necessary local, regional, provincial/territorial, national and/or international partners in the planning and execution of the research plan, and the application of the research results? Will this involvement permit research activities and outcomes that would not otherwise be possible?

Based on the total funds available for the competition, applications will be funded from the top-ranked down as far as budget will allow. Applications receiving a score less than 3.5 on the CIHR 0 to 4.9 rating scale will not be considered for funding. The CIHR rating scale is described in Policies And Responsibilities of Grants Committee Members.

How to Apply

Note: This funding opportunity requires the use of CIHR Web Forms to apply for funding.

• The application process for this funding opportunity is comprised of two steps: Letter of Intent and Application.
• To complete your Letter of Intent and Application, follow the steps identified below.
• An overview of CIHR's application processes can be found under Apply for Funding.
• Reminder to applicants: Please ensure that your application is complete, includes all required signatures (application participants, organizational and partner signatures both National and/or International, as identified in the "Participant Categories for CIHR Grants" and the "Meaning of Signatures on Application Forms" sections of the CIHR Grants and Awards Guide) and is submitted on time to CIHR. As of September 1, 2008, CIHR no longer assumes responsibility in following-up with applicants who submit an incomplete application. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted into the competition.

1) Letter of Intent (LOI)

• In the first stage of the application process the Nominated Principal Applicant is required to submit a Letter of Intent. [ LOI Sample: PDF (300 KB) | Help ]
• Applicants are advised to follow the instructions on the Acceptable Application Module Formats page which outlines formatting requirements for the letter and attachments.
• The Letter of Intent must include:
  • The Registration pages of the CIHR Research Module. To generate the Registration pages, you must access the CIHR Web Forms. Under Research Funding Program select "CIHR Team Grant" and complete the following sections of the Research Module Web Form:
    • Research Funding Program
    • Nominated Principal Applicant/Candidate
    • Project
    • Applicants/Co-Applicants
    • Suggested External Referees
    • Collaborators
    • Maximum total requested is $5,000 for development funds.
    • The Nominated Principal Investigator/Team Leader and co-applicants must provide their signatures on the Signature page. An original signature is required for the Nominated Principal Investigator; Principal Investigator and co-applicant signatures do not need to be originals.
    • In order for development funds to be granted at the LOI stage, representatives of the Institution that will administer those funds (Institution Paid) must provide their signatures on page 1 of the Research Module.
  • A cover page of maximum one page (free form; a standard form is not available for the cover page) indicating:
    • the title of the Team program as it will appear in publicity and other announcements (CIHR Team in area of research);
    • the title of the proposal;
    • the title of this funding opportunity: Team Grant - Vision, Hearing and Communication Disorders;
    • a brief description (10 lines maximum) of the research area of the proposal; and
    • five keywords describing the research.
  • In a table format, a list of all applicants with their affiliations and expertise (the list need not be final at the Letter of Intent stage).
  • Proposal. In a maximum of five pages (not including references), the proposal must outline clearly each of the elements below:
    • the objectives of the research program to be undertaken by the Team over the period of funding;
    • the nature of the Team and extent of collaboration between investigators, with an explanation of the anticipated value added to the research program through the synergy of the Team (why this cannot be funded through one or more operating grants);
    • the capacity of the Team to carry out the program of research proposed;
    • the research training and mentoring environment that will provide a superior experience for undergraduate, graduate and/or post-doctoral trainees, including those with a health professional background;
    • the preliminary plan for the research program and schedule of work;
    • the nature and extent of the host institutions' financial and other forms of long-term commitment to the Team's research, and to ensuring a favourable environment for carrying out the research activities;
    • a brief description of the importance and novelty of hypotheses or questions to be addresses and expected findings;
    • the plan, including proposed organizational structures for engaging and linking with those who will ultimately use the research findings; and
    • if the team involves partners, the proposed roles of partners in the planning and execution of the research program and the dissemination and utilization of the research results.
  • Attachment:
    • on one page: the name, title, address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address of the team leader;
    • a brief curriculum vitae (maximum two pages per applicant) for a maximum of five of the key applicants. This must include information on grants held (source, type, title, amount/year, duration), relevant publications from the last five years, and 5-10 expertise keywords. Full CVs will not be considered; and
    • a development grant request whereby applicants may request funds of up to $5,000 to be used in the development of a full application. A one-page request must be submitted with the LOI, outlining the activities for which the development grant will be used, plus a one-page budget description. An original signature is required for the Nominated Principal Investigator; Principal Investigator and co-applicant signatures do not need to be originals.
  • Reference: a short bibliography (maximum one page) of any references cited in the Letter of Intent.
  • Provide an additional one page attachment (to be identified by the title of this funding opportunity) describing how the research proposed addresses the objectives and relevant research areas described in the section "Objectives."

Additional instructions that must be followed for this funding opportunity:
(Note: These additional instructions supersede all other policies or guidelines published by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, including, but not limited to, the Grants and Awards Guide, the Memorandum of Understanding, etc.)

• Within the Research Funding Program section of the application web form, select the box marked "Strategic Initiative" and enter the title of this funding opportunity in the space provided.
• Complete the Applicant Consent Form for Use and Disclosure of Personal Information Provided to CIHR for Peer Review, which is included in the application form.
• Any additional materials will not be sent to the review committee; this includes letters of support, figures not included in the proposal, updates on publications, updates on other support received, letters confirming academic appointment, reprints, etc.
• Once the review of LOIs is completed, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application by the deadline date. The names of teams that will be invited to apply and the topic of their research will be published on the CIHR website.
• Send the original Letter of Intent, plus five copies by courier to:
  
  RE: "Vision, Hearing and Communication Disorders"
  CIHR Team Grant Program
  Canadian Institutes of Health Research
  Room 97, 160 Elgin Street
  Address locator: 4809A
  Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0W9

2. Application

• Selected applicants will be invited to submit a application by the deadline date. Details of the application procedure will be provided to those invited to apply. Information required will include a description of the individual components making up the Team's research program, as well as the justification for supporting the synergistic aspects of the entire proposal. The review process may involve external reviews and/or a meeting of the leader and team members with sub-sets of the review committee, as appropriate.

Contact Information

Contact for questions about the research priority area Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction:

Barbara Beckett (Updated: 2009-08-21)
Assistant Director
Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-948-4877
Fax: 613-954-1800
E-mail: barbara.beckett@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

For questions specific to the CIHR Team Grant Program, including CIHR funding guidelines, how to apply, and the peer review process contact:

Jo-Anne Whissell (Updated: 2009-06-30)
Program Delivery Coordinator
Research Capacity Development, Research Portfolio
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-946-7232
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: jo-anne.whissell@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

For questions specific to the Randomized Controlled Trials program, including CIHR funding guidelines, how to apply, and the peer review process contact:

Toni Gasparini
Trials Officer
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-941-4438
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: toni.gasparini@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

Partner/Collaborator Description

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

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
CIHR is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to catalyze its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health-care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to more than 11,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada.

CIHR Institute of Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (CIHR-INMHA)
The vision of the Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA) is that innovative research will provide new knowledge of the biological and socio-cultural processes underlying neurological, mental and addictive disorders. As such, INMHA's mission is to foster excellence in innovative, ethically responsible research in Canada that aims to increase our knowledge of the functioning and disorders of the brain and the mind, the spinal cord, the sensory and motor systems, as well as mental health, mental illness and all forms of addiction. INMHA intends to support initiatives that mobilize and link scientists in innovative collaborative programs across these research domains. INMHA seeks to translate this new knowledge into a better quality of life for all Canadians through improved outcomes, health promotion and health care services.

Partners

CIHR Institute of Aging (CIHR-IA)
The CIHR Institute of Aging (IA) supports research to promote healthy aging and to address causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions associated with aging. IA has identified five priority areas for research on aging and health: aging and maintenance of functional autonomy, biological mechanisms of aging, cognitive impairment in aging, healthy and successful aging and health services and policy relating to older people.