CIHR Funding Opportunities for Trainees

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CIHR Funding Opportunities for Trainees
Simon Fraser University
DOMINIQUE LALONDE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, PROGRAM
DELIVERY RESEARCH CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
BRANCH DOMINIQUE.LALONDE_at_CIHR.GC.CA
SEPTEMBER 11, 2008
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Today I will talk about

• What is CIHR?
• CIHR Funding Opportunities Database
• Training Award Programs
• Additional Funding Opportunities for Trainees
• Application Process
• Including Tips for Award Applicants
• Peer Review Process for Awards
• Program Statistics
• Whats New at CIHR?

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• What is CIHR?

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CIHR Mandate 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

• CIHR is
• Government of Canadas health research funding
  agency
• Supporting the work of 1,000s of researchers and
  trainees in universities, teaching hospitals, and
  research institutes across Canada
• Developing high-quality people, excellent science
  and training the next generation of health
  researchers
• Funding research that improves Canadians health,
  health care system and quality of life
• Fostering commercialization, moving research
  discoveries from academic setting to the
  marketplace

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13 CIHR Institutes
Gender and Health
Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis
Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes
Population and Public Health
Circulatory and Respiratory Health
Cancer Research
Aboriginal Peoples Health
Genetics
Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction
Human Development, Child and Youth Health
Health Services and Policy Research
Infection and Immunity
Aging
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CIHRs Research Themes

• CIHRs funds a broad spectrum of health research,
  categorized into four themes
• Biomedical Research
• Clinical Research
• Health Systems and Services
• Population and Public Health (including the
  social, cultural, environmental and ethical
  dimensions of health)

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Research Capacity Development

• Supporting the Brightest Minds
• Training Students and Postdoctoral Fellows
• Individual Trainee Awards, e.g., masters,
  doctoral, postdoctoral
• Training Grants (STIHR)
• Partial or complete support
• from CIHR research grants
• Salary Support for Independent Investigators
• New Investigators
• Chairs
• Support for Collaborative Team Research
• Team Grants
• Emerging Team Grants

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• CIHR Funding Opportunities Database

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• CIHR Funding Opportunities database
• http//www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/780.html
• This database
• provides a complete listing of current and
  archived opportunities
• is searchable
• can be viewed by Institute, program type, or
  target applicant

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http//www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/780.html
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Option 1-View the complete list of opportunities
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Option 2-Search for an opportunity
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Option 3-View by program type/Institute/target
applicant
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Funding Opportunities in General

• June and December
• The next announcement of funding opportunities is
  scheduled for December 2008

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Training Award Programs
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Health Professional Student Research Awards

• This program funds students enrolled at a
  Canadian university in an undergraduate health
  professional program leading to Canadian
  licensure
• 4,251 - 5,961 for a 13-week term
• Funding is offered through a voucher process
• Allocations are provided to the VP Research
  Office and are based on the number of health
  professional degree programs at the university
• Applications are forwarded to CIHR by the
  nominating university
• Deadline for applications is February 15

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Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) Masters Awards

• This program funds Masters students at Canadian
  universities
• Valued at 17,500 per year for one year.
• Application quotas are provided to each AUCC
  member university
• Applications are forwarded to CIHR by the
  nominating university
• Direct applications accepted only from students
  who are not registered at a Canadian university
  in the Fall semester prior to the CIHR deadline
• CIHR Application Deadline for all applications is
  February 1

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Doctoral Awards

• Funding is available for Doctoral students in
  Canada and abroad
• Three envelopes of funding
• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (VCGS)
• Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada
  Graduate Scholarships Doctoral Awards (CGSDA)
• CIHR Doctoral Research Awards (CIHR DRA)
• Canadian citizens and permanent residents apply
  directly to CIHR, whereas International students
  apply through the Canadian university where they
  plan to pursue their PhD program
• CIHR Deadlines for application
• Canadian citizens and permanent residents
  October 15, 2008
• International applicants November 14, 2008

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Canada Graduate ScholarshipsForeign Study
Supplements (CGS-FSS)

• This program funds existing Canadian CGS
  Masters or Doctoral Award recipients that would
  like to pursue a short research period outside of
  Canada. In future years, Vanier CGS recipients
  will also be eligible.
• Supplement up to 6,000
• Term usually four to six months
• CIHR deadline for applications is December 10,
  2008

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Fellowship Awards

• This program funds trainees with PhD and/or
  health professional degrees that are proposing
  research training in Canada or abroad
• Stipend per annum 40,000 to 55,000 depending
  on the background of the awardee and where the
  award is held
• Research Allowance per annum 5,000
• Term up to five years depending on the intended
  use of the award
• Application Deadlines October 1 and February 1

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• Additional Funding Opportunities
• Available for Trainees

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Priority Announcements

• Priority Announcements offer additional sources
  of funding for highly rated applications that are
  relevant to specific CIHR research priority areas
  or mandates.
• Candidates may request that their application to
  a core program be considered for up to three
  priority announcement research areas per
  application, in each competition.
• For the 2008-09 competition cycle, there will be
  Priority Announcements competitions for
  candidates applying to the Masters Award,
  Doctoral Research Award and Fellowship programs.

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Summer Program in Japan

• The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
  (JSPS) provides graduate students in health
  research with an eight-week research experience
  in Japan, an introduction to the science and
  science policy infrastructure in Japan, and an
  orientation to the culture and language. CIHR is
  one of the nominating Canadian authorities for
  this program.
• The first week of the program will be dedicated
  to an orientation session, including an
  introduction to the language, culture and
  research systems of the host country, as well as
  activities. The following seven weeks
  (approximately) will be spent working on research
  activities at the host institution.
• Stipend 3,000
• Term 8 weeks
• CIHR Application Deadline November 1

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Strategic Training Initiative in Health Research
(STIHR)

• A CIHR Training Program Grant is awarded to a
  group of excellent mentors/educators,
  accomplished in health research, who work
  collaboratively to offer a research training
  program of defined format and content to a group
  of trainees.
• Potential trainees apply directly to successful
  Training Programs for program admission and for
  stipend support. These competitive training
  opportunities are advertised nationally and
  internationally.
• To date, 87 Training Program Grants have been
  funded by CIHR and partners for a total of 160
  million.
• www.stihr.ca

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STIHR Objectives

• Increase capacity
• Recruitment/retention from Canada and abroad
• Innovative, transdisciplinary programs
• Engage new mentors and educators
• Encourage programs that
• Embrace diverse research disciplines and
  methodologies
• Integrate ethical issues
• Develop professional skills, e.g., communication,
  teamwork, leadership
• Translate knowledge into practice

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• The Application Process

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CIHR Application Modules

• Award programs are in the process of
  transitioning to an automated application process
  through the use of ResearchNet 
• Until complete, some funding opportunities will
  continue to require the use of CIHR Webforms with
  a paper copy submission
• Review the How to Apply section of the Funding
  Opportunity to which you are applying

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CIHR CV Module (Common CV)

• The CV Module is used for almost all of CIHR
  grants and awards programs
• Access the Common CV Website (www.ccv-cvc.ca)
  via the Webforms login or via the ResearchNet
  website (https//www.researchnet-recherchenet.ca)
  
• The data entered into the Common CV Website will
  be automatically formatted to fit into the CIHR
  version of the CV Module when you choose CIHR as
  the agency to which you are applying.

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CIHR Sponsors Assessments

• If applying to a program using electronic
  submission via ResearchNet, you will be required
  to identify sponsors and an e-mail will be sent
  to them through ResearchNet with forms attached.
• Accessible via the List of Forms and Guidelines
  for Completion section of the CIHR Website or
  directly on ResearchNet for the programs that
  have electronic submission.
• Candidates should send the link for the
  applicable Sponsors Assessment form to the
  potential sponsor as they are PDF fillable forms.

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• Things to consider when applying

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Tips for CIHR Award Applicants

• follow instructions exactly
• adhere to format guidelines (e.g., font, page
  limits)
• applications MUST be completed using the media
  specified in the funding opportunity
• use the full page allowances
• start at least two months before the deadline

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Tips for CIHR Award Applicants

• Applicants are encouraged to
• work on the research proposal in collaboration
  with their supervisor/mentor
• proofread their application
• show the complete application to their
  supervisor/mentor, peers and other researchers
  for feedback
• Incomplete or late applications will not be
  accepted
• If you are submitting through ResearchNet, all
  tasks must be listed as complete in order to be
  allowed to submit the application successfully.
• Do not wait up to the last minute to submit your
  application via Research-Net.

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Tips for CIHR Award Applicants

• Common issues with Award Applications
• Missing CV modules most training award
  applications require the CIHR CV Module for the
  candidate and the proposed supervisor(s)
• Official transcripts are requiredcertified
  copies will not be accepted
• Completed Sponsors Assessments should be sent to
  CIHR to meet the application deadline
• Ensure all components of the application are
  completed and included when the application is
  submittedincomplete applications are withdrawn
  from the competition

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Useful Links

• Current funding opportunities
• http//www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/780.html
• CIHR funding policy (incl. the Grants Awards
  Guide)
• http//www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/204.html
• CIHR Funding Database of funded research
• http//www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/826.html
• Peer review links http//www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/8
  20.html
• Details about peer review processes
• http//www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/23467.html
• Peer review committees and mandates
• http//www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/4657.html

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• Peer Review for Award Programs

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Peer Review for Award Programs

• Each CIHR award program has a set of peer review
  committees that are created specifically to
  review applications for that program
• 2 Masters Awards committees
• 2 Doctoral Research Award (DRA) committees
• 5 Fellowships committees
• Each set of peer review committees is grouped
  into committees that review specific themes
  generally themes 1 and 2 or 3 and 4, however,
  there are a few committees that review
  applications from all themes, i.e., 1 through 4.
• Committees for the Masters Awards, Doctoral
  Research Awards and Fellowships use a virtual
  review process. Reviews are done off-site and
  submitted to CIHR via ResearchNet.

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Review Criteria for Award Programs

• The following general criteria are used for
  evaluating applications for Masters Awards,
  Doctoral Research Awards, Fellowships
• Achievements and Activities of the Candidate
• Characteristics and Abilities of the Candidate
• Research Training Environment

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• Program Statistics

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Masters AwardsOpen and Strategic Competitions
High success rate is due to the pre-selection
process completed at the universities.
Number of Applications
Success Rate
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Doctoral Research AwardsOpen and Strategic
Competitions
STIHR began
Additional CGS
CGS began
Number of Applications
Success Rates
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FellowshipsOpen and Strategic Competitions
STIHR began
Number of Applications
Success Rates
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Theme Analysis of Awards for 2007-2008

• Does not include trainees funded from STIHR and
  research grants.
• Totals may not be equal to sum of parts due to
  rounding.

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CIHR Building Research Capacity Number of
Individuals Supported in 2007-2008
Plus at least 900 Fellows, 1100 Doctoral
Students, 1600 Masters, and 2000 Undergraduates
supported by research grants
Masters,

• Includes awards that received a CIHR payment or
  external partner contribution.
• The numbers of trainees supported by research
  grants were derived from 2006-07 Form 300 data as
  2007-08 figures
• are not available and are considered
  estimates.
• STIHR The trainees on Training Grants are
  estimated as Full Time Equivalents being paid
  from these grants.
• 2006-2007 STIHR figures were used as 2007-2008
  figures are not available.

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• Whats New at CIHR?

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Budget 2008 CIHR

• 34 M increase to base budget
• targeted to health needs of northern communities,
  environment, food and drug safety
• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
• Designed to attract the worlds best doctoral
  students to Canadian universities
• Will support 500 top Canadian and international
  doctoral students (166 offered each year)
• 50,000 per year for 3 years
• CGS Foreign Study Stipends
• Will support up to 250 CGS recipients each year
  for a period of foreign study
• Contribution of up to 6,000 towards expenses

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New President

• Dr. Alain Beaudet
• Montreal physician and neuroscience researcher
• Former President of the Quebec government's
  health research funding agency, the FRSQ
• Started July 1

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ResearchNetCurrent Status

• ResearchNet Offers a one stop shop for the
  research community and consolidates processes for
  submission of applications and peer review.
• Where are we now?
• From the Awards perspective, the Masters,
  Doctoral Awards and Fellowships programs use
  ResearchNet for the review process and to post
  decisions
• Response to an Offer of Award captured on-line
  for the Masters, Doctoral Awards and
  Fellowships programs
• On-line Confirmation of Commencement response for
  Masters Awards, Doctoral Awards and Fellowships
• eSubmission for Doctoral Award applications since
  October 2007 competition

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ResearchNetUpcoming

• Whats Upcoming?
• eSubmission for Fellowship applications for the
  October 2008 competition is now available
• For Masters Awards, CIHR has been working with
  Institutions to define requirements for data
  exchange and develop a process for University
  approval and access to applications.

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• If you have questions or comments, please
  contact
• ResearchNet Support
• support_at_researchnet-recherchenet.ca
• [phone]

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• Contact the
• Research Capacity Development Branch
• with your questions

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Research Capacity Development Contacts
Program Program Telephone E-mail
Health Professional Student Research Awards MD/PhD Program Grants Health Professional Student Research Awards MD/PhD Program Grants 613-946-7232 HPSRA_at_cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Masters Awards Masters Awards 613-946-0093 CGSMA_at_cihr-irsc.gc.ca
STIHR STIHR 613-941-0651 STIHR_at_cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Doctoral Research Awards and CGS Doctoral Awards Doctoral Research Awards and CGS Doctoral Awards 613-946-0093 DRA_at_cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Vanier CGS 613-946-7232 Vanier_at_cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Fellowships February 613-943-8199 Fellowships_at_cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Fellowships October 613-943-8199 Fellowships_at_cihr-irsc.gc.ca
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QUESTIONS?
DOMINIQUE LALONDE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, PROGRAM
DELIVERY RESEARCH CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
BRANCH DOMINIQUE.LALONDE_at_CIHR.GC.CA