CIHR Grants 101

Gregory Huyer, Ph.D., Deputy Director Program Delivery, Canadian Institutes of Health Research

April 29, 2013

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Conflict of Interest Disclosure

• I do not hold any research grants funded by industry or serve on any advisory committees of a pharmaceutical company

• I have no other relevant financial relationships with members of the pharmaceutical industry or medical supply companies.

Session Objectives

1. Describe CIHR as an organization

2. Articulate the basic steps and processes of the CIHR peer review process for grants

3. Identify the top 5 most important considerations when applying for a grant

4. Describe the proposed reforms to CIHR’s Open Programs

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Session Objectives

1. Describe CIHR as an organization

2. Articulate the basic steps and processes of the CIHR peer review process for grants

3. Identify the top 5 most important considerations when applying for a grant

4. Describe the proposed reforms to CIHR’s Open Programs

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Canadian Institutes of Health Research

•Government of Canada's health research investment agency

•Mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system

•Composed of 13 Institutes

•Provides leadership and support to more than 14,100 health researchers and trainees across Canada

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CIHR’s Four Research Themes

1Ethics

Knowledge Translation

Biomedical

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4Health of populations,societal and cultural

dimensions of health,and environmental

influences on health

Clinical

Health servicesand health systems

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Two Major Avenues of Funding

OPEN

Investigator-initiated research proposals

Any area of health research

STRATEGIC

Priority areas and terms of reference chosen by Institutes and central

Branches (Ethics and KT)

Session Objectives

1. Describe CIHR as an organization

2. Articulate the basic steps and processes of the CIHR peer review process for grants

3. Identify the top 5 most important considerations when applying for a grant

4. Describe the proposed reforms to CIHR’s Open Programs

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Peer Review Committees

•Composed of a Chair, Scientific Officer and Reviewers

•Review approx. 10 to 70 applications over 1 to 3 days

•Applications are assigned to reviewers based on their expertise

•Reviewers write their reviews at home prior to the meeting; reviews and ratings are finalized at the committee meeting

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Peer Reviewers

•Experts in their respective fields

•Good track record of research productivity

•Hold peer-reviewed funding

•Recommended by their peers

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Ratings and Funding Decisions

•Applications are rated on a scale of 0.0 to 4.9 (worst to best)

•Applications must be rated 3.5 and above to be considered for funding

•Applications are ranked within a committee based on their rating, and funded top-down until the available budget is exhausted

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Streamlining

• Used to help the committees focus their discussion on the competitive applications

• Applications that are deemed not to be competitive based on their preliminary rating/rank are not discussed (~30%)

• Applicant still receives written reviews, but no Scientific Officer notes of the committee discussion

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Where to Find Funding Opportunities

 

Where to Find Funding Opportunities

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Open Operating Grant Program (OOGP)

•Provides operating funds to support research proposals in all areas of health research

•Major funding mechanism: over half of CIHR grants & awards budget (approx. $240M per competition)

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Applying to the OOGP: Timeline

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SPRING COMPETITION

FALL COMPETITION

RegistrationFull

Appl’n Peer Review Notification Funding

Aug 15 Sept 15 Nov – Dec late Jan Apr 1

Feb 1 Mar 1 May – June ~ July 1 Oct 1

RegistrationFull

Appl’n Peer Review Notification Funding

OOGP Statistics

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OOGP Peer Review Committees

• Approx. 50 – descriptions can be found at www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/4657.html

• Other ways to get a sense of the committee mandates:

• Look at grants funded through each committee on the Funded Research Database:www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/826.html

• Look at past committee membership:www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/39399.html

• Ask the Deputy Director responsible for the committee for advice

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Importance of the Research Summary

• The Summary of Research Proposal submitted with the registration is used to assign applications to the most appropriate peer review committees

• Reviewers in each committee indicate their level of expertise to review applications based on the application summary

• Make sure your registration & application summaries adequately reflect the subject matter and methodology of your proposal!

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Submitting an Application

• All competitions use ResearchNet for eSubmission and eReview:www.researchnet-recherchenet.ca

• Do NOT leave your registration or application to the last minute: deadlines (8 pm Eastern Time) are strictly enforced

• Applications must be complete at the time of submission, otherwise they are not accepted (updates are not permitted)

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Session Objectives

1. Describe CIHR as an organization

2. Articulate the basic steps and processes of the CIHR peer review process for grants

3. Identify the top 5 most important considerations when applying for a grant

4. Describe the proposed reforms to CIHR’s Open Programs

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Grant Writing Advice

• Guidebook for New PI’s:

www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/27491.html

• CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health (IPPH) – Tips and FAQs:

www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/42093.html

• Learning Activities and Resources:

www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/45095.html

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Reviewers’ Top 5 Grant Writing Tips

1. Engage your audience

2. Have your application pre-reviewed

3. Summaries are more important than you might think

4. Address the evaluation criteria

5. Don’t wait until the last minute

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1. Engage Your Audience:Write With the Reviewer in Mind

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1. Engage Your Audience:Write With the Reviewer in Mind

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1. Engage Your Audience:Write With the Reviewer in Mind

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1. Engage Your Audience:Write With the Reviewer in Mind

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1. Engage Your Audience:Write With the Reviewer in Mind

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1. Engage Your Audience:Write With the Reviewer in Mind

•Minimize jargon, acronyms and abbreviations

•Names in references cited

•PROOFREAD!

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2. Have Your Application Pre-Reviewed

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WAIT! Have your

application reviewed

Before you push

“Submit”

2. Have Your Application Pre-Reviewed

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2. Have Your Application Pre-Reviewed

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3. Summaries Are More Important Than You Might Think

• Lay Abstract

• Summary of Research Proposal

• Short Summaries Within the Proposal

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3. Summaries Are More Important Than You Might Think

• Lay Abstract

• Summary of Research Proposal

• Short Summaries Within the Proposal

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3. Summaries Are More Important Than You Might Think

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3. Summaries Are More Important Than You Might Think

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3. Summaries Are More Important Than You Might Think

• Lay Abstract

• Summary of Research Proposal

• Short Summaries Within the Proposal

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3. Summaries Are More Important Than You Might Think

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3. Summaries Are More Important Than You Might Think

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 A relevance review is an assessment of the alignment of the

application with the objectives and/or relevant research areas specified in the funding opportunity.

3. Summaries Are More Important Than You Might Think

• Lay Abstract

• Summary of Research Proposal

• Short Summaries Within the Proposal

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3. Summaries Are More Important Than You Might Think

• Lay Abstract

• Summary of Research Proposal

• Short Summaries Within the Proposal

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4. Address the Evaluation Criteria

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APPLICATION CONTENT Success is in the Detail!

4. Address the Evaluation Criteria

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4. Address the Evaluation Criteria

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4. Address the Evaluation Criteria

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CIHR’s mandate is 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”

4. Address the Evaluation Criteria

 

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www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/29529.html

5. Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

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PLANNING AND PREPARATIONEmpower Yourself: Be Prepared!

5. Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

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5. Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

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PLANNING AND PREPARATIONEmpower Yourself: Be Prepared!

Letters of Collaboration

CCVSupportingDocuments

Signatures RegistrationDeadline

ApplicationDeadline

ReferencesInstitutionDeadline

5. Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

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PLANNING AND PREPARATIONEmpower Yourself: Be Prepared!

IPPH – Grant Writing Advice

1. Ensure effective communication of your ideas by taking plenty of time to write your proposal

2. Clearly state the significance and innovative potential of your grant

3. Choose a research project that you are excited about

4. Be sure to communicate the expertise and experience of the Nominated Principal Applicant and all team members (i.e., brag)

5. Ensure that you have the right research team composition

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IPPH – Grant Writing Advice Con’t

6. Ensure that your methods are sound and completely described

7. Consider the timeline and budget early on in the process

8. Pay attention to all the “small parts” of the grant application

9. Complete your grant application early and have experienced researchers review and provide feedback well before submitting

10. For resubmission be very responsive to the reviewers’ comments

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Session Objectives

1. Describe CIHR as an organization

2. Articulate the basic steps and processes of the CIHR peer review process for grants

3. Identify the top 5 most important considerations when applying for a grant

4. Describe the proposed reforms to CIHR’s Open Programs

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CIHR’s Open Program Reforms – Objectives

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• Capture excellence across all four research pillars, from knowledge creation to knowledge translation

• Capture innovative, original and breakthrough research

• Integrate new talent to sustain Canada’s pipeline of health researchers

• Improve sustainability of the long-term research enterprise

CIHR’s Open Program Reforms – Objectives

In meeting these objectives, the reform is also meant to address a number of current operational challenges:

• Workload and costs for applicants

• Peer review burden

• Lack of consistency and efficiency of peer review process

• Growing discrepancy between research evolution and committee structure

• Program complexity

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CIHR’s Open Program Reforms – Design

1.Two separate, complementary funding schemes:• Foundation Scheme• Project Scheme

2. A peer review process that includes:• Application-focused review• Multi-stage review• Structured review criteria• Remote review of applications at the initial stage(s)

3. A College of Reviewers that will support excellent peer review across the spectrum of health research

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Foundation Scheme

The Foundation Scheme is designed to contribute to a sustainable foundation of health research leaders.

It is expected to:

• Support a broad base of research leaders across career stages, areas and disciplines relevant to health;

• Develop and maintain Canadian capacity;

• Provide flexibility to pursue new, innovative lines of inquiry;

• Contribute to the creation and use of health-related knowledge.

The Foundation Scheme will have one competition per year.

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Project Scheme

The Project Scheme is designed to capture ideas with the greatest potential for important advances.

It is expected to:

• Support a diverse portfolio of health-related research and knowledge translation projects at any stage, from discovery to application, including commercialization;

• Promote relevant collaborations across disciplines, professions and sectors;

• Contribute to the creation and use of health-related knowledge.

The Project Scheme will have two competitions per year.

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Transitioning to the New Schemes

The transition to the new Open Suite of Programs and peer review processes, will occur over a number of years.

The transition strategy includes three phases:

1. Piloting key peer review design elements

2. Gradually phasing in the new funding schemes

3. Gradually phasing out the existing Open funding program

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Given the scope of the proposed changes and the intention to learn from the results of the pilots, course

corrections and adjustments to timelines may be required.

Transitioning to the New Schemes

Gradually phasing in the new funding schemes:• The Foundation Scheme will be launched through two

“live pilot” competitions with application deadlines scheduled for fall 2014 and fall 2015.

• The first regular Foundation competition application deadline is scheduled for fall 2016.

• The first Project competition application deadline is scheduled for spring 2016.

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Transitioning to the New Schemes

Gradually phasing out the existing Open funding program:• CIHR will hold two more Open Operating Grant

Program competitions (fall 2013 and spring 2014).

• There will also be a transitional Open Operating Grant Program competition in 2014-15, which will be held in parallel to the first “live pilot” of the Foundation Scheme.

• Other existing open programs will be phased out after the launch of the first Project Scheme competition.

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For More Information

Reforms homepage:

www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/44761.html• Resources• Engagement Process• Q & A

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Thank You!

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