CIHR Funding Opportunities for Trainees September 12, 2007 University of Toronto Annik Pilon Program Delivery Officer Research Capacity Development Branch

Today I will talk about… Who I am and my role at CIHR CIHR Training Award Programs Highlighting any changes to the programs Additional Funding Opportunities for Trainees Application Process Including Tips for Award Applicants Peer Review Process for Awards Program Statistics What’s New at CIHR?

CIHR Training Award Programs

Canadian Institutes of Health Research CIHR’s 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)

Core Programs Career StageProgram(s) (current open competitions only) Undergraduate StudentHealth Professional Student Research Awards Graduate StudentMaster’s Awards Doctoral Research Awards Postdoctoral or Post Health Professional Degree Fellows Fellowships Clinician Scientist Phase I

Health Professional Student Research Awards (HPSRA) Eligibility: Students are usually enrolled at a Canadian institution in an undergraduate health professional program leading to Canadian licensure. Students enrolled in a program requiring a graduate degree for Canadian licensure are also eligible. Candidates must be nominated by the Dean or Program Director. Stipend: $4,251 - $5,961* for 13 weeks Term: up to 13 weeks Application Deadline: nominations must be received by February 15 No. available for : 235 Voucher allocation letters were sent to Canadian universities in April. * stipend for students in combined MD/MSc or MD/PhD programs

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

Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) Master’s Awards Eligibility: Candidates must: be in or have completed the last year of a bachelor degree, or have been enrolled for no more than 10 months as a full- time graduate student (Master’s or direct-entry PhD) at a Canadian institution. Awards must be held at a Canadian institution.

Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) Master’s Awards (continued) Stipend: $17,500 Term: 1 Year University Preselection: Varies, may be as early as October. Check with your University. CIHR Application Deadline: February 1 Number of awards offered from the February ‘07 competition: 218

MD/PhD Program Grants This program was formally called MD/PhD Studentships. Candidates must: be enrolled at a Canadian university in a combined MD/PhD program; be nominated to CIHR by the Program Director at their institution; and receive an annual stipend of $21,000 and a $1,000 annual research allowance. Funds are sent to the institution in the name of the MD/PhD Program Director. Budget for the program for : $161,000 Changes to this funding program should allow for increased flexibility in allocating the funds to a greater number of students.

Doctoral Awards (CIHR and Canada Graduate Scholarships) Candidates apply to the CIHR Doctoral Research Award program, those proposing to conduct research at a Canadian institution are automatically considered for a Canada Graduate Scholarship Doctoral Award. Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Term: up to 3 years Application Deadline: October 15 No University Preselection

Doctoral Awards (CIHR and Canada Graduate Scholarships) Common eligibility criteria between the two programs: At the time of application, candidates must: have completed at least 12 months of graduate study at the Master’s or PhD level, and have been registered as a full-time student in a PhD program for no more than 22 months for those who hold a Master’s degree (or who have completed more than 12 months in a Master’s program before transferring to a PhD program); or 30 months for those who have completed less than 12 months in a Master’s program before transferring to a PhD program; or 34 months for those who transferred directly from a bachelor’s degree to a PhD program.

Doctoral Awards (CIHR and Canada Graduate Scholarships) CIHR Doctoral Research Awards (DRA) Canada Graduate Scholarships Doctoral Awards (CGSDA) Awards may be held in Canada or abroad. Awards MUST be held in Canada. Stipend per annum: $21,000 (+ $5,000 if held abroad) Stipend per annum: $30,000 Research Allowance: $1,000/yearResearch Allowance: $5,000/year No. offered from Fall ‘06 competition: 59 No. offered from Fall ‘06 competition: 198 Differences between the two programs:

Fellowship Awards Awards may be held inside or outside of Canada (Canadian citizens and permanent residents may apply for awards to be held outside Canada). Foreign citizens may apply for awards to be held in Canada Eligibility for candidates who hold, or are completing, a PhD degree: At the time of application, must have less than three years of post- PhD research training experience. Only eligible for funding until the end of their fifth year of post-PhD research training. Must undertake post-PhD research training in a different research environment from which they received their PhD. Eligibility for candidates who hold, or are completing, a Health Professional degree: may propose a program leading to a Master's or PhD, but is not required.

Fellowship Awards (continued) Stipend per annum:$40,000 (PhD) $40,000 - $50,000 (HP)* Research Allowance per annum: $5,000 Term:up to 3 years (PhD) up to 5 years (HP)** Application Deadlines: February 1 or October 1 Training outside of Canada: $5,000 stipend supplement Number offered from the October 2006 competition: 62 Number offered from the February 2007 competition: 68 *dependant upon degrees held and years of post degree training **dependant upon intended use of award

Clinician Scientist Awards This is a two-phase program: Phase 1 is considered a training award and Phase 2 is considered salary support. All candidates must be licensed to practice in Canada. Program is funded through the CIHR Clinical Research Initiative. Eligibility: At the time of application, a candidate must hold a health professional degree in medicine or dentistry; Awards may be held inside or outside of Canada (Canadian citizens and permanent residents may apply for awards to be held outside Canada); Must have completed at least two years of post-graduate clinical training.

Clinician Scientist Awards – Phase One (continued) Stipend per annum: $52,500 Research Allowance: $5,000 per annum Term: up to 6 years (one 3-year term, renewable once) Deadline: September 15 Training outside of Canada: $5,000 stipend supplement Number of new awards offered from the Fall 2006 competition: 6 Number of renewal awards offered from the Fall 2006 competition: 4

Clinician Scientists Awards – Phase Two Eligibility: Candidates must have held Phase One for a minimum of: 2 years for PhD holders, or 3 years for those without a PhD Awards must be held at a Canadian Institution Candidates must have obtained a full-time academic appointment

Clinician Scientists Awards – Phase Two (continued) Salary Contribution per annum: $60,000 including fringe benefits Research Allowance per annum: $40,000 (first 3 years only) Term: up to 6 years (two 3-year terms, renewable once) Deadline: September 15 Number of new awards offered from the Fall 2006 competition: 9 Number of renewal awards offered from the Fall 2006 competition: 5

Other CIHR Funding Opportunities for Trainees

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 at up to $310,500 per year for six years, for a total of $160 million.

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

Examples of Training Program Grants in Ontario Nominated Principal Investigator(s) (NPI) Institution of NPI(s)Training Program Title WILSON, HughYork UniversityCIHR strategic training program in vision health research HEATHCOTE, Elizabeth University Health Network National Hepatitis C Research Training Program HOLDEN, JeanetteQueen’s UniversityTransdisciplinary inter-institute training program in autism spectrum disorders ARTHUR, HeatherMcMaster UniversityTraining program for the development of cardiovascular nursing research capacity in Canada STEWART, MoiraUniversity of Western Ontario TUTOR-PHC: Transdisciplinary understanding and training on research primary health care ELLEN, RichardUniversity of TorontoCell signaling in mucosal inflammation & pain

STIHR – What’s Next? Next RFA LaunchDecember 2007* Letter of Intent DeadlineApril 1, 2008 Grant Start DateApril 1, 2009 (no change) *Postponed so as to benefit from evaluation results before finalizing objectives and review criteria in RFA Funding available for at least 14 grants through the open competition and more through priority announcements funded by Institutes and Partners.

Other Funding Opportunities Additional funding opportunities for both trainees and independent investigators are available through priority announcements and other funding opportunities (e.g. Industry Partnered Programs). These are launched twice per year, in June and December… Consult the CIHR website, under the Funding opportunities section, for a complete list of current opportunities.

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 competition cycle, there will be funding opportunities through the Priority Announcements competitions for candidates applying to the regular Master’s Award, Doctoral Research Award and Fellowship programs.

How does CIHR determine its priorities? 13 Virtual Institutes – each one has a Scientific Director and Institute Advisory Board -Determine priorities for a certain area of research, e.g., Genetics, Cancer, Infection and Immunity, Population and Public Health -Invest funds into additional research grants and personnel awards according to priorities -Priority Announcements – use regular open competitions to provide review process

The Application Process

CIHR Application Modules CIHR is in the process of transitioning its funding opportunities to an automated application process through the use of ResearchNet. Until this transition is complete, some funding opportunities will require the use of ResearchNet to apply for funding, while others will continue to require the use of CIHR WebForms.ResearchNetCIHR WebForms The most common application modules used for applying to Award Programs are: Training Module CV Module (Common CV) Sponsor’s Assessment Forms

CIHR CV Module (Common CV) The CV Module is used for all CIHR award programs, except the Health Professional Student Research Awards and the MD/PhD Program Grants. Access via the CIHR Web forms log-in or via the Common CV Website For Doctoral Research Awards, Common CV can be accessed via the ResearchNet website: When printed, 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.

CIHR Sponsor’s Assessments CIHR Sponsor’s Assessment forms vary depending on the program to which the applicant is applying: Sponsor’s Report on a Candidate for a CGS Master’s Award Sponsor’s Assessment of a Candidate for a DRA Sponsor’s Assessment of a Candidate for a Fellowship or Clinician Scientist Phase 1 Award These forms are 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 Sponsor’s Assessment form to the potential sponsor as they are PDF fillable forms. If you are applying to a program using electronic submission via ResearchNet, you will be required to identify sponsors and an will be sent to them through ResearchNet with forms attached.

Tips for CIHR Award Applicants follow instructions exactly adhere to format guidelines (e.g., font, page limits) applications must be completed using the CIHR Web forms or through ResearchNet, handwritten applications will not be accepted use the full page allowances start at least two months before the deadline

Tips for CIHR Award Applicants (continued) 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 make sure their application is complete…incomplete or late applications will not be accepted If you are submitting through ResearchNet, all tasks must be listed as complete in order to have the application submitted successfully.

Tips for CIHR Award Applicants (continued) Common issues with Award Applications: Missing CV modules: remember that most training award applications require the CIHR CV Module for the candidate and the proposed supervisor(s) Official transcripts are required…certified copies will not be accepted Completed Sponsor’s Assessments should be enclosed with the application Ensure text to be attached is included with the application, e.g. pages 5 and 7 of the Training Module

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 Master’s Awards committees 2 Doctoral Research Award (DRA) committees 4 Fellowships committees 1 Clinician Scientist committee 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 Master’s Awards, Doctoral Research Awards and Fellowships do not meet face-to-face, instead, individual reviews are done off-site and submitted to CIHR.

Research Capacity Development Peer Review Committees Name of Committee Research Themes Type of Application Reviewed Type of Peer Review Master’s Awards (CGA)1 & 2Master’s StudentsAt Home Master’s Awards (CGB)3 & 4Master’s StudentsAt Home Doctoral Research Awards (DRA) 1 & 2PhD StudentsAt Home Doctoral Research Awards (DRB) 3 & 4PhD StudentsAt Home Fellowships (FPP)1 & 2PhD graduates proposing post-PhD research trainingAt Home Fellowships - Health Professionals (FHP) 1 & 2 MD, DDS or DVM graduates proposing post-health professional degree or post-PhD research training At Home Fellowships (HTA)3 & 4 MD, DDS, DVM or PhD graduates proposing post-health professional degree or post-PhD research training At Home Fellowships - Allied Health Professionals (FAH) 1 to 4 Allied Health Professional graduates proposing post-health professional degree or post-PhD research training At Home Clinician Scientists - Phase 1 and 2 (CL) 1 to 4 Phase 1: MD or DDS graduates proposing post-health professional degree or post-PhD research training Phase 2: first independent research appointment. Meeting

Review Criteria for Award Programs The following criteria are used for evaluating applications for Master’s Awards, Doctoral Research Awards, Fellowships and Clinician Scientist-Phase One Awards: Achievements and Activities of the Candidate Characteristics and Abilities of the Candidate Research Training Environment The following criteria are used for evaluating applications for Clinician Scientist-Phase Two Awards: Candidate’s Track Record Research Proposal Research Environment and Support

Program Statistics

Master’s Awards Open and Strategic Competitions Number of Applications Success Rate Note: Number of awards offered and success rate for 2006 competition includes the budget increase for the CGS program announced by the federal government in March High success rates due to pre-selection at universities Estimated

Doctoral Research Awards With Additional CGS Funding STIHR began CGS began Number of Applications Success Rates Note: Number of awards offered and success rate for 2006 competition includes the budget increase for the CGS program announced by the federal government in April Estimated

Fellowships Open and Strategic Competitions STIHR began Number of Applications Success Rates Estimated

Total Number of Fellowship Awards by Fiscal Year Does not include trainees funded from STIHR and research grants STIHR began

CIHR Investment in Training Awards Programs by Fiscal Year (in millions of dollars) The total grants and awards investment for this figure includes CRC’s and NCE’s. The total CIHR grant and award investment for is $799.6 million.

CIHR – Building Research Capacity Number of Individuals Supported in Plus at least 800 Fellows, 800 Doctoral Students, 1600 Masters’, and 1900 Undergraduates supported by research grants Includes awards that received a CIHR payment or external partner contribution. The Numbers of trainees from research grants are estimates. STIHR: The trainees on Training Grants are estimated as “Full Time Equivalents” being paid from these grants.

What’s New at CIHR?

Budget 2007 & Canada Graduate Scholarships 40% of new funding went to CIHR compared to 10% in 2003 $6 M more than in $8 M more than in $10.8 M more than in and ongoing Doubles current funding from $10.5 M to $21.3 M Doubles the number of scholarships being supported from roughly 200 PhD and 200 Master’s per year to 400 each

Evaluation ProgramResults Ready Strategic Training Initiative in Health Research (STIHR) September 2007 – Results March 2008 – Final report Canada Graduate Scholarships Summer 2008 – Final report

ResearchNet…Current 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 Master’s, 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 Master’s, Doctoral Awards and Fellowships programs On-line Confirmation of Commencement response for Master’s Awards, Doctoral Awards and Fellowships eSubmission for Doctoral Award applications for the October 2007 competition

ResearchNet…Upcoming What’s Upcoming? eSubmission for Fellowship applications for the October 2008 competition For Master’s Awards, CIHR will be working with Institutions to define requirements for data exchange and develop a process for University approval and access to applications

If you have questions or comments, please contact… ResearchNet Support (613)

Contact the Research Capacity Development Branch with your questions…

Research Capacity Development Contacts ProgramTelephone Health Professional Student Research Awards & MD/PhD Program Grants (613) Master’s Awards(613) STIHR(613) Doctoral Research Awards and CGS Doctoral Awards (613) FellowshipsFebruary(613) October(613) Clinician Scientists(613) New Investigators(613)