Grants and Contributions

Canada’s Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) is a national coalition of federal, provincial and territorial partners (patients and informal caregivers, provincial health authorities, health centres, charities, philanthropic organizations, private sector, etc.) dedicated to the integration of research into care. Its vision is that by 2025, Canada will have demonstrably improved health outcomes and enhanced the health care experience for patients through the integration of evidence at all levels of the health care system.

As outlined in the SPOR Patient Engagement Framework, patient-oriented research refers to a continuum of research that engages patients as partners, focusses on patient-identified priorities and improves patient outcomes. This research, conducted by multidisciplinary teams in partnership with relevant stakeholders, aims to apply the knowledge generated to improve healthcare systems and practices.
As a partner in SPOR, CIHR will provide bridge funding for fundable applications that are below the competition funding cut-off and aligned with the SPOR vision and the SPOR Patient Engagement Framework. Categories are described in the Funds Available section.

The objective of Stream 2 is to:
•Establish interdisciplinary networks that contribute to the rapid response, understanding, and coordination of SARS-CoV-2 variants research.

Stream 2 applicants are strongly encouraged to consider maximizing impact by ensuring that the networks are inclusive of research from across pillars/research areas. Applicants are also expected to ensure that the network has appropriate and diverse representation within the team (see equity, diversity, and inclusion expectations below).

The networks formed through Stream 2 are expected to build the foundation of the CIHR Network for Emerging Variants Research.

Please note that Stream 2 NPAs interested in forming a network are strongly encouraged to indicate their intent to do so and area(s) of focus through CIHR’s linkage tool. Stream 2 NPA’s are also encouraged to use the linkage tool to collaborate with researchers interested in participating in networks (including those not funded through CIHR COVID-19 competitions).

CIHR is committed to promoting the inclusion and advancement of groups underrepresented in science as one of the means to enhance excellence in research, training and knowledge translation. CIHR’s position on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is available in the Tri Agency Statement on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Stream 2 applications must clearly describe the research team’s commitment to engaging a diversity of members, in particular related to how they will address team composition and recruitment processes; research environment; training activities; and/or knowledge translation activities, as applicable. Additional guidance can be found on the Best practices in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research webpage.

When completing the application, applicants must protect the privacy and confidentiality of all team members. How an individual self-identifies is personal and confidential information, which should not be disclosed without consent.

Note: Successful Stream 1 and Stream 2 applicants will be connected to a surveillance network that will coordinate access to the repository of variants as available and as required.

The objective is to invest in targeted COVID priority research areas from the Fall 2020 Project Grant competition such as vaccine hesitancy, pregnant women and children, racialized populations, Indigenous, confidence in science and SARS-CoV-2 variants.

• This Prize was established to recognize the excellence of cancer research being conducted in Canada. This prize will be given annually to the highest ranking Early Career Investigators in the Project Scheme competitions that fall within the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mandate:
o ICR has a mandate to support research that reduces the burden of cancer on individuals and families through prevention strategies, screening, diagnosis, effective treatments, psycho-social support systems, and palliation.

The specific objectives of this funding opportunity are:

• Identify wise programs, policies or actions, and/or address critical knowledge gaps, including data, related to further understanding of the immediate impacts and/or future consequences of COVID-19 among First Nations, Inuit, Métis and/or Urban Indigenous populations, communities and/or individuals;
• Identify, implement and evaluate culturally safe, and community-led solutions to address the COVID-19 pandemic and its immediate and/or future consequences among First Nations, Inuit, Métis and/or Urban Indigenous communities;
• Accelerate First Nations, Inuit, Métis and/or Urban Indigenous community-led knowledge translation and knowledge mobilization activities related to COVID-19 within the context of Indigenous health; and
• Inform and contribute to relevant research capacity and infrastructure, or adapt existing programs and infrastructure, in First Nations, Inuit, Métis and/or Urban Indigenous communities to enable Indigenous communities to design, lead, and meaningfully participate in culturally safe responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Incorporating sex and gender into health research makes for better science that is more rigorous and more applicable to the needs of everybody. The Institute of Gender and Health (IGH) will provide bridge funding for applications that are relevant to its mandate:
o CIHR-IGH mandate is to foster research excellence regarding the influence of sex and gender on health and to apply these findings to identify and address pressing health challenges facing men, women, girls, boys and gender-diverse people.
• These one (1) year operating grants afford Principal Investigators an opportunity to resubmit their research proposal without the loss of momentum, staff, or trainees.

• The CIHR Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (CIHR-IHDCYH) will provide bridge funding for a applications that are relevant to its mandate:
o As a life-cycle based Institute, IHDCYH has a broad mandate that covers defined time periods and a wide range of issues pertaining to human development: pre-conception; fertilization; embryonic and fetal development; the health of the mother and father; and the health and development of infants, children and youth.

The objectives of Stream 1 are:
•Accelerate rapid research on SARS-CoV-2 variants in Canada to contribute to the national and global efforts to address SARS-CoV-2 variants; and
•Generate timely evidence on SARS-CoV-2 variants that will show impact within 3-6 months and is relevant to biological, clinical, health system, and public health strategies.

Stream 1 applicants are strongly encouraged to consider maximizing impact by outlining how they intend to participate in:
1.The formation of a network (Stream 2) or participating in a network formed by another NPA (Stream 2); and,
2.The CIHR Network for Emerging Variants Research once established.

The Project Grant program is expected to:

• Support a diverse portfolio of health-related research and knowledge translation proposals at any stage, from discovery to application, including commercialization;
• Promote relevant collaborations across disciplines, professions, and sectors; and
• Contribute to the creation and use of health-related knowledge.

• The CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity (CIHR-III) will offer funding for an application determined to be specifically relevant to CIHR-III broad mandate as described below:
o The Institute of Infection and Immunity (III) supports research and helps to build research capacity in the areas of infectious disease and the body's immune system. Through the Institute's programs, researchers address a wide range of health concerns related to infection and immunity including disease mechanisms, disease prevention and treatment, and health promotion through public policy.