Catalyst Grant: HIV/AIDS and STBBI Community-Based Research

Eligibility

For an application to be eligible:

1. The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) must be one of the following:
   1. A  knowledge user, specifically, one of the following:
      • A Community Leader from a Canadian non-governmental, not-for-profit organization (including community or charitable organizations) with a research or knowledge translation mandate 
      • A Canadian non-governmental organization (including Indigenous-led community organizations and regional health authorities) with a research or knowledge translation mandate 
   2. An independent researcher affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution and/or its affiliated institutions (including hospitals, research institutes and other non-profit organizations with a mandate for health research and/or knowledge translation).
2. The NPA (individual) must have their substantive role in Canada for the duration of the requested grant term.
3. The Institution Paid must be authorized to administer CIHR funds before the funding can be released (see Administration of Funds).
4. The team must involve at least one of each of the following:
   1. An independent researcher as either the NPA or a Principal Applicant.
   2. A knowledge user who is affiliated with a community or community organization as either the NPA or a Principal Knowledge User.
5. The NPA* must have successfully completed one of the sex- and gender-based analysis training modules available online through the CIHR Institute of Gender and Health and have submitted a Certificate of Completion (see How to Apply).

   *Organizations as NPAs: For organizations applying as the NPA, a representative of the organization must complete the training module on the organization’s behalf.

6. If applying to the Indigenous Stream:
   1. The NPA or Principal Applicant must self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) and/or provide evidence of having meaningful and culturally safe involvement with Indigenous communities (see How to Apply for more details).
   2. In addition, at least one knowledge user must be affiliated with First Nations, Inuit or Métis and/or Urban Indigenous communities or organization.
7. For applications not solely focused on Indigenous Health Research (i.e., not eligible to apply to the Indigenous Stream), but involving research with Indigenous Peoples, at least one member of the research team in a Principal role (i.e. Principal Applicant or a Principal Knowledge User) must self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) and/or provide evidence of having meaningful and culturally safe involvement with Indigenous Peoples (see How to Apply for more details).

Administration of Funds

Funds will only be released to the institution or organization identified as the Institution Paid.  If the Institution Paid is not already authorized to administer CIHR funds, for the duration of the grant term, it may be required to undergo a financial and eligibility review and sign a funding agreement, or the successful applicant may choose to have their funds administered by a CIHR eligible institution. Please contact the Contact Centre to enquire about the process.

Notes:

• For the purpose of this Funding Opportunity:
  • If not applying as the NPA, Community Leaders are also invited to identify themselves as Principal Knowledge Users or Knowledge Users, which are equivalent to Principal Applicants and Co-applicants respectively.

Summary

The CIHR HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections (STBBI) Community-Based Research (CBR) Program (hereafter referred to as the CBR Program) is one of four research funding areas of the CIHR HIV/AIDS and STBBI Research Initiative, and supports the mission to strengthen and support a diverse, inclusive and collaborative research community that applies community-based, holistic and inter- and transdisciplinary approaches to create and mobilize knowledge for better and equitable prevention, testing, treatment and care of HIV/AIDS and STBBI in Canada and around the world as outlined in the CIHR HIV/AIDS and STBBI Research Initiative Strategic Plan 2022-2027.

As part of the strategic plan commitment to improving health equity, strengthening research capacity and mobilizing knowledge, the CBR Program supports the partnered work of Community Leaders and Researchers in knowledge development and capacity-building initiatives of relevance to communities engaged in the fight against HIV and/or other STBBI. The CBR Program offers funding opportunities available in two distinct funding streams: Indigenous and General.

The aim of this funding opportunity is to provide seed money to support HIV and/or other STBBI CBR planning and development activities and/or research activities which represent a first step towards the pursuit of more comprehensive funding opportunities (e.g., operating grants).

The specific objectives of this funding opportunity are:

• Catalyze community-led research planning and development activities that ensure the inclusion and meaningful representation of people living with and at risk of HIV/AIDS and/or STBBI;
• Foster meaningful and equitable partnerships between communities most impacted by HIV/AIDS and/or STBBI and researchers to advance research focused on community-driven priorities;
• Engage communities in strengthening capacity for knowledge mobilization; and/or
• Develop applications for Community-Based Research grants in the areas of HIV and/or other STBBI.

Application deadlines

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

Overhead N/A

Submission Process:

Full application, plus approvals in RMS, will be required by RSO by noon on Thursday, April 27, 2023. Please be sure to select "Submitted for approvals" (Under Save & Progress) in RMS in enough time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the internal RSO deadline. Consult your department and faculty for more information on their approval processes and timelines.

Do not submit through ResearchNet until RSO's signature has been granted!! 

Once institutional signature has been obtained, a copy of the CIHR signature page will be available via the RMS record, under Documents. Upload the CIHR signature page and routing slip in the Print/Upload Signature Pages task in ResearchNet by 6:00PM Calgary time on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.