Catalyst Grant: NWHRI: Innovation Fund - Biomedical Discovery Grants

Eligibility

For an application to be eligible the mandatory requirements below must be met:

1. The Nominated Principal Applicant must be 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 mobilization) at the time of funding.
2. The Nominated Principal Applicant 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 funds can be released (see Administration of Funds).
4. The NPA must have successfully completed module 1 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 section).
5. Principal Applicants must be independent researchers or knowledge users. Inclusion of one or more Principal Applicants is optional.
6. Co-Applicants may be independent researchers; knowledge users; trainees; People with lived and living experience (PWLLE); or other. Inclusion of one or more Co-Applicants is optional.
   • The addition of a trainee as a Co-Applicant is encouraged.
7. An individual cannot submit more than one application as an NPA. If the NPA submits more than one application, CIHR will automatically withdraw the last application(s) submitted based on timestamp of submission

Summary

The purpose of the National Women's Health Research Initiative, a joint initiative between CIHR and Women and Gender Equality Canada announced as part of the 2021 federal budget, is to advance a coordinated research program that addresses under-researched and high-priority areas of women's health. The National Women's Health Research Initiative will help to ensure new evidence improves women's, girls', and gender-diverse people's care and health outcomes.

The National Women's Health Research Initiative is composed of two funding streams: The Pan-Canadian Women's Health Coalition and the Innovation Fund. Two funding opportunities will be launched through the Innovation Fund to support research in areas of women's health that have been chronically underfunded and under-researched. The first Innovation Fund funding opportunity consists of one-year Biomedical Discovery Grants.

The overarching vision of this Biomedical Discovery Grant funding opportunity is to support "high risk, high reward" research in high-priority areas of women's health research. This funding opportunity will support basic science and/or other types of preclinical studies that have the potential to make significant advancements in women's health. Projects are expected to involve cells, tissues, body parts, and/or biomarkers. Studies focused on female technology (Femtech) are also eligible. 

Overhead

n/a

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.

Submission Process:

Registration due directly to CIHR via ResearchNet by 6:00PM Calgary time on Wednesday June 21, 2023. No RMS needed for this step.

Full application, plus approvals in RMS, will be required by RSO by noon on Friday July 14, 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 Wednesday July 19, 2023.