Other: Café Scientifique Program 2023

Eligibility

Eligibility to Apply

1. For an application to be eligible, the Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) must be one of the following:
   1. an independent researcher, a knowledge user, or a trainee affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution and/or their affiliated institutions (including hospitals, research institutes and other non-profit organizations with a mandate for health research and/or knowledge mobilization);
   2. an individual affiliated with an Indigenous non-governmental organization in Canada with a research and/or knowledge mobilization mandate;
   3. a researcher or scholar working in a municipal, provincial or territorial government in Canada where the activity which forms the subject matter of the funding is not being funded by specific programs of those municipal, provincial and territorial governments; or
   4. a Canadian non-governmental organization (including community organizations and regional health authorities) with a research or knowledge mobilization mandate.
2. Applications must demonstrate that at least one researcher and one knowledge user is represented on the panel.

Summary

CIHR’s Strategic Plan 2021-2031 commits to 1) maximizing results for Canadians by prioritizing the dissemination and implementation of existing knowledge to inform health practice and policy and enhance health equity; and 2) improving the health literacy of Canadians and empowering them to take charge of their own health. Through this Café Scientifique funding opportunity, CIHR will provide funding for events, known as Cafés, that enable knowledge-sharing and open, respectful dialogues between the general public and health researchers on health-related issues of public interest.

Members of the public can engage with health researchers on their health research–related questions, learn about the research evidence, and contribute their views on future research directions. Health researchers can engage with the public on their work, communicate their research results, and gain a better understanding of what’s important to Canadians. Knowledge users, Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, community partners, patients, and Person(s) With Lived/Living Experience (PWLLE) will have the opportunity to share their experiences participating in health research and using health research evidence.

The specific objectives of this funding opportunity are to:

1. Communicate and disseminate high-quality research evidence, including but not limited to CIHR-funded research, on a health research topic of public interest in an easily-understood and interesting format;
2. Promote the mobilization of knowledge between CIHR’s health research community and members of the Canadian public to increase the impact of health research;
3. Foster engagement between health researchers and knowledge users to encourage participatory approaches to knowledge mobilization in health research; and
4. Encourage Canadians to contribute their views on future research directions.

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:

Full application, plus approvals in RMS, will be required by RSO by noon on Friday, March 10, 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, March 15, 2023.

Café Scientifique Format and Structure

The format and structure of Cafés should consider equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). Co-creation of Cafés with knowledge users, Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, community partners, patients, and PWLLE is strongly encouraged where appropriate and feasible. Cafés can be held in-person, in a hybrid format (mix of in-person and virtual), or virtually. In-person Cafés, and in-person components of hybrid Cafés, must be held in accessible public venues, such as libraries, community centers, schools, coffee shops and restaurants. Virtual Cafés and virtual components of hybrid Cafés must be held on accessible platforms. Where possible, hybrid formats are encouraged to allow for both in-person interactions between health researchers and members of the public, while also facilitating wider outreach virtually. Regardless of the format, admission to Cafés is always free, and the materials presented and discussed must be designed to be easily understood by a lay audience (without technical jargon or difficult-to-understand scientific slides) in at least of one of the official languages.

The program structure of Cafés can vary and should be tailored to the needs of the community and target audience. One approach to a Café is to have a moderated panel presentation, followed by open dialogue with participants. The moderator should help maintain an atmosphere of openness and respect to encourage candid dialogue among all panelists and participants. Alternative event formats that meet the needs of the community and the objectives of the Café are welcome as long as there is a balance between providing high-quality research evidence and time for open dialogue.

Following the event, participants are given the opportunity to provide feedback anonymously via a brief survey. While not mandatory, successful applicants are highly encouraged to share their presentation content beyond the one-time Café event. Any additional dissemination costs can be covered by Café funds.