Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Health System (PRIHS) 8 - Digital Health

Eligibility

Applicant Eligibility:

• open to researchers and clinicians with appointments at Alberta-based post-secondary institutions

Projects must:

• align with the objectives of the PRIHS 8 - Digital Health program;
• include one co-lead (Co-Applicant Representative) from the SCN or Integrated Provincial Program Leadership Team;
• address a priority as outlined in the Transformational Roadmap of an SCN or Integrated Provincial Program;
• consist of one or more evidence-based digital health solution(s) that can be formulated into an implementation study leading to the development of an innovative care model;
• be supported by strong evidence of measurable impact (improve or maintain) patient health (i.e., clinical effectiveness) that results in a system benefit (generated from pilot testing in Alberta (preferable) or another health care setting);
• have the potential to deliver significant, measurable impact to health system performance;
• include key project milestones based on metrics and deliverables, stepped with critical “go/no go” decision points;
• demonstrate a significant positive impact on the utilization of health resources within the timeframe of a PRIHS grant i.e., tests a solution that can likely generate cost savings and/or help avoid future costs.

Project term is up to three years (2024 – 2027). Proposals with project terms less than 3 years are welcome to apply.

Summary

The Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Health System (PRIHS) Program was launched out of a shared commitment to develop research and innovation activities that contribute to health system sustainability in Alberta. PRIHS is designed to align the expertise of researchers to create new knowledge with the evidence needs of health providers. The program provides opportunities for researchers and clinicians to implement promising solutions that address priority health system challenges in collaboration with Strategic Clinical Networks (SCNs) and Integrated Provincial Programs. By fostering innovation through collaboration, PRIHS accelerates health research and innovation outcomes into areas of strategic priority and need, with the potential to scale and spread to other patient populations and/or areas in the health system. PRIHS offers leaders in our health system the opportunity to leverage digital and data-enabled technologies to further transform models of care, that will lead to the improvement of patient outcomes, healthcare quality, value to the system, and overall value for the people of Alberta. PRIHS is jointly funded by Alberta Innovates and Alberta Health Services.

Webinar

Alberta Innovates will hold an information webinar specific to the University of Calgary on April 12, 2023, 1:00-3:00 p.m. (MT). Registration is required

Alberta Innovates Program Timeline and Deadlines

Phase 1 - Expression of Interest (EOI); Submission deadline: June 19, 2023, 4:00 p.m. (MT)

EOI Development: April to June 2023

Prospective Primary Leads (Applicant Representatives) connect with SCNs or Integrated Provincial Programs to discuss ideas. SCNs or Integrated Provincial Programs will invite high potential opportunities to submit an EOI.

Each SCN selects up to two (2) projects to advance to Phase 2. Decisions will be communicated July 14, 2023.

Phase 2 - Full Application (by invitation); Submission deadline: October 30, 2023, 4:00 p.m. (MT)

Full Proposal Development: July to October 2023

Primary leads (Applicant Representatives) will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Up to ten (10) projects advance to Phase 3. Decisions will be communicated December 22, 2023.

Phase 3 - Den Presentations (virtual); Week of February 5-9, 2024

Successful Phase 2 applicants invited to present their proposals to the PRIHS 8 – Digital Health Review Committee.

Conditional approval of awards expected March 2024.

UCalgary Research Services Submission Process

1. Expression of Interest (EOI)

RSO review and RMS approval are not required at this stage.

2. Full Application (by invitation)

If invited, the full application, plus approval in the Research Management System (RMS) via a Pre-Award/Application record, must be submitted to the RSO no later than October 25, 2023 at 12:00 p.m.

• Required uploads in RMS:
  • PDF version of application form (including the attachments)
  • PRIHS Benefits Realization Workbook (Excel file)

Please be sure to select 'Submitted for approval' (under Save & Progress) in RMS in good time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the RSO internal deadline. Consult your department and faculty for more information on their approval processes and timelines. 

A Research Funding Application Approvals (RFAA) form is not required as approvals are collected electronically in RMS.

Do not submit to the agency until RSO's approval has been granted in RMS.

Once the institutional signature has been obtained, the Principal Investigator will receive an automated message from RMS to their @ucalgary email address. You can then proceed with submitting your application via the Alberta Innovates SmartSimple portal.

Overhead

N/A

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

Application deadlines

EOI

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.

Resources

• PRIHS 8 - Digital Health Program Guide
• PRIHS 8 - Digital Health FAQs
• PRIHS 8 Webinar Recording
• Alberta Innovates Program Contact: Dr. Antonio Bruni, Director, Health System Transformation - Health Innovation (Antonio.Bruni@albertainnovates.ca)