Innovation Grants for Research Impact in Traumatic Brain Injury

Eligibility

Applicants must select one stakeholder priority to be addressed in their research project and, as much as possible, use the details in the hyperlinked document for each priority as a starting point for the project design. Applications that cover more than one of the stakeholder priorities above will be considered.

• Stakeholders should be engaged at each stage of the research process to ensure meaningful outcomes are achieved through co-creation of solutions. Appropriate budget should be allocated to support these activities.
• Research applications can be related, but must be distinct from any other currently funded projects. It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify Brain Canada immediately should overlap arise from new funding awarded during the application and review process of this funding opportunity.
• Applicants must be able to initiate the project in June 2024 when funding is expected to begin, conditional on providing proof of institutional approvals to Brain Canada (e.g., ethics) prior to funding release.

This funding opportunity is open to interdisciplinary research teams of two or more members and must include a minimum of two independent investigators, see below, one of which must be designated as the Principal Investigator.

• Investigators must be conducting research at, and affiliated with, an eligible Canadian academic institution for the entire duration of the grant and must be considered an independent researcher at their institution. Such an individual normally holds the rank of assistant, associate, or full professor; can initiate and direct their own independent lines of research as principal investigator; has full responsibility for running their laboratories; has full control of their research funds; and is permitted to supervise trainees, if applicable, as per their institution’s policy. Postdoctoral fellows, research associates, or adjunct faculty are not eligible to apply.
• Academic appointments must have started by the deadline for Full Application submission.
• Team composition must include all expertise needed for successful completion of the project, including experience and expertise related to knowledge mobilization and social innovation: planning, execution, stakeholder engagement for co-creation of solutions, and impact evaluation.

Use of Funds
Funds must contribute toward the direct costs of the research project for which they were awarded and should be directly attributable to the project or activity being performed. Funds cannot be allocated toward costs and expenses incurred outside of Canada.

Summary

The purpose of the Innovation Grants for Research Impact in Traumatic Brain Injury is to generate creative, novel and practical evidence-based solutions that address stakeholder-identified needs, listed below in no particular order, to improve the trajectory of recovery for individuals after brain injury. With the knowledge that behaviour, practice and policy changes are made possible by creating solutions that work, proven through rigorous academic research in collaboration with stakeholders, we expect the projects funded through this opportunity will have a substantial impact, especially for health care
providers and patients.

Funding for the Innovation Grants for Research Impact in Traumatic Brain Injury has been made possible by the Canada Brain Research Fund, an innovative arrangement between the Government of Canada (through Health Canada) and Brain Canada Foundation, and Brain Changes Initiative. This funding opportunity has an overall funding envelope of up to $1.4 million CAD to support 3 to 4 grants over two years. Total grant amounts are flexible to accommodate the needs of each project.

Application Process

The Innovation Grants for Research Impact in Traumatic Brain Injury funding opportunity includes a Registration Form, participation in a Feedback Panel meeting, and a Full Application stage.
Applicants must submit a Registration Form in order to be eligible for a Feedback Panel and must complete both of the aforementioned to submit a Full Application.

1. Registration Form
Registration Forms are to be submitted through Brain Canada’s electronic grant management system, SmartSimple, by 3:00pm MT, September 27, 2023.

Applicants will be required to create a SmartSimple account, and the Innovation Grants for Research Impact in Traumatic Brain Injury funding opportunity can be accessed through the “Funding Programs” section on their homepage.

2. Feedback Panel Meetings
Registration Forms submitted by the deadline will undergo an administrative check and relevance review by Brain Canada to ensure alignment with the scope of this funding opportunity and all eligibility criteria are met. Applicants that are deemed ineligible will not proceed further in the process.

All eligible applicants will be invited to participate in a Feedback Panel with a small group of stakeholders who have been involved in the process to-date. The Lay Summary included in the Registration Form will be provided to participating stakeholders in preparation for the Feedback Panel meetings.

3. Full Application
Full Applications must be submitted through Brain Canada’s electronic grant management system, SmartSimple. Applicants are expected to include the feedback received from stakeholders into their Full Application.

Applicants must obtain institutional approval from the University of Calgary prior to submitting their full application to Brain Canada. Initiate required University of Calgary internal approvals by completing a Pre-Award/Application record in RMS (https://my.rms.ucalgary.ca/)/. Attach a copy of your complete application materials and submit your pre-award/application record for internal academic approvals.

Please ensure that you allow time for academic approvals prior to the Research Services Office internal review deadline of 12:00pm MT, January 22, 2024.

Overhead

Not applicable. Ineligible costs include indirect costs or overhead costs associated with managing the research project.

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

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.

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.

Additional Resources

Request for Applications