Other: ME Network Catalyst Grant (2024)

Eligibility

For an application to be eligible, all the requirements stated below must be met:

1. The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) must be an independent researcher affiliated with 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 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 (for more information see Administration of Funds).
4. The NPA must have completed at least one of the sex and gender-based analysis training modules available online through the CIHR-IMHA website and submit a Certificate of Completion (see How to Apply section)
5. The NPA must have completed all four of the Patient Engagement Training modules available online through CIHR-IMHA and submit a Certificate of Completion for each (see How to Apply section).
6. In addition to the NPA, each applicant team must include at least one (1) of each of the following (i.e., three individuals):
   1. An early career researcher (ECR) (as a Principal Applicant or Co-Applicant);
   2. A knowledge user; and
   3. A patient partner.
7. Each applicant team (excluding Collaborators) must include members representing:
   1. At least three (3) different provinces/territories;
   2. At least two (2) of the four pillars of health research: biomedical; clinical; health systems services; and population health; and
   3. At least two (2) levels of academic rank (e.g., Professor and Associate Professor, or Associate Professor and Assistant Professor).
8. A NPA can submit a maximum of one (1) application under this funding opportunity. If the NPA submits more than one (1) application, CIHR will automatically withdraw the last application(s) submitted based on time-stamp of submission.

While not required, partnerships with experts in research impact assessment is recommended and considered an asset.

Summary

This funding opportunity will provide support to create a Network in the area of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). ME is a chronic, complex, multisystem illness that severely impacts the lives of more than 600,000 Canadians. ME involves a substantial impairment in function accompanied by debilitating fatigue, post-exertional malaise, unrefreshing sleep, and either cognitive impairment or orthostatic intolerance. The pathophysiology of ME is not fully understood, there is no definitive diagnostic test, and people living with ME experience stigma and disbelief within the healthcare system. This Network will generate new knowledge to improve the diagnosis and treatment of ME.

The aim of the network will be to provide research leadership, stimulate innovative research and practices, strengthen research capacity, and provide a forum that engages the research community and its partners (including but not limited to industry, charities, and patients and their carers). The network is expected to be national in scope, multidisciplinary and multi-thematic; and to foster collaborations, effective interactions, and scientific excellence.

Overhead

N/A

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Pre-application program deadline

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 February 15, 2024. No RMS needed for this step.

Full application, plus approvals in RMS, will be required by RSO by noon on April 15, 2024. 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 April 18, 2024.

Webinar

CIHR will be hosting the following webinar to support participants with the requirements of this funding opportunity and to answer questions on how to apply.

When: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 11:00 AM MT | Join
Duration: 60 minutes

RESOURCES

Support for projects involving Indigenous Research:

Support with the development of your grant application is available through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST). Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

Support for Knowledge Engagement:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation is available through the Knowledge Engagement Team. Applicants can reach out by email to the KE team at knowledge.engagement@ucalgary.ca. For more information, please visit the KE team webpage.

Support for Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca OR research.data@ucalgary.libanswers.com.

Support for EDI in Research:

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice. Contact Erin.OToole@ucalgary.ca for more information.

Support for Research Security:

The new Research Security Division is available to offer guidance and support on safeguarding research and ensuring that principles of research security are upheld while conducting leading edge research. Learn more on their webpage or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application