International Research Challenge on Women’s Cardiovascular Health

Eligibility

An administrative and relevance review at the LOI and Full Application stages will be conducted to ensure that the proposed network complies with the following eligibility criteria: 

a. Network: The network must propose a research program in alignment with the overarching goals and objectives of the funding opportunity and relevant research areas (see A.1 Goals and Objectives and A.2.3 Areas of Interest). 

b. Network members: The network members must include (i) only two (2) Research Program Leads; (ii) Co-applicants, as appropriate for the research activities; and (iii) Collaborators and Trainees, as appropriate to the research activities. Collectively, the Research Program Leads and Co-applicants must be from a minimum of four (4) different GCRFF member organization countries.** Networks are encouraged to include investigators at all career stages.  

c. Number of paid institutions: As a general recommendation, the total number of paid institutions participating in the network should be a minimum of four (4) and maximum of six (6) at which point the network may become more difficult to manage. Networks proposing to include more than six (6) paid institutions should include a rational and management strategy.  

d. Number of Applications: A network member may be a Research Program Lead on only one (1) application. A network member may participate in up to two (2) applications as i) Research Program Lead on one (1) application and Co-applicant on one (1) application; or ii) as Co-Applicant on both applications.  

e. Research Program Leads: The two Research Program Leads must be i) from GCRFF countries in two different continents; ii) independent scientists affiliated with an academic research institute from a GCRFF country and eligible to hold grant funding in that country. They may participate as Research Program Leads in only one (1) network proposal. One (1) of the Research Program Leads must be an experienced researcher with a demonstrated track record of leading international research teams.  

f. Co-applicants: Co-applicants must be independent scientists affiliated with an academic research institute in a GCRFF or non-GCRFF country. Co-applicants may participate in up to two (2) network proposals. They may be from any career stage, but at least one early-stage independent research investigator who is within five (5) years of their first independent research investigator appointment (minus eligible delays such as illness, maternity leave and parental leave) must be included. 

g. Collaborators: Collaborators may be from GCRFF or non-GCRFF member countries. Collaborators are not eligible to be named as Research Program Leads or Co-applicants in the event of a required change in leadership.  

h. Trainees: If included in the research program, trainees may be from GCRFF or non-GCRFF countries.  

i. Administrative Core: The Administrative Core will be led at a minimum by the Research Program Leads, a Co-applicant from each participating country, and at least one (1) early-stage independent research investigator.  

**B.17 GCRFF Member Organization Countries

Australia
Bahamas 
Canada 
Denmark 
Germany 
Great Britain
Netherlands 
New Zealand 
Switzerland 
United States of America (USA) 

Summary

About the grant

In support of its mission, the GCRFF is proud to launch the International Research Challenge (IRC) on Women’s Cardiovascular Health. This first of its kind network grant aims to fund the best science in the world and to support transformative research in women’s cardiovascular health, focusing on one or more areas that represent an unmet medical need of global relevance. Please read further on for all applicant information.

Related links

• Global Cardiovascular Research Funders Forum
• About the GCRFF
• Information and data sharing
• International Research Challenge on Women’s Cardiovascular Health
• Setting a research agenda

Programme objectives

The 4 programme objectives of the IRC are as follows:

1. address urgent knowledge gaps in women’s cardiovascular health that are of global relevance
2. drive transformational change in care, clinical practice, policies and/or health outcomes for women, with international applicability
3. catalyze innovation and international collaboration in women’s cardiovascular health research
4. build and strengthen research capacity in women’s cardiovascular health on the international stage.

Grant structure

This funding opportunity is structured as an international, multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary research network grant. It will bring together experts from around the world to collaboratively execute a research programme delivering impacts that no single institution, country or continent could achieve on its own.

We are inviting research proposals focused on women’s cardiovascular health in areas that are under-researched and/or that require greater understanding. Relevant research areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the following areas:

• risk factors and prevention of cardiovascular disease across women’s life stages
• clinical diagnosis and treatment of conditions more prevalent or with worse outcomes among women
• sex-specific underlying mechanisms of cardiovascular disease in women.

Overhead

 The inclusion of indirect costs may not exceed 10% of the total grant budget.

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Pre-application program deadline

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.

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

LOIs are to be submitted by lead PIs using the Fluxx portal. 

Full applications are by invitation only. Deadlines for submission of invited applications to be announced at a later date.

Additional Resources

Using RMS:

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application

Support for projects involving Indigenous Research:

Support with the development of your grant application is available internally 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 internally through the Knowledge Engagement Team. Applicants can reach out by email to the KE team at knowledge.engagement@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. 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@libanswers.ucalgary.com and/or visit https://libguides.ucalgary.ca/researchdatamanagement.

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.