SHRF Awards Guide 2010: Section 6 - SHRF Funding Programs

6. SHRF Programs

• 6.1 New Investigator Establishment Grants
• 6.2 New Investigator Equipment Grants
• 6.3 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Awards
• 6.4 Health Research Group Grants
  • 6.4.1 Health Research Group Grant-Phase One
  • 6.4.2 Health Research Group Grant-Phase Two
  • 6.4.3 Health Research Group Grant-Phase Three
• 6.5 Research Connections Grant

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6.1 New Investigator Establishment Grants

Purpose
The New Investigator Establishment Grant Program is intended to assist university faculty who are new or newly resident in Saskatchewan in establishing independent health research programs within the province and achieving the research productivity necessary for obtaining major funding from national and other external agencies.

Scope
Research supported must be in a field of human health research, defined broadly as encompassing biomedical science, clinical research, health services and systems research, and research on the cultural, social, and environmental determinants of population health. At minimum, 50% of funding in this program will be given to those who focus on a health research priority area as defined in the provincial Health Research Strategy (see section 2.3).

Important Dates

• Internal Review: Check with Research Services EARLY at your institution
• Application Deadline: 4:30 p.m., March 15, 2010
• Funding Decisions by: June 30, 2010
• Funding Start Date: July 2010 - October 2010 (first of a month)

Funding
The program is offered annually, subject to availability of funding. The grant:

• may be up to $40,000 per year for up to 2 years; and
• may be used to match funds from another agency, provided that the request to the other agency has already been submitted or approved at the time of application to SHRF and that all SHRF requirements and processes are followed.

Allowable Expenses
Allowable expenses are those necessary to carry out the research and not provided through other means. They may include:

• clerical/secretarial support;
• research assistants, technicians, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows;
• general office expenses and supplies;
• reimbursement for use of hospital equipment or personnel for medical procedures;
• expenses incurred by research subjects to allow them to participate in the research but not honoraria or payments for participation, except in exceptional circumstances;
• technical advice of an unusually complex nature and/or requiring a considerable time commitment that goes beyond what could be expected in a collegial relationship;
• research equipment;
• field travel for the project;
• communications and knowledge translation; and
• travel to scientific events related to the project.

Eligibility
To be eligible, the principal applicant must:

• hold a faculty appointment at a Saskatchewan university, with the expectation and opportunity to undertake research, the right to hold research grants at the university, and a responsibility to supervise graduate students;
• have held the above faculty appointment for no more than three years as of July 1 in the application year;
• not simultaneously be a graduate student, research fellowship holder or holder of any other training award, or an employee of a for-profit business;
• not have previously held an Establishment Grant;
• be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or actively pursuing such status; and
• be able to commit a substantial portion of his/her time to the establishment research project; SHRF may seek verification of this commitment.

The principal applicant may apply with co-investigators who have the expertise to strengthen and contribute substantially to the proposed research. Co-investigators must:

• describe their contribution to and role in the project;
• provide required information about their qualifications and experience; and
• sign the form to indicate their awareness of and commitment to the project.

Review
Applications are evaluated in a competitive, peer-review process that considers the following criteria:

• importance and originality of the proposed research to its field;
• quality and feasibility of the research design, according to standards relevant to the field of study;
• suitability of the research environment;
• potential of the applicant(s) to carry out the work;
• appropriateness of the budget;
• adherence to principles of ethical research; and
• fit with the general purpose and requirements of the funding program, including the importance of the study to the applicant's research career establishment in Saskatchewan.

Application
Complete the “New Investigator Establishment Grant Application Form” available on the SHRF website.

6.2 New Investigator Equipment Grants

Scope
The scope is the same as for the New Investigator Establishment Grant Program.

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: 4:30 p.m., March 15, 2010
• Funding Decisions by: June 30, 2010
• Funding Start Date: Start Date of New Investigator Establishment Grant

Funding
The program is offered annually, subject to funding availability. The grant:

• may be up to $30,000 for up to 6 months; and
• may be used to match funds from another agency, provided that the request to the other agency has already been submitted or approved at the time of application to SHRF and all SHRF requirements and processes must be followed.

Allowable Expenses
Funds may be used only towards the purchase cost of major equipment, not supplies, where major equipment is defined as an item worth $10,000.00 or more. Large data sets may be considered an eligible expense. Contact the Funding Programs Manager to discuss this.

Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must be applying for a New Investigator Establishment Grant in the same competition.

Review
Applications are evaluated in a competitive, peer-review process that considers the following questions:

• Is the equipment requested appropriate and absolutely essential to the project?
• What is the likelihood of equipment being used to maximum capacity?
• Is it feasible to use existing equipment for the project?
• Is the stated cost of the equipment reasonable?

Application
Complete the “New Investigator Equipment Grant Application Form” available on the SHRF website and append it to the New Investigator Establishment Grant application.

6.3 Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Awards

Scope
Research supported must be relevant to human health. It may be biomedical science, clinical research, health services and systems research, or research on the cultural, social, and environmental determinants of population health. At minimum, 50% of funding will be given to those who focus on a health research priority area as defined in the provincial Health Research Strategy (see Section 2.3).

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: 4:30 p.m., March 15, 2010
• Applicant Assessments: April 15, 2010 (see Application Form)
• Funding Decisions by: June 30, 2010
• Funding Start Date: July 2010 - January 2011 (first of a month)

Funding
The program is offered annually, subject to funding availability. The award includes:

• a stipend solely for the award holder's salary in the amount of $45,000 per year for up to 2 years; and
• a research allowance in the amount of $5,000 per year for up to 2 years.

• have applied for a Tri-Council Postdoctoral Fellowship (CIHR, SSHRC, or NSERC) before applying to SHRF and do not yet know the Tri-Council outcome;
• are successful in obtaining a Tri-Council Postdoctoral Fellowship to be held in SK; and
• are recommended and approved for an SHRF Postdoctoral Fellowship.

Allowable Expenses (Research Allowance)
The Research Allowance is for the direct benefit of the award holder’s research career development and can be used for the following types of expenditures:

• travel by the award holder to scientific meetings, conferences or workshops related to the research project, including meeting and non-degree course registration fees and texts, meals and accommodation, and transportation;
• professional membership fees relevant to the award holder’s field of study; and
• costs of linkages and outreach that support the award holder’s dissemination orexchange of research findings.

Eligibility
To be eligible, the applicant:

• must hold a Ph.D. degree, or a health professional degree (M.D., D.D.S., D.V.M., Pharm.D. or equivalent), or will hold such a degree prior to the deadline for taking up awards
• must be within 3 years of having completed the qualifying degree;
• must have Canadian immigration approval to live and work in Canada for the term of the fellowship, which must be in place before the award commences;
• may not simultaneously hold a university faculty appointment or equivalent, or any major award for salary purposes;
• will apply with a supervisor who is a Saskatchewan university faculty member (or equivalent) with an active research program and experience in the proposed field of study;
• will undertake a project that is designed to advance his/her development as an independent researcher;
• will undertake the fellowship on a full-time basis in Saskatchewan; and
• will undertake the fellowship in a research environment different from his/her Ph.D. work (e.g., a new academic unit or research group), and with a supervisor different from his/her Ph.D. work.

Review
Applications are evaluated in a competitive, peer-review process that considers the following criteria:

• quality and potential of the candidate, looking at: academic preparation; research training and experience; research achievements; and potential to contribute to the proposed field of study;
• quality of the proposed project, looking at: importance and originality to the field of study; potential to enhance the applicant¡¦s research skills; and quality of the design and methodology;
• quality of the research environment, looking at: suitability of the facility, including space and equipment; strength of the supervisor¡¦s research program, including funding support; and potential for the candidate to develop research expertise and independence; and
• adherence to principles of ethical research.

Application
Complete the “Research Fellowship Application Form” available on the SHRF website.

6.4 Health Research Group Grants

This program combines elements from SHRF’s previous Research Group Development and Health Research Team Grant programs into a staged approach for facilitating the development, operation, and ongoing sustainability of highly productive and competitive health research groups in Saskatchewan.

SHRF’s goal is to support and sustain a select number of health research groups that demonstrate both ongoing excellence and relevance. The groups are a critical component of a vibrant health research enterprise in Saskatchewan, enhancing capacity to produce and share new knowledge that contributes to improved health and health care.

The program has three phases that constitute a continuum of group development and maturation. Therefore, SHRF generally expects continuity in a group’s membership across the phases, recognizing that some shift is inevitable. While researchers will continue to contribute to various research partnerships and projects, SHRF expects researchers who are members of a SHRF Health Research Group to make it a major commitment, or primary affiliation, and allows researchers to be a member of only one SHRF Health Research Group at any given time. This is to ensure a strong core membership committed to the group’s longterm vision and plans.

6.4.3 Health Research Group Grant-Phase One

Scope
Research supported must be in a field of human health research, defined broadly as encompassing biomedical science, clinical research, health services and systems research, and research on the cultural, social and environmental determinants of population health. Preference will be given to groups doing research in the provincial health research priority areas, as defined in the provincial Health Research Strategy (see Section 2.3).

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: 4:30 p.m., October 1, 2010
• Funding Decisions by: December 15, 2010
• Funding Start Date: January 1, 2011 – April 1, 2011 (first of a month)

Funding
The program is offered annually, subject to availability of funding. The grant:

• may be up to $30,000 total over 2 years (normally 15K in YR 1 and 15K in YR 2);
• must be matched by financial commitments from the members¡¦ home institution(s), where the SHRF portion comprises no more than 50% of the total support package; and
• is non-renewable.

Allowable Expenses
Allowable expenses are those necessary to carry out the proposed plan and not provided through other means. They may include:

• holding strategic planning or training sessions;
• hiring technical and/or support staff;
• supporting graduate students and other trainees; and
• travel related to planning, training, and knowledge translation.

Eligibility
To be eligible, the group must:

• include up to eight to ten members, each employed in a faculty or senior research position at a university, health agency, or similar institution, and with a record of research productivity;
• have at least 70% of its members in Saskatchewan;
• exhibit strong leadership by a well-established researcher(s) with national funding, who will be responsible for the group's plan and funding;
• include members from more than one academic unit; and
• be a new research group that has not received SHRF group, team or centre funding in the past.

Review
Applications are evaluated in a competitive, peer-review process that considers the following criteria:

• strength and potential of the group, looking at: leadership, talent mix, and research experience;
• clear description of each group member's roles and responsibilities in relation to each group objective;
• value added by the group's approach to the research;
• quality and feasibility of the proposed plan, looking at: long-term vision and goals, strategy for developing a sustainable group, research focus, fit with priority areas as defined in the provincial Health Research Strategy, and appropriateness of the budget;
• suitability of the research facilities and environment;
• support from the home institution(s); and
• potential to build research capacity, looking at: probability of securing national grants, opportunities for employment and training, and ability to foster excellence.

6.4.3 Health Research Group Grant-Phase Two

Scope
Research supported must be in a field of human health research, defined broadly as encompassing biomedical science, clinical research, health services and systems research, and research on the cultural, social and environmental determinants of population health. Preference will be given to groups doing research in the provincial health research priority areas, as defined in the provincial Health Research Strategy (see Section 2.3).

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: 4:30 p.m., October 1, 2010
• Funding Decisions by: December 15, 2010
• Funding Start Date: January 1, 2011 – April 1, 2011 (first of a month)

Funding
The program is offered annually, subject to funding availability. The grant:

• may be up to $100,000 per year for up to 3 years; and
• is non-renewable.

Allowable Expenses
Allowable expenses are those necessary to carry out the research and not provided through other means. They may include:

• materials, supplies, and major equipment
• hiring technical and/ or support staff;
• supporting graduate students and other trainees;
• field travel;
• holding strategic planning or training sessions; and
• costs of linkage and outreach to disseminate research findings, particularly with individuals and organizations committed to applying research for the improvement of health and health care.

Eligibility
To be eligible, the group must:

• include up to eight to ten members, each employed in a faculty or senior research position at a university, health agency, or similar institution, and with a record of research productivity;
• have at least 70% of its members in Saskatchewan;
• exhibit strong leadership by a well-established researcher(s) with national funding, who will be responsible for the group's plan and funding;
• include members from more than one academic unit; and have achieved a Phase One grant, a Research Group Development grant (New or Renewal), or a Research Group Facilitation grant (New or Renewal).

Review
Applications are evaluated in a competitive, peer-review process that considers the following criteria:

• strength and potential of the group, looking at: leadership, talent mix, and research experience;
• clear description of each group member's roles and responsibilities in relation to each group objective;
• clinicians have sufficient time to participate meaningfully in group activities;
• value added by the group's approach to the research;
• importance and originality of the proposed research to its field;
• quality and feasibility of the proposed plan, looking at: clarity of goals, research focus and themes; appropriateness of proposed approach and research methods; and appropriateness of the budget;
• potential for knowledge translation;
• potential to build research capacity, looking at: potential to secure national grants; opportunities for employment, mentoring and training and ability to foster excellence;
• suitability of the research facilities and environment;
• support from the home institution(s); and
• completion of Phase One or SHRF Group Development grant (New or Renewal)goals.

Application
Complete the “Health Research Group Grant (Phase Two) Application Form” available on the SHRF website.

6.4.3 Health Research Group Grant-Phase Three

Scope
Research supported must be in a field of human health research, defined broadly as encompassing biomedical science, clinical research, research on health services and systems, or research on cultural, social and environmental determinants of population health. Preference will be given to groups doing research in the provincial health research priority areas, as defined in the provincial Health Research Strategy (see Section 2.3).

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: 4:30 p.m., October 1, 2010
• Funding Decisions by: December 15, 2010
• Funding Start Date: January 1, 2011 – April 1, 2011 (first of a month)

Funding
The program is offered annually, subject to funding availability. The grant:

• may be up to $500,000 per year for up to 3 years (Note: the maximum amount per year will only be awarded in exceptional circumstances to groups with a strong justification for this amount of funding. Groups are strongly advised to ensure their budgets are realistic and essential for their proposed plans); and
• is renewable (see Review, below).

Allowable Expenses
Allowable expenses are those necessary to carry out the research and not provided through other means. They may include:

• operational research expenditures:
  • salaries for project co-ordinator/manager (recommended), research technicians and assistants;
  • stipends for graduate students and other trainees;
  • faculty salaries that provide "bridging" opportunities but NOT longer-term ongoing support;
  • some teaching release for team members to increase research time;
  • limited release-time payments to enable employees of community partners to participate in the research program;
  • materials, supplies and services;
  • filed travel; and
  • costs of linkage and outreach to disseminate research findings, particularly with individuals and organizations committed to applying research for the improvement of health and health care.
• infrastructure expenditures (these costs cannot exceed 30% of annual budget in any grant year):
  • salary for a research administrator or coordinator;
  • group leader’s stipend;
  • group meeting costs; and
  • essential major equipment.

Eligibility
To be eligible, the group must:

• include up to eight to ten members, each employed in a faculty or senior research position at a university, health agency, or similar institution, and with a record of research productivity;
• have at least 70% of its members in Saskatchewan;
• exhibit strong leadership by a well-established researcher(s) with national funding, who will be responsible for the group¡¦s plan and funding;
• include members from more than one academic unit;
• have institutional support from the researchers¡¦ home institution(s), outlined in a letter from the Vice-President Research, or designate, that addresses: infrastructural support (including space, furniture, and office equipment); fit with the research environment; and additional institutional resources supporting the team; and
• have had a Phase Two grant, a SHRF Health Research Team grant, or SHRF research centre funding.

Review
Applications are evaluated in a competitive peer-review process that considers the following criteria:

• strength and potential of the group, looking at: leadership, talent mix, and research experience;
• clear description of each group member's roles and responsibilities in relation to each group objective;
• record of excellence and productivity;
• value added by the group's approach to the research;
• importance and originality of the proposed research to its field;
• quality and feasibility of the proposed plan, looking at: clarity of goals, research focus and themes; appropriateness of proposed approach and research methods; and appropriateness of the budget;
• potential for knowledge translation;
• potential to build research capacity, looking at: ability to secure national grants; opportunities for employment, mentoring and training and ability to foster excellence;
• suitability of the research facilities and environment; and
• achievement of Phase Two goals (for renewals, completion of previous Phase Three goals).

Application
Complete the “Health Research Group Grant (Phase Three) Application Form” available on the SHRF website.

6.5 Research Connections Grant

Scope
Supported events must focus on an area of human health research, defined broadly as encompassing biomedical science, clinical research, health services and systems research, and research on the cultural, social and environmental determinants of population health.

Important Dates
Application Deadline: At least two months before event Funding Decisions: Normally within two weeks of application.

Funding
The program is offered annually, subject to funding availability. SHRF support through this program:

• May be up to a maximum of $10,000 per event;
• Must be matched at least equally by other financial support; and
• Must be administered by a university, health agency, or other similar institution in Saskatchewan that will provide a statement of account to SHRF.

General Guidelines
Equipment is not an allowable expense. All other expenses must be clearly justified in relation to the event. While the maximum grant is $10,000, grant amounts will vary depending on scope and need. Typically, grants awarded are under $5,000. Major international conferences with a large impact could merit $10,000; student poster days generally merit $3,000.

Eligibility
To be eligible, the key contact must be employed by a university, health agency, or similar institution in Saskatchewan with an interest in health research and knowledge exchange. The event must:

• Fit with SHRF's mandate and objectives;
• Occur in Saskatchewan, with strong SK representation in planning and participation;
• Foster the advancement or exchange of health research knowledge;
• Involve health researchers from more than one discipline, as well as students, health professionals, policy-makers, or community members, as appropriate;
• Encourage national and international participation, as appropriate; and
• Not be part of a regular weekly or monthly series (e.g., not a departmental seminar series or training program).

Review
Requests and opportunities will be reviewed internally. The final decision will be made by the CEO within the limits of funding available for the program. Applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome.

Application
Complete the “Research Connections Application Form” available on the SHRF website.