Connections Program
SHRF Align Grant
Funding to support development and promote research relevance and impact through collaboration
Opportunity Overview
Purpose
The Align Grant aims to enable a diverse and connected research community in Saskatchewan that is well-positioned to receive peer-reviewed funding and conduct impactful research aligned with Saskatchewan stakeholder needs.
Objectives
Applications must meet each of the following three objectives:
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Increase research relevance, coordination, and potential for impact by:
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​Enabling development and engagement of robust interdisciplinary research teams, including stakeholders* outside academia; ​and/or;
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Providing funding to complete activities that shape research to align with the Saskatchewan context and respond to Saskatchewan needs.
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- Increase quality and success of Saskatchewan applications to peer-reviewed research funding competitions at the regional (e.g.; western Canadian- minimum two provinces), national and international level, as well as to SHRF; and
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Support the development of Saskatchewan research and health professional trainees through opportunities to gain experience in collaborative team building and engagement outside academia, co-development of research questions and approaches, and other research and professional skills related to proposed activities.
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* Stakeholders include communities, people with lived experience, families, caregivers, decision makers, health practitioners, health care administrators, educators, policy makers, patient groups, community-based organizations, industry, health charities, etc.
Focus Area
This is an open call. Applications may address any area of human health.
Funding Details
Amount
Up to $10,000.
Term
The grant provided is for up to one year.
Multiple Applications
The Principal Applicant can submit only one application per competition.
Eligibility
Principal Applicant Requirements
Individuals applying to this funding opportunity as Principal Applicant must meet the requirements as defined in the SHRF Funding Guide definition of Principal Applicant.
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Team Requirements
At least one Saskatchewan-based trainee must be named either as personnel or as a co-applicant and their roles and responsibilities adequately described.
As this grant is available to assist in connecting with stakeholders outside academia, it is not required that teams include knowledge-users.
For this funding opportunity, there are no Contribution Forms or additional documents that will need to be shared from Applicants or Personnel invited to this application. Supporters must provide a letter of support.
Eligible Activities
Below are examples of eligible activities. Please note this is not an exhaustive list. Please contact the program manager if you have questions regarding eligible activities.
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Community needs assessment
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Determining scope or scale of a health issue in Saskatchewan
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Determining next steps and needs to move successfully from pilot to implementation, uptake and sustainability
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Identifying initiatives already underway in Saskatchewan and looking for opportunities to align, work together, and reduce duplication of efforts
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Connect with Saskatchewan stakeholders such as patient groups, community organizations, decision makers, Knowledge Keepers, etc.
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Undertake culturally appropriate engagement and relationship building
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Co-develop research questions and approaches with input from stakeholders
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Ensure research is relevant and appropriate to those directly impacted
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Identify outcomes important to stakeholders
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Answer feasibility questions related to the Saskatchewan context
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Identify and connect with target audiences, who may provide letters of support for future funding applications
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Engage with potential private sector investors
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Showcase your research’s practical applications, commercial value, and market opportunities to potential investors
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Identify knowledge sharing avenues outside academia
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See full details in the application package.
Information Webinar
How to Apply
Each application must be made online through SHRF’s Research Management System (SHRF RMS). All follow-up correspondence and documents will also be accessed there.
SHRF's Resources page has more information and technical support to help you throughout the application process.
​You can also find helpful How-To videos on our YouTube page.
Click on 'Login to Apply' to access the system from any page on our website.
For help with the system, contact helpdesk@shrf.ca
Program Contacts
We're here to help!
For questions about the Align Grant, reach out to the program manager, Chelsea Cunningham ccunningham@shrf.ca
For questions about the SHRF RMS, reach out to Tanya Skorobohach helpdesk@shrf.ca
For questions about other funding opportunities, reach out to fundinginfo@shrf.ca
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