Archived - Collaborative Health Research Projects (CHRP) – ResearchNet “Letter of Intent (LOI)” Phase Instructions

How to Apply

To make sure you have access and permissions to the research application tools you'll need to apply with, refer to Before you begin.

To understand the general application process, refer to General Application Process.

To list the components that make up a complete CHRP letter of intent that are specific to this program, refer to A complete CHRP letter of intent consists of the following.

To get ResearchNet-specific information on a task-by-task basis, refer to Task Tips.

Before you begin

Make sure you have read the specific Funding Opportunity Details.

Make sure you have the following or click the links to register:

• a ResearchNet account
• a CIHR PIN in ResearchNet
• access to Common CV

You should only have one ResearchNet account. If you have already accessed ResearchNet, do not register for a new account.

General Application Process

1. In ResearchNet, complete all tasks listed for your funding opportunity following the on-screen instructions in one of the official languages.
2. Determine what signatures are needed for each part of your application. See the funding opportunity, and the Meaning of Signatures in the Grants and Awards Guide.
3. Print the Signature pages, found in ResearchNet needed for the funding opportunity.
4. Offline, obtain signatures for all signature pages, and for any other material needing signatures.
5. Scan the signature pages.
6. Upload the signed signature pages to ResearchNet as part of your submission before the application deadline date.
7. Review the funding opportunity How to Apply section under the subsection entitled "Specific Instructions" and provide the additional information requested.
8. Preview all components of your application in ResearchNet using the "Preview Application Materials" task to ensure that the application is complete. Indicate that you have verified the application for completeness on ResearchNet.

9. If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your ResearchNet account, or if you have any questions or difficulties in completing the CIHR specific content on ResearchNet, contact us Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

   support-soutien@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
   1-888-603-4178
   613-954-1968

A complete CHRP letter of intent consists of the following

Task Tips

These Task Tips are not a comprehensive list of information required to ensure completeness. You should also read the Funding Opportunity Details and should also be familiar with CIHR funding policies.

The following instructions are CHRP specific. If there is a discrepancy between these instructions and those found on ResearchNet, please use these instructions to determine what is required.

Task 1: Identify Participants

This task collects information on all participants involved in your research application and the institution or organization that will receive funds if your application is successful. Consult the Individual Eligibility Requirements on the CIHR website for more information. The name of the Nominated Principal Applicant and Principal Applicant used to meet the eligibility requirements of the program must remain unchanged between LOI and application. Principal applicants must include one individual from the Natural Sciences/Engineering community and one individual from the Health Sciences community, to be identified in the Research Proposal Attachment (below).

New: Applicants will now be required to enter a Common CV (CCV) confirmation number in ResearchNet as opposed to uploading a CCV .pdf file. This process is described below.

Only the Nominated Principal Applicant and Other Principal Applicant(s) are required to include an Academic Common CV (CCV) at the LOI stage. CVs for other participants and Supplemental CV PDFs will only be accepted at the full application stage of the competition.

To produce an Academic CV, please follow the instructions described below:

1. Log in to the Common CV (CCV) system, then go to the CV menu on the top left of the page, and select "Funding".
2. In the Funding Source field, select "CIHR" from the dropdown and click next. Select the Academic CV type and click next.
3. Enter data in each of the required sections, and click "Done" when finished each section. Validation is performed automatically, and if there are any errors, they will be displayed in each section. The validation rules follow the requirements set specifically by CIHR.
4. The CV data entered in CCV can be viewed in PDF format by selecting "Preview". Read through the document to identify any changes that need to be made in CCV before submitting the CV to CIHR.
5. Once satisfied with the information and output of the CV, click "Submit". A CCV confirmation number will be generated in the status message, and will also be located at the top of the CV PDF document. Record this confirmation number as it will be needed to link the CV to any research applications in ResearchNet.
6. Return to ResearchNet and enter the CCV confirmation number under the "Identify Participants Task" (click "Edit" under the participant in question and input the CCV Confirmation Number where requested).
7. If you wish to make changes to your Common CV after it has been linked to an application, you must repeat the steps described above. After the desired changes are made on the CCV website, the new CV will need to be submitted to CIHR, and this will generate a new CCV confirmation number, which will need to be updated in ResearchNet.

Please note that you can preview your CCV in ResearchNet by clicking on “Preview Registration Materials” on the Tasks page.

Note: During peak periods, there can be a delay between the time that you submit the CV and when ResearchNet is able to validate it. It is highly recommended that you submit your CV well in advance of the competition deadline.

Task 2: Enter Proposal Information

This task collects information related to your research project.

Project Title

The project title will be used for publication purposes. It should describe the subject of the research to be supported. The title should not contain a company or trade name and any scientific symbols and acronyms should be spelled out. If invited to submit a full application, the title must remain the same.

Lay Title

Provide a title for your project that is in a language clear to members of the general public. Lay titles are used by CIHR to inform the public and Parliament about the valuable research supported through public funds.

Lay Abstract

Describe your project in a way that is accessible to a lay audience. Be sure to indicate how your proposed research can improve personal health, the health of populations and/or the health delivery system. This information is used by CIHR to inform the public and Parliament about the valuable research supported through public funds.

Institution Paid

Institution that will administer the funds for your project. This institution must be an institution eligible to receive funds from NSERC.

Certification Requirements

If you are awarded a grant, the necessary certification requirements must be met in accordance with policies on ethical conduct of research. Relevant policies:

• Agreement on the Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions
• CIHR Funding Policies

Note: Not all funding opportunities include or allow trials. The Clinical Trial and Randomized Controlled Trial questions below may or may not appear on your application - consult the funding opportunity for information regarding these questions. For further information on the trials policy, refer to the TCPS 2—2nd edition of Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans.

Is this a clinical trial?
Indicate if this application includes a clinical trial. For more information regarding clinical trials, please refer to the policy on trials.

Does this Application Contain a Randomized Controlled Trial?
Indicate if this application includes a randomized controlled trial. Refer to the funding opportunity on specific requirements for randomized controlled trials for the program to which you are applying.

In order to carry out the proposed research in this application, is an exemption from Health Canada under Section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act required?
Indicate if your proposed research is such that an exemption from Health Canada under Section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) will be required. Consult the Department of Justice website for details regarding Section 56 of the CDSA and the Health Canada website for details regarding obtaining an exemption under Section 56 of the CDSA.

Does this application propose research involving Indigenous Peoples?
Indicate if your application proposes research involving Indigenous Peoples. This information will be used for statistical purposes only.

Are sex (biological) considerations taken into account in this study?
Indicate if sex (biological) considerations are taken into account in this study. For a guide to sex and gender based analysis, please consult the CIHR website.

Are gender (socio-cultural) considerations taken into account in this study?
Indicate if gender (socio-cultural) considerations are taken into account in this study. For a guide to sex and gender based analysis, please consult the CIHR website.

If YES, please describe how sex and/or gender considerations will be considered in your research design (limit of 2000 characters).

If NO, please explain why sex and/or gender are not applicable in your research design (limit of 2000 characters).

Indigenous Peoples

Applicants whose proposed research will involve Indigenous Peoples, please consult Ethics of Health Research Involving First Nations, Inuit and Métis People.

Containment Level

Environmental Impact

CIHR must review proposals for potential impacts on the environment in accordance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

Project Descriptors

Provide keywords to describe your research project, the techniques and the methodologies it will employ, and the areas of interest.

• Refer to the NSERC Research Subject Codes when completing the first four descriptors.
• In project descriptors #1 and #2 enter the word and 4 digit number identifying the Research Subject Code.
• In project descriptors #3 and #4 enter the word and number identifying the Area of Application Code.
• In project descriptors #5 through #10, enter the keywords describing your research project, the techniques and the methodologies it will employ, and the areas of interest.

Areas of Research

Select the areas of research that best describe your proposal from the list provided.

Classification

Select the classifications that best describe your proposal from the list provided.

Themes

Select a primary theme classification. Indicate additional theme classifications only if the substance of the grant application significantly overlaps more than one theme. Consult the definition of the four CIHR Themes on the CIHR website for more information.

Suggested Institutes

Select a primary CIHR Institute whose research mandate is related to this application's research area(s) and objective(s). Additional Institutes should only be selected if the substance of this grant application significantly overlaps with the research mandate of more than one Institute.

Attachments

All attachments must adhere to CIHR’s guidelines on Acceptable Application Formats and Attachments.

Research Proposal (attachment)

Complete the CHRP Research Proposal - Letter of Intent application form and upload it to ResearchNet as the Research Proposal attachment. Failure to use the correct form in this section will render your Letter of Intent ineligible. Each section of the Letter of Intent form addresses a specific program requirement and has a maximum character length. The Research Proposal attachment will be reviewed using a structured scoring scheme; for an example of this scheme, please refer to the CHRP Letter of Intent Reviewer Scoring Form.

Research Proposal Appendix

Applicants may attach a list of references (one page maximum). No other attachments are permitted in this section and reviewers will be instructed not to review incorrect material.

Task 3: Complete Summary of Research Proposal

Using the text box provided, state the objectives of the proposed research project and summarize the scientific approach, highlighting the novelty and expected significance of the work. Note that your summary cannot exceed one page. Ensure that you are using 12pt font and preview the text submitted to ensure that it has not been truncated. Refer to the CHRP Letter of Intent Reviewer Scoring Form that is used to score the Summary of Research proposal.

Task 4: Attach Other Application Materials

Principal Knowledge/Technology User profile

Provide a concise profile (not more than 1/2 page) on the Principal Knowledge Technology User (only), describing the nature of its operations in Canada (e.g. manufacturing, commercial activities, services provided, health care decision-making, etc.). Note that reference to a website is not acceptable in lieu of the 1/2 page KT user profile. Upload as an "Other" document type.

Statement of Ownership (if applicable)

If the Principal Knowledge/Technology (KT) user is an applicant-owned company, a Statement of Ownership attachment (max. 1 page) must be submitted. This Statement will be reviewed by program staff for eligibility. The Statement of Ownership attachment should describe the relationship between the applicant and the KT user, specifically:

• The percentage of ownership by the applicant;
• The applicant’s employment status within the company;
• Membership on the governing board of the organization;
• Managing the daily operations of the company.

Task 5: Identify Application Partners

Complete the "Partnership Details" information on ResearchNet for the Principal Knowledge Technology User (only). Download the form and upload in the "Partnership Details" area. Partner contributions may not be known at the LOI phase, therefore you may enter $1 in the partner contribution budget area. The Partnership Details form does not need be signed by the Partner at the LOI stage. Note that additional KT User organizations may be added at the full application stage, however, the principal KT User organization identified within the LOI cannot be substituted.

A letter of support is not required at the LOI stage. Please upload a blank document in the attachment termed "Partner Letter".

Reminder: The contact person for the Knowledge/Technology User Organization can only be an applicant if included as a Knowledge User.

Task 6: Peer Review Administration

This task collects information used for the purpose of peer review administration.

Suggested External Reviewers

Suggest Canadian and/or foreign reviewers that you feel have the expertise to review your application. CIHR reserves the right to make the final selection of external reviewers. You should not suggest reviewers in conflict of interest. Consult the conflict of interest guidelines on the CIHR website for more information.

Due to the multidisciplinary nature of the CHRP program, the use of external reviews forms an important part of the CHRP adjudication process. Applicants are therefore encouraged to provide as many suggestions for external reviewers as possible. Please provide suggestions for a minimum of eight external reviewers.

Reviewers to Exclude

Provide the names of individuals that you feel cannot provide an objective review of your application.

Future Committee Member Nominations

Nominate individuals that you feel would be appropriate as reviewers for the CHRP peer review committee.

Task 7: Print/Upload Signature Pages

1. Print the signature page PDF file which is found on ResearchNet.
2. Verify the requirements for original signatures by consulting Required Signatures on Application Forms and Meaning of Signatures on Application Forms in the CIHR Grants and Awards Guide.
3. Obtain all required signatures. Note that the signature from the appropriate authorized official on behalf of the institution is not required at the LOI Phase. However, you should still notify your institution that you have submitted an LOI application.
4. Scan and upload the signed signature pages in the Print/Upload Signature Pages task in ResearchNet prior to submitting your application.

Task 8: Preview Application Materials

Review all components of your application. If a task is incomplete, you must provide the missing information to successfully submit your application.

Task 9: Consent and Submit Application

Submit Application

You must review the terms listed and respond to the questions regarding consent in order to submit your application.

Date modified:

2017-05-23