Operating Grant : SARS-CoV-2 variants supplement: COVID-19 Rapid Research Funding Opportunity
For an application to be eligible:
- The Nominated Principal Applicants (NPA) must have received funding through one of CIHR’s previous rapid COVID-19 competitions to be eligible to receive supplementary funding.
- The NPA must show clear evidence of current research on SARS-CoV-2 variants or are able to rapidly incorporate the study of variants into their existing COVID-19 research to show impact within 3-6 months.
- Eligible NPAs can only submit one (1) application as NPA to each of the two streams in this competition. NPAs can be involved in other roles in more than one network (Stream 2) to increase coordination among networks.
The objectives of Stream 1 are:
- Accelerate rapid research on SARS-CoV-2 variants in Canada to contribute to the national and global efforts to address SARS-CoV-2 variants; and
- Generate timely evidence on SARS-CoV-2 variants that will show impact within 3-6 months and is relevant to biological, clinical, health system, and public health strategies.
Stream 1 applicants are strongly encouraged to consider maximizing impact by outlining how they intend to participate in:
- The formation of a network (Stream 2) or participating in a network formed by another NPA (Stream 2); and,
- The CIHR Network for Emerging Variants Research once established.
The objective of Stream 2 is to:
- Establish interdisciplinary networks that contribute to the rapid response, understanding, and coordination of SARS-CoV-2 variants research.
Stream 2 applicants are strongly encouraged to consider maximizing impact by ensuring that the networks are inclusive of research from across pillars/research areas. Applicants are also expected to ensure that the network has appropriate and diverse representation within the team (see equity, diversity, and inclusion expectations below).
The networks formed through Stream 2 are expected to build the foundation of the CIHR Network for Emerging Variants Research.
Please note that Stream 2 NPAs interested in forming a network are strongly encouraged to indicate their intent to do so and area(s) of focus through CIHR’s linkage tool. Stream 2 NPA’s are also encouraged to use the linkage tool to collaborate with researchers interested in participating in networks (including those not funded through CIHR COVID-19 competitions).
CIHR is committed to promoting the inclusion and advancement of groups underrepresented in science as one of the means to enhance excellence in research, training and knowledge translation. CIHR’s position on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is available in the Tri Agency Statement on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Stream 2 applications must clearly describe the research team’s commitment to engaging a diversity of members, in particular related to how they will address team composition and recruitment processes; research environment; training activities; and/or knowledge translation activities, as applicable. Additional guidance can be found on the Best practices in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research webpage.
When completing the application, applicants must protect the privacy and confidentiality of all team members. How an individual self-identifies is personal and confidential information, which should not be disclosed without consent.
Note: Successful Stream 1 and Stream 2 applicants will be connected to a surveillance network that will coordinate access to the repository of variants as available and as required.