Apply for Research Funding Program (Canada)

As a non-profit organization, CHS Global Partnerships will establish a global network of researchers across a variety of relevant disciplines. Working collaboratively, and together with primary end users, the network will address multifaceted issues faced by Deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

CHS Global Partnerships is committed to strengthening the global capacity for research and innovation that improves the quality of life for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Annual funding opportunities will be made available in focused priority areas. Applications will be accepted from investigators in Canadian universities or affiliated institutions, community organizations, or a CHS recognized Deaf/hard of hearing institution/organization, with global collaborations.

Purpose

• To advance research and innovation that improves the quality of life for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

Focus Areas

• The program supports projects in four Research Areas of Focus:
  • Hearing Health: research related to prevention, identification, assessment, treatment and (re)habilitation of auditory and balance difficulties.
  • Hearing Science: research activities in the fields of acoustics, neuroscience, and psychology concerning perception of sound.
  • Deaf Studies: research activities in the fields of sociology, language, and inclusivity of Deaf individuals.
  • Quality of Life: research related to the impacts of being Deaf or hard of hearing as it relates to an individual’s ability to participate and enjoy life activities.

Funding Information

• Applications can request up to $50,000 per year, for up to two years. Funding will be provided to support the direct costs of research. CHS Global Partnerships has available $200,000 per year for each of the two years.

Eligible Expenses

• Salaries and benefits: Eligible expenses include the salaries and benefits for those staff responsible for supporting the conduct of the funded research, including research assistants and associates, technicians, statisticians, informaticians, support staff, project managers, project coordinators, and other highly qualified personnel. Salaries and benefits should be calculated using the employee’s base salary amount plus payroll benefits (vacation, medical, dental, etc.). The amount to be charged should reflect the proportion of the employee’s normal total hours for payroll purposes spent working directly on the project. The Host Institution is required to maintain time sheets or other appropriate records for all personnel working directly on the project. It is important that the role for each personnel is specified.
• Materials and consumables: Expenditures are permitted on the actual cost of research materials and supplies necessary for the project. Procurement should be in accordance with the policies of the Host Institution.
• External services: Contracted services related to the project provided and invoiced by other research groups or service providers are eligible and must be in accordance with institutional procurement policies, or an executed service level agreement, or published list of service costs, which must be made available upon request by CHS Global Partnerships. The service provider must issue an itemized invoice that includes the full cost of the services rendered (e.g., statistical analysis, audiologists services, counselors, ASL/LSQ interpreters, etc.).
• Subject recruitment: Fees related to subject recruitment and remuneration (if approved by the Research Ethics Board)
• Capital equipment: Equipment directly related to the Research Activity can be requested to a maximum of 10% of the total budget, with the provision of a rationale.
• Dissemination of results: Expenses associated with the dissemination of results and/or KT strategies, including publication costs directly related to the funded proposal (up to a maximum of $3,000 per award).
• Educational outreach and Knowledge Translation (KT) activities: Expenses associated with educational outreach activities/workshops are eligible.

Ineligible Expenses

• The items below are not eligible for funding support:
  • Salaries and benefits for the PIs, Co-PIs, and co-applicants
  • Tuition, stipend, housing for research trainees
  • Indirect costs (e.g., overhead)
  • Any expenses not included in the “Eligible Expenses” list

Eligibility Criteria

• Principal Investigators must hold a full-time appointment at a non-profit educational, hospital or research institution or other community based non-profit organization within Canada or a CHS recognized Deaf/hard of hearing institution or organization.
  • Applicants should demonstrate experience and strong research training as well as sufficient institutional support to carry out the proposed work.
  • Applicants must hold a Ph.D., M.D., an Au.D. or equivalent degree.
  • Supervisors must be listed as the Principal Investigator (PI) on applications submitted by postdoctoral applicants.
• To ensure equitable access for a broad range of applicants, CHS Global Partnerships accepts one Letter of Intent and one Funding Application per Principal Investigator per published granting deadline.
• Funding Applications must have an ultimate outcome to pursue a peer reviewed publication.
• Ineligible activities are those not related to Global Partnerships’ Research Activities of Focus, those seeking program funding (service delivery), not positioned for peer reviewed publication, duplication of existing funding, costs for which alternative source of funding is available, activities completed, or costs incurred, before the start date of Global Partnerships funding, core operational funding, loans or anything else Global Partnerships reasonably deems is an ineligible activity for funding.
• While not mandatory, CHS Global Partnerships strongly encourages partnerships in research through cost sharing by leveraged funds.

Application Requirements

• The following documents must be submitted as part of the FA:
  • Figures and tables (submit in PDF format)
  • References (submit in PDF format)
  • Budget justification (submit in PDF format)
  • Co-funding letters:
    • If applicable, provide evidence of co-funding through a letter of support from the funder. Include whether funds are cash vs. in-kind, and whether they are secured vs. expected. Co-funding should also be captured in the Excel budget upload.
  • Curricula Vitae (submit as one combined PDF):
    • Include PI and Co-Investigator CVs
    • CVs can be in any format, but must include the following details:
      • Education and training
      • Employment
      • Honours and awardsprofessional affiliations
      • Research funding in the past five years
      • Research outputs in the past five years
• Principal Investigator’s Host Institution commitment letter:
• • A letter from the administrative authority/high-level institutional official (i.e., President or Vice-President, Research) of the Principal Investigator’s Host Institution must be submitted.
  • The letter must outline the institutional commitment to facilitate and support the research, assign space and resources, and provide other administrative support for the duration of the proposed research.
  • The letter must describe how the institution maintains accountability for promoting scientific excellence and fiscal responsibility with awarded funds.
  • Research certificates:
    • CHS Global Partnerships follows the framework for responsible conduct of research. As such, copies of all applicable ethical and safety certificates must be provided as soon as available. NOTE that funding for successful applications is contingent upon receipt by CHS Global Partnerships of copies of all applicable certifications.
  • Publications:
    • Attach, as one combined PDF, up to three team publications relating to the project that reviewers should take special note of Include a cover sheet highlighting the significance of the publications.

For more information, visit CHS Global Partnerships for Research & Innovation.