Section 1: Application Administration

CIHR Grants and Awards Guide

(Return to the General Index)

• 1-A Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency
  • 1-A1 Collaborations
    • 1-A1.1 International Collaborations
  • 1-A2 Sex, Gender and Health Research
  • 1-A3 Global Health Research
  • 1-A4 Knowledge Translation
  • 1-A5 Themes
• 1-B New Applications
• 1-C Renewal Applications
  • 1-C1 Submitting an Early Renewal Application
  • 1-C2 Requests to Postpone the Renewal Date
  • 1-C3 Submitting a Late Application for Renewal
  • 1-C4 Evaluation of New vs. Renewal Applications
• 1-D Eligibility Requirements
  • 1-D1 Individual Eligibility Requirements
    • 1-D1.1 Nominated Principal Applicant
    • 1-D1.2 Principal Applicant (Grant Programs only)
    • 1-D1.3 Co-Applicant (Grant Programs only)
    • 1-D1.4 Collaborator (Grant and Salary Programs only)
  • 1-D2 Institutional Eligibility Requirements
    • 1-D2.1 Affiliated Institutions
  • 1-D3 Partner Eligibility Requirements (Partnered Programs only)
    • 1-D3.1 Eligible Companies (Industry-Partnered Programs only)
  • 1-D3.2 Non Exclusivity
• 1-E Application Limits (Grant & Training Award Programs)
• 1-F Required Signatures on Applications
  • 1-F1 Applications Submitted Electronically Through ResearchNet
    • 1-F1.1 Nominated Principal Applicant
    • 1-F1.2 Other Applicants and Project Participants
    • 1-F1.3 Appropriate Authorized Official at the Institution Paid
    • 1-F1.4 Appropriate Authorized Official at the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research) (Training Award Programs only)
    • 1-F1.5 Funding Partner(s)
  • 1-F2 Applications Not Submitted Electronically Through ResearchNet
    • 1-F2.1 Nominated Principal Applicant
    • 1-F2.2 Other Applicants and Project Participants
    • 1-F2.3 Appropriate Authorized Official at the Institution Paid
    • 1-F2.4 Appropriate Authorized Official at the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research) (Training Award Programs only)
    • 1-F2.5 Funding Partner(s)
  • 1-F3 Application Content
• 1-G Meaning of Signatures on Applications
  • 1-G1 Nominated Principal Applicant, Other Applicants and Project Participants
  • 1-G2 Appropriate Authorized Official at the Institution Paid
  • 1-G3 Appropriate Authorized Official at the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research) (Training Award Programs only)
• 1-H Requests for Extensions to Application Deadline Dates
• 1-I Communication of Competition Results
  • 1-I1 Responsibilities of the Agency
  • 1-I2 Responsibilities of the Institution
• 1-J Time Frame for Accepting an Offer (Salary Award & Training Award Programs only)
• 1-K Insurance
  • 1-K1 Nominated Principal Applicants (Training Award Programs only)
  • 1-K2 Institution Paid

1-A Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency

(Return to the General Index)

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) support and promote high-quality research in a wide variety of disciplines and areas. In some areas of research there is overlap between agency mandates, and some applications could be eligible for support by more than one federal funding agency. Guidelines have been developed to assist researchers in selecting the appropriate agency when they are working in areas of research where there is overlap between agency mandates. These guidelines include general principles for submitting and accepting applications, and guidelines for the eligibility of subject matter at SSHRC, NSERC and CIHR, including eligibility of applications related to health. For more information, see Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency.

See also Application Limits (Grant & Training Award Programs) and Other Funding Sources.

1-A1 Collaborations

(Return to the General Index)

In order for CIHR to meet its mandate, it must work with all the stakeholders involved in health research and the health-care system. The CIHR Act states that CIHR will achieve its purposes by "fostering collaboration with the provinces and with individuals and organizations in or outside Canada that have an interest in health or health research" and by "creating health-research institutes that engage voluntary organizations, the private sector and others in or outside Canada with complementary research interests."

From CIHR's beginning, it has been recognized that effective health research needs the collective effort of the many people and organizations committed to making Canadians healthier and building an effective health-care system.

1-A1.1 International Collaborations

(Return to the General Index)

The CIHR Act states that CIHR "should be an internationally acknowledged leader in contributing to the global advancement of health research and that excellence in health research is fundamental to improving the health of Canadians and of the wider global community." CIHR fulfills its mandate, in part, by "pursuing opportunities and providing support for the participation of Canadian researchers in international collaborations and partnerships in health research."

In addition to domestic partnerships, CIHR encourages, when appropriate, Canadian researchers to engage in international research projects and/or international collaborations. Benefits may include:

• accessing unique research resources or populations;
• accessing and learning from foreign researcher expertise;
• contributing to the global knowledge base and its application in policy and practice;
• strengthening global health research capacity and addressing global health and health system problems;
• improving the training experience available to young Canadian investigators and investigators from other nations; and
• conducting research at the forefront of conceptual and methodological developments and their application.

CIHR contributes to, and supports international research projects and international collaborations to address a range of research areas, including but not limited to established priorities in global health research and contributes to the development of health-research capacity both internationally and domestically.

Nominated Principal Applicants may apply to CIHR's programs for funds to support research to be carried out in, and/or in direct collaboration with researchers and/or knowledge-users based in, other countries. Nominated Principal Applicants and project participants may work in research centers both in Canada and abroad to carry out the proposed research. When participating in an international collaboration, the Nominated Principal Applicant may apply for CIHR funds for the Canadian components only.

Nominated Principal Applicants may transfer funds to project participants (i.e., researchers, trainees, knowledge-users, etc.) based in other countries through a transfer of funds from the Institution Paid (or the primary institution) to a secondary institution subject to approval from the Institution Paid. Consult the section Transfer of Funds Between Institutions of the Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC & SSHRC) Financial Administration Guide.

1-A2 Sex, Gender and Health Research

(Return to the General Index)

As stated in the CIHR Act, CIHR aims to promote, assist and undertake "research that meets the highest international scientific standards of excellence and ethics and that pertains to all aspects of health." CIHR is a signatory on the Government of Canada's Health Portfolio - Sex and Gender-Based Analysis Policy, as well as the Tri-Council Policy Statement on Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans. Both policies underscore the importance of integrating gender and sex into health research when appropriate, for there is significant evidence to "demonstrate that biological, economic and social differences between women and men contribute to differences in health risks, health services use, health system interaction and health outcomes." Accounting for gender and sex in health research has the potential to make health research more just, more rigorous and more useful. As such, CIHR expects that all research applicants will integrate gender and sex into their research designs when appropriate.

One helpful tool for applicants and peer reviewers is Sex, Gender and Health Research Guide: A Tool for CIHR Applicants. This document includes CIHR's definitions for gender and sex-based analysis and more information on applying gender and sex-based analysis to research proposals.

1-A3 Global Health Research

(Return to the General Index)

CIHR encourages applications in the field of global health that demonstrate the proposed research project has the potential to improve the health of the global community.

For the eligibility for teams and Nominated Principal Applicants, consult the International Collaborations subsection.

1-A4 Knowledge Translation

(Return to the General Index)

As stated in the CIHR Act, it is the objective of CIHR to excel in both the creation of new knowledge and "its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care system."

This process takes place within a complex system of interactions between researchers and knowledge users which may vary in intensity, complexity and level of engagement depending on the nature of the research and the findings as well as the needs of the particular knowledge user.

CIHR divides knowledge translation into two categories, end-of-grant knowledge translation and integrated knowledge translation. CIHR also supports research on the science of knowledge translation. For more information about knowledge translation at CIHR, consult the More About Knowledge Translation at CIHR document.

CIHR encourages all applicants to include an end-of-grant knowledge translation plan in their research proposals to describe how they intend to disseminate their findings to the appropriate knowledge user audience(s) including how they will adhere to the Tri-Agency Open Access Policy on Publications.

1-A5 Themes

(Return to the General Index)

CIHR categorizes health research in four broad themes:

1. Biomedical Research;
2. Clinical Research;
3. Health Services Research;
4. Social, Cultural, Environmental and Population Health Research.

These areas of research are not mutually exclusive; therefore the definitions are intended as guides and not as descriptions of eligible areas of research.

1-B New Applications

(Return to the General Index)

Nominated Principal Applicants may submit new applications to CIHR Funding Opportunities.

1-C Renewal Applications

(Return to the General Index)

If the CIHR grant or award is renewable, a Nominated Principal Applicant may renew it within the timeline specified on the Authorization for Funding for the same funding opportunity. To do so, they must submit a renewal application prior to the funding expiry date of the currently-held CIHR grant/award so that, if successful, the CIHR grantee/awardee will experience no interruption in funding.

The deadline date to submit a renewal application appears on the Authorization for Funding.

1-C1 Submitting an Early Renewal Application

(Return to the General Index)

If, for any reason (e.g., need for additional funds for the project) a grantee/awardee submits a renewal application to a standing competition (e.g., the Open Operating Grants Program) prior to the scheduled renewal date, and is successful, the funding for the currently-held grant/award will be cancelled as of the effective date of funding for the new competition. Funds approved for the early renewal application will begin on the effective date of funding for that competition.

A grantee/awardee that submits an early renewal application and is unsuccessful will have the currently-held grant/award terminated on the day prior to the published funding start date for the competition in which the application was unsuccessful. The investigator may resubmit the same or very similar application to a subsequent competition; however, it will be considered a new application.

1-C2 Requests to Postpone the Renewal Date

(Return to the General Index)

The renewal date may be postponed under exceptional circumstances, but the request for postponement must be made prior to the renewal date. Grantees/awardees must submit the request for postponement to CIHR for assessment.

1-C3 Submitting a Late Application for Renewal

(Return to the General Index)

If an application to renew a previously funded project is submitted after the renewal deadline date, it will be considered a new application.

1-C4 Evaluation of New vs. Renewal Applications

(Return to the General Index)

Applications are reviewed in accordance with the reviewers' guide pertaining to each funding opportunity.

1-D Eligibility Requirements

1-D1 Individual Eligibility Requirements

(Return to the General Index)

Applicants must consent to the public disclosure of personal information in cases of a serious breach of Agency policy and respect the following general eligibility requirements.

1-D1.1 Nominated Principal Applicant

(Return to the General Index)

Individuals applying as Nominated Principal Applicant must meet CIHR's definition of a Nominated Principal Applicant.

CIHR defines a Nominated Principal Applicant as an individual who will:

• be responsible for the direction of the proposed activities; and
• assume the administrative and financial responsibility for the grant or award; and
• receive all related correspondence from CIHR.

As per government policy, federal government employees are not eligible to apply for grant funding in the role of Nominated Principal Applicant.

Additional specific eligibility requirements, if any, will be in the eligibility section of the funding opportunity description. In most cases, this will include a requirement to meet one of the following types of CIHR applicants:

• an independent researcher; or
• a knowledge user (Note: This role is frequently referred to as Principal Knowledge User on ResearchNet); or
• a trainee; or
• a supervisor.

Individuals who do not qualify as Nominated Principal Applicant at the time of application, but who expect to be so qualified by the beginning of the funding period, may apply* ^{see Note below}. If the application is successful, funds will be released to the Institution Paid once the applicant's status is confirmed.

A Nominated Principal Applicant living abroad (trainees excluded) must have their substantive role in Canada for the duration of the grant. Substantive role generally refers to the individual’s primary place of employment or primary appointment.

*Note: Independent researchers must provide a letter at the time of application, signed by the responsible official of the Institution Paid, stating the institution's commitment to confer eligible status on the researcher and the expected start date of the academic or research appointment which must be no later than the announced funding start date of the competition.

1-D1.2 Principal Applicant (Grant Programs only)

(Return to the General Index)

Individuals applying as Principal Applicant must meet CIHR's definition of a Principal Applicant.

CIHR defines a Principal Applicant as an individual who shares responsibility for the direction of the proposed activities.

Individuals who do not qualify as Principal Applicant at the time of application, but who expect to be so qualified by the beginning of the funding period, may be a Principal Applicant on the application.

Additional specific eligibility requirements, if any, will be in the "eligibility" section of the funding opportunity description. In most cases, this will include a requirement to meet one of the following types of CIHR applicants:

• an independent researcher; or
• a knowledge user.

1-D1.3 Co-Applicant (Grant Programs only)

(Return to the General Index)

CIHR defines a Co-Applicant as an individual who contributes to the proposed activities.

Additional specific eligibility requirements, if any, will be in the "eligibility" section of the funding opportunity description. These may include:

• an independent researcher; or
• a knowledge user; or
• a trainee.

1-D1.4 Collaborator (Grant and Salary Programs only)

(Return to the General Index)

CIHR defines a Collaborator as an individual whose role in the proposed activities is to provide a specific service (e.g., access to equipment, provision of specific reagents, training in a specialized technique, statistical analysis, access to a patient population, etc.).

1-D2 Institutional Eligibility Requirements

(Return to the General Index)

CIHR carries out its mandate by funding health research and research training in universities, health care institutions (mainly teaching hospitals), voluntary health sector organizations and research institutes. CIHR does not operate laboratories of its own. CIHR will therefore allow as many qualified health researchers in the country as possible to compete for its grants and awards and will accept applications from Nominated Principal Applicants from various communities and sectors affiliated with the following institutions and organizations:

1. Canadian post-secondary institutions and their affiliated institutions including hospitals and research institutes; or
2. Canadian non-governmental, not-for-profit organizations (including community or charitable organizations) with an explicit health research or knowledge translation mandate; or
3. Canadian non-federal government departments or agencies, including regional health authorities, when specific programs of those departments or agencies do not fund the activity that forms the subject matter of the grant; or
4. Other organizations, as determined by CIHR's Governing Council, on the condition that the research or research-related activity falls within the mandate of CIHR.

The Institution Paid must fall under one of the four categories outlined above.

Other Information:
Researchers planning to submit an application to CIHR should determine if their institution or organization is eligible to administer CIHR funds. If their institution is not listed as a CIHR eligible institution, the researcher should request that the responsible official at their institution consult the Institutional Eligibility to Administer CIHR Grant and Award Funds document.

1-D2.1 Affiliated Institutions

(Return to the General Index)

Common Grant and Award Accounts may also be held by institutions affiliated with a university provided that the affiliated institution meets the same requirements referred to above, and such Agency (CIHR)-institution eligibility status does not breach any existing affiliation agreements with the university.

Affiliated institutions who have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Roles and Responsibilities in the Management of Federal Grants and Awards with CIHR are considered an eligible institution in their own right. They must sign applications submitted by all Nominated Principal Applicants at their institution as identified in the Required Signatures on Applications for the Appropriate Authorized Official at the Institution Paid and the Meaning of Signatures on Applications for the Appropriate Authorized Official at the Institution Paid sections. This will allow the affiliate institution to administer the funds.

1-D3 Partner Eligibility Requirements (Partnered Programs only)

(Return to the General Index)

CIHR establishes relationships with organizations which often result in partnered funding opportunities. If you have connections with an organization that is interested in partnering with CIHR, find out How to Partner with CIHR.

See also Partner Payments and Eligibility of Partner Contributions.

1-D3.1 Eligible Companies (Industry-Partnered Programs only)

(Return to the General Index)

An Eligible Company:

• is federally or provincially incorporated in Canada; and
  • Exceptions will only be considered upon receipt of documentation that a researcher has been unable to develop a collaboration with a suitable federally or provincially incorporated company in Canada.
• has a board of directors composed of external members, the majority of whose members, including the chair of the board, are at arm's length from the individual and the company; and
• is under the effective day-to-day management control of someone other than the Nominated Principal Applicant or any person in conflict of interest (according to the conflict-of-interest policies of the individual's institution or of the company, whichever are strictest); and
• employs its own staff, apart from personnel of the researcher's laboratory; and
• demonstrates adequate resources to meet its commitment to a program; and
• has a demonstrable ability to apply the results of research and development itself or through agreements with other companies having the capacity to produce and market products and processes.

A company may not be proposed as the industry partner for a research grant, salary or trainee award application if the company is the individual's (Nominated Principal Applicant, Principal Applicant, Co-applicant, or Proposed Supervisor) sole proprietorship (or own consulting company, or a company in which his or her financial interest holdings are greater than 5 per cent). Situations, where the individual is a part owner (less than 5 per cent) of, or is affiliated with, the company proposed as the Industry partner, are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

1-D3.2 Non Exclusivity

(Return to the General Index)

Effective and innovative health research requires CIHR to remain open to all new partnership opportunities.

CIHR will not agree to work exclusively with any partner, nor will it endorse a single product, service or organization or offer exclusive benefits to any products, services or organizations.

1-E Application Limits (Grant & Training Award Programs)

(Return to the General Index)

Once an application has been submitted to CIHR, it is immediately considered to be under review, regardless of the application stage. The Nominated Principal Applicant must wait until after they are notified of the decision for the first application before they can submit the same (or a very similar) application to CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC. A request for funding through CIHR's Priority Announcements is not considered to be a duplicate application submission.

In cases where Nominated Principal Applicants submit the same (or very similar) application to one or more CIHR funding opportunity with overlapping review period, CIHR will automatically withdraw the second application.

Nominated Principal Applicants must not submit the same (or a similar) application in response to more than one:

• CIHR funding opportunity, with overlapping review periods, including those CIHR contributes funds to but are managed by another organization. Exception: Recipients of CIHR grant(s) may apply for a CIHR salary award such as an investigator award, or salary support from within a CIHR program that explicitly allows for salary support of investigators (e.g., within a New Emerging Team);
• Agency (NSERC & SSHRC) funding opportunity with application review periods overlapping that of CIHR's.

Nominated Principal Applicants may submit applications in response to funding opportunities with overlapping application review periods for:

• the same project, from federal departments, federal agencies other than NSERC and SSHRC and non-federal organizations who are not partnering with CIHR;
• different projects, from federal departments, federal agencies and non-federal organizations;
• renewal of funding (i.e., renewal applications), from CIHR, for existing CIHR grants (Grant Programs only).

See also Other Funding Sources.

1-F Required Signatures on Applications

1-F1 Applications Submitted Electronically Through ResearchNet

(Return to the General Index)

1-F1.1 Nominated Principal Applicant

(Return to the General Index)

• Electronically submitting a registration, a letter of intent or an application via ResearchNet constitutes a signature from the Nominated Principal Applicant;
• No other individual can submit on behalf of the Nominated Principal Applicant;
• Prior to submitting their application, researchers must determine if their institution or organization is eligible to administer CIHR funds. If their institution or organization is not listed as a CIHR eligible institution, the researcher should request that the responsible official at their institution consult the Institutional Eligibility to Administer CIHR Grant and Award Funds document. CIHR funds will only be released to institutions or organizations that are eligible to administer CIHR funds.

See also Meaning of Signatures on Applications for Nominated Principal Applicant, Other Applicants and Project Participants.

1-F1.2 Other Applicants and Project Participants

(Return to the General Index)

• CIHR requires the original or copied signature of other participants (i.e., other Principal Applicants, Co-Applicants, Knowledge Users, Supervisors, etc.);
• No other individual can sign on behalf of other project participants.

See also Meaning of Signatures on Applications for Nominated Principal Applicant, Other Applicants and Project Participants.

1-F1.3 Appropriate Authorized Official at the Institution Paid

(Return to the General Index)

• CIHR requires an (1) original or copied signature from the appropriate authorized official on behalf of the institution on all applications which can result in funding (i.e. (full) applications and letters of intent with development funds/grants). Electronic approval of applications (using the Electronic Approval Tool) on ResearchNet constitutes a signature from the appropriate authorized official on behalf of the institution;
• Signature pages may show titles of institutional authorities. Regardless of which roles are shown on the signature pages, CIHR requires only one signature from the appropriate authorized official at the Institution Paid unless the appropriate authorized official at the Institution Paid is not able to abide to all obligations outlined in the Meaning of Signatures on Applications for the Appropriate Authorized Official at the Institution Paid;
• Printed names should accompany signatures.

See also Meaning of Signatures on Applications for the Appropriate Authorized Official at the Institution Paid.

1-F1.4 Appropriate Authorized Official at the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research) (Training Award Programs only)

(Return to the General Index)

• CIHR requires an (1) original or copied signature from the appropriate authorized official on behalf of the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research). Electronic approval of applications (using the Electronic Approval Tool) on ResearchNet constitutes a signature from the appropriate authorized official on behalf of the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research);
• Signature pages may show titles of institutional authorities. Regardless of which roles are shown on the signature pages, CIHR requires only one signature from the appropriate authorized official at the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research) unless the appropriate authorized official at the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research) is not able to abide to all obligations outlined in the Meaning of Signatures on Applications for the Appropriate Authorized Official at the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research);
• Printed names should accompany signatures.

See also Meaning of Signatures on Applications for the Appropriate Authorized Official at the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research) (Training Award Programs only).

1-F1.5 Funding Partner(s)

(Return to the General Index)

CIHR requires the original or copied signature from the appropriate authorized official who has the ability to bind the funding partner (e.g., company or other organization) to the cash and/or in-kind contribution to the grant, salary or training award.

1-F2 Applications Not Submitted Electronically Through ResearchNet

(Return to the General Index)

The following rules apply only for applications not submitted electronically through ResearchNet.

1-F2.1 Nominated Principal Applicant

(Return to the General Index)

• CIHR requires the original or copied signature of the Nominated Principal Applicant;
• No other individual can sign or submit on behalf of the Nominated Principal Applicant;
• Prior to submitting their application, researchers must determine if their institution or organization is eligible to administer CIHR funds. If their institution or organization is not listed as a CIHR eligible institution, the researcher should request that the responsible official at their institution consult the Institutional Eligibility to Administer CIHR Grant and Award Funds document. CIHR funds will only be released to institutions or organizations that are eligible to administer CIHR funds.

See also Meaning of Signatures on Applications for Nominated Principal Applicant, Other Applicants and Project Participants.

1-F2.2 Other Applicants and Project Participants

(Return to the General Index)

• CIHR requires the original or copied signature of other participants (i.e., other Principal Applicants, Co-Applicants, Knowledge Users, Supervisors, etc.);
• No other individual can sign on behalf of other project participants.

See also Meaning of Signatures on Applications for Nominated Principal Applicant, Other Applicants and Project Participants.

1-F2.3 Appropriate Authorized Official at the Institution Paid

(Return to the General Index)

• CIHR requires an (1) original or copied signature from the appropriate authorized official on behalf of the institution;
• If the appropriate authorized official at the Institution Paid is not able to abide to all obligations outlined in the Meaning of Signatures on Applications for the Appropriate Authorized Official at the Institution Paid, the other appropriate authorized official(s) are required to sign;
• The appropriate authorized official(s) at the Institution Paid may only sign the application after the Nominated Principal Applicant has signed the application;
• Signature pages may show titles of institutional authorities. Regardless of which roles are shown on the signature pages, CIHR requires only one signature from the appropriate authorized official at the Institution Paid unless the appropriate authorized official at the Institution Paid is not able to abide to all obligations outlined in the Meaning of Signatures on Applications for the Appropriate Authorized Official at the Institution Paid;
• Printed names should accompany signatures.

See also Meaning of Signatures on Applications for the Appropriate Authorized Official at the Institution Paid.

1-F2.4 Appropriate Authorized Official at the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research) (Training Award Programs only)

(Return to the General Index)

• CIHR requires an (1) original or copied signature from the appropriate authorized official on behalf of the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research);
• If the appropriate authorized official at the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research) is not able to abide by all obligations outlined in the Meaning of Signatures on Applications for the Appropriate Authorized Official at the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research), the other appropriate authorized official(s) are required to sign;
• The appropriate authorized official(s) at the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research) may only sign the application after the Nominated Principal Applicant has signed the application;
• Signature pages may show titles of institutional authorities. Regardless of which roles are shown on the signature pages, CIHR requires only one signature from the appropriate authorized official at the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research) unless the appropriate authorized official at the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research) is not able to abide to all obligations outlined in the Meaning of Signatures on Applications for the Appropriate Authorized Official at the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research);
• Printed names should accompany signatures.

See also Meaning of Signatures on Applications for the Appropriate Authorized Official at the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research) (Training Award Programs only).

1-F2.5 Funding Partner(s)

(Return to the General Index)

CIHR requires the original or copied signature from the appropriate authorized official who has the ability to bind the funding partner (e.g., company or other organization) to the cash and/or in-kind contribution to the grant, salary or training award.

1-F3 Application Content

(Return to the General Index)

CIHR staff verifies that applications received are complete; however, CIHR is not responsible for completeness. The content of the application is not verified for quality prior to relevance, merit or peer review.

1-G Meaning of Signatures on Applications

1-G1 Nominated Principal Applicant, Other Applicants and Project Participants

(Return to the General Index)

By his or her signature, the Nominated Principal Applicant, all other applicants and project participants:

1. Confirms his or her identity;
2. Warrants that the information provided in the application is accurate and consistent with his or her institution's policies to the best of their knowledge. The provision of false or inaccurate information may result in rejection of the application or other remedial action;
3. Agrees to assume responsibility for the legal and ethical conduct of the research, for the integrity of the research activities and reported data, and for communicating the results of the research recognizing the contributions of other persons working on the project;
4. In the case of a serious breach of Agency policy, agrees that the Agency may publicly disclose his or her name, the nature of the breach, the institution where he or she was employed at the time of the breach and the institution where he or she is currently employed;
5. Warrants that he/she has not submitted an identical or similar application in response to one or more Agency program (CIHR, NSERC & SSHRC) with overlapping application review periods;
6. Agrees that, if the application is successful, he/she will comply fully with the policies and guidelines in the conduct of their research;
7. Warrants that the research and commercial activities in the application conform to his or her institution's policies relating to the disclosure of commercial interest and conflict of interest;
8. Agrees to inform CIHR and institution officials of any change in eligibility status or in the nature of the research that may have an impact on certification or approvals for research involving humans, animals, human pluripotent stem cells, biohazards, or environmental assessments, financial reporting and other related policies;
9. Agrees to meet the reporting requirements specific to the funding opportunity;
10. In the case of an application for a clinical trial, agrees to inform CIHR of any notification of inspection or investigation by Health Canada and to forward a copy of the ensuing report to CIHR immediately upon receipt;
11. Agrees to the following additional condition(s) of funding;
    • If he/she decides to pursue commercialization of any results of the research funded in response to this application, he or she must disclose to his or her institution any potential intellectual property arising from the research;
    • Subject to the intellectual property policy of their institutions, he or she will endeavour to obtain the greatest possible economic benefit to Canada from any commercial activity resulting from research findings.
12. Warrants that he/she has not been barred from applying to NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR or any other research funding organization for reasons of breach of standards of ethics or integrity such as financial or scientific misconduct); and
13. Agrees to contribute to the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR's programs, policies and processes by participating in evaluation studies, surveys, workshops, audits and providing data or reports as required for the purpose of collecting information to assess progress and results.

See also Required Signatures on Applications for Nominated Principal Applicant and Other Applicants and Project Participants.

If using the electronic approval process, see also the CIHR Policy on the Institutional Electronic Approval of Applications.

1-G2 Appropriate Authorized Official at the Institution Paid

(Return to the General Index)

By his or her signature, an official of an institution that will administer funds ("Institution Paid") in accordance with the requirements of CIHR as set out at institution paid, confirms that:

1. He or she is authorized to bind the institution;
2. The Nominated Principal Applicant meets or will meet the eligibility requirements at the time of the announced funding start date of the competition;
3. The institution agrees with the content of the application and will provide the committed resources;
4. The information provided in the application meets all requirements and is consistent with institutional policies;
5. The Nominated Principal Applicant has not submitted an identical or a very similar proposal in response to one or more Agency (CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC) program with overlapping application review periods;
6. The institution will ensure that any research carried out with funds from CIHR complies fully with the policies and guidelines in the conduct of research;
7. The institution will provide grant-holders with the necessary time to do their research;
8. The Nominated Principal Applicant's research and knowledge translation activities conform to the institution's policies relating to intellectual property and conflict of interest;
9. The institution agrees to the public release of a summary of the grant or award and to the publication of the organization's name as a supporter of the initiative;
10. The institution has policies and procedures in place to ensure that the academic interests of students and postdoctoral fellows are managed in the best interest of the trainee (the academic institution attests to this in signing the application);
11. The institution has adequate safeguards in place to protect sensitive information entrusted to it by CIHR for the purpose of administering applications and resulting grants and awards; and
12. Subject to its intellectual property policy, the institution will endeavour to obtain the greatest possible economic benefit to Canada, with a similar aim to improve the health of Canadians, from any commercial activity resulting from research findings.

See also Required Signatures on Applications for the Appropriate Authorized Official at the Institution Paid.

If using the electronic approval process, see also the CIHR Policy on the Institutional Electronic Approval of Applications.

1-G3 Appropriate Authorized Official at the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research) (Training Award Programs only)

(Return to the General Index)

In accordance with CIHR's requirements for a Research Institution (Primary Location of Research), an official at the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research) confirms by his or her signature that:

1. He or she is authorized to bind the institution or organization;
2. The institution or organization acknowledges that they are aware that the Nominated Principal Applicant is coming to their institution for training;
3. The Nominated Principal Applicant meets or will meet the eligibility requirements at the time of the announced funding start date of the competition;
4. The institution or organization agrees with the content of the application and will commit the resources needed for the candidate to conduct the project (lab space, etc.);
5. The information provided in the application meets all requirements and is consistent with institutional policies;
6. The institution will provide training award recipients with the necessary time to conduct their research;
7. The institution or organization agrees to the public release of a summary of the approved/funded training award and to the publication of the institution or organization's name as a supporter of the initiative;
8. The institution has policies and procedures in place to ensure that the academic interests of students and postdoctoral fellows are managed in the best interest of the trainee (the academic institution attests to this in signing the application);
9. The institution has adequate safeguards in place to protect sensitive information entrusted to it by CIHR for the purpose of administering applications and resulting training awards.

See also Required Signatures on Applications for the Appropriate Authorized Official at the Research Institution (Primary Location of Research) (Training Award Programs only).

1-H Requests for Extensions to Application Deadline Dates

(Return to the General Index)

Extensions to the deadline dates indicated in the funding opportunity will only be considered in the following cases:

• documented CIHR system problems (e.g., ResearchNet, Common CV and CIHR Web Forms);
• extenuating circumstances outside of the Nominated Principal Applicant's control (e.g., death in the Nominated Principal Applicant's immediate family, weather conditions leading to university closures, jury duty);
• religious holidays (2 business days only).

To request an extension, the Nominated Principal Applicant must submit a written request to CIHR for consideration, prior to the deadline date.

1-I Communication of Competition Results

1-I1 Responsibilities of the Agency

(Return to the General Index)

CIHR's accountability regarding the use of funds includes informing the public about:

• who receives the support;
• the type of research that will be conducted; and
• how funds will be administered.

For information on how CIHR will communicate competition results, consult the Communication of Competition Results and Acknowledgement subsections in the Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC & SSHRC) Financial Administration Guide.

In addition, CIHR will:

• communicate the competition results to the Dean or Research Director who will receive a copy of the offer of award (Salary Award Programs only) and the Primary Supervisor (Training Award Programs only);
• mail the original Authorization for Funding (AFF) to the Nominated Principal Applicant;
• mail a copy of the AFF to the business officer of the Institution Paid.

The AFF states:

• the name of the recipient;
• the type of funding (i.e., grants or award, operating or equipment funds, etc.);
• the effective date of funding;
• the amount of the grant, salary or stipend (Training Award Programs only), including fringe benefits (Salary Award Programs only), and research allowance (Salary Award & Training Award Programs only, if applicable) in each fiscal year for the duration of the grant or award.

1-I2 Responsibilities of the Institution

(Return to the General Index)

For the institution's responsibilities regarding the communication of competition results, consult:

• the Public Communication section of the Agreement on the Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions; and
• the guidelines titled "Communicating the Value of Health Research: CIHR's Guidelines on Public Communication"
  [ HTML | PDF (345 KB) ]

1-J Time Frame for Accepting an Offer (Salary Award & Training Award programs only)

(Return to the General Index)

Successful Nominated Principal Applicants must notify CIHR that they are accepting the offer within fifteen (15) business days following the communication of competition results or the award will be cancelled.

1-K Insurance

1-K1 Nominated Principal Applicants (Training Award Programs only)

(Return to the General Index)

CIHR will not assume any obligation toward a training award recipient or their dependents in the event of accident or illness.

CIHR recommends that training award recipients avail themselves of any medical insurance offered at the institution of tenure. The personnel office there can provide the necessary information. CIHR strongly encourages all award recipients to contact their provincial health insurance agency to verify coverage policies for extended periods abroad.

1-K2 Institution Paid

(Return to the General Index)

Institutions holding funds are strongly advised to have in place liability insurance that protects them and their researchers from actions arising as a consequence of the research activity.

Date modified:

2019-01-07