CIHR - Institute of Infection and Immunity (III) - Spring 2024 New Investigator Forum Travel

Summary/Relevance

  • The CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity (CIHR-III) and the CIHR HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections (STBBI) Research Initiative are partnering to provide funding for early career researchers, as well as late-stage trainees who are actively pursuing an academic career in the areas of infection and immunity to attend the 2024 CIHR-III New Investigator Forum (NIF), held from April 2-4, 2024, in King City, Ontario.
  • CIHR-III is committed to supporting the next generation of infection and immunity researchers in Canada to achieve the highest possible level of scientific excellence. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by early career researchers, CIHR-III will host a NIF in Spring 2024. In a retreat-like setting, the NIF will promote training, knowledge sharing and networking between researchers who are in the early stages of their career, established academics, CIHR subject matter experts and other infection and immunity community members.
  • The objective of the NIF is to provide practical information and learning opportunities to promote the professional development of early career researchers, as well as late-stage postdoctoral fellows or research associates, whose research is relevant to III’s mandate. Within an interdisciplinary environment, participants will be provided with opportunities to discuss strategies for addressing research career challenges, optimize their ability to the leverage their research results, familiarize themselves with the Canadian funding landscape and develop a range of skills required to establish and maintain a successful research career.
  • Application to a 2024 Travel Award competition is mandatory in order to be eligible to participate in the NIF.
  • Applications for travel support need to be submitted on or before 5 pm EST on February 2, 2024 by email to III-IMII@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

Funds Available

  • The maximum amount awarded for a single award is $3,000.
  • Twenty-five (25) awards will be available for early career researchers and late-stage post-doctoral fellows or research associates (up to a maximum of 10 awards for post-doctoral fellows and research associates) whose research is related to infection and immunity.
  • Seven (7) awards will be available for early career researchers and late-stage postdoctoral fellows or research associates whose research has a primary focus on HIV/AIDS and STBBI.
  • Priority will be given to early career researchers.

Specific Requirements

  • Application is open to early career researchers, as well as late-stage post-doctoral fellows and research associates who have a minimum of 3 years of postdoctoral experience
  • A letter of support (sponsor assessment) must be provided to confirm the applicant’s eligibility - the requirements are listed in the Identify Sponsor, in the How to Apply Section (see below).
  • Priority will be given to applicants who have not previously attended a NIF hosted by CIHR-III.
  • Eligible candidates from all CIHR themes (biomedical; clinical; health systems; social, cultural, environmental and population health) in the various areas of infection and immunity are encouraged to apply.
  • Applications in the area of HIV/AIDS and STBBI must clearly state how their research is of relevance to HIV/AIDS and/or other STBBI including, but not limited to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and human papilloma virus.

Guidelines

General CIHR Policies

Before submitting an application to this funding opportunity, applicants should review the relevant policies and guidelines on the CIHR Funding Policies page to ensure understanding of their responsibilities and expectations.

Allowable Costs

Applicants are advised to consult the Use of Grant Funds section of the Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC) Guide on Financial Administration (TAGFA) to determine if an expenditure is an appropriate use of grant funds.

To further clarify, the following expenses are examples of appropriate uses of grant funds, provided they satisfy the principles and pertinent directives of the TAGFA:

  • Travel and accommodation for participant (all travel will be by the lowest economy fare)
  • Per diem for meals (when not already provided with the conference; applicants must use their home institution’s per diem rates)
  • Conference registration fees
  • Printing costs (e.g. posters)
  • Disability accommodation and dependent care costs directly attributable to the NPA's participation at the conference, provided the expense is not already provided by the administering institution.

Use of Personal Information

Personal information submitted during the application process, including but not limited to information provided through applicant CVs, the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Self-identification Questionnaire and other application documents required by this FO, will be made available to CIHR personnel for the purposes of future program design and delivery, results measurement and reporting. For further information about the EDI self-identification questionnaire and the use of personal information, see the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Self-identification Questionnaire Frequently Asked Questions.

Conditions of Funding

  • The applicant must consent to the use and disclosure of full application and nominative information at the time of application, for purposes of relevance review and/or funding decisions by CIHR-III.
  • The applicant must register for and participate in the NIF to receive the funding.
  • An applicant cannot change or substitute the conference described in this application after the application has been submitted. Funds cannot be used to present at another conference.

Review Process and Evaluation

Relevance Review Process
The CIHR-III will perform a relevance review using the Abstract submitted in the applicant’s Proposal. Applications that are not deemed to be relevant will be withdrawn from the competition.

Review Process
Awards will be distributed through a randomization process. Should funding levels increase following the Notice of Decision (NOD), additional awards will be funded in rank order using the CIHR generated randomized rank.

Funding Decision
CIHR-III will be using a randomization approach to fund relevant applications. This means that all eligible applications have an equal opportunity within their pool to receive a grant. Using a randomization process can also reduce bias in the selection process and potentially increase diversity in funded applications. Applications that meet the eligibility and relevance criteria will be entered into the selection process whereby a random order of eligible applications will be generated, and funding will be offered up to the limit of the available funds. The successfully funded applicants will be contacted by CIHR-III directly.

How to Apply

Please see the PDF application form here: Expression of Interest Form

  1. Identify Participant
    • A single applicant must be identified as the Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA). Consult the Eligibility section and ensure that all requirements are met.
      • The NPA is required to submit a CIHR Biosketch CV.
      • The NPA must attach one document showing proof of Canadian citizenship, Canadian permanent residency or temporary residency (proof of authorization to study or work in Canada) in PDF format:
        • Certificate of Canadian Citizenship;
        • Canadian Birth Certificate / copy of an act issued by the proper provincial/territorial government authority;
        • Current Canadian Passport;
        • Canadian Permanent Resident Card;
        • Immigrant Visa and Record of Landing;
        • Confirmation of Permanent Residence;
        • Current Canadian Certificate of Indian Status (status card);
        • Canadian Study or Work Permit;
          • For foreign applicants, awards will only begin after proof of an entry visa into Canada has been provided.
  2. Identify Sponsor
    • This task is mandatory for all applicants.
    • Sponsor assessment refers to the letter of support from your supervisor or someone from your institution.
    • Only one (1) sponsor assessment must be completed and submitted. The assessment is to confirm the status of trainees and early career researchers as follows:
      • For trainees: The sponsor assessment must be completed by your supervisor or someone from your institution. This individual must:
        • Confirm your status as a post-doctoral fellow or a research associate at a recognized academic institution, with a minimum of 3 years of post-doctoral experience; and
        • Demonstrate that you are actively pursuing an academic career as an independent investigator in the area of infection and immunity.
      • For early career researchers: the sponsor assessment must be completed by a representative from your institution. This individual must confirm the date of your first faculty appointment.
    • The assessment form must be completed and submitted prior to the Assessment Required Deadline Date and be written in English or French.
    • It is the applicant's responsibility to follow up with the sponsor to ensure the assessment is submitted prior to the deadline date and therefore ensure the application’s completeness.
  3. Proposal Information
    • This task collects general information related to your research area. At the NIF, participants will present their research in an informal setting as a networking opportunity.
    • Overview:
      • Title: Provide the title of your research abstract to be presented
      • Abstract: Describe your project/research in a way that is accessible to a varied scientific audience.
    • Details:

Contact information

For all inquiries please contact:

CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity
Email: III-IMII@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

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