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Grants and Awards

Interdisciplinary Team Grants Program

Table of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. Background and Objectives
  3. Eligibility
  4. Allowable Costs
  5. How to Apply: Important Dates
  6. Review Process and Evaluation Criteria
  7. Terms and Conditions of Funding
  8. Communication Requirements
  9. Monitoring, Performance Measurement and Evaluation
  10. Contact Information

  1. Summary

    The Interdisciplinary Team Grants (ITG) Program provides opportunities for high-quality, internationally recognized teams of investigators to complete research initiatives with defined health outcomes. Funds available in this competition are to support collaborative, interdisciplinary and multi-institutional teams that address important research questions, health problems or issues in defined areas of research that are aligned with strategic research priorities AIHS and Alberta.

    The Program will provide up to $1 million per year per team for up to five years. The full $1 million does not have to be requested for each year nor does the full $5 million have to be requested over the term of the grant. Anticipated expenditures can exceed $1 million in a given year but the total over the term of the grant cannot exceed $5 million. Proposals which are for less than 5 years in duration are also acceptable, but should have their funding request prorated accordingly.

    The total number of teams supported will depend on the amount of funding provided to each; two to five teams are likely to be funded in this competition.

    For grants of five years duration, the final two years of funding are subject to a satisfactory progress review in the third year. Interdisciplinary Teams may apply for renewal on a competitive basis for a second five-year term. The continuation of the ITG Program beyond the first term will be at the discretion of AIHS and will be dependent on such factors as the availability of funds, the evaluation of the program over its first few years and other strategic priorities that may arise.

    There is a two-step application process: a letter of intent followed by a full application. Both stages will be peer reviewed with only a limited number of the letters of intent being selected to progress to the full application phase.

    This is the second interdisciplinary team grant competition offered by AIHS. A third competition is not anticipated at the present time. Any subsequent competitions will be pending the early evaluation of the Teams funded in the first two competitions, the strategic priorities of AIHS, and the availability of funds. AIHS acknowledges and thanks Alberta Health and Wellness for the grant to help support this program.

  2. Background and Objectives

    Early on in its history, AIHS chose to invest in individual investigators as its main strategy for supporting health research in Alberta, Funding programs with specific objectives were developed to support this strategy and have been in place ever since. AIHS continues to offer a broad portfolio of opportunities available on a competitive basis to individual investigators and investigators-in-training.

    As part of its current strategic direction, the AIHS Board confirmed that it will continue to use the strategy of supporting individual investigators and investigators-in-training as the cornerstone of its investment in the Alberta health research enterprise. However, in addition to this approach, the Board will also target some of AIHS’ new resources to the support of strategic investments in collaborative and interdisciplinary research grants. This initiative recognizes that there is a tremendous research capacity in Alberta, built in part with the participation of AIHS in the support of individual scientists. Therefore, the opportunity is there to help better coordinate and support research which would build on that capacity to address important and complex health research issues.

    The overarching purpose of this initiative is to catalyze existing provincial strengths in a given area into a position of international stature or to build capacity and strength in a nascent area deemed to be of particular importance in Alberta and/or where there is a specific opportunity for impact within a reasonable period of time. All of this is to be accomplished within the overall context of working within an interdisciplinary team.

    Specific objectives of the Interdisciplinary Team Grant Program are:

    1. To support the production of high-quality research that addresses important and complex health issues and which requires a collaborative team approach;
    2. To support interdisciplinary and multi-institutional teams of talented researchers;
    3. To provide superior interdisciplinary research training and mentorship;
    4. To engage end-users in the production and translation of research findings to improve the health of Albertans and/or the health care system.

    The program emphasis is on the production of new knowledge, and the translation and transfer of research findings to appropriate end-users for impact on the health of Albertans and/or the health care system. It is expected that questions/issues to be addressed will be complex, and that results will be achieved more rapidly and more efficiently through an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach, rather than if the investigators were to be funded as a series of separate, non-collaborative operating grants. In particular, an Interdisciplinary Team must hold the potential of leading to new research approaches to improving human health, including not only new methodological or technological approaches, but new intellectual frameworks and perspectives from which to consider the problem.

    Proposals that represent active and meaningful partnerships between research teams based in institutions (including universities, hospitals, and affiliated research institutions) and practice-, policy-, private sector- or community-based end user groups are particularly encouraged. The guiding principle for such participation is that the end-user groups are active, influential and on-going participants in the proposed research, training, mentoring and knowledge translation activities, and that their roles have been formally agreed upon in the spirit of ensuring equity and mutual benefits from the partnership. It is expected that the end-user partners may contribute in a number of areas which include but are not limited to:

    • Formulating the research agenda(s);
    • Providing input into the development of research and training projects;
    • Synthesizing and disseminating the research findings (if appropriate);
    • Applying the research findings to inform policies, programs and/or practices;
    • Funding a portion of the knowledge exchange/translation activities;
    • In some cases, helping to conduct the research.

    The unifying element underlying all successful Interdisciplinary Teams will be a commitment to excellence and the pursuit of a problem-based, collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to important and complex health research questions, issues or problems.

    AIHS acknowledges and thanks Alberta Health and Wellness for their grant that helps to support the ITG Program.

  3. Eligibility

    Each eligible Interdisciplinary Team Grant application will include:

    • Team Leader(s): The Team Leader(s) must be an established researcher with proven leadership skills and experience who will act as research program director(s) and who will assume administrative responsibility for the grant. It is expected that the Team Leader(s) will devote a significant and appropriate portion of her/his time to these tasks. At least one of the Team Leader(s) will have their primary academic appointment at an Alberta-based university.
    • At least two additional independent investigators with established research track records. Teams with a nucleus of experienced investigators are encouraged to include promising new investigators as part of their group.
    • Team members who collectively have an extensive record of success, are creative and original in their approach to research and its translation, and who have experience working in research teams. The specific contribution of each team member and end-user partner, where applicable, must be described.
    • Representation from more than one research discipline and from more than one "research pillar" (i.e. biomedical; clinical science; health systems and services; and the social, cultural and other factors that affect the health of populations.)
    • Representation from more than one Alberta-based university. Multi-institutional collaboration is strongly encouraged in this Program.

    In addition, the following special conditions apply:

    • The members of the Team may pursue other research in addition to their commitment to the Interdisciplinary Team Grant. However, each individual investigator must contribute sufficient time to the Team Grant research program to ensure the achievement of its research and translational objectives.
    • Collaborators from outside of Alberta who make a substantial intellectual contribution to the research program may be listed as team members. Specific and justified requests that AIHS funding be used for work performed outside of Alberta will be considered. However, it is expected that the great majority of the funds will remain in Alberta.

    Finally, the area of research to be pursued via an Interdisciplinary Team Grant must be relevant to one of a number of areas of special interest which have been identified by AIHS in collaboration with other stakeholders in Alberta. These areas are as follows:

    • Maternal, fetal and child health
    • Mental health, mental illness and addictions
    • Health system sustainability
    • Modern lifestyles and health
    • Health issues in rural and remote environments
    • Health, genes and the environment
    • Health and injury
    • Modern techniques and technologies (including IT) and health
    • Health and behaviour: disease prevention
    • Health and infectious diseases
    • Food and health

    The LOI and full application must clearly identify under which of these theme areas the proposed program of research falls and how the proposed research is relevant to the theme. More than one theme can be identified as appropriate. Applicants are asked to make special reference as to how their program of research will be relevant to health issues facing vulnerable populations.

    Potential team leaders are encouraged to contact AIHS if they have any questions regarding the potential eligibility of their research program with respect to its relevance to one of the above areas.

  4. Allowable Costs

    Up to $1 million per year per team is available for up to five years for a maximum total support of $5 million. The full $1 million does not have to be requested for each year nor does the full $5 million have to be requested over the term of the grant. Anticipated expenditures can exceed $1 million in a given year but the total over the term of the grant cannot exceed $5 million. Proposals which are for less than 5 years in duration are acceptable, but should have their funding request prorated accordingly. A detailed budget and implementation timeline will be required at the full application stage.

    Funding can be used for a broad range of research-related costs including research infrastructure, research operating costs, core administrative/management costs, scientific support for the team (including the costs associated with the recruitment of new investigators to the team), collaborative/linkage activity and knowledge exchange/translation activity.

    A non-inclusive list of eligible costs and additional considerations is provided below.

    • Research operating costs for the proposed collaborative research program, which must be distinct in their objectives from those for which team members currently receive other sources of funding. Operating costs could include the costs of developing and applying intervention projects as part of the research program.
    • Support for research infrastructure including the purchase of equipment and maintenance contracts for common services and shared/core facilities.
    • The recruitment and support of independent investigators whose role is seen as pivotal to the success of the team.
    • Costs of data collection, database and maintenance of information holdings directly related to the Interdisciplinary Team Grant research program.
    • Costs of regional, national and international networking activities, including collaboration, planning, and knowledge exchange activities. Such activities must be directly related to the Team Grant research program.
    • Salaries of research assistants, coordinators, technicians, administrative staff, and other personnel who will enhance the collaborative research productivity of the Team.
    • Interdisciplinary Team Grants are expected to provide a superior interdisciplinary training environment. Support can be requested for all levels of trainees but the interdisciplinary nature of their training must be emphasized.
    • Release-time payments to enable employees of practice-, policy- or community-based partners to participate in the research program, limited to 50% of salary costs, and an overall maximum of $100,000 per Team per year;
    • A maximum of $25,000 annually for a release time stipend for the Team Leader(s).
    • Salary of professional knowledge exchange/translation coordinators
    • Costs involved in linkage with and dissemination of research findings to those who would use the results, as appropriate for the research program, (including any end-user groups such as other researchers, the public, practitioners, policy makers, community partners, and the private industrial sector).

    Only participants who are trainees or research staff or associates may receive a salary, stipend, or honorarium from an Interdisciplinary Team Grant. The only exception to this rule is for the release-time stipends for the team leader and employees of community partners as described.

    The LOI is expected to contain a broad itemized estimate of the costs for the Team on an annual basis for the duration of the grant. The full application must provide a detailed justification of all costs.

  5. Review Process and Evaluation Criteria

    The LOI's and full applications will be evaluated by a multidisciplinary expert review committee. The committee will include senior investigators with excellent track records of either fostering or conducting interdisciplinary research and/or in leading interdisciplinary research teams. The committee will be broad-based with representation across all four research pillars.

    Interdisciplinary Team Grant applications will be evaluated as a single, integrated entity. While separate research components may be included in the application, it will be critical to demonstrate that the Team Grant brings added value, and is in fact essential, in terms of the approach to the complex research question and relevant health issue to be addressed, and in terms of the expected speed and efficiency with which new knowledge will be generated and translated into improvements in health or in the health care system.

    General criteria for assessing applications are listed below. Because different teams will emphasize different interdisciplinary approaches to research and to knowledge exchange and translation, it is understood that reviewers and committees may weight questions such as these differently from one application to another.

    Significance and Innovation

    • How important is the health issue/question being addressed? Will the anticipated findings be of broad interest and applicability?
    • How original are the hypotheses or the questions to be addressed, and how clearly are they formulated? Does the project challenge existing paradigms? Does it use novel concepts, approaches, methodologies or tools?
    • How well will an Interdisciplinary Team Grant enhance the understanding and accelerate the resolution of the health question, problem or issue identified in the research proposed?
    • How important and original are the contributions expected from the research proposed? What is the potential for important new knowledge or impact on health, health research or the health care system?
    • Which specific end-user group would have a particular interest in the results of the proposed research? How is that end-user group being engaged and targeted for specific knowledge transfer and exchange activities?
    • Is the relevance to the stated research priority area clear?

    Approach

    • How will the proposed research address the hypotheses or research questions?
    • Why have previous discipline-focused approaches not been successful in solving the problem?
    • Does the proposed program of research bring together, in a meaningful collaboration, researchers from different disciplines?
    • Why is the interdisciplinary approach of the Team necessary in addressing these hypotheses or questions?
    • Is more than one research "pillar" represented in a meaningful way in the team members and the proposed research?
    • Where applicable to the type of research proposed, does the proposal take into account the social, cultural and environmental factors surrounding the research problem?
    • Has the relevant literature been appraised and evaluated in a critical fashion?
    • Is the health question, problem or issue approached through an original, cohesive/integrated and feasible research plan that will generate valid, reliable and useful knowledge?
    • Does the Team have a plan for linking with, and dissemination of research findings to end-user groups who will utilize and apply the results?
    • Has the Team identified the roles and contributions of all the parties in planning, execution, and evaluation as well as management activities?
    • What is the likelihood that the Team can do the work proposed?

    Investigators

    • How appropriate is the training or track record of the team members to the research proposed? Has the role of the individual team members been identified?
    • How significant is the recent productivity of the applicants?
    • What is the experience of the Team Leader in leading a large research team? Does he/she have experience in leading interdisciplinary research teams?
    • How does the expertise and experience of the co-principal investigators compliment and augment that of the Team Leader?
    • What contributions are the multiple disciplines bringing to the pursuit of the stated research goals?
    • Will processes be put into place to encourage development and ongoing success of collaborative Team interactions?
    • Does the team include junior and senior investigators?

    Environment

    • Will the research training and mentoring environment provide a superior, interdisciplinary experience for trainees, including those with a health professional background?
    • Does the research environment contribute to the probability of success?
    • What is the degree of institutional support for the Team? Is there evidence of a discrete process for inter-institutional support?

    Engagement with end-user group partners:

    • Are governance and management structures in place to ensure the meaningful integration of end-user partner groups?
    • To what extent are partners involved and committed to formulating the research agenda, providing input into the development of research and training projects, disseminating findings, and applying the outcomes of research?
    • Does the proposal demonstrate the involvement of the necessary local, regional, provincial/territorial, national and/or international partners in the planning and execution of the research plan, and the application of the research results? Will this involvement permit research activities and outcomes that would not otherwise be possible?

  6. Terms and Conditions of Funding

    All conditions specified in AIHS General Grants and Awards Policies shall apply to applications funded through this competition. Successful applicants will be informed of any special financial conditions prior to the release of funds or when they receive the Notification of Award document.

  7. Communication Requirements

    Team grant recipients will be required to adhere to special "branding requirements" as a condition of receiving an Interdisciplinary Team Grant. The official Team name is "Interdisciplinary Team in (area of research)." In cases where there is another major funding partner a shared title should be considered.

    The Team name must be used in all communication and promotion relating to the Interdisciplinary Team Grant. A team name must be proposed as part of the application for an Interdisciplinary Team Grant. Team Leaders and their host institutions will be required to agree in writing to the proper use of the Team name as well as the AIHS (and applicable partners) logo(s) on appropriate communications materials such as brochures, letterhead, publications and media materials. Recognition guidelines, including instructions on logo use, will be provided to successful applicants as part of the approval package. Team members are expected to assist in any AIHS communication activities as requested.

  8. Monitoring, Performance Measurement and Evaluation

    In recognition of our stewardship of a public trust from the people of Alberta, AIHS embeds performance monitoring and evaluation in all programs. This is an essential strategy to ensure that AIHS is achieving its objectives, communicating its achievements to the people of Alberta, and improving its performance. Monitoring and evaluation of the Interdisciplinary Team Grants Program is guided by a framework developed by AIHS to meet its accountability and information priorities.

    Grant recipients are expected to:

    1. Follow AIHS's reporting requirements and provide requested information in a timely fashion. For Interdisciplinary Team Grants, a report is required in the third year of funding. Grantees are required to submit a "Progress Report for Interdisciplinary Team Grants" detailing the progress made and results achieved since the start of the grant. The Progress Report for Interdisciplinary Team Grants will be made available to all Team leaders at the start of the grant funding.
    2. Contribute to the assessment of AIHS'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;
    3. Encourage their associates, trainees and administration to participate in the monitoring, review and evaluation of AIHS's programs, policies and processes as requested.

  9. Contact Information

    For further information on the Interdisciplinary Team Grant Program please contact:

    Pamela Valentine
    Vice President, Research & Innovation
    Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions
    (780) 423-5727 (phone)
    Fax: 780-429-3509

    10. Definitions:

    1. AIHS defines knowledge translation/exchange as "the exchange, synthesis and ethically-sound application of knowledge - within a complex system of interactions among researchers and users- to accelerate the capture of the benefits of research for Canadians through improved health, more effective services and products, and a strengthened health care system". AIHS recognizes that the approach to translation of research results will vary depending on the type of research being performed, and the likely users of research knowledge. For example, some biomedical research may give rise to intellectual property of commercial potential, with Industry as the user of this product of research. The results of health services research would be expected to influence the organization and policies of the health care system, through interactions with provincial or regional health authorities.

    2. End-users can include decision-makers, program administrators, caregivers, policy-makers and practitioners working in health-oriented community organizations, community-based foundations and organizations, local, provincial/territorial and national health charities and non-profit organizations, hospital and research institute foundations, municipal and regional health authorities, public health departments, district health councils, provincial/territorial government agencies and the private sector.

Interdisciplinary Team Grants Program

Application Form