Collaborative Health Research Projects (CHRP) Program – Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does it take for a Notification of Intent (NOI) to be invited?
   Each criterion should be clearly identified using separate headings to help both the applicant and the committee more easily identify strengths and weaknesses of the NOI.
   
   The committee is looking for highly novel and exciting interdisciplinary opportunities that clearly demonstrate a strong plan for knowledge transfer, evidence of benefits of interdisciplinary training (for example, providing trainees with an understanding of the impact of the collaborative research on human health), along with a strong and novel interdisciplinary collaboration. Only NOIs that clearly and concisely demonstrate that they meet each and every criterion will be sufficiently competitive to be invited.
   
   Beyond meeting the basic program criteria, applicants must present a sufficiently strong case that their project is novel and exciting enough that it could be recommended for funding if a full proposal is invited.
   
   
2. Can I submit an application even if I did not submit a Notification of Intent?
   No. Only those applicants who have been successful in the first phase of the process (NOI) are invited to submit a full application.
   
   
3. What does the CHRP selection committee want to see in a proposal?
   
• The novel aspects and originality of the interdisciplinary research;
• A team of natural science or engineering and health science researchers;
• A clear and detailed description of the mechanism for the translation of the project results to the knowledge/technology users, stakeholders and health care segments;
• A clear description of the methodology, particularly in terms of experimental design (statistical analysis);
• A description of the training of graduate students, including their roles in the project; and
• The added value of interdisciplinary training that will be provided.

To provide this information, it is suggested that applicants dedicate one page to the description of the mechanism for translation and at least two pages to the methodology. To stay within the page limits (10 pages plus one additional page for references) of the application, space may be gained by keeping the descriptions of the team coordination and training to half a page each. Applicants may wish to consult the Human Frontier Science Program’s  The Art of Grantsmanship guide for general information on how to write competitive grant applications.


4. Can previously unsuccessful applicants resubmit a CHRP application?
   Yes. Previously unsuccessful applicants must include a one-page response to any previous committee comments with the resubmission.
   
   
5. Can an applicant or co-applicant submit more than one application to the CHRP program in a given year?
   Yes, provided that the applications and projects are different.
   
   
6. Can I submit the same application to another CIHR or NSERC program?
   No. A researcher may not submit the same application concurrently to NSERC and CIHR or SSHRC. Applicants must wait until they are notified of the decision for one program before they can submit the same application to another tri-agency program.
   
   
7. Does CHRP support drug discovery?
   CHRP will support novel mechanisms of drug discovery that demonstrate a strong likelihood of translation within the project time frame, with significant interest from pharmaceutical and that necessitate an interdisciplinary approach. For example, CHRP would consider supporting projects relating to:
• a radical new approach to a known therapy that would potentially save money in treatment costs and for which risks of toxicity would be minimal;
• the discovery of a new surrogate marker for treatment efficacy in easily accessible models that would greatly accelerate the pace of drug discovery for problematic diseases; and
• new methods of drug delivery for compounds with known toxicology profiles that would significantly enhance efficacy and potency, minimize toxicity, or potentially lead to new indications for a known drug.



8. Is there a maximum amount we can request?
   No. There is no upper limit on awards. The committee very carefully reviews the budgets, so each item must be well justified.
   
   
9. Which Guidelines should be followed for the budget?
   The CHRP program is jointly funded by NSERC and CIHR; however, NSERC is responsible for the administration of the program and, therefore, NSERC guidelines must be followed.
   
   
10. What is the average grant?
    In 2008 the average grant was about $127,058 per year; in 2009 it was approximately $156,000 per year; and in 2010 it was $146,059 per year.
    
    
11. What are the chances of success?
    This varies from year to year, depending on the number of full applications. In 2008 the success rate was 34 percent, in 2009 it was 30 percent, and in 2010 it was 28 percent.
    
    
12. When are the results announced?
    Stage 1 – Notification of Intent: NSERC sends out notification by early July.
    Stage 2 - Full Application: NSERC sends out notification by mid-April. Results are also posted on the NSERC and CIHR Web sites.