Research Areas

In alignment with the CIHR HIV/AIDS and STBBI Strategic Plan 2022-2027, the CBR Program will fund projects that focus on the development and/or implementation of interventions for addressing HIV/AIDS and/or other STBBI across one or more areas of the care cascade (prevention, testing, linkage to treatment and care, and ongoing care and support) at the community level. The CBR Program is committed to supporting research that focuses on key populations including: First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, including Urban Indigenous communities; ethno-racial minority communities with high rates of infection; gay and other men who have sex with men; transgender populations; people currently or previously incarcerated; people who use drugs; people engaged in the sale or the purchase of sex; youth and women.

The CBR Program supports partnerships among community organizations, researchers, and decision-makers working in areas such as, but not limited to: housing, mental health, substance use disorders, activity limitations and employment, health services and access to care for key and hard to reach populations, stigma, racism, discrimination and systemic oppression, culturally-safe models of care and intervention. Research projects involving quantitative and/or qualitative research methods, including epidemiology, intervention research, arts-informed research, case studies and interviews, are eligible for funding.

To accommodate the overarching goals of the CIHR HIV/AIDS and STBBI Research Initiative, the Pan-Canadian STBBI Framework and Canada’s Action Plan on STBBI, which support achieving the STBBI global targets, applications that propose projects outside of Canada may be considered for funding. However, such applications must clearly demonstrate how the knowledge created will have impact on Canadian communities through such methods as a knowledge transfer plan.

In keeping with the CIHR Sex, Gender and Health Research policy, all proposals are required to consider how sex and/or gender might shape community-based research. Applicants are encouraged to complete the CIHR unconscious bias learning module and visit the How to integrate sex and gender into research page for more information on the appropriate integration of sex and gender in their proposal.

Role and Contributions of Applicant Partners: CIHR recognizes that a broad range of partners may be relevant to this opportunity and it is expected that applicant(s) describe the role of all applicant partners and how/if they will contribute to research and research related activities. Any consideration of risk and/or conflict of interest should also be explained, as appropriate.

Funds Available

CIHR and partner(s) reserve the right to reduce, defer or suspend financial contributions to grants received as a result of this funding opportunity.

• The total amount available for this funding opportunity is $1,000,000, enough to fund approximately 10 grants. The maximum amount per grant is $100,000 per year for up to one year.
• Of this $1,000,000:
  • $500,000 is available to fund applications relevant to the General Stream.
  • $500,000 is available to fund applications relevant to the Indigenous Stream.
• If a pool is undersubscribed or lacks fundable applications, funds will be rolled into the other pool.

For more information on the appropriate use of funds, refer to Allowable Costs.

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Objectives

The specific objectives of this funding opportunity are:

• Catalyze community-led research planning and development activities that ensure the inclusion and meaningful representation of people living with and at risk of HIV/AIDS and/or STBBI;
• Foster meaningful and equitable partnerships between communities most impacted by HIV/AIDS and/or STBBI and researchers to advance research focused on community-driven priorities;
• Engage communities in strengthening capacity for knowledge mobilization; and/or
• Develop applications for Community-Based Research grants in the areas of HIV and/or other STBBI.

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Eligibility

Eligibility to Apply

For an application to be eligible:

1. The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) must be one of the following:
   1. A  knowledge user, specifically, one of the following:
      • A Community Leader from a Canadian non-governmental, not-for-profit organization (including community or charitable organizations) with a research or knowledge translation mandate
      • A Canadian non-governmental organization (including Indigenous-led community organizations and regional health authorities) with a research or knowledge translation mandate
   2. An independent researcher affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution and/or its affiliated institutions (including hospitals, research institutes and other non-profit organizations with a mandate for health research and/or knowledge translation).
2. The NPA (individual) must have their substantive role in Canada for the duration of the requested grant term.
3. The Institution Paid must be authorized to administer CIHR funds before the funding can be released (see Administration of Funds).
4. The team must involve at least one of each of the following:
   1. An independent researcher as either the NPA or a Principal Applicant.
   2. A knowledge user who is affiliated with a community or community organization as either the NPA or a Principal Knowledge User.
5. The NPA* must have successfully completed one of the sex- and gender-based analysis training modules available online through the CIHR Institute of Gender and Health and have submitted a Certificate of Completion (see How to Apply).*Organizations as NPAs: For organizations applying as the NPA, a representative of the organization must complete the training module on the organization’s behalf.
6. If applying to the Indigenous Stream:
   1. The NPA or Principal Applicant must self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) and/or provide evidence of having meaningful and culturally safe involvement with Indigenous communities (see How to Apply for more details).
   2. In addition, at least one knowledge user must be affiliated with First Nations, Inuit or Métis and/or Urban Indigenous communities or organization.
7. For applications not solely focused on Indigenous Health Research (i.e., not eligible to apply to the Indigenous Stream), but involving research with Indigenous Peoples, at least one member of the research team in a Principal role (i.e. Principal Applicant or a Principal Knowledge User) must self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) and/or provide evidence of having meaningful and culturally safe involvement with Indigenous Peoples (see How to Apply for more details).

Administration of Funds

Funds will only be released to the institution or organization identified as the Institution Paid.  If the Institution Paid is not already authorized to administer CIHR funds, for the duration of the grant term, it may be required to undergo a financial and eligibility review and sign a funding agreement, or the successful applicant may choose to have their funds administered by a CIHR eligible institution. Please contact the Contact Centre to enquire about the process.

Notes:

• For the purpose of this Funding Opportunity:
  • If not applying as the NPA, Community Leaders are also invited to identify themselves as Principal Knowledge Users or Knowledge Users, which are equivalent to Principal Applicants and Co-applicants respectively.