Supporting research

Purpose:

• Support early-career clinical researchers and promote clinical research at the University of Manitoba for the benefit of health research in Manitoba.

Background:

• Awarded by the Manitoba Medical Services Foundation (MMSF) in honor of Dr. Du Val, a former MMSF Board member.

Eligibility:

• Candidates must be in the early stages of a productive research career as a healthcare professional (less than 7 years of independent research).
• Candidates must have received one or more grants from a national granting agency (e.g., Canadian Institutes of Health Research) and have a satisfactory publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
• Candidates must be licensed physicians or healthcare professionals in Manitoba with a faculty appointment at the University of Manitoba, engaged in health-related research.

Details:

• The award is given for a three-year period and cannot be renewed.
• It includes a contribution of $55,000 per year to the awardee's salary (including benefits) during the three-year term.
• The awardee must commit 50% of their time to research during the award period.
• A grant-in-aid of up to $20,000 may be provided during the first year of the appointment.
• The award cannot be held simultaneously with another personal career award.
• Awardees who receive the MMSF Dr. F. W. Du Val and John Henson Clinical Research Professorship Award are not eligible for other MMSF Salary awards.

How to apply:

• Complete the Application research module (PDF) with all the required information.
• Prepare an up-to-date curriculum vitae.
• Obtain supporting letters of recommendation.
• Submit the completed application, curriculum vitae, and recommendation letters by the specified deadline.

Deadline:

• Applications must be submitted no later than Monday, April 25, 2022.

The MMSF Shaun Lamoureux and Kerry Bittner Clinical Research Professorship in Population Health Award is a collaboration between the Manitoba Medical Service Foundation (MMSF) and the University of Manitoba. The award is effective from July 1, 2024.

Purpose:

• Attract and retain clinicians into population health research at UM for the general benefit of health research in Manitoba and to advance the research career of the awardee.

Eligibility:

• Candidates must be licensed physicians or healthcare professionals in Manitoba with a faculty appointment at the University of Manitoba.
• Candidates must be engaged in research related to population health in Manitoba.
• During the tenure of the award, the awardee must guarantee a 50 per cent time commitment to research.
• Candidates should be in the early stages of a productive research career as a health clinician or scientist studying population health issues (less than 7 years of independent research).
• Candidates must have received one or more grants from a national granting agency, such as the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
• Candidates must have a satisfactory publication record in peer-reviewed journals.

Details:

• The award is given for a period of three years, during which the MMSF will contribute $55,000* per year towards the salary (including benefits) of the awardee.
• A one-year term grant-in-aid to the appointee of up to $40,000 may be made during the first year of the appointment, upon request.
• An awardee is not eligible for the MMSF Shaun Lamoureux and Kerry Bittner Clinical Research Professorship Award in Population Health for a second three-year term.
• The award cannot be held concurrently with another personal career award.
• An awardee who receives the MMSF Shaun Lamoureux and Kerry Bittner Clinical Research in Population Health Award is not eligible for other MMSF Salary awards.

*The salary of $55,000 per year becomes effective with the commencement of new appointments awarded after April 15, 2021. The salary increase does not apply to ongoing career awards appointed prior to April 15, 2021.

How to apply:

• Complete the research module form.
• Prepare an up-to-date curriculum vitae.
• Obtain supporting letters of recommendation.
• Applications must be submitted by email to resmedgrants@umanitoba.ca.

Deadline:

• Applications must be submitted by email to resmedgrants@umanitoba.ca no later than 4:00 p.m., March 15, 2024.

Research module form (PDF)

The Gerry McDole Professorship Award is provided by the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba.

Funding for this award is made possible through an endowment from AstraZeneca, in recognition of the retirement of their President, Mr. Gerry McDole.

Purpose:

• The award aims to enhance healthcare services for rural, remote, and underserved populations in Manitoba.
• This is achieved through research focused on health service delivery and/or health policy development.

Eligibility:

• The award is open to newly appointed academic faculty members in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba.
• Candidates should have a background in health service delivery and/or health policy development.
• Candidates must be in the early stages of their academic career.

Details:

• The award is presented annually and carries a value of $50,000.
• The duration of the award is limited to a maximum of three years.
• The awards committee has the discretion to withhold the award if no suitable candidate is identified.
• Candidates cannot hold any other major award concurrently.

How to apply:

• Complete the designated application form.
• Submit an up-to-date curriculum vitae.
• Include letters of collaboration and support from relevant individuals.

Deadline:

• Applications must be submitted by the specified deadline.

The MMSF Allen Rouse Basic Science Career Development Research Award is offered by the Manitoba Medical Service Foundation and the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Manitoba.

The award will be effective from July 1, 2023.

Purpose:

• The award aims to support the recipient in becoming a strong candidate for a senior national personnel research award, such as the Canadian Institute of Health Research Scientist Award.
• Individuals who have previously held or currently hold such an award are not eligible for the MMSF award.

Eligibility:

• Candidates must be in the early stages of a successful research career.
• Candidates should have been engaged in independent research for no more than 7 years.
• Candidates must have received one or more grants from a national granting agency, such as the Canadian Institute of Health Research.
• Candidates must have a satisfactory publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
• Candidates must hold a faculty appointment at the University of Manitoba and be involved in basic research related to the health field.

Details:

• The award is granted for a period of three years and is non-renewable.
• It cannot be held concurrently with another personal career award.
• The award consists of a contribution of $55,000 per year to the recipient's salary (including benefits) during the three-year term.
• The awardee must commit 75% of their time to research during the award tenure.
• The appointment will be subject to annual reviews.
• Awardees of the MMSF Allen Rouse Basic Science Career Development Research Award are not eligible for other MMSF Salary awards.
• Upon request by the awardee, a one-year term grant-in-aid of up to $20,000 may be provided during the first year of the appointment.

How to apply:

• Interested candidates should submit their applications according to the guidelines provided.
• The application process may involve completing a specific form, submitting a curriculum vitae, and fulfilling any additional requirements mentioned in the application guidelines.

Deadline:

• The deadline for submitting applications will be announced or specified by the Manitoba Medical Service Foundation and the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.

1. The award is given for a period of 3 years during which the MMSF will contribute $55,000 per year towards the salary (including benefits) of the awardee.  A one-year term grant-in-aid to the appointee of up to $20,000 may be made during the first year of the appointment.
2. Candidates must have a faculty appointment at the University of Manitoba and must be engaged in basic research related to the health field.  During the tenure of the award, the awardee must guarantee a 75%-time commitment to research.
3. To be successful in this competition, a candidate must be judged to be in the early stages of a productive research career. The candidate should have been engaged in independent research for not more than 7 years, should have received one or more grants from a national granting agency, such as the Canadian Institute of Health Research, and should have a satisfactory publication record in peer reviewed journals. This judgment will also include a review of the candidate’s training qualifications and experience, and the support of letters of reference. A candidate will also be judged on clarity and communications of both a written research submission and a brief presentation and response to questions with the Award review panel.
4. The intent of the award is to support the awardee to become a strong candidate for a senior national personnel research award and for the general benefit of health research in Manitoba.
5. An awardee is not eligible for the MMSF Allen Rouse Basic Science Career Development Research Award for a second 3-year term.
6. The award cannot be held concurrently with another personal career award.
7. An awardee who receives the MMSF Allen Rouse Basic Science Career Development Research Award is not eligible for other MMSF Salary awards.

Please contact resmedgrants@umanitoba.ca for a copy of the research module required as part of the application process.

Submit all items to resmedgrants@umanitoba.ca, no later than 4:00 p.m. March 24, 2023.

The application deadline date is 4:00 pm on May 17, 2024.

Results of this competition will be announced by end of June 2024. There is no provision for appeal of funding decisions. Funding will begin in July 2024.

Please contact resmedgrants@umanitoba.ca for a copy of the application form.

Background

The Winnipeg Foundation Innovation Fund of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences is a $1,000,000 fund intended to seed innovative interdisciplinary research at the University of Manitoba (2019-2023). This is the final call from the initial donation, we may award one project with a maximum of $100,000. Once expended, unless renewed, the fund will terminate.

Purpose

The purpose of the Winnipeg Foundation Innovation Fund of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences is to seed innovative interdisciplinary research in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences between member departments and colleges.  In so doing, it is intended to enhance the University’s national recognition in innovative interdisciplinary research with disruptive impact, as well as competitiveness in terms of national research funding. As such, the Winnipeg Foundation Innovation Fund of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences is not intended to provide continuing support for ongoing research projects/programs or to serve as a substitute for national funding (e.g., Tri-Agency, NGO, Industry, etc.). The grant team are expected to use the funds awarded to develop their research to the point where applications for external funding can be made.

Eligibility and program priorities

All full-time academic faculty members with professorial rank (Assistant, Associate or Full) and primary appointments in the Rady FHS are eligible to apply to the Winnipeg Foundation Innovation Fund of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences for support. Applications must include a minimum of three Rady FHS faculty from three different disciplines.

Proposals with evidence of an integrated team approach, ideally involving members from different departments/colleges will be given priority; clear articulation of the synergy and the role the PI and Co- PI’s are to play is essential. In addition, priority is placed on providing grants to proposals with disruptive potential; the ability to have major impact in the short-term (2-3 years); and with a high likelihood of leading to national/international funding. Leveraged funds, while not required, will be taken into consideration when applications are being evaluated.

Type, nature, and extent of support

Support includes but is not limited to the following:

• Seed grants for high-quality, original, and innovative projects of a short-term nature that are pre- requisite to long-term national/international funding;
• Development of grants to defray the costs associated with the preparation of large-scale research initiatives for which research support from the Tri-Agencies is being sought;
• Funding for the partial support of post-doctoral fellows, where Tri-Agency funding is held; and
• Funding for minor pieces of equipment (<$15,000)

The program, however, does not provide funding for:

• conference travel;
• equipment servicing, or rental
• publication or page charges;
• visiting professorships/lectureships;
• start-up and bridge/emergency support;
• travel costs for leaves, including research and study leaves; or
• secretarial services

Support is provided for the direct costs of research, including research assistance, support for technical or professional services, research-related travel and supplies. All items must be essential to the conduct of the proposed research and must be carefully justified. Expenses will not be eligible for support if these are incurred prior to the grant start date. There should be no overlap with existing grants – the Winnipeg Foundation Innovation Fund of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences is not intended for top-up of existing programs.

As the demand for funds is expected to far exceed the funds available, not all meritorious proposals can be adequately supported. The maximum level of support is $100,000 and may be less.  In short, only reasonable research needs can typically be met by this program. Applicants must develop their proposed budgets with these figures in mind and provide a detailed budget justification. Applicants may only receive one Winnipeg Foundation Innovation Fund of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences award as PI or Co-PI in a 5-year period, in order to benefit the largest number of faculty members within the Rady FHS through the Fund.

Evaluation process and criteria

Applications for research support will be reviewed and adjudicated by members of the Rady FHS Research Advisory Executive Committee.

Applications are assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

• the quality and originality of the proposal and the extent to which it is consistent with the purpose of the Winnipeg Foundation Innovation Fund of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences;
• the research/scholarly/creative achievements of the individual applicants/team;
• the previous efforts of the individual applicants to secure external research funding and/or plans of the applicants to apply for national/international funding;

In all cases, the overriding factors in the evaluation of an application are the quality and originality of the research (in line with the intended purpose of the Winnipeg Foundation Innovation Fund of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences), as reflected in the research proposal, and the achievements or potential for achievement of the applicants as a collaborative interdisciplinary team.

Competition deadline dates and program administration

One competition is held annually. The application deadline date is April 1st . If this date falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.

The Winnipeg Foundation Innovation Fund of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences will be administered by the Office of Research Services.

Conditions of the award

Successful applicants will be expected to apply for national funding within one year of the end of the grant.

Research supported by the Winnipeg Foundation Innovation Fund of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences must comply with University policies on the conduct of research, specifically the University policy on research ethics and, where applicable, the University policies on research involving the use of animals, human subjects, or biohazards. It is the responsibility of the applicant(s) to secure the appropriate approval for the proposed research; funds will not be released until all such approvals have been obtained. If appropriate approvals have not been obtained and forwarded to the Office of Research Services within six (6) months following the award notice, funds will automatically be returned to the Winnipeg Foundation Innovation Fund of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. Grant-holders may request to extend the period within which approvals must be obtained by writing to the Vice Dean (Research) Rady FHS, and the Office of Research Services, to the attention of the appropriate contact person, prior to the return of funds as noted above. Such requests must include a justification.

Research grants must be used for the project and purposes described in the application. Grant-holders wanting to transfer funds from one budget category to another in response to changing research needs or to use funds for a new budget item must secure the prior written approval of the Vice Dean (Research) Rady FHS and the Office of Research Services.

The award recipient (PI) is responsible for the use of the funds and for any over-expenditure of research accounts. Expenditures must comply with university regulations concerning the use of special project funds and must be made in accordance with standard University financial procedures. Grants involving the purchase of equipment are made on the understanding that any costs associated with the installation, operation, and maintenance of any equipment purchased will be the responsibility of the researcher and his/her department/college.

Winnipeg Foundation Innovation Fund of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences awards normally terminate after 1 year of the date of the award notification letter and any unspent funds will automatically be returned to the Winnipeg Foundation Innovation Fund of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences. Grant- holders may request in writing to have the period of the award extended to the appropriate contact person in the Office of Research Services not later than one month prior to the end date of the award. Such requests must include a justification for the extension. Extensions will be allowed at most for 6 months.

Within three months of the completion or termination of the grant, a final report must be submitted to the Rady FHS Research Office. This report should not exceed one page and should describe: what was accomplished, including a summary of the major research findings; the plans for research dissemination, including an indication of any publications/paper presentations resulting from the grant or in press/in preparation; research personnel trained; Tri-Agency and other external funding that has been obtained or applied for as a result of the project; and future funding prospects.

If the award recipients receive an award for the same work from an external agency within 6 months of receiving the Winnipeg Foundation Innovation Fund of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences award, then any remaining funds will be returned to the Winnipeg Foundation Innovation Fund of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.

Grant-holders are requested to acknowledge the assistance of the Winnipeg Foundation Innovation Fund of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences in all publications and media coverage resulting from this support.

Winnipeg Foundation Innovation Fund Competition Common reviewer comments that result in applications receiving low priority for funding:

This team is comprised of 1 individual with 60%+ time on the project and remainder of team has &lt;20% time devoted to the project.

This results in the proposal to be viewed as a typical PI grant with some collaborators. The purpose of a WFIF grant is to fund at least 3 individuals working together with each individual bringing something unique to the table, which is well described, in context, in the body of the proposal. The synergistic nature of the team needs to be clearly articulated.

The proposal was not written for a multidisciplinary review committee. The science and or concepts proposed were not easy to follow or understand; too much jargon.

The proposal is underdeveloped and/or not cohesive enough to convince the reviewer that it is possible to execute the project.

The proposal package was incomplete (e.g., one or more of the CVs was missing).

The proposal is incremental or derivative.

The purpose of the WFIF grant is to incentivize high-risk, high-reward proposals, which are not typically funded by the usual granting agencies. WFIF will not fund proposals that are seen to be extensions of ongoing research activities by the applicants.

The proposal lacks innovation.

The purpose of the WFIF grant is to fund truly novel research that has the potential to be transformative. Transformative research has the capability of producing a major impact on important problems in biomedical/social science research by revolutionizing existing fields, creating new sub-fields, causing paradigm shifts, and developing radically new technologies.

The proposal is not feasible within the time frame and funds available.

The purpose of the WFIF grant is to fund an innovative 1-year project that can be completed with the budget requested during the time allowed and will bring the research to the point where applications for external funding can be made.