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Funding Opportunity Details

Funding Organization Canadian Institutes of Health Research Program Name Team Grant
:

        Avian Influenza Coordination and Knowledge Mobilization Hub (National Hub for Avian Influenza Research Coordination and Knowledge Mobilization) **Sponsor(s)** The CIHR Centre for Research on Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies (CRPPHE)

Program Launch Date 2026-03-27

Important Dates

| Competition | 202607ACK |
| --- | --- |
| Registration Deadline | 2026-05-28 |
| Application Deadline | 2026-07-14 |
| Anticipated Notice of Decision | 2026-12-10 |
| Funding Start Date | 2026-10-01 |

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Notices

Tri-agency CV

This funding opportunity uses the tri-agency CV. This narrative-style CV is more flexible and allows applicants to best highlight their wide range of outputs and expertise. The tri-agency CV allows applicants to capture relevant information, describe their career trajectories in more detail, provide indicators of quality and impact, and provide context to their contributions in a narrative format to help peer reviewers assess their track record. More information on the new CV is available on the tri-agency CV – frequently asked questions page.

As we gradually transition to the tri-agency CV, the system may continue to display references to the CCV. Please note that all participants must follow the tri-agency CV instructions as specified in the Funding Opportunity (FO) and complete and attach the tri-agency CV.

For details on using the tri-agency CV in this funding opportunity, see the How to Apply section.

Webinar

CIHR will be hosting webinar(s) to support participants with the requirements of this funding opportunity and to answer questions. To find out more information, visit the Webinars page.

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Table of Contents

• Description
• Objectives
• Eligibility
• Guidelines
• Review Process and Evaluation
• How to Apply
• Contact Information
• Sponsor Description
• Additional Information

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Description

Avian influenza is a viral disease which primarily affects birds, although transmission to other animals can occur. Avian influenza virus has varying levels of pathogenicity, depending on its subtype. Highly pathogenic subtypes of avian influenza (HPAI) can rapidly cause high levels of sickness and mortality in animals and people and can pose a pandemic health threat.

The H5N1 subtype of avian influenza is causing outbreaks among wild birds and domestic poultry worldwide, leading to unprecedented mortality rates among birds. H5N1 has also been detected in various mammal species as seen in the recent outbreaks among dairy cattle, as well as wild and captive animals across multiple states in the US. Sustained infections in numerous animal species, particularly in occupational and recreational settings, increase the pandemic risk of HPAI subtypes like H5N1 via zoonotic spillover into human populations and/or the emergence of more virulent and pathogenic subtypes of the virus.

Since 2023, the CIHR Centre for Research on Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies (CRPPHE) in partnership with the CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and Michael Smith Health Research BC, has invested in interdisciplinary research, capacity building, and knowledge mobilization on avian influenza. Through this partnership, $9.7 million has been invested in timely research to address critical knowledge gaps and research priorities related to the risks of avian influenza transmission in animal and human populations in Canada. This includes catalyst grants that were funded in 2024 through the Catalyst Grant: Avian Influenza One Health Research (Catalyzing One Health Research on Avian Influenza) Funding Opportunity as well as team grants that will be awarded in 2026 through the Team Grant: Supporting Interdisciplinary Research on Avian Influenza Funding Opportunity. These competitions are being delivered alongside a host of other relevant activities including intramural science and research undertaken by federal and provincial departments and agencies, international avian influenza projects, as well as One Health and zoonotic disease research activities that are relevant to but not squarely focused on avian influenza.

Although these researchers have distinct plans and activities that are specific to their own research contexts and objectives, there is an opportunity to foster collective impact among these researchers and their projects. For instance, greater research coordination, improved approaches for research data management, and enhanced and shared knowledge mobilization activities can help to minimize duplicative research activities; reduce fatigue among research partners such as research participants and knowledge users; align efforts towards shared goals; and lead to enhanced impacts of avian influenza research across Canada.

CIHR's understands knowledge mobilization to involve the process of moving different types of knowledge into future research, policy, practice, and the public sphere, with the goal of improving health, societal and economic impacts. This understanding refers to the implementation and de-implementation, scaling and de-scaling, and the spreading and sustaining the use of knowledge by all relevant interest-holders to whom the research is relevant. The reference to different types of knowledge encompasses evidence generated through research, Indigenous ways of knowing, and knowledge gained through lived experience. This funding opportunity is informed by this understanding of knowledge mobilization.

This funding opportunity will fund a Research Coordination and Knowledge Mobilization Hub ('the Hub') that will provide expertise, organizational support, and dedicated resources to increase coordination, and enhance the knowledge mobilization of avian influenza research (including but not limited to research on H5N1 and other highly pathogenic avian influenza subtypes) in Canada and, where feasible, internationally. The Hub will support a cohesive, impactful, and nationally coordinated approach to avian influenza research by developing and implementing an overarching research coordination and knowledge mobilization plan to: a) identify and bring together avian influenza researchers, communities, partners, knowledge users and knowledge holders, in Canada and where feasible, internationally; b) increase coordination, decrease redundancy, and improve the complementarity and strength of ongoing research and associated practices (such as on research data management); and c) promote scientific excellence by supporting research co-production, knowledge synthesis, and the engagement and brokering of key relationships.

Required Key Design Elements of the Research Coordination and Knowledge Mobilization Hub
The areas listed below are key design elements which must be addressed by the application (either described within the Research Proposal or any supporting annexes):

• Domestic and International Engagement and Coordination: The Hub will identify, coordinate and facilitate engagements amongst:

  • avian influenza research teams funded through the Team Grant: Supporting Interdisciplinary Research on Avian Influenza funding opportunity;
  • other relevant avian influenza researchers in Canada including research funded by the Tri-Council Funders and provincial research funders;
  • relevant international researchers and research funders identified through the Global Research Collaboration on Infectious Disease Preparedness (GloPID-R Network);
  • policymakers and knowledge users in Canada such as federal, provincial, and territorial departments and agencies representing human, animal, and environmental sectors;
  • other interest holders such as animal health professionals; public health organizations; First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities/organizations; groups from the agricultural industry/commercial sector; and people with lived experience relevant to avian influenza infection, transmission and response. The Hub will leverage CIHR's organizational knowledge and relationships with strategic partners relevant to avian influenza research, by sharing their planned Hub activities for domestic and international engagement and coordination with CRPPHE for input. This can be done through the Hub's annual meetings (see Conditions of Funding), reporting requirements, or another means of regular engagement with CRPPHE.

• Human, Animal, and Environmental Data Management and Sharing: The Hub will develop and share tools, practices, and resources, in order to support the interoperable and harmonized management, sharing, and use of human, animal and environmental data relevant to avian influenza researchers and knowledge users. This includes, where applicable, practices, resources and considerations related to Indigenous data sovereignty.

• Knowledge Mobilization: The Hub will support the development and dissemination of knowledge mobilization products to increase understanding, promote behavioural change, and support the uptake and use of evidence generated through avian influenza research. The domestic and international engagement activities described above will help to ensure that these knowledge mobilization products are aligned with and tailored to the needs and activities of partners, communities, knowledge users, and knowledge holders, relevant to avian influenza research. These products should be developed in both official languages (English and French), accessible to screen readers, developed using scientific and plain language practices, tailored to a range of knowledge user audiences, and made immediately available through Open Access publishing. The Hub will not be expected to cover Open Access publication fees for the avian influenza researchers with whom they will engage. The Hub may consider: directly producing these products themselves; providing resources and training to improve the KM capacities of avian influenza researchers; and/or facilitating the strategic coordination of avian influenza researchers to enhance their overall KM objectives. The Hub's approach to provide this KM function should be well justified and aligned with the Hub's overall scope of activities and intended scale of impact.
  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) financial contributions are subject to availability of funds. Should CIHR or partner(s) funding levels not be available or decrease due to unforeseen circumstances, 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 $750,000, enough to fund up to one (1) grant. The maximum grant amount is $250,000 per year for up to three (3) years, for a grant total of $750,000.

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 to:

1. Establish a national avian influenza research hub that supports the coordination and knowledge mobilization of avian influenza research activities in Canada and internationally, where feasible.
2. Foster collective impact and scientific excellence in avian influenza research by facilitating meaningful and culturally safe engagements between avian influenza researchers and relevant decision-makers and knowledge users from diverse sectors, jurisdictions, and perspectives, such as federal, provincial, territorial, and Indigenous governments, health care providers, non-governmental organizations, industry organizations, and community groups including First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, where relevant.
3. Facilitate and accelerate the mobilization of knowledge generated from avian influenza research into accessible, usable, timely and relevant solutions and interventions for decision-makers and knowledge users across multiple sectors and jurisdictions, including populations with higher risks of avian influenza exposure and impact (such as veterinarians, livestock producers, trappers, hunters, workers in the agricultural or wildlife sectors, First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis populations, and populations in rural and remote settings).

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Eligibility

Eligibility to Apply

For an application to be eligible, all the requirements stated below must be met:

1. The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) must be one of the following:
   • an independent researcher or a knowledge user, 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 mobilization) OR
   • an individual affiliated with an Indigenous non-governmental organization in Canada with a research and/or knowledge mobilization mandate OR
   • a researcher or scholar working in a municipal, provincial or territorial government in Canada where the activity which forms the subject matter of the funding is not being funded by specific programs of those municipal, provincial and territorial governments OR
   • a Canadian non-governmental, not-for-profit organization (including community or charitable organizations) with a research or knowledge mobilization mandate
2. The NPA must have their substantive role in Canada for the duration of the requested grant term.
3. The Institution Paid receives and administers the funds on behalf of the NPA and therefore must be authorized by CIHR before the funds can be released. If the Institution Paid is not on the List of CIHR Eligible Institutions, they are encouraged to contact the Contact Centre, in advance, to enquire about the authorization process and timelines.
4. Required Team Composition: The overall composition of the research team (including the Nominated Principal Applicant, Principal Applicants (PA), Co-Applicants (Co-A), Principal Knowledge User (PKU), and Knowledge Users (KU)) must be interdisciplinary and must include each of the participant types listed below. Please note that the Engagement and Coordination Lead, the Research Data Management Lead, the Knowledge Mobilization Lead, and the Knowledge Users must be filled by different team members.

• Engagement and Coordination Lead: As described in the Key Design Elements section, this individual will be responsible for identifying, coordinating and facilitating engagements with researchers, policymakers, knowledge users, and other interest holders in Canada and internationally, where feasible, that are relevant to the Hub in addressing the objectives of this Funding Opportunity. This individual will serve as the liaison between the Hub and the CRPPHE. This role must be filled by the NPA or a PA.
• Research Data Management Lead: This individual will be responsible for overseeing the Hub's role in improving the management and sharing of human, animal and environmental data relevant to avian influenza research. The Research Data Management Lead will be responsible for working with avian influenza research teams to develop and pilot data management tools, practices and resources that can support data harmonization and data interoperability for human, animal and environmental data relevant to avian influenza researchers and knowledge users. This individual must have research data management expertise and knowledge of Indigenous health research and research data management protocols. This role must be filled by the NPA, PA or a PKU.
• Knowledge Mobilization Lead: This individual will be responsible for overseeing the Hub's role in developing and/or supporting the development and dissemination of knowledge mobilization products to increase understanding, promote behavioural change, and support the uptake and use of evidence generated through avian influenza research. This role must be filled by the NPA, PA, or PKU.
• Knowledge Users:
  1. Human Health Knowledge Users: At least one PKU from an organization/entity with a primary focus on human health (including but not limited to a clinician, a public health practitioner, or a representative from a government organization with a human health mandate).
  2. Animal or Environmental Health Knowledge Users: At least one PKU from an organization/entity with a primary focus on animal or environmental health (including but not limited to an animal health professional, a livestock producer or worker in the agricultural sector, a hunter, trapper or another knowledge user in the wildlife sector, or a representative from a government organization with an animal health or environmental health mandate).
  3. Additional Essential Team Roles: Research Champions: In addition to the required team composition described above, the research team must identify individuals on the research team (such as the NPA, PA, Co-A, PKU, or KU) who will serve as research champions for the themes listed below. Each champion theme below can be championed by one or more individuals on the research team. In addition, individuals can hold one or more of these champion roles. While there isn't a minimum number of individuals who will act as research champions, the application must clearly explain how the proposed champions, their expertise, capacities, and available resources, will be able to ensure that the Hub can appropriately address the key research challenges and considerations covered under these themes.

1. Champion Theme 1- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI): the individual(s) who champion(s) EDI must have expertise in sound EDI practices, including the incorporation of biological variables (e.g. sex, age) and/or social-cultural factors (e.g. gender, race, ethnicity, language) into research. They will foster EDI approaches in research design, research practices, and the research environment. See Additional Information for wise practices on including an EDI champion and defining their potential role(s) in the Hub.
2. Champion Theme 2 - Indigenous Health Research: the individual(s) who champion(s) Indigenous Health Research should self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis, or demonstrate their experience of meaningful and culturally safe involvement with Indigenous Peoples in an Indigenous Health Research environment, or both.
   1. The NPA and the EDI Champion (if not the NPA) must have 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).

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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, including the CIHR Application Administration Guide – Part 2 General Requirements for Grants and Awards Applications, to ensure understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

Research Security

The Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC Policy) is applicable to this funding opportunity. Consult the Tri-agency guidance on the STRAC Policy for more information.

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:

• Expenditures that respect the culture and traditions of Indigenous Peoples, where needed for the meaningful conduct of research. See TCPS 2 - Chapter 9 Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada and TAGFA Directive on Gifts, Honoraria and Incentives. These include:
  • Costs related to community mobilization and engagement, including culturally relevant promotional items such as, tobacco, cloth, feasting and gift giving for honoring ceremonies, and cash reimbursements (in a method acceptable to the individual or community being reimbursed) to compensate community participation.
  • Contracts and/or consultant fees for knowledge mobilization and communication activities for Indigenous Elders, community members, and Indigenous Knowledge Keepers involved in activities related to the Indigenous community.
• Expenses related to accessibility support(s) considered necessary for the NPA or members of the applicant team to carry out the project and engage with persons with disabilities (e.g. specialized equipment, support services, compensation, and alternate document format(s). This excludes costs, for accessibility support(s) offered as standard provision(s)/service(s) of the employer institution to their research personnel.
• Costs related to the translation and preparation of information/material intended for public consumption, including for the purposes of informing and engaging partners (e.g., website content, information pamphlets, guidelines, promotional and event-related material, etc.).
• Release Time Allowance can be paid from grant funds for knowledge users, who meet TAGFA compensation requirements, to allow them to participate in the project. Use of Personal Information

All information is shared in accordance with the Privacy Act.

As per the Privacy Act, personal information means information about an identifiable individual that is recorded in any form.

• Personal information submitted during the application process, including but not limited to information provided through applicant CVs, the Tri-agency Self-identification Questionnaire and other application documents required by this funding opportunity, will be made available to select CIHR personnel with the appropriate training and security clearance and on a need-to-know basis, for the purposes of future program planning and design and evaluation and learning for organizational and program strengthening. In addition, CIHR may share de-identified, aggregated self-identification information with the sponsoring institutes and competition partners, for this purpose. For further information about the Self-identification Questionnaire and the use of personal information, see the Tri-agency Self-identification Questionnaire Frequently Asked Questions.
• The following information submitted to CIHR at the registration stage will be shared with the proposed institution paid for planning purposes: name of the NPA (and other applicants, if provided), application number, title of the proposal and requested budget.
• Personal information, including related research security forms, collected as part of the implementation of the research security measures, may be shared with Canada's national security departments and agencies for the purpose of assessing risks to national security.
• All research reports (annual and final) provided to CIHR may be shared with the CIHR sponsor and internal collaborators supporting the grant (See Conditions of Funding for report details). Conditions of Funding

In addition to the general conditions of funding governing CIHR grants, the following are the program specific conditions of funding applicable to this funding opportunity:

• Data related to research by and with First Nations, Inuit, Métis communities must be managed in accordance with data management principles developed and approved by those communities, and on the basis of free, prior and informed consent. This includes, but is not limited to, considerations of Indigenous data sovereignty, as well as data collection, ownership, protection, use, and sharing.
• All information intended for public consumption, including for the purposes of informing and engaging partners (e.g., website content, information pamphlets, guidelines, promotional and event-related material, etc.), must be provided in both official languages (English and French), accessible to screen readers, and should be developed using plain language practices. See Allowable Costs for more details.
• CIHR is a signatory to the World Health Organization's Joint Statement on Public Disclosure of Results from Clinical Trials ("WHO Joint Statement") requiring all clinical trials to be registered and the results disclosed publicly in a timely manner. For more information, please consult the CIHR Policy Guide - Requirements for Registration and Disclosure of Results from Clinical Trials.
• CIHR reserves the right to terminate or suspend funding if there is a determination of unacceptable national security risk by the Government of Canada.
• The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) is responsible for the following reporting requirements:
  • Annual manual reports are required to be submitted for the duration of the funding term (including during the Authority to Use Funds period). The template and instructions for this report will be provided by CIHR.
  • An electronic Final Report. This online report will be made available to the NPA on ResearchNet at the beginning of the grant funding period and can be filled in as the research progresses.
• The NPA and members of their research team will be required to attend the following meeting:
  • a CIHR-hosted kick-off meeting either virtual or in-person in Ontario (Ottawa or Toronto) in Winter 2026. Meeting details will be shared with successful applicants in the Notice of Decision.
  • Applicants must reserve and allocate costs in their budget for the NPA and at least two additional team members to attend this meeting if held in-person. These team members must include the Engagement and Coordination Lead, the Research Data Management Lead, and the KM Lead. In the event of a virtual meeting, funds can be reallocated to research activities once instructed by CIHR.
• The NPA and members of their research team will be required to organize two annual meetings (either virtual or in-person) at the end of the first and second years of the grant term, and an end-of-grant meeting at the end of the third year of the grant term
  • If in-person, the proposed location(s) of the annual meetings and the end-of-grant meeting should be defined and justified within the context of the objectives and scope of the proposed Hub activities.
  • If in-person, applicants must reserve and allocate costs in their budget for the NPA, the Engagement and Coordination Lead, the Research Data Management Lead, and the KM Lead to attend these meetings. It is understood that the NPA could be one of these leads.
  • The meetings should be designed to meaningfully support research coordination, engagement and knowledge sharing between all avian influenza researchers identified in the scope of the proposal, where feasible and relevant, as well as knowledge users and other interest holders. The researchers invited to these meetings must include those funded through the Catalyst Grant: Avian Influenza One Health Research (Catalyzing One Health Research on Avian Influenza) and the Team Grant: Supporting Interdisciplinary Research on Avian Influenza.
  • At least one CIHR staff member must be invited to attend the annual meetings and the end-of grant meeting.
• The Engagement and Coordination Lead will share the Hub's planned activities for domestic and international engagement and coordination with CRPPHE for input. These planned activities can be shared through the annual manual reports and/or the annual meetings described above, or another means of engagement with CRPPHE. This information will be shared at least annually.
• Given the importance of the research supported through this funding opportunity, there may be additional requirements outside of the reporting and engagement activities outlined above. This may include but is not limited to providing a timely response to annual surveys of progress updates and sharing project information from progress reports with decision makers and other knowledge users who are partnered with this initiative.

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Review Process and Evaluation

Relevance Review Process

CIHR will perform a relevance review using the Summary of Research to identify applications that are in alignment with the objectives of this funding opportunity.

Applications that are not deemed to be relevant will be withdrawn from the competition.

Review Process

For information on the peer review process for this funding opportunity, see the Review guidelines for priority-driven initiatives.

For information on CIHR's peer review principles, see the Peer Review: Overview section of CIHR's website.

Peer review will be conducted in accordance with the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).

Evaluation Criteria

To support the strategic objectives of this funding opportunity, the following evaluation criteria will be used:

1. Approach to Research Coordination and Knowledge Mobilization
   1. Strength and relevance of the proposed approach to facilitate the meaningful engagement and coordination of researchers, policymakers, knowledge users and other interest holders relevant to avian influenza research in Canada and internationally, where feasible.
   2. Strength and relevance of the proposed approach to coordinate and facilitate the mobilization of knowledge generated from avian influenza research into accessible, usable, timely and relevant solutions and interventions for policymakers, knowledge users, and other interest holders including private sector/industry actors, People with Lived Experience(s) (PWLE(s)), and community organizations, representing human health, animal health, and environmental health perspectives, where relevant.
   3. Strength and relevance of proposed approach for improving the management and sharing of human, animal, and environmental data relevant to avian influenza research, including identifying challenges and proposing strategies, practices, tools, and/or resources for addressing them.
   4. Extent to which barriers and obstacles are anticipated, and a risk management plan and mitigation strategies are elaborated.
   5. Integration of intersecting dimensions such as sex, gender, age, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, as applicable, into the proposed activities
   6. For proposals that involve First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis communities:
   7. the extent to which the proposed activities will be conducted by, grounded in, or engage with First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis communities, societies and/or individuals and their wisdom, cultures, experiences and/or knowledge systems, as expressed in their dynamic forms, past and present.
   8. the extent to which the proposed activities will demonstrate appropriate consideration of TCPS 2: Chapter 9 - Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada and of meaningful and culturally safe practices, plans and activities throughout the project.
   9. the extent to which the proposed project upholds the rights, self-determination, and self-governance of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples including by respecting the First Nations Principles of OCAP® 1 (Ownership, Control, Access and Possession) and/or other approaches as appropriate (e.g., CARE Principles (Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility and Ethics) for Indigenous Data Governance), with evidence of meaningful and culturally safe data designs, practices, plans and activities throughout the project(s).
2. Applicant Expertise and Strength of Plan for Collaborative Work
   1. Demonstrated evidence that the applicants have the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to convene and organize avian influenza researchers, knowledge users, and interest holders under a shared vision for coordination and mobilization of avian influenza research and research knowledge.
   2. Demonstrated evidence that the applicants have proven leadership and managerial competencies to facilitate collaborative research and meaningful engagement, including strategies for communication and partnerships between researchers, decision-makers, knowledge users, community organizations, and including private sector/industry actors who represent human health, animal health, and environmental health perspectives, where relevant.
   3. Evidence of a successful track record of facilitating and accelerating the mobilization of usable, timely and relevant knowledge and interventions that are accessible in both official languages and tailored to decision-makers and knowledge users across multiple sectors and jurisdictions. Evidence can include but are not limited to: publications, policy briefs, meetings with decision-makers and knowledge users, community engagement, media engagements, meetings with regulators, publications, conference presentations, briefings, etc.
   4. Ability to execute the Hub's coordination activities including but not limited to internal and external communication and engagement, management and administration, conflict prevention and conflict resolution, quality improvement, and publication approach amongst team members.
   5. Appropriateness of the approach to manage the governance of the Hub including with respect to roles, responsibilities, conflict resolution, accountability, leadership, and transparency in decision-making and activities.
   6. Appropriateness of governance around knowledge mobilization strategies, including publication and dissemination approaches, demonstrating awareness of and a coherent plan for navigating differing disciplinary norms, expectations, and incentives across the research team.
3. Expected Impact
   1. Potential of the proposed outputs and activities to enhance and complement both individual and collective KM goals and activities of avian influenza researchers in Canada.
   2. Potential of the proposed outputs and activities to enhance the use and uptake of evidence on avian influenza, by policymakers, knowledge users, and other interest holders including industry partners, PWLE(s), and communities with a higher risk of avian influenza transmission, infection, and burden of disease (particularly populations in relevant occupational and rural/remote community settings such as veterinarians, livestock producers, trappers, hunters, workers in the agricultural or wildlife sectors, and Indigenous populations).
   3. Extent of the role(s) and contribution(s) of all applicant partner(s) in advancing research objectives (if applicable).
   4. Proactive and meaningful consideration of partnership risks, including the extent of real and/or perceived conflict of interest and appropriateness of its management and mitigation (if applicable).
4. Budget
   1. Appropriateness of the budget and justification for amount requested.
   2. Feasibility of proposed activities based on available budget. Funding Decision

The highest ranking application will be funded. In order to be funded, the application must receive a rating of 3.5 or higher.

The names of successfully funded applicants will be published on the CIHR website.

Partner and Internal Collaborator Participation

The opportunity to add new partners and internal collaborators to this funding opportunity may arise after publication. These partners and internal collaborators may not be listed; however, the principles that govern relevance review, including consent to share information and funding decisions, will still apply.

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How to Apply

• The application process for this funding opportunity is comprised of two steps: Registration and Full Application.
• Note: This funding opportunity is using the tri-agency CV.
• For applications written in French, additional pages will be permitted for the Research proposal and tri-agency CVs. See tasks for details.
• To complete your Registration, follow the "Specific Instructions" listed below and where applicable, consult the Grants – Registration Guidelines. Note that a Registration must be submitted to be eligible to submit a full application.
• To complete your Full Application, follow the "Specific Instructions" listed below, and where applicable, consult the Grants – Application Guidelines.
• All participants listed, with the exception of Collaborators, are required to:
  • Have/obtain a CIHR PIN
  • Complete the Tri-Agency Self-identification Questionnaire.
  • Organizations applying as Nominated Principal Applicants for the first time must contact CIHR's Contact Centre for guidance in creating a ResearchNet account and registering for a CIHR PIN.
• Keep your information up to date: Regularly review and update your My CIHR Profile, including confirming the correct Primary Affiliation is linked.
  • The Primary Affiliation field of the My CIHR Profile is important for various funding related activities, including eligibility assessments and Research Support Fund calculations (if applicable). Your My CIHR Profile can be accessed by clicking on your name in the top right-hand corner of the ResearchNet screen. If your Primary Affiliation name is not available in the drop-down menu, contact the CIHR Contact Centre. Specific instructions to complete your ResearchNet application

Step 1 — Registration

Task: Identify Participants

• List all known participants in the "Identify Participants" task. Consult the Eligibility section for the list of requirements. The list does not need to be final at the Registration Stage.
• The Nominated Principal Applicant must remain unchanged between Registration and Application stages of the competition. Other participants can be added, removed, or change roles between the two stages.

• No CVs are required at this stage.
  Task: Enter Proposal Information

• This task collects information related to your research project. Complete the Overview, Details, and Descriptors sections.

• A Research Proposal is not required at this stage.
  Task: Complete Summary of Research Proposal

• The summary must describe how the proposal is in alignment with the Objectives of this funding opportunity.

• Note that your summary cannot exceed 3,500 characters (including spaces) or approximately one (1) page.

• The summary submitted at registration may be used for relevance review and to identify reviewers with the appropriate expertise required to assess the proposal.
  Task: Complete Peer Review Administration Information (optional)

• This task collects information used for the purpose of peer review administration and aids CIHR in recruiting appropriate expertise.

• You are encouraged to suggest reviewers that you feel have the expertise to review your application. CIHR reserves the right to make the final selection of external reviewers. You should not suggest reviewers in conflict of interest. Consult the Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Agreement for Peer Reviewers and Peer Review Observers on the CIHR website for more information.
  Task: Manage Access (optional)

• The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) can delegate access to a maximum of five individuals to support the completion of the application. Note: A delegate's access does not carry over from one stage of the competition to another (i.e., from the registration to the application stage). The NPA will need to delegate access at each stage of a competition. NPAs should revoke delegates' access prior to completing the Consent and Submit tasks if they do not want them to retain access to submitted applications via their Completed Activities tab. For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
  Step 2 — Application

Task: Identify Participants

• List all participants in the "Identify Participants" task. Consult the Eligibility section and ensure that all requirements are met.
• All participants must also be listed in the Participant Table under the task "Attach Other Application Materials" (see below).
• Note: For the purpose of this task in ResearchNet, participants can only be listed once. For participants fulfilling multiple roles (see Eligibility), select one participant type in ResearchNet, but ensure these participants are identified for all roles they fulfill within the uploaded Participant Table.
• Each key participant is required to submit a Tri-Agency CV (up to a maximum of 8 TCVs). Key participants as per Eligibility include: Engagement and Coordination Lead, Research Data Management Lead, Knowledge Mobilization Lead, Human Health Knowledge User, Animal or Environmental Health Knowledge User, Champion Theme 1- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Champion Theme 2 - Indigenous Health Research.  As we gradually transition to the tri-agency CV, the system may continue to display references to the CCV. Please note that all participants must follow the tri-agency CV instructions as specified to complete and attach the tri-agency CV. Applicants should include contextual factors such as career stages, opportunities, diverse career paths, and leaves in Section 1. Personal Statement of the tri-agency CV.
  • Knowledge users with relevant experience (including People with Lived Experience(s)), Indigenous Elders and/or Indigenous Knowledge Holders must include in their CV a description of their relevant lived/living experiences in the context of the application.
  • If an Indigenous non-governmental organization is identified as the NPA their tri-agency CV must include in the Personal Statement a description of the organization's mandate and how it meets the eligibility requirement of being an Indigenous non-governmental organization with a research or knowledge translation mandate.
  • The maximum length of CVs is 5 pages in English and 6 pages in French. Any content in excess of the page limit set for the language will be removed without further notice to the CV owner(s) or the NPA.
  • CVs must follow CIHR's formatting guidelines for attachments.
• Attachments:
  • Curriculum Vitae (mandatory for key participants)
  • The Nominated Principal Applicant and all remaining key participants must upload their tri-agency CV (maximum 8 TCVs).
  • Submit tri-agency CVs by uploading the completed documents in the "Attachment" tab and selecting "Curriculum Vitae" as the Document Type in the dropdown menu. Note: Elders and/or Indigenous Knowledge Holders may be named as Collaborators on your application, allowing them to participate without securing CIHR PINs. For these participants, please see instructions below under Task: Attach Other Application Materials for how to upload their tri-agency CV. Please note names of Collaborators do not appear in CIHR funding decision databases and documents.

Task: Enter Proposal Information

• The Research Proposal must outline each of the elements presented in the evaluation criteria.
• Research proposals written in French will be allowed to submit additional pages, in support of evidence demonstrating that French documents require approximately 20% more space than similar English documents. Therefore, to ensure an equitable amount of space is provided, the following page limits will apply:
  • Ten (10) pages for Research Proposals written in English
  • Twelve (12) pages for Research Proposals written in French Note: Any additional pages over the above-mentioned limit will be removed with no further notification to the Nominated Principal Applicant.
• A maximum of two (2) pages of additional references, charts, tables, figures and photographs can be uploaded under "Attachments – Research Proposal Appendix".
• Information provided in your application package must be self-contained. Hyperlinks, including links to documents hosted on a Google drive (or other similar drives) must not be included in any attachments within your application. Reviewers will not be accessing any content hosted on such drives or linked outside the application. Digital Object Identifiers (DOI) to reference your publications are permitted.

• In order to ensure that all applicants have exactly the same amount of space to write their research proposals, you must adhere to the formatting requirements in the Acceptable Application Formats and PDF Attachments. CIHR reserves the right to withdraw your application if it does not meet these requirements.
  Task: Identify Sensitive Technology Research Areas

• If the research grant will aim to advance any of the listed Sensitive Technology Research Areas, the applicant must answer "Yes" to the screening question.

• All researchers with named roles in the research grant must review the List of Named Research Organizations, and are individually required to complete the Attestation form.

• The NPA must combine all attestation forms into one (1) PDF file and upload it under this task.

• Completed attestation forms will be neither accessible to, nor shared with, peer reviewers.

• CIHR will use this information to ensure applicants are compliant with the Government of Canada's policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern.

• For resources to assist in completing the Attestation form, please consult the Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern, the Tri-agency guidance on the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC Policy); and CIHR Research Security.
  Task: Complete Summary of Research Proposal

• The summary must describe how the proposal is in alignment with the objectives of this funding opportunity.

• Note that your summary cannot exceed 3,500 characters (including spaces) or approximately one (1) page.

• The summary submitted at full application may be used for relevance review and to identify reviewers with the appropriate expertise required to assess the proposal.
  Task: Enter Budget Information

• Provide a budget justification in relation to planned activities and clearly justify all budget items (including cash and cash equivalent contributions, if relevant).

• Research team must allocate funds in their grant budget (i.e., travel, accommodation, accessibility supports and related expenses) to attend/host the following meetings should they be held in-person:

  • A CIHR-hosted kick-off meeting in Ontario (see Conditions of Funding section).
  • Two annual meetings at the end of the first and second years of the grant term (see Conditions of Funding section).
  • An end-of-grant meeting at the end of the third year of the grant term (see Conditions of Funding section).

• Other Supporting Documents (as applicable): For release time allowance requests, you must include a letter from the recipient's organization certifying that the individual for whom the release time allowance is requested:

  • Is a knowledge user on the grant whose primary responsibilities do not include an expectation to engage in research (i.e., as part of their regular employment);
  • Has their organization's approval for the research time on the project that would justify the allowance; and
  • Is engaged in the activities for which funds are being disbursed. Task: Attach Other Application Materials

• Other – attach the following under "Other":

  • Label as: "Sex and Gender Module Certificate" (mandatory for NPA and the Champion Theme 1 - Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)):
  • After completing the appropriate training module that applies to your research project, you will receive a certificate of completion that you will save and upload here. The training module should take approximately 40 minutes to complete.
  • N.B. The certificate was previously issued as a secured document. If your certificate is secured, to successfully append the document to your application, you must upload an unsecured PDF copy. The certificate can be saved as an unsecured PDF by using print screen or by scanning the document.
  • Note: For Organizations, an official must complete the training and submit the Certificate on behalf of the Organization.
  • Indigenous self-identification or evidence of meaningful and culturally safe involvement with Indigenous Peoples statement (mandatory) – label as "Indigenous Health Research Cultural Safety Form – Name/Organization"
  • The individual listed as Champion Theme 2 – Indigenous Health Research who self-identifies as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis) or who can demonstrate their experience working in an Indigenous Health Research environment (which may include Indigenous living experience, addressing power imbalances and cultural safety) or both must complete the CIHR Indigenous Health Research Cultural Safety Form and have it submitted by the NPA.
  • Label as "Relationships with private industry (mandatory if applicable): Should an applicant or any project participant(s) have current or previous (within the past 7 years) relationships, including ownership, with private industry including, but not limited to, financial or in-kind support for research, the applicant(s) must justify in a one (1) page attachment for peer review consideration how this/these existing or previous relationship(s) will contribute to the research as well as any potential risk, or how conflict of interest will be mitigated, as appropriate. CIHR recognizes that the range of industries relevant to this field of research is broad and it is expected that all possible relationships are disclosed and the risk of potential conflicts of interest are mitigated.
  • Label as "Applicant Partner COI Document" (mandatory if applicable): Describe the role of all applicant partners, how/if they will contribute to research and research related activities, and any consideration of risk and/or conflict of interest as appropriate (Maximum 1 page).
  • Label as "Federal Government Attestation" (mandatory if applicable):
  • For applications that include participant(s) that are or have been federal government employees or contractors in the last 12 months, the participant(s) must submit an attestation declaring that they:
    • had no involvement in the development of the FO, including, but not limited to, contributing to the research priorities and objectives; and
    • had no prior knowledge of the details of the FO before it was launched, apart from information publicly released by CIHR; and
    • would not receive professional or personal benefit resulting from the FO or any application submitted to the FO.
  • The attestation must be signed by the participant(s) as well as the participant's supervisor, COI office or an equivalent authority.
  • Label as "Tri-Agency CV – Name" (Optional): Elders and/or Indigenous Knowledge Keepers fulfilling a key participant role on the application but identified as Collaborators in ResearchNet for administrative purposes must have their tri-agency CV.
  • Label as "References" (optional):
  • Attach a list of references cited in the Research Proposal under this task.

• Participant Table (mandatory) – Upload under "Participant Table":

  • Download this table template which will be used for eligibility and peer review assessment. All participants (including Collaborators) should be listed in the Participant Table.
  • Key participants must be clearly identified in the Section 1 of the table. If a participant fulfills multiple eligibility requirements, repeat the name of this participant on the appropriate rows. The 'Expertise and Experience' box should be used for a brief description of what the participant brings to their role on the application. All participants listed in this section must submit a tri-agency CV (a maximum of 8 CVs should be attached) (see Task: Identify Participants).
  • Other participants should be clearly identified in the Section 2 of the table. Participants listed in this section must not submit a tri-agency CV. The 'Expertise and Experience' box should be used for a brief description of what the participant brings to their role on the application.
  • Note: Elders and/or Indigenous Knowledge-Keepers in any role must be listed on the participant table and assigned the role that best matches their contribution (see CIHR definitions).

• Publications (optional) – Upload under "Publication":

  • Append a one (1) page list of up to five (5) publications relevant to the proposal.

• Letters of Collaboration (mandatory if applicable) – Upload under " Letters of Collaboration":

  • Signed letters of collaboration are required from all participants listed as Collaborators on the application.

• Letters of Support (optional) – Upload under " Letters of Support":

  • Signed letters of support may include but are not limited to a description of specific cash or other in-kind contributions from partners, as well as their role in the proposed project; or confirmation of pending faculty appointment from the Dean of the Faculty indicating the date the appointment is expected to take effect, if applicable.
  • Please review the Writing Letters of Support document for guidance. Task: Identify Application Partners – Upload Partner Information (mandatory if applicable)

• Application Partners (if applicable) must be identified in this task

• Submit a "Partnership Details" form for each partner

• For each partner, upload a signed "Partner Letter" describing their role, activities, authorities, accountabilities and contributions (including intellectual, financial [cash or cash equivalent] and other resources).

• The Partner letter should describe the agreement with the partner(s) who will cover the cost of the project should their team grant application be successful. For more details about writing a letter, please visit CIHR Writing Letters of Support.
  Task: Complete Peer Review Administration Information (optional)

• This task collects information used for the purpose of peer review administration and aids CIHR in recruiting appropriate expertise.

• You are encouraged to suggest reviewers that you feel have the expertise to review your application. CIHR reserves the right to make the final selection of external reviewers. You should not suggest reviewers in conflict of interest. Consult the Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Agreement for Peer Reviewers and Peer Review Observers on the CIHR website for more information.
  Task: Manage Access (optional)

• The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) can delegate access to a maximum of five individuals to support the completion of the application. Note: A delegate's access does not carry over from one stage of the competition to another (i.e., from the registration to the application stage). The NPA will need to delegate access at each stage of a competition. NPAs should revoke delegates' access prior to completing the Consent and Submit tasks if they do not want them to retain access to submitted applications via their Completed Activities tab. For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
  Task: Print Signature Page

• Signature Requirements:

  • Signature of the Nominated Principal Applicant is not required for applications submitted through ResearchNet.
  • Signatures must be included for all other applicants (except Collaborators), and individual(s) with signing authority from the Institution Paid.
  • Original signatures are not required. The scanned signed signature pages and the Routing Slip must be uploaded in the Print/Upload Signature Pages task in ResearchNet prior to submitting your application.

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Contact Information

For all inquiries, please contact:

CIHR Contact Centre
Telephone: 613-954-1968
Toll Free: 1-888-603-4178
Email: support-soutien@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

For service hours, please consult our CIHR Contact Centre page.

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Sponsor Description

Note: Additional partners/internal collaborators, including from industry and the private sector, may join this funding initiative over the coming year.

Internal Collaborators

Canadian Institutes of Health Research
At the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), we know that research has the power to change lives. As Canada's health research investment agency, we collaborate with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen our health care system.

CIHR Centre for Research on Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies (CRPPHE)
The Centre for Research on Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies (the Research Centre), which is housed within CIHR, will ensure Canada has an emergency-ready health research system. The Research Centre builds on Canada's research strengths and continues to grow its capacity to be a leader in preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from existing and future pandemics and public health emergencies. It collaborates with other federal departments and agencies, as well as stakeholders domestically and internationally.

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Additional Information

Wise Practices for including an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Champion
The champion can take on roles as an educator, mentor, consultant, facilitator, advocate, co-investigator or principal applicant. In each role, champions are responsible for promoting and integrating EDI considerations throughout all stages of the research coordination.

The list below provides examples of the types of activities champions may engage in. This list is not exhaustive or prescriptive; rather, it is intended to provide guidance for the inclusion of champions.

• Promote the value of EDI, especially as it relates to foster and strengthen training environments.
• Provide advice and guidance to the team on how best to take EDI into account in planning and procedures.
• Help identify where to include EDI considerations in research design, methodology and analysis, including how biological variables (e.g. sex, age) and/or socio-cultural factors (e.g. gender, race, ethnicity, language) will be measured and analyzed.
• Help develop, evaluate and reflect on advancement of EDI in training, mentorship and funding of current and future scientists.
• Facilitate discussion of EDI, including providing resources on historical EDI issues and sharing new findings and innovations.
• Ensure there is education and outreach to promote and sustain an inclusive and diverse research environment within the team.
• Provide EDI resources (such as a toolbox of strategies for advancing EDI and for responding to resistance to EDI considerations).
• Identify resources and EDI training opportunities for the team to better understand the needs and realities of members of underrepresented groups.

• Lead/support the development of an approach for considerations of EDI in training activities.
  These tips will ensure that both champions and research benefit fully from the role.

• The roles of the champion are clearly articulated in the research proposal.

• The specific tasks that the champion will perform are defined.

• The champions have dedicated and specified resources to execute their defined roles, such as course relief for protected time, administrative assistance and/or trainees to support their work for the team.

• Where the champion is not a principal or co-investigator, they are clearly integrated in the leadership or governance structure, to ensure they have meaningful engagement.

• The champion is recognized through authorship in publications and presentations when relevant contributions are made.
  CARE Principles, OCAP® 1 and Distinctions-Based Approaches
  The CARE (Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, and Ethics) Principles for Indigenous Data Governance are people and purpose-oriented, reflecting the crucial role of data in advancing Indigenous innovation and self-determination.

The First Nations Principles of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP® 1) serve as an example of First Nations self-governance but is distinct to First Nations and not distinct to Inuit or Métis collectives and organizations. CIHR recognizes that a distinctions-based approach is needed to ensure that the unique rights, interests and circumstances of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples are acknowledged, affirmed, and implemented.

References

1. OCAP® is a registered trademark of the First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC).

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  Date Modified:

20260226.1