Up to $150,000 in New Funding Dedicated to Healthy Aging Research
Among older adults, the rate of persistent musculoskeletal pain ranges from 40% to 60%. And yet, people in this group remain vastly underrepresented in clinical research. This is something the Canadian Chiropractic Research Foundation (CCRF) seeks to help change by dedicating its newest Request for Proposals (RFP) to Healthy Aging with up to $150,000 in new grants available.
“The Silver Tsunami is here. Almost 40% of Canadians today are over 50 years of age,” points out CCRF chair, Dr. Nadine Ellul, referring to the growing wave of senior adults who are reaching and surpassing mid-life. “Both the World Health Organization and the United Nations have named 2020-2030 the Decade of Healthy Aging. Our goal through this call is to support this work by making investments that can bring exceptional value to mature patients and the healthcare professionals who serve them.”
“The older our population gets, the more their suffering can increase due to the negative impacts magnified in this population. This, in turn, has a direct impact on their safety, mobility, pain management, their ability to enjoy life and maintain independence,” says Dr. Richard McIlmoyle, CCRF’s Research Committee chair. “Through this RFP we want to demonstrate our commitment to evidence-based research addressing social, economic and health issues by inviting proposals that address topics related to healthy aging. Areas of interest include – but are not limited to – safety, rehabilitation, utilization, sports and aging in place.”
How We Work
CCRF’s RFP Process
Twice a year, CCRF invites grant proposals (RFPs) from Canadian researchers, clinicians, health institutions and university faculty, as well as collaborative projects headed by recognized professional leaders. Funding is provided through CCRF’s National Research Fund, thanks to the very generous support of the Canadian Chiropractic Association and our Provincial Associates, representing clinicians from across Canada.
Criteria and available funding for each RFP varies. Before you apply, please make sure to review the Current RFP Criteria, where you’ll find eligibility details and submission information for your Letter of Inquiry (LOI).
Submissions must reflect at least one of CCRF’s 4 National Research Priorities and follow recognized scientific and ethical standards.
Proposal evaluation is overseen and administered by CCRF’s Research Committee. Final funding recommendations are approved by the Board of Directors. Grant applicants who do not receive funding can receive succinct written feedback on their submissions upon request.
Grants are approved contingent on standard CCRF terms and conditions.
RFP Details for Fall 2023:
CCRF is pleased to offer the Fall 2023 Request for Proposals (RFP) to researchers and clinicians in the chiropractic and adjacent healthcare fields who meet the eligibility requirements. The total grant pool for this call is approximately $150,000. Grants for individual projects start at $5,000.
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to review the following:
- CCRF’s National Research Priorities: Basic Science, Clinical Science, Health Systems and Population Health.
- CCRF’s FAQs: These have been recently updated and contain information which may assist with submission preparation
Granting decisions are made by CCRF’s Board of Directors based on recommendations by its Research Committee.
Steps to Apply
1
Letter of Intent (LOI)
Step 1: Applicants review current RFP guidelines and submit an LOI outlining proposal scope and focus.
2
Evaluation
Step 2: Following LOI evaluation, applicants will either be invited to prepare a Grant Application or notified a grant will not be offered this cycle.
3
Grant Application
Step 3: Following Grant Application evaluation, submitters will receive an approval of funding or be notified a grant will not be offered this cycle.
How To Apply
To ensure equal access for submitters and support timely grant awards, CCRF uses a straightforward three-step application process. Before applying, please make sure to review this Request for Proposal (RFP) , its eligibility criteria and FAQs thoroughly.
- Grant seekers submit a brief Letter of Intent (LOI) to provide a succinct overview of their proposal, including a summary of the project concept, the anticipated output and the amount of funding requested
- LOIs must follow the submission format and instructions below
- LOIs must be received by 11:59 pm on Thursday, November 16th, 2023
LOI Submission Format
- English language on your organization’s letterhead
- LOI should be no more than two pages in length, single-sided, single-spaced, Calibri 11-point font, and 1-inch margins with page numbers at the bottom
- Page One should include:
- project title
- general research design
- applicant’s name, degree, contact information and professional affiliation
- amount of grant requested
- Page Two should contain the research abstract, which describes the scope, purpose, methodology, hypothesis of your project and content of the proposed work. Please indicate the anticipated impact of this research and why it is important to further knowledge within one or more of the four CCRF Areas of Focus (Basic Science, Clinical Science, Health Systems, Population Health).
- Supporting materials, such as peer reviewed publications and biographic information, are optional and can be provided as attachments (maximum two pages)
- Proposals must be dated and signed by principal applicant
- Signed proposals must contain the following declarations: “We/I confirm, that to the best of our/my knowledge, this LOI submission is accurate. We/I also certify all identified investigators will fully participate in the proposed work. We/I have read and understood the most recent CCRF Request for Proposal and Letter of Intent Guidelines.”
Submission Instructions
- A single PDF file containing the LOI and all supporting documents should be emailed to info@chiroresearch.ca no later than 11:59 pm on Thursday, November 16th, 2023
- PDF files should be saved as “LOI_lead submitter last name_institution_year.” (e.g., LOI_Harris_University of Toronto_2023)
- A confirmation email will be sent within 72 hours of receipt
Proposal evaluation is overseen and administered by the CCRF Research Committee.
- Every LOI is evaluated by the Research Committee and includes an independent scientific review
- Grant applications are provided only to selected projects that align with the objectives and areas of focus outlined in the Current Request for Proposals (RFP)
- All submitters will be notified of the status of their project. Those who do not receive an application will be notified that a grant will not be offered this cycle
Based on the LOI, CCRF will provide selected teams with a grant application.
- Grant applications include a cover letter, project overview, phases and timeline, monetary request, submitter background/qualifications, references, other funding sources (projected and confirmed) and multimedia components (if any).
- For grant requests over $10,000, a 30-minute videoconference presentation may be requested.
- Grant applications and LOI budgets are usually identical. If an increase is requested during the grant application stage it should be justified by the submitter.
- Final funding recommendations are approved by CCRF’s Board of Directors in cooperation with The Foundation’s Board of Directors.
- Applicants are informed about proposal status with a letter indicating:
- A grant will not be offered during this cycle
- A grant is approved contingent on certain CCRF terms and conditions.
To be considered for funding by CCRF in this RFP cycle, your project must:
- Be executed by researchers in good standing within their professional associations and meet all eligibility requirements:
- At least one Canadian Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) team member residing in Canada is required
- A Canadian project lead is preferred but not required
- A PhD is beneficial but not required if sufficient research, publication experience and institutional support can be demonstrated
- Additional funding or in-kind partnerships are strongly encouraged
- Adhere to the parameters set out in this Fall 2023 Request for Proposal (RFP)
- Be conducted in accordance with Canadian legal, regulatory and ethical guidelines
- Be eligible for publication in an accredited, peer-reviewed journal
- Be received by the CCRF by 11:59 pm on Thursday, November 16th, 2023
CCRF’s Research Committee invites proposals that address a wide range of topics as they relate to healthy aging. Areas of interest include – but are not limited to:
- Rehabilitation
- Utilization
- Return to Activity
- Aging in Place
- Safety
- Indigenous Community Health and Wellness
- Interdisciplinary or international collaborations
- Emerging trends or Public Health
For funding consideration in this RFP cycle we invite applicants to consider these guiding points when developing submissions:
- Explore gaps in current knowledge or expand on existing studies in meaningful ways
- Demonstrate fresh thinking and/or innovative use of technology
- Explore diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) or other important areas of health and/or social intersection
- Provide excellent value and/or supplementary project support
- Adhere to all parameters set out in this Fall 2023 Request for Proposal (RFP)
- Be conducted in accordance with Canadian legal, regulatory and ethical guidelines
- Be eligible for publication in an accredited peer reviewed journal
- Well developed methodologies, appropriate supervision and effective institutional support are strongly encouraged
- Be received by the CCRF by 11:59 pm on Tuesday, November 16th, 2023
Important Dates
- LOIs must be received by 11:59 pm on Thursday, November 16th, 2023
- CCRF will inform applicants if a Grant Application (based on the LOI) will be requested during the week of November 27th, 2023
- Final grant decisions are scheduled to be determined in March 2024
Have a question? Check Grant FAQs
For all other inquiries, please contact us at info@chiroresearch.ca