Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

CIHR is launching this funding opportunity (FO) to support the development of knowledge syntheses, using an equity, diversity and inclusion lens, to assess the current state of knowledge and evidence base, and identify strengths and gaps in research areas related to the promotion of brain health and risk reduction for age-related cognitive impairment. This will include a specific focus on knowledge mobilization practices throughout the research process to increase the usefulness and uptake of findings to relevant stakeholders, including partners and knowledge users, as well as the creation of culturally appropriate, equitable and inclusive targeted knowledge mobilization (KM) products.

There are currently no disease-modifying therapeutics that delay the onset of cognitive impairment and dementia or that alter the disease course. In the absence of these treatments, pro-active interventions that reduce the risk of disease onset or delay its progression could have a profound effect on prevalence and severity of these disorders, with an enormous impact on public health.

In addition, higher rates of dementia for Indigenous Peoples compared to non-Indigenous Peoples have been reported. Recognizing that First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples lived/living experiences vary, relatively little is known about the distinctions-based impacts that dementia has in Indigenous populations and/or how to provide culturally appropriate care of those impacted.

Research Areas

This FO will support projects relevant to the objectives and any of the following research areas that include, but are not limited to:

• Protective and modifiable risk factors and the role of cognitive reserve in promoting brain health in aging, including factors that contribute across the life course.
• Mechanisms of resilience or cognitive reserve (see Additional Information) that can underlie healthy brain aging and/or mitigate risk for cognitive impairment.
• Risk reduction in factors that contribute to the development of cognitive impairment: modifiable risk factors and interventions that can delay the onset or slow disease progression. These can include common risk factors with metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, rare diseases, other co-morbidities, sleep disturbances or inflammaging.
• Differing pathophysiology underlying cognitive health, for example individuals with positive β-amyloid and/or tau biomarkers, but normal cognition, or individuals that revert from mild cognitive impairment to normal or near-normal cognitive function.
• Genetic and epigenetic risks factors underlying neurodegeneration and cognitive decline.

Please see funding opportunity's website for more detailed information.

Funds Available

The total amount available for this funding opportunity is $2.0M, enough to fund approximately twenty (20) grants. This amount may increase if additional funding partners participate. The maximum amount per grant is $100,000 per year, for one (1) year.

Of this $2.0M:

• $600,000 is available in any relevant research area to fund up to six (6) projects;
• $300,000 is available from the Lifestyle Approaches to reduce risk pool to fund up to three (3) projects;
• $200,000 is available from the Indigenous Health Research pool to fund up to two (2) projects;
• $200,000 is available from the Historically Excluded Populations pool to fund up to two (2) projects;
• $200,000 is available from Vascular Cognitive Impairment pool to fund up to two (2) projects;
• $ 200,000 is available from the Caregivers and Care Providers and Aging with Neurodiversity pool to fund up to two (2) projects;
• $100,000 is available from the Sex and Gender Differences pool to fund one (1) project;
• $100,000 is available from the Dementia Genetic Factors pool to fund one (1) project; and,
• $100,000 is available from the Sexually Transmitted and Blood Borne Infections (STBBI) pool to fund one (1) project.

Eligibility to Apply

1. The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) must be one of the following:
   • an independent researcher affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution and/or its affiliated institutions (including hospitals, research institutes and other non-profit organizations with a mandate for health research and/or knowledge translation).
   • an individual affiliated with an Indigenous non-governmental organization in Canada with a research and/or knowledge translation mandate.
   • an Indigenous non-governmental organization in Canada with a research and/or knowledge translation mandate.
2. The Research Team must include each of the following roles. Note that an individual can fulfill multiple roles.
   • A Knowledge User (KU) as Principal Applicant, or Co-Applicant.
   • A PWLE as Co-Applicant, or Collaborator.
3. Any research involving Indigenous Peoples, including those applying to the Indigenous Health Research pool must include at least one applicant (NPA or PA) who self-identifies as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) and/or provides evidence of the capacity and experience to work with Indigenous Peoples and communities in a meaningful and culturally safe way (see How to Apply for more details).
4. The NPA must have successfully completed one of the sex- and gender-based analysis training modules available online through the CIHR Institute of Gender and Health and have submitted a Certificate of Completion (see How to Apply).

Deadlines:

Registration: May 25, 2023

Full Application: June 22, 2023

WEBSITE

SFU Signature Sheet, CIHR Routing Slip and Full Application are due to Research Services three business days before the 'Full Application' deadline. Please note that the CIHR Routing Slip must be signed by Research Services and uploaded to the portal as part of the application package. 

Also note that SFU acknowledges the principles of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession (OCAP®) see: https://fnigc.ca/ocap-training/) with regard to how First Nations data is collected, protected or shared.