Knowledge to Action Grants

Deadline dates

Please see the eligibility and requirements section prior to creating an application.

Application guides can be found on the EGrAMS documentation for applicants page.

Abstract registration due date:

TBD

Relevance review results:

TBD

Full application due date:

TBD

Results announcement:

TBD

Anticipated start date:

TBD

Partner

The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) in partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research-Institute of Cancer Research (CIHR-ICR), will jointly fund the Knowledge to Action Grants program. As described below, knowledge translation applications from all relevant areas and disciplines of cancer research will be considered eligible for funding. Applications addressing CIHR-ICR's Strategic Research Priorities are specifically encouraged.

Please see the 'Partner description' section below for more information on CIHR-ICR.

Program description

This Knowledge to Action Grant has been created to encourage research projects that will close the gap between what is known from research and what is done with that knowledge in the health care community and public health practice. These grants are intended to provide funding for research projects that build on existing cancer research findings and aim to improve outcomes and experiences through knowledge translation (KT) for people and populations at risk, patients, their families and communities across the cancer trajectory e.g., to assist knowledge users (researchers, practitioners, policy makers, CCS program delivery staff and/or volunteers) in their awareness of knowledge or innovations and facilitating their use in health or healthcare system improvement. The grant should incorporate the principles of knowledge translation including knowledge synthesis, dissemination, exchange and/or ethically sound application of knowledge to improve health and the health system (1,2).

Note that the focus of applications should be on either: the translation of current, existing knowledge from foundational, discovery research, or the development of new, innovative approaches, models, methodologies, measurement tools, etc., for knowledge translation as outlined below. The creation of new foundational, discovery research or syntheses/systematic reviews are not responsive to this funding opportunity.

Abstract registrations will be reviewed and those that are not clearly within these two categories will not be considered appropriate for this funding opportunity and will be triaged.

This grant program is designed to support primary KT research in behavioural and psychosocial sciences that is aligned with the goals of the program. Applications from all relevant areas and disciplines of cancer research will be considered eligible for funding and will be evaluated based on a common set of criteria. Multidisciplinary collaboration is encouraged. Funding requests should not be simply to fund dissemination of results (e.g. journal publications, meetings, etc.) or for KT approaches already included in a previous grant application.

Priority areas for this program include, but are not limited to:

health disparities
prevention
screening
early detection
diagnosis
treatment
supportive care
survivorship
end-of-life care

Examples of projects that may be appropriate for this grant program include, but are not limited to:

identifying barriers and facilitators to the uptake of research findings
adapting knowledge, tailoring messages and testing interventions to overcome identified barriers to KT to for example, target populations, health service providers, policy makers, etc.
KT research methodology development
KT measurement tools development
KT innovative program and service design and implementation
evaluating KT implementation process and outcomes
sustaining knowledge use

CCS welcomes applications for all cancer types. Given the recent merger between the CCS and CBCF, applications in the area of breast cancer research are encouraged in all CCS research competitions.

Eligibility

Applications are invited from investigators across all relevant disciplines to submit projects to develop and test knowledge to action plans that will ultimately result in the improved outcomes and experiences for people and populations at risk, patients, their families and communities across the cancer trajectory.

Investigators may propose multidisciplinary collaborations with different research institutions, as appropriate but must specify the collaborations with the knowledge users to whom the research knowledge is targeted for action.

Note that Abstract Registration must be completed in order to submit a full application.

Funds available

Grants will be funded to a maximum of $100,000 to be spent over one or two years. It is anticipated that up to 4 grants will be awarded in each competition. Budgets can include (within the funding cap) a request for permanent equipment of up to $10,000.

The time-frame and associated expenses must be clearly justified in the budget. The grant is non-renewable.

Grants

up to $100,000

Renewable

no

Equipment

up to $10,000

Multidisciplinary peer review committee(s) will be assembled for this competition. The peer review committee(s) will consist of scientific experts, along with community representatives to provide patient/survivor/caregiver perspectives.

A maximum of one application per Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator will be permitted in each competition.

Registration is mandatory and will require applicant details (Principal Investigator(s)/Co-Applicants/Additional Authors), scientific abstract, keywords, suggested reviewers and research tracking information.

Any significant changes to the proposed project or applicant team after the Abstract registration deadline should be communicated to the CCS (research@cancer.ca) as soon as they are known. Substantive changes that significantly alter the overall goals and aims of the proposal relative to the Abstract Registration are not permitted.

The online application will be accessible through the CCS online research application system EGrAMS. All applications must meet the eligibility requirements.

Relevance review

Applications will be reviewed for the appropriateness to the funding opportunity. Applicants will be advised of the results and those deemed appropriate will be invited to submit a full application.

The proposal will contain no more than 5 pages of single-spaced text and 5 pages of figures/tables/charts and associated legends. Specific guidelines for the online application is available.

When preparing the full application, the following is required:

a detailed outline of the work to be performed and how the proposed work will translate knowledge and build on previous research
- a description of which member(s) of the research team will be responsible for each aspect of the project including a detailed rationale for their inclusion in the project
- a clear specification of the intended knowledge user, collaborative process and evidence of support
- a scientific outline that clearly states the aims of the project(s) including any previous work done in the area, experimental design, methods and analysis
- a description of the KT theoretical framework for how best to engage the target knowledge user audience(s)
- a detailed plan for the dissemination of the research findings beyond scientific publication, including a knowledge translation strategy which may include partnerships with relevant policy, health care, program delivery and advocacy experts
- a detailed description of the actual programs/deliverables expected to result from the project, and how it will advance the mission of the Canadian Cancer Society
- a description of the expected impact that research results will have on the burden of cancer or the advancement of knowledge
a budget justification related to the supplies, expenses and personnel associated with the research project. This must include the number of personnel required to complete the work and a description of their experience and/or education level.

The review process may include an iterative review whereby the panel may request clarification of up to 3 significant points from the applicants prior to the full panel meeting. Applicants would be advised by email if there are any questions to address and be given two weeks to submit their responses.

Panel members use scientific merit and responsiveness rating scales. The review criteria will include, but not necessarily be restricted to the following:

demonstration of the project to advance the mission of the Canadian Cancer Society
relevance of the project to the goals of this program announcement
scientific merit and KT theoretical rationale of the research project
qualifications and experience of the investigator team
innovativeness of the proposed KT approach and research methodology
appropriateness of the KT and evaluation methods
likelihood that the proposed KT research will improve outcomes and experiences

appropriateness of the amount of support requested

There must not be substantive overlap (more than 50%) with any pending application (including those at the abstract or Letter of Intent submission stage) to any other CCS research program as of this competition due date. Duplicate applications will not be accepted. The onus is on the applicant to indicate the extent (or absence) of overlap. Grantees can accept funds from other sources, up to the CCS research panel recommended amount.

Applicants are reminded to review the eligibility and requirements section for details on scientific and financial reporting, funder acknowledgement, Canadian Cancer Society policies on open access and tobacco related funding.

Partner Description

The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) mandate is to support research that reduces the burden of cancer on individuals and families through prevention strategies, screening, diagnosis, effective treatments, psychosocial support systems, and palliation. Partnering to support this funding opportunity with CCS responds to CIHR-ICR's Strategic Plan.

References

(1) Graham, I.D., & Tetroe, J.M. (2009). Getting Evidence into Policy and Practice: Perspective of a Health Research Funder. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 18:1, 46-50

(2) For additional references on KT, dissemination, and implementation research and practice see: http://publications.cancer.gov/dipubs/

Last modified on: March 6, 2020