Ward Estate Chronic Fatigue Research Competition

The Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute (NMHI) is pleased to announce an open grant competition for NMHI members funded by the Ward Estate. The program will support two research projects related to chronic fatigue syndrome [also termed myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) or systemic exertion intolerance disease] and related disorders, including long COVID, or autonomic nervous system abnormalities.

The total funding available is for two grants, each up to $75,000 per year for two years.

Eligibility and Application Criteria

  • Multidisciplinary teams and research spanning more than one CIHR pillar will be considered a strength
  • A maximum of one application per Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-PI will be permitted
  • The PI must hold a full-time academic appointment at the University of Alberta and be a member of NMHI. Apply for membership
  • The PI must have a demonstrated track record of research excellence
  • All applications must be submitted through the researcher home page for institutional approval
  • Grants are tenable at the University of Alberta only
  • Projects cannot duplicate existing, funded projects

Registration (**deadline May 12, 2023)
Please submit the following information as a single pdf to nmhicoms@ualberta.ca

  • Name and affiliation of PI and, if applicable, Co-PI(s)
  • A public summary of the proposed research, including title (do not include confidential information) (0.5 page)
  • A scientific abstract and title (1 page)
  • A list of at least 5 Canadian and/or international reviewers that you believe have the expertise to review the full application

Full Application (**deadline July 31, 2023)
The full application should contain the following submitted as a single pdf to nmhicoms@ualberta.ca

  1. Proposal (12-point Times New Roman, single-spaced, 1-inch margins). The proposal will contain no more than 5 pages that include all figures, tables, and charts, with associated legends (list of references is not included in the page count). The proposal should include:
    1. A detailed scientific proposal clearly stating the aims of the project, experimental design, methods and analysis
    2. A compelling rationale for the hypothesis
    3. Preliminary data (may be included, but it is not a requirement)
    4. Details of the investigator(s), including which member(s) of the research team will be responsible for which aspect of the project and a rationale for their inclusion in the project, and a description of the research environment where the work will take place 
    5. A description of how sex and gender are integrated into the research design and data analysis
  2. Vision Statement
    A vision statement (0.25 page) explicitly describing how the proposed work could move the field forward and accelerate progress in relevant research. This statement should also clearly address what expected “next steps” might follow the completion of the project.
  3. Budget 
    A budget summary (1 page) and justification (up to 2 pages) related to the supplies, equipment , 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, and their time commitment to the project. Support for 1-2 graduate students or a postdoctoral fellow should be included in the budget. Specific activities may include, but are not restricted to:
    • Materials, supplies, and other expendables
    • Equipment costs and/or maintenance of equipment
    • Animals and animal facilities
    • Computer/CPU time, data access charges and library resources
    • Computer and computing equipment or software
    • Publication costs (including open access publishing)
    • Service and outreach
    • Salary for students, research assistants, technicians, postdoctoral fellows, and/or new staff positions
    • Research  costs can include travel, registration fees, per diem/meals, accommodations, etc. to present or collect data
    • Software, equipment, and supplies
    • Space costs (lab costs if applicable)
    • Direct administrative costs related to the research project
  4. Investigator Qualifications
    Please attach a CIHR Biosketch CCV for all investigators.

Budget and Period of Support
Funding requests are limited to a maximum of $75,000 per year for 2 years.

Review Process
The full applications will be assessed by an expert panel of internal and external reviewers.
Assessment:

  • Research strategy
    • scientific merit and compelling rationale that considers critical review and analysis of preliminary data and/or published literature, as appropriate
    • identification of potential limitations of the proposed research strategy and how they will be addressed, including alternative approaches
    • appropriateness of the term and amount of support requested
  • Investigator(s)
    • qualifications and appropriate expertise of the investigator(s)
  • Environment
    • quality of the research environment in which the work will take place

Additional Criteria
Reporting: Reports are required at the end of the first and second years.
Communications and acknowledgement: The Ward Estate and the Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute must be recognized in all publications, presentations, etc., resulting from this work.

How to Apply and Deadlines - **Deadlines extended
Please submit the required information for registration by May 12, 2023 and complete application by July 31, 2023 to nmhicoms@ualberta.ca 

Questions
Please contact nmhicoms@ualberta.ca if you have questions about the competition or application process.