Salary Awards – ResearchNet “Application” Phase Instructions

How to Apply

To make sure you have access and permissions to the research application tools you'll need to apply with, refer to Before you begin.

To understand the general application process for Salary Award programs, refer to General Application Process.

To list the components that make up a complete application that are specific to this program, refer to A complete application consists of the following.

To get ResearchNet-specific information on a task-by-task basis, refer to Task Tips.

Before you begin

Make sure you have the following or click the links to register:

You should only have one ResearchNet account. If you have already accessed ResearchNet, do not register for a new account.

General Application Process

  1. In ResearchNet, complete all tasks listed for your funding opportunity following the on-screen instructions in one of the official languages.
  2. Determine what signatures are needed for each part of your application. See the funding opportunity, and the Meaning of Signatures in the Grants and Awards Guide.
  3. Print the Signature pages, found in ResearchNet needed for the funding opportunity.
  4. Offline, obtain signatures for all signature pages, and for any other material needing signatures.
  5. Scan the signature pages.
  6. Upload the signed signature pages to ResearchNet as part of your submission before the application deadline date.
  7. Review the funding opportunity How to Apply section under the subsection entitled "Specific Instructions" and provide the additional information requested.
  8. Preview all components of your application in ResearchNet using the "Preview Application Materials" task to ensure that your application is complete.
  9. Submit the completed electronic application to CIHR through ResearchNet by completing the "Consent and Submit Application" task on ResearchNet.
    Note: CIHR cannot legally accept your application until you complete this task.
  10. For technical help, call 613-941-9080 or e-mail support@researchnet-recherchenet.ca, and for more information email info@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

A complete application consists of the following

  • Additional Information as stated in the How to Apply section under the subsection entitled "Specific Instructions."

Task Tips

These Task Tips provide general instructions, but do not comprise a comprehensive list of information required to ensure completeness.

Task 1: Identify Participants

This task collects information on all participants involved in your research application. In order to identify participants, a CIHR PIN is required (note that when you register for the PIN, it takes up to one full working day for processing). If applicable, Salary Award applications must list co-applicants as collaborators on any related grant application. Consult the Individual Eligibility Requirements on the CIHR website for more information.

New: Applicants will enter their Common CV Confirmation number in this task. This replaces the former requirement to upload a CCV .pdf file.

CIHR applicants must choose the Academic CV template (replaces Full Application CV). Common CVs are required regardless of the citizenship of the applicant. To produce an Academic CV template:

  1. Log in to the Common CV system: go to the CV menu and select Funding.
  2. In the Funding Source field, select CIHR from the dropdown and click next. Select the appropriate CV type and click next.
  3. Enter data and click on "Done." Validation is automatically performed and errors are displayed, if any. The validation rules follow the requirements set specifically by CIHR.
  4. Review the CV data online and via a preview of the PDF.
  5. When satisfied, click on "Submit."
  6. Record the confirmation number that is displayed with the status message (which can also be found at the top right corner of the CV PDF).
  7. Return to ResearchNet and enter this confirmation number under the Identify Participants Task. If you wish to make changes to your Common CV for a certain application, you must repeat the steps above and use the new confirmation number.

Note 1: During peak periods, there can be a delay between the time that you submit the CV and when ResearchNet is able to validate it. It is highly recommended that you submit your CV well in advance of the competition deadline.

Note 2: The Nominated Principal Applicant is required to include an Academic CV in his/her application. CVs for all other participants are not required for Salary Award applications.

Task 2: Identify Sponsors

This task collects information on the sponsors/references whose letters accompany your research application.

Please refer to the "How to Apply" section of the Funding Opportunity for more specific information.

Task 3: Attach Participant Documents

All attachments must adhere to the guidelines for attachments on the Acceptable Application Formats and Attachments. Before preparing your proposal, please carefully review these instructions.

Applicable only to applicants with a Health Professional degree or Allied Health Professional degree, who are licensed in Canada, provide proof of current and valid Canadian licensure (e.g., copy of annual membership card with expiry date).

Note: This option is only available when the applicant indicates, under task Identify Participants/Collaborators, that the applicant is a Health Professional or an Allied Health Professional.

All documents must be in PDF format. The total size of the attached document(s) cannot exceed 30 MB.

Contribution Details

The following attachments provide more information on various applicant contributions.

New: All of the data fields in the following attachments can now be found in the renewed Common CV. Applicants are strongly advised to avoid duplicating contributions details information (i.e., if entering information as part of the Common CV, do not include the same details below as an attachment in the Contribution Details section of the application).

CIHR is taking a phased in approach to the submission of Contribution Details: applicants may use the renewed Common CV to enter their contribution data or may continue to use the following attachments. However, the Career Interruption and Delays information must be submitted through the renewed Common CV, under the Leaves of Absence section.

Phasing in the use of the renewed Common CV for Contributions will provide more time for some of the more labor-intensive fields (e.g., Publications). Therefore, none of the Contributions fields in the renewed Common CV will be mandatory (with the exception noted above). However, CIHR strongly encourages the applicant to enter data into at least 5 of the Contribution fields in the renewed Common CV (where possible), to familiarize themselves with the system.

Contribution Details - Most Significant Contributions (limit to one page)

Identify a maximum of five (5) contributions, with a maximum length of one page, that best highlight your contribution or activities in the field of research, defining the impact and relevance of each. A contribution is understood to be a publication, literary or artistic work, conference, patent or intellectual property right, contract or creative activity, commission, etc. Your complete description may include the organization, position or activity type and description, from and to dates, and the basis on which this contribution is significant (i.e. relevance, target community and impact).

Contributions Details - Activities and Contributions (limit to one page)

The activities and contributions defined in this section should include both academic and non-academic achievements, and their impacts.

Examples of entries follow. This is not necessarily a complete list, and is intended to provide guidance only.

  • Committee membership
  • For peer review committees, specify the year(s), the subject(s), and the funding organization
  • For thesis examination committees, indicate the author, title of thesis, and university
  • Consulting/contract activities
  • Research development
  • Research or technical reports
  • Supervisory experience (e.g., training of students)
  • Technology transfers (specify the nature of the activity and the target audience)
  • Involvement in public, private, or non-profit sector activities
  • Policy papers
  • Presentations as guest speaker (public or invited lectures)
  • Editorships (specify if editor-in-chief or member of the editorial team)
  • Evaluation of articles for scientific, literary or artistic journals (specify title of journal and the number of articles evaluated)
  • Knowledge translation/Dissemination activities

If some of these completed works do not seem to support the research theme of the team or centre to which you belong, provide the necessary explanations.

Contributions Details - Patents and Intellectual Property Rights (limit to one page)

This section should include details for patents and intellectual property rights for technology transfer, products, and services. Do not include publications in this section.

Descriptions might include the title, patents or intellectual property rights number and date, country(ies) of issue, the name of the inventors, as well as relevance or impact of the stated item.

Contributions Details - Publications List (no page limit)

List all your publications and other research contributions according to the categories below. This is not necessarily a complete list, and is only intended to provide guidance. Categories can be added as needed. Use only items pertinent to the application. There is no limit to the number of pages you can use.

  • Candidates for salary support awards must, for each multi-authored publication, define their role in the publication and indicate their percent contribution to the team effort.
  • Candidates should, for multi-authored publications, underline the names of trainees whose work they supervised.

Categories

Use each applicable category as a different sub-title; maintain the same presentation order as shown below. In all instances, use the reference format for complete bibliographical notes of each original publication. Indicate the source of funding, if applicable.

  • Published refereed papers (original articles published in journals with editorial review)
  • Accepted or in press refereed papers (attach acceptance letters)
  • Submitted refereed papers
  • Published books and monographs (as author or editor)
  • Accepted or in press books and monographs
  • Submitted books and monographs
  • Published contributions to a collective work and book chapters (including chapters written on invitation or collective works derived from conferences or symposiums)
  • Accepted or in press contributions to a collective work and book chapters (including chapters written on invitation or collective works derived from conferences or symposiums)
  • Presentations as guest speaker (including conferences, presentations, demonstrations, workshops intended for a non-academic audience, according to the type of audience)
  • Published abstracts/number of notes (including name of journal, title of article, and date submitted)
  • Accepted or in press abstracts/number of notes (including name of journal, title of article, and date submitted)
  • Submitted abstracts (including name of journal, title of article, and date submitted)
  • Works including individual or collective literary or artistic works (e.g., novels, short stories, poetry, film, video, visual arts work, booklet, record, sound creation, book of artists, collection, exhibition catalogue, etc.)
  • Research reports or reports produced for the government
  • Articles in professional or cultural journals without review committee (including popularized texts)

Task 4: Enter Project Information and Supporting Documents

This task collects information related to your research project.

Project Title

Your Project Title is the way that CIHR identifies your research project. For this reason you cannot edit your Project Title.

Lay Title

Provide a title for your project that is in a language clear to members of the general public. Lay titles are used by CIHR to inform the public and Parliament about the valuable research supported through public funds.

Lay Abstract

Describe your project in a way that is accessible to a lay audience. Be sure to indicate how your proposed research can improve personal health, the health of populations and/or the health delivery system. This information is used by CIHR to inform the public and Parliament about the valuable research supported through public funds.

Institution Paid

This is the Institution that will administer the funds for your project. Consult the Institutional Eligibility Requirements on the CIHR website for more information.

Certification Requirements

If you are awarded a grant, the necessary certification requirements must be met in accordance with policies on ethical conduct of research. Relevant policies:

Note: Not all funding opportunities include or allow trials. The Clinical Trial and Randomized Controlled Trial questions below may or may not appear on your application - consult the funding opportunity for information regarding these questions. For further information on the trials policy, refer to the TCPS 2—2nd edition of Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans.

Is this a clinical trial?
Indicate if this application includes a clinical trial. For more information regarding clinical trials, please refer to the policy on trials.

Does this Application Contain a Randomized Controlled Trial?
Indicate if this application includes a randomized controlled trial. Refer to the funding opportunity on specific requirements for randomized controlled trials for the program to which you are applying.

In order to carry out the proposed research in this application, is an exemption from Health Canada under Section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act required? (Trainees are exempt and should answer No)
Indicate if your proposed research is such that an exemption from Health Canada under Section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) will be required. Consult the Department of Justice website for details regarding Section 56 of the CDSA and the Health Canada website for details regarding obtaining an exemption under Section 56 of the CDSA.

Does this application propose research involving Aboriginal people?
Indicate if your application proposes research involving Aboriginal people. This information will be used for statistical purposes only. Any questions or comments may be sent to the Aboriginal Ethics Guidelines mailbox at aeg-lda@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.

Are sex (biological) considerations taken into account in this study?
Indicate if sex (biological) considerations are taken into account in this study. For a guide to sex and gender based analysis, please consult the CIHR website.

Are gender (socio-cultural) considerations taken into account in this study?
Indicate if gender (socio-cultural) considerations are taken into account in this study. For a guide to sex and gender based analysis, please consult the CIHR website.

Please describe how sex and/or gender considerations will be considered in your research proposal. If your study includes sex (biological) and/or gender (socio-cultural) considerations, then describe how they will be considered in your research proposal (limit of 2000 characters).

Aboriginal People

Applicants whose proposed research will involve Aboriginal People, please consult Ethics of Health Research Involving First Nations, Inuit and Métis People.

Containment Level

Definitions of Levels may be found in the PHAC laboratory biosafety guidelines.

Does any phase of the research described in this proposal take place outdoors, involve field work, an undertaking in relation to a physical work or have a negative impact on the environment?

Project Descriptors

Provide keywords to describe your research project, the techniques and the methodologies it will employ, and the areas of interest.

Areas of Research

Select the areas of research that best describe your proposal from the list provided.

Classification

Select the classifications that best describe your proposal from the list provided.

Themes

Select a primary theme classification. Indicate additional theme classifications only if the substance of the grant application significantly overlaps more than one theme. Consult the Definition of the four CIHR Themes on the CIHR website for more information.

Suggested Institutes

Select a primary CIHR Institute whose research mandate is related to this application's research area(s) and objective(s). Additional Institutes should only be selected if the substance of this grant application significantly overlaps with the research mandate of more than one Institute.

Attachments

All attachments must adhere to the guidelines for attachments on the Acceptable Application Formats and Attachments.

1) Research Proposal

If you will not be holding peer reviewed operating funds as of the first potential start date of the award, you may be required to submit your application simultaneously with an operating grant application, and the same research proposal must be included in both applications (refer to the specific Funding Opportunity for more details). If you will be holding peer reviewed operating funds as a Principal Investigator, an ongoing funded research proposal should be included with your application. (limit to 13 pages)

The Research Proposal should stand alone (i.e. it should contain all the information required to support your research plan and should contain a complete description of your project).

The Research Proposal should be text only and is limited to the number of pages as outlined by the Funding Opportunity. Title pages and table of contents at the beginning of the proposal will count towards the total pages allowed.

Attach any references, tables, charts, figures and photographs as the Research Proposal Appendix. The appendix is not included in the page restriction. Be sure to label your figures.

In the research proposal you must explain:

  1. What you want to do (central hypothesis, research question, specific objectives)
  2. Why this is a reasonable thing to do (review of previous work done on the subject matter, rationale)
  3. Why this is important (new knowledge to be obtained, improvements to health which will result)
  4. How you are going to do it (work plan, timelines, detailed descriptions of methods, analysis and discussion/interpretation of results, pitfalls, ways around the pitfalls, alternatives)
  5. Why you should do it (relevant prior experience and skills, collaborators for technical gaps, preliminary data showing feasibility)
  6. What you and any other collaborator will do (description of roles)

Legends should be succinct and should not contain detailed information pertaining to methods.

2) Research Proposal Appendix

Appendices may include items such as, references, tables, charts, figures, photographs, questionnaires, RCT methods, and consent forms.

Notes: For the purpose of peer review, the research proposal should not depend on information in the Research Proposal appendix, other than references, tables, charts, figures and photographs, that are not included in the page limit of the research proposal. Reviewers are under no obligation to read the Research Proposal appendix other than to read references, tables, charts, figures and photographs.

3) Summary of Progress

Do not include references, tables, charts, figures or photographs.

Summarize previous work relevant to this application. This may include a description of the research undertaken as a trainee, and, if applicable, as an independent investigator. In addition, candidates should address here their research relationship with previous supervisor(s) (limit to one page).

For renewal applicants, summarize the progress accomplished under the current award.

4) 5 Year Research Plan

Attach up to five pages, labeled "5 Year Research Plan". Attach a clear, concise description of:

  • the career plan of the candidate;
  • how the project described in the Research Proposal section of the application fits within the candidate's research plan;
  • how the candidate expects to achieve the above-proposed plan;
  • how the application will ultimately contribute to improved health outcomes for Canadians; and
  • how the proposed research addresses the translational research objectives of CIHR.

5) Appendix 2A

To be completed and signed by the head of department.

a) Other Responsibilities of the Candidate (Appendix 2A - Part 1)

On a separate page (limit to one page), indicate the nature and the extent (hours per year and percentage of time) of non-research activities in which the candidate would be required to engage as follows:

  • Teaching (excluding graduate student supervision)
  • Clinical work
  • Administrative duties
  • Corporate involvement (involvement on boards or advisory committees)

b) Research Associations (Appendix 2A - Part 2)

On a separate page (limit to one page), indicate the colleagues and research programs the candidate would be associated with and the nature of this association emphasizing the potential contributions of the candidate.

c) Commitment of the Nominating Institution (Appendix 2A - Part 3)

CIHR expects that the nominating institution will offer successful candidates a full-time faculty, or equivalent position as an independent investigator. On a separate page (limit to one page), indicate clearly the research buildings and facilities available to the candidate, as well as any start up funds to be given. In addition, describe the institution's commitment to protect the candidate's research time. The institution must commit to protecting a minimum of 75% of the candidate's time for research for the duration of the award.

6) Response to Previous Reviews

If you are resubmitting an unsuccessful application, you may respond to previous reviewer's comments. Your response should not require reference to any other document, because reviewers will not have access to previous application information (limit to two pages).

Task 5: Complete Summary of Research Proposal

Summarize your research proposal. Note that your summary must not exceed one page.

Task 6: Attach Other Application Materials

This task collects additional material you wish to include with your application package.

All documents must be in PDF format. When uploading a document or multiple documents simultaneously, the total size of the attached document(s) cannot exceed 30 Mb.

You may attach:

  • Letters from Collaborators who are expected to make a significant contribution, confirming their willingness to participate in the manner indicated.
  • If applicable, letters from any co-applicants listed on the grant application that is connected to the Salary Award application. The letter should briefly explain the co-applicant's role in the research proposed.
  • Questionnaires and consent forms, if applicable.
  • Up to five publications relevant to this proposal.
  • For applications in partnership with an Rx&D member company or other industry partner: Partner letter (refer to the specific Funding Opportunity for more details on what to include in the Partner letter).

For New Investigator Salary applicants and for applicants with pending appointment, you MUST attach:

Dean of Faculty/Research Director Letter

The letter from the Dean of Faculty or Research Director must be attached, and should include:

  1. Institutional support of an appointment or pending appointment for the candidate.
  2. A commitment to protect a minimum of 75% of the candidate's time for research for the duration of the award.

Task 7: Complete Peer Review Administration Information (if applicable)

This task collects information used for the purpose of peer review administration.

Suggested External Reviewers

Suggest Canadian and/or foreign 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 guidelines on the CIHR website for more information.

Reviewers to Exclude

Provide the names of individuals that you feel cannot provide an objective review of your application.

Future Committee Member Nominations

Nominate individuals that you feel would be an attribute to a particular peer review committee.

Future Committee Member Nomination/Proposed Committee

For more information consult the Peer Review Committees and Mandates on the CIHR website.

Suggested Committees

If applicable, suggest up to two peer review committees that you feel could review your application. Only one (1) committee will be selected. CIHR reserves the right to select the committee that it feels is the most appropriate. The final committee selected will not necessarily be your first or second choice.

Task 8: Apply to Priority Announcements / Funding Pools (if applicable)

Priority Announcements/Funding Pools

Priority Announcements/Funding Pools on CIHR's core competitions offer additional sources of funding for highly rated applications that are relevant to specific CIHR research priority areas or mandates.

Priority Announcements/Funding Pools are listed on the CIHR website throughout the year together with CIHR's other current funding opportunities. For requirements on individual Priority Announcements/Funding Pools, verify the "How to Apply" section of each Priority Announcement/Funding Pool on the Funding Opportunities page. This section will indicate if relevance information is required at the application stage.

Identify Priority Announcements/Funding Pools and Relevant Research Areas

To apply for funding through a Priority Announcement/Funding Pool, select the Priority Announcement/Funding Pool title from the list you see in ResearchNet and the Relevant Research Area(s) addressed by your proposal.

Priority Announcements/Funding Pools for research related to an Institute's mandate are not listed here.

When an Institute is offering a Priority Announcement/Funding Pool to fund research related to its mandate, your application will automatically be entered into the Priority Announcements/Funding Pools competition if you have selected the Institute as a primary (or, in some instances, secondary) Institute under "Suggested Institutes" on the Project Descriptors page.

Describe (in one half-page) how the research proposed addresses the relevant research area.

Task 9: Print/Upload Signature Pages

  1. Print the signature page PDF file which is found on ResearchNet.
  2. Obtain all required signatures.
  3. For applications that require partner signatures, signatures are captured in the Partnership Details PDF. The Partnership Details PDF will be automatically created once the Identify Application Partners task is completed on ResearchNet and must then be uploaded using the Manage Attachments subtask.
  4. Scan and upload the signed signature pages in the Print/Upload Signature Pages task in ResearchNet prior to submitting your application.

Task 10: Preview Application Materials

Review all components of your application. If a task is incomplete, you must provide the missing information to successfully submit your application.

Note: You are responsible for ensuring that documents are uploaded within the appropriate sections of the application and that they are complete and conform to application requirements. ResearchNet does not validate the content of the uploaded document(s).

Task 11: Consent and Submit Application

Submit Application

You must review the terms listed and respond to the questions regarding consent in order to submit your application.

You must click Submit to send your application to CIHR.

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