Resubmissions

How CIHR handles resubmissions

What is a resubmitted application?

All applications that were unsuccessful in their previous submission, new or renewal, are considered resubmissions.

Resubmitting an application is currently permitted under competition rules for selected CIHR funding opportunities, notably, the Open Operating Grant Program (OOGP). Committee members are instructed to treat all applications, including resubmissions, as new applications. This is done in an effort to ensure that all applications are reviewed relative to each other.

How does CIHR make its funding decisions?

During peer review, an application is given a rating by the committee. This rating is then used to generate a rank ordered list of applications and CIHR makes its funding decisions based on this list. Applications are funded, in rank order, until all available funding is exhausted.

View CIHR’s ranking process and rating scale.

Response to previous reviews

For some funding programs, applicants have the option to attach a two page "Response to previous review" to their applications. It should be noted that:

• There are no time limits. This section can be utilized at any time an application is resubmitted;
• Although there is no auditing by CIHR staff, the responses should refer to the same research proposal previously submitted to the same funding opportunity;
• Addressing previous reviews does NOT guarantee that the application will be better positioned to be funded as it is placed in a new competition and will be evaluated relative to new applications.

Peer Review

Given the dynamic nature of committee membership, applications are not necessarily evaluated by the same peer reviewers from one meeting to the next, although every effort is made to ensure some continuity between reviews where possible. Furthermore, in situations where there are several peer review committees within the funding program (e.g. OOGP), an application may be evaluated by a different peer review committee than that suggested. In consultation with committee Chairs and Scientific Officers, an application may be transferred to ensure proper alignment with the committee mandate and appropriate matching of reviewer expertise.

At the peer review committee meeting, Peer Reviewers do not have access to the previous iteration of the application, reviews, or scores, and are instructed to evaluate the application submitted as a stand-alone entity at the committee meeting. Depending on the cohort of applications received by a committee, an application may rank higher or lower depending on how it compares to the other applications.

Notes

• For the OOGP, there are currently no limits imposed on researchers regarding the number of resubmissions allowed;
• There are no limits to the number of applications submitted to a funding opportunity (unless stated otherwise in the funding opportunity).

Glossary and Interpretation of application types

New application: A research proposal that was never submitted for funding at CIHR.

Renewal: An application that is the continuation of a currently funded research project. If successful, there will be no interruption in funding and the same funding reference number (FRN) will be kept.

Note: An application is considered a resubmission if there was an interruption in the funding for the research project. If the applicant is ultimately funded, a new FRN will be issued.

Resubmission: An application that was unsuccessful in its previous submission (new or renewal).