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Dementia Community Investment: Call for 2024 letter of intent

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Introduction

Launched in 2018, the Dementia Community Investment funds community-based projects that seek to:

Projects could, for example, provide PLWD and family/friend caregivers with opportunities to gain knowledge, resources, and skills. Projects that do not directly benefit PLWD and family/friend caregivers will not be considered for funding.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is pleased to invite organizations to submit Letters of Intent (LOIs) for projects that address the objectives and priorities of the 2024 Dementia Community Investment solicitation (see Section on Objectives).

This solicitation is the first step in a two-stage process beginning with an LOI. Successful applicants will be notified and proceed to a full application in fall 2024. It is anticipated that 4-5 projects will be funded through this call for proposals.

Context

Dementia is a term that encompasses a range of symptoms affecting brain function. These may include a deterioration in cognitive abilities such as: memory; planning; judgement; basic math skills; and awareness of person, place and time. Additionally, dementia can also affect language, mood and behaviour, and the ability to maintain activities of daily living. In Canada, between April 2020 and March 2021, close to 477,000 people aged 65 and older were living with diagnosed dementia and close to 86,000 people aged 65 and older were newly diagnosed with dementia. About two-thirds of older adults in Canada living with diagnosed dementia are women.

The increasing proportion of older adults in Canada suggests a forthcoming rise in the number of people living with dementia. While predominantly affecting older adults, dementia can also impact individuals of all ages, including those with young onset dementia and those in a caregiving role. A dementia journey changes as the condition progresses, and stakeholders have emphasized the importance of identifying methods that improve quality of life and maintain dignity for people at all stages.

Objectives

The objective of this current funding opportunity is to support both emerging and advanced, community-based projects that meet one or both of the following objectives:

  1. Optimize the health and wellbeing of people living with dementia (PLWD) and family/friend caregivers; and/or
  2. Increase knowledge of dementia and risk and protective factors.

Projects should address inequities among priority populations at higher risk for developing dementia and/or facing inequities such as Indigenous, 2SLGBTQI+ and racial/ethnic and cultural communities.

In addition, all projects must undertake intervention research to assess the effectiveness of the intervention or initiative and promote/apply this knowledge to support expansion of the project's reach to new communities, sectors, populations and/or jurisdictions.

Emerging projects must be based on best practices, evidence and/or strong theoretical underpinnings and seek longer-term funding to further develop, refine, adapt, implement and study the proposed intervention or initiative with a view of expanding to new communities, sectors and/or population groups over time.

Advanced projects must have a high-quality evidence base indicating effectiveness of their proposed intervention; have demonstrated quality and diversity of partnerships; and have demonstrated organizational infrastructure to support sustained scale-up on the intervention beyond federal funding. Applicants will seek to expand the reach and impact of the intervention, to new communities, sectors and/or population groups, over a shorter timeframe.

Principles

LOIs will be assessed based on the principles outlined below. LOIs that align most closely with the following principles will be prioritized.

Applications must consider and, as appropriate, demonstrate meaningful engagement of people with lived experience. Projects must engage target populations in the planning, implementation, delivery and evaluation of initiatives to ensure their perspectives are integrated. Compensation for people with lived experience should be included in proposed project budgets, commensurate with their contribution to the project.

Applications must demonstrate a person-centered approach. Projects recognize that individuals have unique values, needs, personal histories and personalities. In the context of this funding opportunity, this means placing 'the person' at the center of the proposed initiative and meaningfully collaborating with PLWD and/or family/friend caregivers in the project.

Applications must incorporate a health equity lens. Health equity is fostered by the absence of unfair/unjust systems and structures that cause systematic and avoidable differences in health status. Health equity ensures that all people have the same opportunity to reach their fullest health potential and are not disadvantaged from attaining it because of conditions and circumstances related to the social determinants of health and the intersections between them: (e.g., sex, gender, age, race, Indigenous identity, geographic location, and the intersections between these factors).

Efforts to address the needs of populations that are at higher risk of experiencing poor health outcomes can help reduce health inequities.

Applications must demonstrate multi-sectoral partnerships and collaboration. People living with dementia and family/friend caregivers interact with a wide array of sectors. Interventions prove most effective when they unite these organizations in a coordinated effort to provide support for these populations. Multi-sectorial engagement or involvement can include, for example:

Projects demonstrating collaboration with other organizations through support letters and the capacity to leverage in-kind or financial contributions will receive special consideration. It is important to note that letters of support are not required at this stage of the solicitation process.

Applications must demonstrate that the proposed intervention or initiative is evidence-based. This refers to rigorous, scientific research, quantitative and qualitative data, and/or evaluation of the intervention, or the application of research to support the relevance and impact of the proposed intervention and/or adaptation of the intervention to a new context or population. Qualitative data and experiences of people with lived experience are valuable evidence sources.

Applications must demonstrate the proposed project is community-based. Community members play an integral role in designing, developing and delivering proposed projects. Applicants that are not a community-based organization must have a minimum of two years' experience working with communities.

Implemented resources and supports can be accessed from community settings such as homes, workplaces, and community organizations that serve PLWD and family/friend caregivers. Applicants are reminded that funded projects are not permitted to provide services and supports that are the responsibility of other jurisdictions such as:

However, projects may involve linkages with health care providers as appropriate.

Applications must demonstrate, where applicable, cultural sensitivity. Understanding the cultural contexts of populations is an essential element in designing and delivering culturally sensitive community-based programs. Cultural contexts and values have a strong influence on health-related behaviours. In their applications, applicants must demonstrate how their proposed project would take into consideration the cultural context of the populations that they are targeting.

Other considerations for application development

Official language requirements

The Government of Canada is committed to enhancing the vitality of the English and French linguistic minority communities in Canada (Francophones living outside the province of Quebec and Anglophones living in the province of Quebec), supporting and assisting their development, and fostering the full recognition and use of both official languages in Canadian society. Projects must be available in one or both official languages depending on the reach and audience. For additional information, consult the Official Languages Act (http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/O-3.01/).

Working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis organizations

The impact of colonization on First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada has had a devastating impact on their health and wellness. As a result, First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada face diverse challenges and have unique lived experiences.

Organizations and research teams are encouraged to submit an LOI if they are:

Applicants are encouraged to reference socio-ecological models or frameworks that best meet the needs of the priority population, such as:

In addition, various approaches to intervention research will be considered, including appropriate research methodologies for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

Sex- and Gender-Based Analysis Plus (SGBA Plus) requirements

The Government of Canada's Health Portfolio has a mandate to apply Sex- and Gender-Based Analysis Plus (SGBA Plus) to advance health equity, diversity, and inclusion in all its policies, programs, and initiatives. SGBA Plus is an analytical, intersectional approach that is used to assess how determinants of health interact and intersect with each other and broader systems of power and discrimination. Integrating SGBA Plus helps applicants develop responsive and inclusive public health programs and initiatives that meet the unique needs of diverse groups of people. Applicants are expected to incorporate these considerations into their LOI, funding requests and projects, using SGBA Plus or other relevant approaches.

For more information in integrating health equity through the application of SGBA Plus, see Integrating Health Equity into Funding Proposals: A Guide for Applicants (https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/health-system-services/integrating-health-equity-funding-proposals-guide-applicants.html).

Lobbying Act

Amendments to the Lobbying Act (https://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/L-12.4/) and Regulations (https://lobbycanada.gc.ca/en/rules/the-lobbying-act/regulations/) have broadened the definition of lobbying. We encourage applicants to review the revised Act and Regulations to ensure compliance. For additional information, visit Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada's website: https://lobbycanada.gc.ca/en/.

Research ethics approval

All projects that involve research with humans must be approved by a research ethics board that adheres to the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (https://ethics.gc.ca/eng/policy-politique_tcps2-eptc2_2022.html. In addition, project leads should consult the Tri-Council Policy Statement before the research portion of the project begins. Research is defined as an activity designed to test a hypothesis or answer a specific research question, permit conclusions to be drawn, and extend knowledge through the use of scientific methods and standardized protocols, systematic collection or analysis of data, or other types of inquiry. Research may rely upon quantitative methods or qualitative approaches such as participatory action research, narrative inquiry or discourse analysis.

Research involving humans as "research participants" includes research with:

The following are examples of activities that may be considered research, depending on their purpose: questionnaires, surveys, enhanced/novel surveillance, collection of data or biological materials, use of databanks or bio-banks.

External review

LOIs may be reviewed by external reviewers to inform funding decisions, such as:

By submitting an LOI, the applicant agrees to possible external reviews of their proposed project.

Applicant capacity

Applicants must demonstrate that they and/or their collaborators bring the following organizational capacities and expertise to the project:

Funding details and requirements

Applications must propose emerging or advanced interventions.

Emerging

To be an emerging intervention, projects must be based on best practices, evidence and/or strong theoretical underpinnings and seek to further develop, refine, adapt, implement and study the proposed intervention or initiative with a view of expanding to new communities, sectors and/or population groups over time.

Duration: up to 4 fiscal years, beginning in 2025/2026 and concluding in 2028/2029

Amount: up to $250,000 per fiscal year.

Funding maximum: $1,000,000.

Advanced

To be an advanced intervention, projects must have a high-quality evidence base indicating effectiveness of their proposed intervention; have demonstrated quality and diversity of partnerships; and have demonstrated the capacity to sustain the intervention beyond federal funding. Applicants will seek to expand the reach and impact of the intervention, to new communities, sectors and/or population groups, over a shorter timeframe.

Duration: up to 2 years, beginning in 2025/2026 and concluding in 24 months.

Amount: up to $400,000 per year.

Funding maximum: $800,000.

Eligibility

Eligible recipients

The following types of organizations are eligible for funding:

Only Canadian organizations may apply for funding under this solicitation process.

Partnerships between organizations with complementary areas of expertise are strongly encouraged.

Important Notice: It is important that any recipient corporation remain in good standing under the laws under which they were incorporated. In other words, a recipient must be and remain in compliance with the requirements of the legislation under which it was incorporated (federal or provincial/territorial), including under the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act that governs internal affairs of federal not-for-profit corporations.

Eligible expenditures

Eligible expenditures are costs directly related to approved projects such as:

A detailed budget is not required in this LOI process, however, applicants who are invited to submit a funding request will be asked to provide a budget at that time.

No project expenses may be incurred prior to the acceptance of the Contribution Agreement by all parties.

Ineligible expenditures

The following activities and expenses are not eligible for funding:

Submission process and deadline

Contact us

To obtain additional information about this solicitation, please contact cgc.solicitations-csc@phac-aspc.gc.ca.

PHAC is under no obligation to enter into a funding agreement as a result of this application process.

PHAC also reserves the right to:

Please note that PHAC will not reimburse an applicant for costs incurred in the preparation and/or submission of a proposal in response to this invitation.

Glossary of terms

Dementia
Dementia refers to a set of symptoms and signs associated with a progressive deterioration of cognitive functions that affects daily activities. It is caused by various brain diseases and injuries. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. Vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy body dementia constitute other common types. Symptoms of dementia can include:
  • memory loss
  • judgement and reasoning problems
  • changes in behaviour, mood and communication abilities
Community-based
The community is the focus for decision-making and action. Families and community groups have a key role in the planning, design, implementation and evaluation of interventions. The term "community" may be described as a geographic area or as a group of individuals or organizations sharing common interests. In the context of this funding opportunity, the 'community' should engage partners and participants from multiple sectors in the delivery and testing of a interventions or initiative outside formal/clinical health care settings so as to benefit people living with dementia and/or family/friend caregivers in the spaces where they spend a significant portion of their daily lives – their homes, and communities.
Family/friend caregiver
Family members, neighbours and friends who take on an unpaid caring role to support someone with a:
  • diminishing physical ability
  • debilitating cognitive condition
  • chronic life-limiting illness
Intervention research
The use of scientific methods to understand and identify "what works", for whom and in which settings. It can include qualitative and quantitative measures, as well as research methodologies used by First Nations, Inuit and Metis. Intervention research requires planning and delivering an intervention with research questions in mind and should be incorporated into a project from the outset, often requiring the gathering of baseline data and information. Researchers should be part of the project team from the proposal development stage through to implementation of the project, if funded. Research questions may measure and assess changes in knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviours and/or health outcomes. Final project results are compiled and reported to support knowledge dissemination.
Intervention or initiative
It is a set of actions and practical strategies that aim to bring about positive changes in individuals, communities, organizations or systems in a way that produces identifiable and measurable outcomes and impact.
Evidence
Refers to rigorous, scientific research, quantitative and qualitative data, and/or evaluation of the intervention, or the application of relevant research to support the relevance and impact of the proposed intervention and/or adaptation of the intervention to a new context or population.
Social determinants of health
The social determinants of health are the structural conditions and social circumstances that influence one's health and well-being, including socioeconomic resources (for example, income, education, or employment), physical, political, and social environments (for example, housing and geographic status), and personal factors (for example, racial identity, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or Indigenous identity). Experiences of discrimination, racism, and historical trauma are important social determinants of health for certain groups such as Indigenous Peoples, members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, and Black Canadians.

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