Call for letter of intent: Public health measures for COVID-19 response research funding opportunity
Notice
This invitation to submit a letter of intent is now closed. The following is for information purposes only.
On this page
- Introduction
- Context
- Objectives
- Eligibility
- Other considerations for applications
- Applicant capacity
- Funding details
- Submission process and deadline
Introduction
The Public Health Measures Guidance Division within the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is seeking to fund research that investigates the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical public health measures (PHMs) implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures are interventions that can be implemented to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in communities, and include:
- actions taken by individuals, such as:
- wearing a mask
- staying home when sick
- actions taken in community settings and workplaces, such as:
- improving ventilation
- policies promoting physical distancing
- more restrictive population-based measures, such as:
- school closures
- business closures
- gathering size restrictions
This funding opportunity is focused on investigating non-pharmaceutical PHMs. It does not include pharmaceutical interventions such as COVID-19 vaccines, antivirals and therapeutics. Results should be expected to inform federal policy and recommendations regarding PHMs for COVID-19, and possibly other respiratory infectious diseases.
We're inviting researchers to submit letters of intent for projects that address the objectives and priorities of the PHMs for COVID-19 solicitation (see objectives). This solicitation is the first step in a 2-stage process beginning with a letter of intent. We will notify successful applicants and invite them to submit a funding request in fall 2022.
Context
Since the beginning of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has represented the largest public health crisis that Canada has faced in the last century. This has led to unparalleled effort and investment for pandemic response in an attempt to mitigate its effects. The primary goal of the federal, provincial and territorial COVID-19 response plan has been to minimize serious illness and overall deaths while minimizing societal disruption.
Throughout the course of the pandemic, PHMs have been one of the primary tools available to reduce COVID-19 transmission in communities. PHMs are interventions that can help reduce the transmission of respiratory illnesses in communities, including:
- wearing a mask
- physical distancing
- staying home when ill
Over 2 years have passed since Canada first implemented PHMs to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Different measures have been implemented at different times and in different contexts at the municipal, provincial, territorial and federal level across Canada. At this point in the pandemic, it's crucial that we rigorously assess the impact of these PHMs. Understanding their effectiveness will:
- ensure that Canadian recommendations are evidence-based
- provide valuable information to inform future pandemic response planning
This type of research will contribute to creating a stronger, more informed and more resilient public health system that is prepared for future emergencies and will contribute to improving the health of those who live in Canada.
This call for proposals focuses on filling knowledge gaps related to the effectiveness of PHMs implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Objectives
This opportunity's objective is to support 2 research projects that have a focus on examining the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical PHMs that have been implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Specific PHMs of interest include:
- masking
- ventilation
- hand hygiene
- reducing contacts
- physical distancing
- respiratory etiquette
- quarantine and isolation
- cleaning and disinfecting
Projects focused on pharmaceutical interventions including vaccines, antivirals and other therapeutics are not eligible.
Applicants may submit research projects in the form of:
- primary studies
- secondary data analyses
- systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- existing projects in need of supplemental funding
The following types of projects are considered within the scope of this funding opportunity:
- projects that investigate factors related to PHM effectiveness, such as:
- effect of mask characteristics such as fit
- different methods to clean or store masks
- measurement of incubation period/infectious period
- projects that measure the comparative effectiveness of a PHM, such as:
- comparing the effectiveness of different types of masks under various conditions and situations
- effectiveness of different quarantine/isolation period lengths
- projects that measure differences in outcomes based on implemented PHM policies at levels, such as:
- federal
- municipal
- international
- provincial or territorial
- projects that investigate specific interventions to promote PHMs, such as the effect of:
- specific PHM-related messaging
- PHM-related educational interventions
- interventions to promote mask wearing/ staying home when ill/ physical distancing
- projects that investigate negative or unintended consequences of PHMs, such as the effect of quarantine or isolation on mental health outcomes
Note that this list is not exhaustive and is only intended to provide examples.
Research projects should aim to inform federal policy and recommendations regarding PHMs and COVID-19 and possibly other respiratory infectious diseases.
For examples of relevant PHAC PHM guidance products, see:
- COVID-19: Prevention and risks
- COVID-19 mask use: Advice for community settings
- Reducing COVID-19 risk in community settings: A tool for operators
- Summary of evidence supporting COVID-19 public health measures
- Adjusting public health measures in the context of COVID-19 vaccination
- Public health management of cases and contacts associated with COVID-19
Applicants who are unsure if their proposed project aligns with the funding opportunity objectives are encouraged to submit a letter of intent for assessment.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- scholars
- health professionals
- postdoctoral scholars
- independent researchers
Principal applicants must be affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution or an affiliated institution, including:
- hospitals
- research institutes
- non-profit and non-governmental organizations with a mandate for health research and/or knowledge translation
Individuals working with municipal, provincial and territorial governments are also eligible where the research proposed is not already funded by that government sector. Applicants must have their substantive role in Canada for the duration of the requested grant term.
Other considerations for applications
Official language requirement
The Government of Canada is committed to:
- enhancing the vitality of the English and French linguistic minority communities in Canada for:
- Francophones living outside the province of Quebec
- Anglophones living in the province of Quebec
- supporting and assisting the development of linguistic minority communities
- fostering the full recognition and use of both official languages in Canadian society
Funding recipients may be expected to report on their actions with regard to official language minority communities. We encourage applicants to submit a letter of intent in the official language of their choice.
Learn more about:
Gender-based analysis requirements
The Government of Canada is committed to using Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) in the development of policies and programs. GBA+ considers gender as well as other identity factors such as:
- age
- culture
- income
- language
- education
- geography
As the objective of this proposed project is to inform federal recommendations and policies, we expect applicants to incorporate these considerations into their application.
Learn more about:
Working within First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities
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 specific challenges and have unique experiences with the social determinants of health.
We encourage organizations and research teams to submit a letter of intent if they are:
- led by First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada
- have strong partnerships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities (including demonstrated collaboration)
We will consider various approaches to research, including appropriate research methodologies for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.
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. The project lead should also consult the Tri-Council Policy Statement website before the research project begins.
External review
We may show letters of intent to external reviewers, such as:
- professional and academic experts
- representatives from other levels of government
By submitting a letter of intent, you agree to possible external review of your proposal.
Applicant capacity
Applicants must demonstrate that they and their collaborators have:
- appropriate subject-matter expertise
- experience and capacity to conduct the proposed research
Funding details
Project duration: 12 months, beginning March 2023 and concluding February 2024
Amount: up to $150,000 per project
Eligible expenses
Eligible costs include such expenses as:
- personnel
- evaluation
- equipment
- dissemination
- materials and supplies
- travel and accommodations
- 'other' costs related to the approved project
A detailed budget is not required as part of your letter of intent. However, we will ask you to provide a budget if you are invited to submit a funding request.
You may not incur project expenses until all parties accept the grant letter.
Ineligible activities and expenses
The following activities and expenses are not eligible for funding:
- membership fees
- personnel payments related to:
- severance
- performance
- maternity leave
- costs of ongoing activities for the organization
- statutory and extended benefits exceeding the 20% ceiling
- capital costs, such as the purchase of land, buildings or vehicles
- travel and hospitality expenses that exceed the National Joint Council rates
- provision of services that are the responsibility of other levels of government
- renting charges for space and computer use when already owned by the recipient organization
- ongoing operational support, overhead or administrative fees expressed as a percentage of ongoing activities of an organization
- unidentified miscellaneous costs
Stand-alone activities are also not eligible for funding. These could include:
- symposia
- workshops
- conferences
- audio visual production
- website or smartphone application development and maintenance
These activities are considered stand-alone when they are unrelated to the research project.
Submission process and deadline
You must complete your letter of intent using PHAC's template. The letter must be:
- single-spaced
- no longer than outlined in the template
- in size 12 Arial font, inclusive of existing template contents
- in Microsoft Word or PDF format
Email us for a copy of the template, or for additional information about this call for letters of intent.
Email: cgc.solicitations-csc@phac-aspc.gc.ca
The deadline for submissions is 11:59 am (ET) on October 14, 2022. Funding will be subject to budgetary and project considerations.
Email your submission to cgc.solicitations-csc@phac-aspc.gc.ca with:
- cirid.phmgd-cimri.domsp@phac-aspc.gc.ca in cc
- 'LOI Public Health Measures for COVID-19' as the subject line
We will email you to acknowledge receipt of your proposal. Make sure that your email address is included in your application.
Rights and obligations
PHAC is under no obligation to enter into a funding agreement as a result of this letter of intent process.
We also reserve the right to:
- reject any submission received in response to this invitation
- accept any submission in whole or in part
- cancel and/or re-issue this invitation at any time
Please note that we will not reimburse an applicant for costs incurred in the preparation and/or submission of a proposal in response to this solicitation.
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