Pandemic and Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Research Support

This iCARE Platform Funding Call for Proposals aims to support research studies that seek to accelerate our understanding and development of behavioural strategies in the face of future health emergencies.

This funding opportunity aims to aid investigators and trainees conducting a specific research project that exploits available iCARE data or proposes a new study that is aligned with iCARE Platform objectives. There is an expectation that the proposed project will lead to concrete deliverables, e.g., a conference abstract or presentation and/or scientific publication, and/or policy brief, etc.

Preference will be given to projects that address one or more of the iCARE platform objectives or those of its axes.

Funds Available

Up to $25,000 CAD per project is available through this call, with higher amounts available to support 12-month special innovative projects and lower amounts to support 6-month sub-studies analyzing existing iCARE data. Funds will be transfered to the NPI’s institution.

Eligibility

For the proposed research to be eligible it must fulfill each of the following points:

1. Applicants must be iCARE collaborators affiliated with a recognized academic institution (e.g., university, research center).
   • Apply to become an iCARE collaborator
2. The nominated principal investigator(s), or NPI(s), of any proposed research project can only submit one (1) application to this competition (while NPIs can be co-investigator/s on other applications).
3. The researchers will acknowledge the iCARE team and funding in all related presentations and publications.
4. Projects must be pre-registered in the iCARE Platform Data Analysis Plan (iSAP) log and must not conflict with any other logged projects

Note: Emerging scholars and early-career researchers are encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions

Please prepare the following components to upload to the application form:

1. Proposed research – A written proposal of up to two (2) pages. Use 11-point font size, black type; a minimum of single line spacing; ½ inch (1.27 cm) margins; letter size [21.25 X 27.5 cm / 8.5″ X 11″]), including:
   • a. Background and rationale
     • Why this initiative/project? What evidence supports your claim that there is a need for this initiative/project? Why now?).
     • How will the existing iCARE data be used? How is the proposed project different from other studies using iCARE data?
     • What are the project’s objectives and key results?
   • b. Research question
   • c. Methods, including specifics about the iCARE datasets that will be used and a detailed analysis plan
   • d. Expected results and timeline
   • e. Potential impact
   • f. Feasibility (demonstrate that data is available to address research questions, or can be collected within the timeframe of the grant or project).
2. Figures, tables, and references (one page maximum)
3. Letter of support for matching funding (optional, one page maximum)
4. CV for the Nominated PI and CoPI(s).                  

Submission Instructions

1. Name the proposal components following this format: “Last Name_First Name_Project Title_2026_component”.
2. Submit the application by 5pm EST on September 1, 2026.
3. Ensure you receive the automated email confirmation within 30 minutes of submission (check your spam as needed).
4. If you do not receive the automated confirmation, please follow up immediately with icareplatform@mbmc-cmcm.ca.

Adjudication Criteria

Part 1: Administrative Review

Applications will undergo an administrative review to ensure compliance with submission guidelines:

1. Page and Formatting Enforcement: Proposals not respecting formatting instructions or exceed the word or page limits will not be forwarded to reviewers.
2. Special consideration will be given to applications that include matching funding, or are submitted by early career investigators (less than 5 years since academic appointment) or LMIC collaborators.

Part 2: Scientific Review

Applications will be evaluated by the iCARE Research Awards Committee. Three committee members will use a standardized scoring system to score and rank their choice of applications.

The scoring system will evaluate:

• scientific merit (i.e., solid rationale, appropriate methodology, and potential impact) of the proposed project (25%);
• alignment with iCARE objectives (10%);
• feasibility of the proposed objectives and plans of the project within the stated timeframe (20%);
• commitment to EDI (including stakeholder engagement) within the research team, study objectives, and design (10%);
• results will advance knowledge on pandemic/health emergency preparedness (25%);
• qualifications of applicants (10%);

The iCARE Research Awards Committee will collaboratively determine the final awardees.

Timelines

1. Proposal submission deadline: September 1, 2026.

2. Results announced to applicants: Week of September 28, 2026.

3. Official announcement of winning projects: Week of October 5, 2026.

Final Report

There is an expectation that the proposed project will lead to a concrete knowledge transfer product, such as a conference abstract or presentation and/or scientific publication. All funded projects will be asked to email a final report including a research summary and any presentations, media, publications and/or other grants applied for or awarded in relation to this project. The report is due three months after the project end date.

Acknowledgement

The awardee must acknowledge the iCARE Study and its sponsors (Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canada Research Chair in Behavioural Medicine) in publications and other products arising from work achieved as a result of this award. View the acknowledgement statement.