1. Migration to ResearchNet Continues

CIHR has completed the migration to ResearchNet. With the exception of 4 small programs, ALL CIHR programs in the December 2009 launch of Funding Opportunities will use ResearchNet to apply to CIHR for funding. These programs will also be using ResearchNet for the peer review processes as well. Check the "How To Apply" section of the Funding Opportunity to which you are applying to determine if it uses ResearchNet or not.

2. Signature Pages will be uploaded on ResearchNet and Signature Blocks on printed forms updated to coincide with December 2009 signature requirements

CIHR updated our signature requirements to more accurately reflect our legal obligation effective December 2009. The following changes have been made:

• The Nominated Principal Applicant is no longer required to sign the application submitted through ResearchNet. When submitting the NPA is verifying that they will abide by the Meaning of Signatures in the Grants and Awards Guide
• Signatures are required from all other participants, supervisors (if applicable), partners (if applicable) and only one authorized official from the Institution Paid. The Nominated Principal Applicant must obtain these signatures and upload them onto ResearchNet before submitting their application.
• If the Institution Paid is not able to submit the application electronically to CIHR using the Electronic Approval Pilot, the Nominated Principal Applicant must ensure that their signature appears on the signature pages uploaded onto ResearchNet before submitting their application to CIHR. Note: If the Institution Paid is able to submit their application electronically, the Nominated Principal Applicant will see that the submit button on ResearchNet states "Submit to Research Institution" and not "Submit to CIHR"
• If the authorized official at the Institution Paid is participating in the Electronic Approval Pilot Project, then a signature is not required as the Authorized Individual is abiding to the Meaning of Signatures in the Grants and Awards Guide by submitting the application to CIHR. If the authorized official at the Institution Paid is not able to abide to all obligations outlined in the Meaning of Signatures in the Grants and Awards Guide the other authorized official(s) will be required to sign and to ensure that their signature appears on the signature pages uploaded onto ResearchNet before submitting their application to CIHR.
• Signature Blocks on the application forms have been updated to reflect these new requirements.
• Wet signatures are no longer required.
• The Nominated Principal Applicant is able to upload the signature pages directly on ResearchNet eliminating the need for mailing the hard copy signature to CIHR by the CIHR deadline date.
• All required signatures must be in the uploaded signature page once the application is submitted to CIHR.

3. Electronic Approval

The Electronic Approval Tool pilot continues on ResearchNet, and is being used for the following Funding Opportunities only:

• Operating Grant: 2009-2010
• Operating Grant: Winter 2010 Priority Announcement (Specific Research Areas)
• Master's Award: 2009-2010
• Master's Award: Winter 2010 Priority Announcement (Specific Research Areas)
• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Applicants will have access to a link called "View Funding Opportunity Details" on their ResearchNet eSubmission pages that will point to the currently published funding opportunity. The "View Funding Opportunity Details" link is also found on the "Update Status" page in the Electronic Approval Tool activity for authorized individuals at the Research Institution.

4. Improve the Re-Review process on ResearchNet for Virtual Meetings

Previously, if a third review was required for an application that was reviewed virtually, the third review was done manually as this process was not supported on ResearchNet. We have enhanced ResearchNet so that once CIHR assigns a third reviewer, ResearchNet will automatically send out an e-mail to a third reviewer. A third reviewer can conduct a review using ResearchNet, eliminating the requirement to manually capture this information.

September 22, 2009

1. New deadline date to declare conflicts and Ability to Review

We have implemented a deadline for identifying conflicts and ability to review. This will facilitate the assignment process as all the information will be available for the Chairs and Scientific Officers (SO's). It improves this process by moving to a more structured linear approach

The Chair and SO will first look at the applications on ResearchNet and confirm that they are indeed in the right committee. Once the applications are confirmed in the right committee, CIHR can then ensure that we have the right expertise on the panel and identify if other invitee members, teleconference members and/or external reviewers may be required to fill in any gaps. The members will then review the applications to identify their ability to review the applications if there are no conflicts.

Deadline dates have been set on ResearchNet since we want to ensure that reviewers have enough time to review the applications assigned to them. Once this is done, then the Chair and SO can assign reviewers to the applications.

2. Deadline dates for reviewers to submit reviews

CIHR has made improvements to ensure the review process is transparent to all. Some of these are as requested at last year's Chairs/Scientific Officers meeting and also from various requests received from the community.

Reviewers are being asked to submit their reviews one week prior to the meeting. By having your review submitted one week before the meeting, it allows the Committee Chair and Scientific Officer time to plan the agenda for the meeting based on your response to the streamlining question. As well we have also provided you with access to the other reviews for that application once you have submitted your own. The purpose of providing access to the other reviews is to provide time to think about the points raised in other reviews before the meeting which could enable a more fulsome discussion at the meeting.

We are hoping that reviewers will do their best to meet this timeline, however, rest assured that CIHR will accept your review if you are unable to meet this timeline. We will ask for your review at the meeting if it hasn't been submitted on ResearchNet. ResearchNet will send out automatic reminder e-mails twice before the review deadline date. We have updated the system to allow you to save draft reviews but once you submit your final review you will not be able to change it. This is important to reflect what actually happens during the meeting process, where each reviewer presents their review at the meeting. These are discussed and the SO notes document the discussion that takes place based on these reviews. This leads to a more transparent process.

3. Go Green Campaign

As part of CIHR's "Go Green" campaign, paper copies of applications are no longer being sent to reviewers. Applications can be accessed electronically.

In June 2007, Governing Council mandated CIHR staff to decrease the impact its operations have on the environment. Since 2004, we have gradually been reducing our ecological footprint through ResearchNet.

As part of the electronic peer review process,  

• All review material will continue to be provided on-line.
• Electronic copies of the applications for review will continue to be provided on CD and on ResearchNet. 
• Reviewers can print applications in whole or in part if desired through ResearchNet.  

The presentation of applications has been specifically designed (in consultation with the review community) to support electronic application reviews.   

Feedback and Support

We want your feedback and suggestions! Fill out the online Survey on ResearchNet or send your suggestions to
support@researchnet-recherchenet.ca

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your ResearchNet account contact:
ResearchNet Technical Support
Tel: 613-941-9080
Email: support@researchnet-recherchenet.ca

If you have questions or difficulties in completing the CIHR specific content on ResearchNet, contact:
Information Service for Funding Enquiries
Tel: 1-888-603-4178 (select option 1) or 613-954-1968
Email: info@cihr-irsc.gc.ca