Chair: Neuroethics (Archived)
Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction
Request for Applications
| Important Dates | |
| Opportunity Launched | December 2005 |
| Content Last Updated | September 12, 2006 (Important Dates) |
| May 1, 2006 | Registration Deadline - Registration packages must be courier stamped by this date. |
| May 31, 2006 | Full applications must be courier stamped by this date. |
| September 2006 | Anticipated notification of decision. |
| April 1, 2007 | Anticipated start date. (Updated: 2006-09-12) |
| Summary | |
|
The Chair will allow a Canadian university or health research institute to support a leading researcher in the field of neuroethics in Canada. Funds Available:
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Table of Contents
Background
Objectives and Relevant Research Areas
Eligibility
Allowable Costs
Peer Review Process and Evaluation Criteria
General CIHR Guidelines
Conditions of Funding
Communications Requirements
Monitoring, Performance Measurement and Evaluation
How to Apply
Contact Information
Background
Recent advances in the field of brain science raise important ethical issues. Consistent with developing trends in brain science, INMHA seeks to encourage the integration and identification of common themes in ethical issues relating to brain sciences and brain disorders. For this reason, we have developed this Request for Applications under the heading of "Neuroethics," meaning to include the full range of these inter-related areas within the ethics of brain science. For more details, consult the report produced after a two-day workshop sponsored by the CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA), where a group of 40 experts met in November 2002 to identify, explore, and set priorities for funding of ethical inquiry in the areas of neuroscience, mental health/mental illness, addiction, as well as pain, hearing, vision and other senses.
Objectives and Relevant Research Areas
The specific objectives of this initiative are:
- To allow a Canadian university or health research institute to support a leading researcher in the field of neuroethics in Canada
- To established a Chair in a new discipline where Canada can be an international leader
Relevant research areas include:
- Stigma and social context
- Informed consent and decision making capacity
- Emerging Issues in Neuroscience Ethics
- Research Ethics Boards -- Standards and Governance
- Behavioural and Neuro-genetics
- Privacy in Research
- Forensic Issues
Examples of research that might be conducted under this Request for Applications are provided below. These examples are not intended to be exhaustive and there is no intent to imply that applications in these research areas would be more successful than those in other research areas.
- Ethics research focusing on mental health/mental illness, neuroscience, addictions (including both substance-related and behavioural disorders), or pain and the senses, will be eligible for funding within the broad scope of the above mentioned themes, and cross-cutting areas and themes as well as knowledge translation are strongly encouraged. The examination of ethical issues should take into account the contextual framework and be sensitive to the social and cultural values of various communities. We encourage an interdisciplinary approach and stress the importance of bringing together researchers and scholars from a variety of disciplines.
- Stigma and the Social Context: Persons with brain disorders suffer stigma and discrimination in housing, education, income support, access to services and in other ways. Individuals with mental illness or addiction are often seen as morally defective or not suffering from "real illnesses." How do such social attitudes shape the research agenda in neurosciences, mental health, and addiction? How do social values and stigma affect the development of ethical standards within these areas? How do differing social or cultural concepts of mental illness and addiction affect appropriate treatment strategies, and the availability of services and delivery of treatment? What are the relevant ethical similarities and differences between the treatment of mental, addictive, or neurological disorders, and other illness? Is coercive treatment for persons with mental, addictive or neurological disorders ever justified, and if so, under what conditions? How do persons with mental, addictive or neurological disorders create community with one another, and what role does community play in sickness and healing?
- Informed Consent and Decision-Making Capacity: What are appropriate guidelines for assessing the decision-making capacity, for research or clinical care, of persons with brain disorders that may affect capacity? Can individuals with mental illness or addiction understand and assess risks appropriately? What is the relationship between the determination of capacity and the level of risk for the individual and for the community? What is the influence of cultural or social context on conceptions of decision-making capacity?
- Emerging Issues in Neuroscience Ethics: What are the implications of our rapidly developing understanding of brain function, and its relationship to behaviour, personality, memory, and other mental states? How should this knowledge be used? How can neuroscience ethics be informed by scientific research so that it uses current advances in neuroscience in the development of ethical standards? As our understanding of cognition and behaviour becomes better understood in terms of the role and contribution of brain structure and processes, how shall we understand such concepts as free will, responsibility, criminality, and human dignity? Advances in scanning and imaging technologies will permit unprecedented access to individuals' memory and other mental states. How will we manage privacy and confidentiality concerns, and other serious risks relating to our increasing ability to "read the brain," particularly for behaviours or personality traits associated with violence, addiction, intelligence, and others? Further, the potential for enhancing or restoring cognition, behaviour and other mental events, processes, and functions is scientifically and socially very significant. How should we address ethical difficulties relating to eugenics, the mitigation of diversity, and the further marginalization of the vulnerable and the disabled? How do we ensure fair access to enhancement technologies?
- Research Ethics Boards -- Standards and Governance: how can we clarify and strengthen the role and responsibilities of Research Ethics Boards (REBs)? What are appropriate standards for reviewing protocols involving vulnerable populations including those with mental, addictive or neurological disorders? In this context how do we understand and assess the notion of minimal risk? What is the role of emotion and reason in ethical decision-making? How are the interests of communities and collectivities addressed and supported by REBs?
- Behavioural and Neurogenetics: What are the ethical issues involved in using genetic testing or screening to predict behaviour or personality, including criminal, anti-social, and self-destructive behaviours? Should there be any limits on enhancement or modification of the brain through genetic intervention? What are the special issues in consent for behavioural or neurogenetic testing or screening?
- Privacy in Research: How best should we manage the critical balance between the protection of privacy, particularly with respect to sensitive information, with the undoubted benefits of using such information for clinical care and research? What are appropriate models for the management of private health information that accommodate and support traditional aboriginal ways and practices?
- Forensic issues: There are significant ethical tensions when persons with mental, addictive, or neurological disorders become involved with the criminal justice system. Should the courts be permitted to require a person with mental illness or addiction to accept treatment interventions, including medication? What are appropriate standards for a drug treatment program, or for drug treatment research, within a prison setting, or while a person is on parole, probation, or is otherwise still within the jurisdiction of the criminal courts?
Eligibility
Eligibility criteria for all CIHR research funding programs apply. The business office of the institution of an eligible Nominated Principal Applicant generally administers CIHR funds. Please refer to the Eligibility Requirements for CIHR Grants and Awards regarding the eligibility requirements for individuals and institutions.
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) will not be considered under this RFA.
Specific Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility requirements specific to this Request for Applications include the following:
- The application must be submitted by the President/rector, or delegate of a CIHR-eligible academic institution (university and / or hospital) at which the candidate will be employed, on behalf of the candidate
- Candidates must devote 75% of their time to research in the area of neuroethics
Allowable Costs
Applicants should review -A9">Use of Grant Funds and -A10">Eligibility of Expenses, Employment under Grants within the General Guidelines for All Research Grants for a complete listing and description of allowable costs and activities.
In addition, the following expenditures will be considered eligible for funding received through this Request for Applications.
- The CIHR-INMHA Neuroethics Chair is an establishment grant that may be used for any purpose relating to the support of the candidate or the direct costs of the candidate's research program. This includes a contribution to the salary of the candidate not to exceed $70,000, equipment, operating funds, stipends for trainees, salaries of technical assistance, but not salaries for faculty members other than the candidate. Indirect costs are not allowed.
The full application must provide a detailed justification of all costs.
Peer Review Process and Evaluation Criteria
A CIHR peer review committee will evaluate the full applications. The committee will be created specifically for this Request for Applications. Committee members are selected based on suggestions from many sources including the institute(s) / portfolio(s) and partner(s), following CIHR's Policy on Confidentiality, Conflict of Interest and Privacy Issues in Peer and Relevance Review (CCIP). For information on CIHR's peer review process in general, see Peer Review.
Peer review will be conducted in accordance with The CIHR Peer Review Process: Policies and Responsibilities of Grants Committee Members, including the standard evaluation criteria described under "Factors for Assessment" (section 6.2).
In addition, the following evaluation criteria specific to this Request for Applications will apply. CIHR recognizes that applications will emphasize different approaches to research and to knowledge translation, therefore reviewers and committees are expected to weight criteria such as these differently from one application to another.
- The primary criterion will be the excellence of the candidate, including past achievement and prospects for future research leadership, as determined by review of the CV and supporting letters, and the originality and significance of the research plan. INMHA anticipates that this grant will be made to an individual of outstanding merit. More junior candidates with an accelerated record of achievement, indicative of exceptional promise, may also be competitive.
- the adequacy of the total support package provided by the institution and other federal funding agencies.
General CIHR Guidelines
This Request for Applications will follow the -A">General Guidelines for All Research Funding Grants.
Conditions of Funding
All conditions specified in CIHR General Grants and Awards Policies shall apply to applications funded through this Request for Applications. Conditions cover areas such as Applicant and Institutional Responsibilities, Ethics, Official language policy, Access to Information and Privacy Acts, and Acknowledgement of CIHR Support. Successful applicants will be informed of any special financial conditions prior to the release of funds or when they receive CIHR's Authorization for Funding (AFF) document.
Within six months after the end of the grant's term, the Nominated Principal Applicant is required to submit a final performance report, summarizing the results and describing how the grant funds were used. A standard form will be provided by CIHR.
Access to Information Act and Privacy Act, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
All personal information collected by CIHR about applicants is used to review applications, to administer and monitor grants and awards, to compile statistics, and to promote and support health research in Canada. Consistent with these purposes, applicants should also expect that information collected by CIHR may be shared as described in Use and Disclosure of Personal Information Provided to CIHR for Peer Review.
CIHR as a federal entity is subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, therefore the requirements of these two statutes will apply to all information located in CIHR's premises including, without limitation, cost-sharing agreements related to this Request for Applications and all matters pertaining thereto.
While respecting the application of the Privacy Act to federal entities, all signing parties involved in a collaborative agreement will also be bound by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). All personal information (as identified by the PIPEDA) collected, used or disclosed in the course of any commercial activity under collaborative agreements related to the Request for Applications will be collected, used and disclosed in compliance with the PIPEDA.
Communications Requirements
Grant recipients are required to acknowledge CIHR, its institutes and partners in any communication or publication related to the project. See CIHR General Grants and Awards Policies, Acknowledgement of CIHR's Support for details on CIHR's communication requirements. The contributing institutes / partners will be identified on the Authorization for Funding and decision letter.
Monitoring, Performance Measurement and Evaluation
CIHR is committed to demonstrating results to Canadians for the money invested in health research. Therefore, processes for monitoring progress and appropriate use of funds, as well as for performance measurement and program evaluation are in place. As a result, funding recipients must:
- adhere to CIHR's reporting requirements and provide required information in a timely fashion. A -A7">Progress Report will be required in year 3 of five-year grants. Grantees are required to submit the "Progress Report for 5-year grant holder (Form 44)" describing the progress made and the publications issued since the start of the grant. CIHR will cancel the last 12 months of the grant if the progress is unacceptable and will cancel the final two years of the grant if it does not receive a report;
- contribute to the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR's programs, policies and processes by participating in evaluation studies, surveys, workshops, audits and providing data or reports as required for the purpose of collecting information to assess progress and results;
- encourage their associates, trainees and administration to participate in the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR's programs, policies and processes as required.
How to Apply
The application process is comprised of two steps: Registration and Full Application.
Review the application instructions provided in How to Apply for Funding.
Select "Operating Grants" (Registration and Application) from the Application Packages.
Additional instructions must be followed for this RFA:
The President/rector or delegate of the institution is the principal applicant. The applicant will also provide the following:
- In the Research Funding Program section of the Research Module (page 8 of the web form printed report), select "Strategic Initiative/RFA" and enter the title of this RFA.
- a cover letter signed by both the principal applicant and the candidate, which in a maximum of 5 pages 1) Explains the relevance of the candidate to the areas of neuroethics. This includes a description of the leadership and mentoring role that the candidate is expected to fulfill; 2) Describes the nature of the institution's planned commitment to the candidate, including appointment, space, and other physical resources, and start-up funds. The expectation for the appointment would be that it be tenured or equivalent; 3) Outlines the planned or actual applications that have been submitted to other agencies/programs.
- the curriculum vitae and publication list of the candidate. Any format is acceptable, but sufficient detail should be provided about honours, prizes, invited lectures, service on editorial boards, and other distinctions to allow the reviewers to make an informed judgment about the international reputation of the candidate.
- a summary of the candidate's research plan. Summaries provided for CRC or equivalent salarial support applications are acceptable; in any case these should not exceed five pages. Because the application will be subject to a multidisciplinary review, care must be taken to ensure the summary is clear and comprehensible to any health researcher.
- two letters from eminent researchers, not located at the planned host institution, explaining how the candidate has achieved international prominence through her/his research achievements.
- a CIHR budget module that provides details of the Establishment Grant requested, and justifies each item in terms of the planned research program of the candidate. Where other forms of federal support have also been applied for or received, (e.g. a CRC award), additional pages should describe how that support relates to the items requested from CIHR.
The original and five copies of the application are required.
Send Application by Courier to:
RE: "CIHR - INMHA Chair in Neuroethics"
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Room 97, 160 Elgin Street
Address locator: 4809A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0W9
Contact Information
For questions on CIHR funding guidelines, how to apply, and the peer review process contact:
Dominique Lalonde
Program Delivery Officer
Knowledge Creation Programs - Program Delivery (INMHA)
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: (613) 941-1090
Fax: (613) 954-1800
Email: mdlalonde@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
For questions about this initiative and research objectives contact:
Richard Brière
Assistant Director
Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction
Douglas Hospital Research Centre
6875 Lasalle Blvd
Verdun, QC H4H 1R3
Canada
Telephone: (514) 761-6131, extension 3930
Fax: (514) 888-4060
Email: Richard.briere@douglas.mcgill.ca