Institute Community Support (ICS) Program (2011-12)

Under the framework of the ICS Program, CIHR-HDCYH funding will be distributed among the following opportunities:

  • Travel awards for students and postdoctoral fellows
  • Skills update travel awards for postdoctoral fellows and investigators

CIHR-IHDCYH ICS Program

The ICS Program is designed to foster community development by providing grants and awards to individuals and organizations for the purposes of:

  • Aiding research and knowledge translation activities where the circumstances fall outside CIHR's current suite of funding programs; and
  • Supporting individuals and organizations and activities whose goals are consistent with and CIHR and its Institute's vision, mandate, and strategic directions.

Highlights of the ICS program:

  • Travel awards for research trainees.
  • Skills update travel awards for postdoctoral fellows and investigators.
  • Quick review process: 6 week review process conducted by Institute Review Committee with final decision determined by Institute's Scientific Director.

Important 2011-12 changes to the ICS program:

  • The lectureship awards in reproductive and child health is suspended until further notice and is replaced with the dissemination grant funding opportunity.
  • As of August 2011, the travel awards for research trainees will be administered through ResearchNet. Please visit the CIHR Funding Opportunities Database at that time for details (e.g., application deadline and instructions).

The ICS Program is not intended to support the direct cost of research (e.g., pilot projects, feasibility studies or operating grants), principal and co-investigator salaries or research equipment. Furthermore, for those seeking meeting, workshop or symposium support, please refer to the planning grant or dissemination grants funding opportunities in the CIHR Funding Opportunities Database.

IHDCYH Travel Awards for Trainees

IHDCYH will provide travel awards for research trainees (graduate students and postdoctoral fellows) to present their own research at annual, or other regular interval meetings including international conference related to the Institute's mandate.

The maximum amount for a single award is $1,000 to partially cover costs of travel, accommodation, perdiem for meals, and conference registration fees.

For more information about this program, please consult the IHDCYH Travel Awards page.

IHDCYH Skills Update Travel Awards for Postdoctoral Fellows and Investigators

IHDCYH will provide travel awards for Postdoctoral fellows and Investigators to visit research centres that will enable the acquisition of specialized skills or research experience related to the Institute's mandate.

The maximum amount for a single award varies from $5,000 to $10,000 (depending on seniority) to cover travel costs and accommodation expenses.

For more information about this program, please consult the IHDCYH Skill Update Travel Awards page.

Funds Available

CIHR-IHDCYH’s contribution to the amount available for this program is subject to availability of funds voted annually to CIHR by parliamentary appropriations, and the conditions that may be attached to them.

The total amount available for this program is $100,000 for fiscal year 2011-2012. From this $100,000, $85,000 will be allocated to this launch of the ICS program and $15,000 will be allocated for the travel award competition to be launched on ResearchNet in early August 2011.

As of April 1st, 2011, the amount available for the ICS Program will be distributed among the following funding opportunities offered by IHDCYH:

  • IHDCYH travel awards for students and postdoctoral fellows
  • Skills update travel award for postdoctoral fellows and investigators

Review Process and Evaluation Criteria

  • Final decisions to fund applications rest with the Institute's Scientific Director.
  • Requests for funding are reviewed by an ICS review committee comprised of the Institute Assistant Director and an Institute senior staff.

Applications will be assessed according to the criteria outlined in the funding opportunities.

How to Apply

Applicants seeking funds from CIHR-IHDCYH for community support activities need to follow the application process, which is available on the IHDCYH Travel Awards and IHDCYH Skills Update Travel Awards pages.

Contact Information

For information on availability of funds or whether an activity could be funded under existing CIHR programs please contact:

Anne-Cécile Desfaits, PhD
Assistant Director
CIHR - Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health
Tel.: 514-412-4414
Fax: 514-412-4253
Email: anne-cecile.desfaits@cihr-irsc.gc.ca