CCV Frequently Asked Questions for CIHR Applicants

These questions and answers are intended to support researchers who are completing the CIHR-specific CCV templates (e.g., the Registration CV, the Academic CV and the Knowledge User CV) for application to a CIHR funding opportunity.

For general information on aspects of the CCV that are common to all funding agencies using the CCV, please consult the Frequently Asked Questions document posted to the CCV website. Please note that, should the instructions appear contradictory, instructions provided on the CIHR website (including this question and answer document) take precedence when you are applying to a CIHR funding opportunity.

General

Research classification

Contributions

Submitting your CCV

General

Q: When applying to a CIHR funding opportunity, is it necessary to complete the Generic CV, or just the Funding CV for CIHR?

A: It is necessary to complete only the Funding CV for CIHR. Completing the CIHR Funding CV will focus your efforts on providing only the information required for application to a CIHR funding opportunity. The Generic CV serves as the repository for all entered data; any information entered in CIHR Funding CVs appears in the Generic CV and remains available if you wish to apply to another funding opportunity or another agency. Please note, however, that the "Contributions" section of the CIHR Funding CV is a very large section that will need to be completed. To help with the transition to the new CV, applicants may submit their contribution information in PDF format in ResearchNet (as they have done in the past), leaving the contributions section in the CCV blank for the time being. (Please see related question "For now, may I attach my contributions to my CIHR application in ResearchNet, as I have done in the past, rather than entering them as structured data?")

Q: The Funding CV for CIHR contains three "CV Types": Academic CV, Registration CV and Knowledge User CV. How do I know which CV(s) that I need to complete?

A: It is important to read the "how to apply" section of the funding opportunity carefully to determine which CV type is required for each stage of the application process. The Registration CV must be completed for application to a CIHR funding opportunity that has a registration stage. At the full application stage, you will need to complete either the Academic CV or Knowledge User CV, depending on your role within the research project and the requirements of the funding opportunity.

Q: If I am applying to more than one CIHR funding opportunity, do I need to create a new CIHR CV for each application?

A: If you are applying to more than one CIHR funding opportunity, you may reuse the same CCV by entering the same confirmation number. It is not necessary to create a new CIHR CV for each funding opportunity if you wish to submit the exact same data.

Q: How have my previous Distinctions, Awards and Credentials been migrated into the new CCV?

A: The "Distinctions/Awards/Credentials" section from your previous CV has been migrated to the new CCV as follows:

  • Distinctions have been migrated to the "Recognitions" section.
  • Credentials have been migrated to the "Education" section, under "Credentials."
  • Research awards have been migrated to the "Research Funding History" section, under "Funding Sources."

Q: Will CIHR strictly enforce its completeness policy on applications if I don't have sufficient time to complete my CCV?

A: CIHR recognizes that some researchers are having difficulty converting their CCV or are experiencing other challenges with respect to the new system. Since mid-June, CIHR has been advising researchers to prepare to spend extra time on the CCV in advance of competition deadlines through various communications methods, for example via E-Alerts, on the website, and within the "Notices" sections of its funding opportunities. Nevertheless, given the challenges that some applicants are encountering with the new system, CIHR is prepared to be flexible in enforcing its completeness policy (that all required components of an application are submitted by 8:00 pm Eastern Time (ET) on the application deadline), if applicants encounter situations beyond their control, and provided they contact CIHR staff in advance of the deadline to seek assistance or an extension. Helpdesk and a limited number of programs staff are on duty until 8:00 pm ET on the deadline date of major competitions (for example, the September 17 deadline for the Open Operating Grants competition). It is expected that a request for assistance by email, voice mail or through in-person conversation take place prior to the deadline for applicants to be eligible for flexible arrangements with CIHR. Please contact CIHR at ccv-cvc@cihr-irsc.gc.ca or 1-888-603-4178 to request assistance.

Research classification

Q: How do I classify my research within the User Profile section, and what do I do if I cannot find my research classification within the drop-down menus?

A: To classify your research, please follow the steps below for each subsection of the "User Profile" section.

  1. Select "Add"
    1. Do not enter anything in the blank fields for now.
  2. Select "Find"
    1. This will bring you to a new set of blank fields; one or more of the blank fields will offer a drop-down menu. Place your cursor in a field with a drop-down menu to select an element from the drop-down. If you do not see an element that reflects your type of research, select the next closest element.
  3. Select "Search"
    1. Select your research area or the closest value to your research area from the list of related research areas.
  4. Select "Done"

Finally, you will come to the "Research Specialization Keywords" subsection. This subsection allows you to enter text in free format. If you were unable to find your specific research areas within the earlier subsections, you may enter a more precise description of your research in this field

Note that CIHR is working with CCV for future enhancements to the CCV Research Classification. CIHR and its peer reviewers do not use the CCV research classification as part of the review process; it is used for administrative purposes.

Contributions

Q: For now, may I attach my contributions to my CIHR application in ResearchNet, as I have done in the past, rather than entering them as structured data?

A: In recognition of the potential burden required to enter all contributions as structured data, and to assist applicants in transitioning to the new CCV, CIHR is phasing in the requirement for contributions to be entered as data elements in the CCV. CIHR applicants currently have three options with respect to the submission of the full range of contributions (including publications, presentations, interviews and media relations, and intellectual property):

  • Option 1. Follow the same process that has been used in the past by submitting your contribution information in PDF format in ResearchNet, leaving the contributions section in the CCV blank for the time being;
  • Option 2. Enter a minimum of five contributions (across all contribution types) over the course of the previous five years into the Common CV. The remaining contributions may be provided as an attachment in ResearchNet as part of the application for funding; or
  • Option 3. Enter contributions details as data into the new CCV system. Please note that you will only need to enter your contributions data once. Once entered, the information may then be re-used in future versions of your CV.

Q: When will CIHR end the option to submit contributions information as attachments and require applicants to provide all contribution information as structured data in the CCV?

A: CCV is working to provide additional methods of importing contributions data into the CCV. Once more options are in place a transition will occur and CIHR will eventually require all contributions data to be entered into the CCV. At that time, there will no longer be an option to provide them as attachments in ResearchNet. CIHR will provide the research community with advance communication of its decision to discontinue the option of providing contributions information as attachments.

Q: Is there a limit on the number of contributions that I may include in my CCV in application to a CIHR funding opportunity?

A: Please consult the funding opportunity to determine the number of years and types of contributions information required. Most CIHR grants programs, including the Open Operating Grants Program, require contribution information for the last five years only. Please note that this includes information across the full range of contributions (e.g., publications, presentations, interviews and media relations, etc.) Intellectual property contribution entries are unlimited.

Q: What do I do if the funding opportunity requires me to provide contributions details for more than the last five years?

A: You will need to provide the contributions as PDF attachments to your ResearchNet application.

Q: Why is the "lifetime number of publications" table not included in the new CIHR CCV?

A: The CCV is a system shared by many funding agencies who decided together on the new set of data requirements. These common data requirements did not include a "lifetime number of publications" table and, as such, CIHR does not have the option to include it in its CV at this time. In the absence of the "lifetime number of publications" table, it is not necessary to enter all of your contribution data beyond what CIHR requires for each contribution category as specified in the funding opportunity. Contributions information beyond what is required by the funding opportunity is not sent to peer review committees.

Q: How do I identify my "most significant contributions"?

A: Your "most significant contributions" remains a PDF attachment which you submit as part of your application in ResearchNet. The CCV does not have the ability to capture this information at this time. The "How to Apply" section of the funding opportunity will provide more detailed instruction on this should it be a requirement of the funding opportunity.

Q: What should I do if I am unsure about where a particular contribution falls within the "Contributions" section?

A: If it is not clear where a particular contribution should be placed, choose the category that you believe to be the most appropriate. CIHR will ensure that the peer reviewers do not miss information by familiarizing them with the new CCV structure in advance of peer review. Or, for now, you may choose to submit your contribution information in PDF format in ResearchNet instead.

Q: Why are PubMed articles listed separately from Journal articles?

A: The "PubMed" subsection allows you to migrate individual citations from PubMed into the CCV through the PubMed ID. Ideally this function would be incorporated within the "Journals" subsection, rather than separately, however at this time PubMed Canada does not provide a tool to do so. The CCV is working with PubMed Canada to make the necessary changes both to integrate their data to allow for it to populate as part of the "Journals" subsection and to allow for the import of multiple PubMed citations at one time. The CCV is also investigating importing data from other repositories to further reduce the requirement for manual data entry.

Submitting your CCV

Q: How do I submit my CCV as part of my application to a CIHR funding opportunity?

A: The steps for submitting your CCV as part of an application to a CIHR funding opportunity are the following.

  • Step 1: Within the CCV system, once you have previewed your CCV and have made any necessary revisions, select "Submit." This will generate a unique confirmation number for this version of your CCV.
  • Step 2: Each project participant (for example, Co-Applicants, other Principal Applicants and/or Knowledge Users) must provide their CCV confirmation number to the Nominated Principal Applicant.
  • Step 3: Link all CCVs to your CIHR application: The Nominated Principal Applicant/Candidate enters his/her CCV confirmation number and those of the other participants in the application on ResearchNet. ResearchNet will validate that the CCV confirmation numbers submitted are for a CIHR CV type applicable to the funding opportunity and will then associate the submitted CCV data with this CIHR application.

Q: Within the CCV system, when I press the "Submit" button, does that mean that my CV has been submitted to CIHR as part of my application to a funding opportunity?

A: Pressing "Submit" when you are in the CCV system sends all CV data that you have entered to CIHR. However, in order to link a specific CV version to your CIHR application you will need to enter the CCV confirmation number that is associated with that specific CV in ResearchNet.

Q: Can I make changes to my CIHR CCV after I press "Submit"?

A: Once you press "Submit" within the CCV system, this version of your CV is stored and can be viewed by its confirmation number under the "History" tab of the CCV. You cannot make changes to this version of your CV, however you may create a new version of the CV and make your changes within the new version before pressing "Submit." When you submit the new version, a new confirmation number will be generated, which you will enter or update in your ResearchNet application.

Q: Can I preview my CCV before I link it to my CIHR application?

A: Within the CCV system, select the "Preview" button. This will generate a draft, printable PDF version of the CCV. You may then return to the CCV to make any revisions to your entries as required and then select "Preview" again to review your changes.