Soutien à la recherche et concours Special call for projects related to lockdown and/or release from lockdown during a pandemic

Special call for projects related to lockdown and/or release from lockdown during a pandemic

 

Amount: 4 x $20,000

During this COVID-19 outbreak, the QPHRN intends to support projects aimed at documenting and analyzing current issues related to lockdown and, ultimately, the release from lockdown, on the health of populations. In view of the strategic priorities of the Network's axes, many issues might be addressed in the projects submitted: in particular, ethical issues, the use of digital technologies, social inequalities, governance and public policies, as well as the impacts on vulnerable populations.

The main objective of this call for projects is to contribute to the study of the impacts of lockdown and/or the potential impacts of release from lockdown by drawing up a portrait of the situation with regard to one or more particular themes influencing the health of populations. In compliance with ethical rules and public health guidelines, the collection of data is strongly encouraged. The knowledge thus generated should be able to be used, in the short and medium terms, to draw up a portrait of the current situation and help improve public practices and policies. In the longer term, the project should serve as a basis for further research in the field.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be “regular researcher” members of the QPHRN.
  • The same project cannot be funded more than once by the FRQS and/or the QPHRN.
  • A same researcher can apply and/or appear as the principal investigator or co-investigator in several applications to the QPHRN research projects competitions underway. Yet, for equity reasons, a same researcher cannot be funded more than once per year in these competitions. If any researcher appears in multiple applications, priority may be given to the application that gets the highest evaluation score.

Evaluation criteria

To respond to the urgency of the situation, please note that the evaluation and selection process will be accelerated. Applications will be evaluated by a peer review committee according to the following criteria:

  • Scientific quality of the proposed research: clarity of the issues addressed and outlined goals; methodological rigor, feasibility of the proposal and of the timetable for completion of the project, relevance of expected results, benefits in terms of future research and impact.
  • Relevance with regard to the research themes of the QPHRN-RRSPQ axes.
  • Inter-institutional, inter-sectorial, and interdisciplinary collaborations. The collaboration of researchers with different and complementary expertise will be favorably considered.
  • Priority will be given to projects involving at least two “regular researcher” members of the QPHRN affiliated with different universities.
  • Collaborations between members of several axes of the Network and other organizations involved will be favorably considered. High value-added collaborations/partnerships (e.g., collaborations with community partners or other key political stakeholders).
  • Expected benefits: usefulness of the results in improving public policies and practices related to the health of populations, and in developing future research related to the issues addressed.
  • Description of a clear and realistic timetable: the timetable must span a maximum of one year (12 months). In the current circumstances, priority will be given to projects most likely to quickly generate relevant results to improve practices and inform public policies. 

Commitments

  • Researchers who receive funding must submit a financial report to demonstrate the use of the allocated funds, along with a scientific report that will be published on the QPHRN network website.
  • The financial contribution of the QPHRN must be explicitly mentioned in all activities resulting from the funded project, including presentations, publications or communications. The following acknowledgment wording is suggested: 
    « L’équipe de recherche remercie le Réseau de recherche en santé des populations du Québec (RRSPQ) pour sa contribution au financement de ce projet. »
    “The research team would like to thank the Quebec Population Health Research Network (QPHRN-RRSPQ) for its contribution to the financing of this project.”
  • The laureates agree to publish the title and a summary of their project (in French and in English) on the QPHRN's website, as soon as their selection is announced.
  • Researchers who receive funding are expected to attend the QPHRN Annual Scientific Meeting and may be requested to present their results on this day. 

Submission

Download the “Application form” 

Applications must be submitted via electronic mail, – Subject: “Competition – Lockdown” – no later than the submission date, to the following email address: rrspq.coordination@gmail.com

 

Amount

4x $20,000

Application deadline

April 22, 2020

Documents

Application form

Description of the competition in pdf

Contact

rrspq.coordination@gmail.com