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The goal of the Knowledge Synthesis program is to support interdisciplinary teams of researchers and practitioners/decision-makers to conduct collaborative reviews of evidence for particular tobacco control interventions.

Partners
Program objectives
Suggested research areas and methodologies
Value of grant
Operational team
General eligibility criteria
Specific eligibility criteria
How applications are evaluated
Application guide and forms
Putting together a strong application
What is expected of successful applicants
Contact

Partners
Funding for the Knowledge Synthesis grant program is provided under the Strategic Initiative “Advancing the Science to Reduce Tobacco Abuse and Nicotine Addiction” by the following partners:

• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Institutes of: Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction, Cancer Research, Aboriginal Peoples’ Health, Circulatory and Respiratory Health, Gender and Health, Human Development Child and Youth Health
• Canadian Cancer Society (CCS)
• National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC)
• Heart and Stroke Foundation
• Health Canada
• Canadian Lung Association in partnership with l’Association pulmonaire du Québec

• To support interdisciplinary teams of researchers and practitioners/decision-makers in collaborating on tobacco control
• To create productive linkages between research and practice through the interactive Better Practices approach
• To conduct collaborative reviews of evidence for particular tobacco control interventions with the following expected outcomes:  
  • guidelines for practice in the relevant area(s); 
  • priorities for further research;
  • and feedback on the use of the CTCRI Better Practices model

Required research areas
It has been recognized that an effective way to decrease smoking is through higher tobacco prices in Canada, achieved through higher taxes.  In Canada, all provinces and territories now impose tobacco taxes.  In addition to tobacco taxes, PST applies in 5 provinces to date and GST applies across Canada.

Teams are requested to develop proposals to carry out reviews addressing ONE of the following topics:

1) Anti-contraband measures – An issue that undermines the effectiveness of a high tobacco tax strategy is contraband activity that includes the smuggling of tobacco products from lower tax jurisdictions, illicit manufacturing and counterfeiting. Though large price increases may provide incentive for some smokers to quit, it will impel others to seek out lower cost sources.  A number of smokers are turning to contraband. 

A knowledge synthesis of smuggling activity in Canada could include an inventory of present and proposed prevention measures that may help in the development of the illicit trade protocol under the FCTC. 

2) The effect of tax and price on prevalence and consumption in subpopulations (defined as tobacco users including 15 to 24 year olds, aboriginal people, persons diagnosed with mental health or substance abuse disorders, and lowest categories of income and formal education).

A knowledge synthesis of the impact of the exemption from federal tobacco taxes for a status Indian purchasing tobacco on a First Nations reserve could include information on the effect of prices on aboriginal populations on and off reserve as well as a focus on aboriginal youth. 

3) Discount cigarettes (defined as lower-priced brands by small manufacturers and cheaper brands by big tobacco companies) – With the price increase of tobacco products, a number of smokers are turning to price discounted cigarettes.  Price discounted cigarettes now comprise more than 40% of market share in cigarette sales.

A knowledge synthesis of the impact of price discounted cigarettes on tobacco consumption could include information on whether it increases the potential for smoking among 15 to 24 year olds.

Value of grant
The total amount available for this initiative is $360,000.
The maximum amount awarded for a single grant is $120,000. It is anticipated that at least two applications will be supported in the present competition, contingent upon the availability of funds and the quality of proposals received.

Payment of funding will be based on deliverables. There will be three separate payments made to the applicant:
Phase I: The first payment is made after approval by the scientific review panel.
Phase II: The second payment is made after the Operational Team approves the Interim Report.
Phase III: Final payment is made after the Operational Team approves the Final Report.

Operational Team 
Unique to the Knowledge Synthesis grant for 2007 is the requirement that grantees work with an Operational Team that includes members of the National Tobacco Control Best Practices Working Group, practitioners, researchers, policymakers and decision-makers. Applicants will be expected to meet with the Operational Team at the beginning of the grant period to review expectations. Applicants may consult the Operational Team whenever they have questions or issues that the Operational Team could help with. Applicants will be asked to provide an interim report, and funding will continue only when the Operational Team approves the interim report. CTCRI will provide an outline of the minimal information needs for decision-making by the end-users that should be discussed in the final report. The Operational Team will review the final report before it is accepted and final payment is made.
 

General eligibility criteria
Research proposals must meet the following eligibility criteria relevant for all CTCRI grant programs:

• The Principal Applicant (PA) is a Canadian citizen or legal resident (Co-applicants may be citizens or residents of other countries).
• Applicant(s) is NOT a member of the staff or Board of Directors of the CTCRI, or a staff member of any CTCRI funding partner organization.
• The research proposal demonstrates basic relevance to tobacco abuse/nicotine addiction/ tobacco control.
• The research proposal addresses research priorities identified by the Canadian Tobacco Control Research Summit.
• Applicant(s) has disclosed other sources of funding.
• Commercial interests have been disclosed or applicant(s) has indicated no commercial interests.
• Applicant(s) has affirmed lack of support from the tobacco industry.
• Applicant(s) can demonstrate that he/she works in an environment that adequately supports research through ethical review, administration of funds, provision of space and equipment, etc.
• Research plans include gender analysis, or it has been demonstrated that this is not appropriate.
• Proposal avoids duplication of previous research, unless it can be demonstrated that replication is of value.
• Proposal includes a description of expected outcomes and/or a preliminary dissemination plan (not applicable for travel grants).
• Program-specific criteria are addressed (see next paragraph).

Grant program-specific eligibility criteria

• Proposed research area is identified as a priority by this RFA (see Required Research Areas).
• Proposal demonstrates the inclusion of and consultation with end-users (practitioners, policy and decision-makers) throughout the research process.
• Applicant demonstrates understanding and application of the Better Practices methodology, including definition of the scope of the review, (described in Step One: Definition of the Scope of Review of the Better Practices Model as outlined in Better Solutions for Complex Problems: Description of a Model to Support Better Practices for Health). This includes:
  • Characteristics and mode(s) of delivery of the intervention(s).
  • Characteristics of the target population(s) to be considered.
  • The body of evidence to be examined.
  • Methods for obtaining evidence.
  • Methods for incorporating the input of knowledge/experience of “experts” into the evidence synthesis and analysis.
  • Framework that will be used to collect and organize the above data.
  • Protocol that will be employed to assess/evaluate the quality of data collected, and how different types of evidence will be valued.

How applications are evaluated
All proposals are first reviewed for General Eligibility Criteria and Program Specific Eligibility Criteria before being accepted for Scientific Review. In addition to the scientific peer reviewers, the review panel will include members of the Operational Team and end users, selected by the CTCRI.

The submissions will undergo a Scientific Peer Review against the following criteria:
Team Composition:

• Applicant team demonstrates the ability to carry out the proposed review. 
• Team is inter-sectoral, i.e., includes both researchers and research end-users such as practitioners, program deliverers, policy decision-makers, etc. 
• Team is multidisciplinary, i.e. economics, public administration, public health, etc
• Team members are well selected to add value to the project and have clearly defined roles in the execution of the review.
• Quality training opportunities are offered to young investigators or to experienced investigators new to the field of tobacco control/nicotine addiction.

Originality and Importance:

• Proposal offers a unique, innovative perspective on, interpretation of, or approach to addressing the selected topic. 
• Proposal provides inclusion of knowledge compiled internationally and/or inclusion of knowledge outside of English language.
• Proposal provides a plan to gather and analyze evidence by age, gender, income, education, or other demographically defined subgroups such as Aboriginal people, pregnant women/girls.  
• Proposal specifies for different populations total consumption and participation initiation.  
• Proposal specifies that analysis will evaluate the impact of pricing policies on smoking prevalence (participation), cessation, initiation, and consumption (see “Suggested Research Areas” above)
• Proposal demonstrates clear understanding of issues surrounding the selected topic, and presents a sound theoretical or empirical rationale for the approach taken. 
• Proposed review is relevant to the priorities of the CTCRI and/or to other current needs related to the prevention, treatment or control of tobacco abuse and nicotine addiction.

Methodology: 

• Applicants demonstrate clear understanding and application of the Better Practices methodology and purpose, specifically Phase One (Steps 1-4) of the Model. 
• The scope of the review (Step 1a) is clearly articulated, including characteristics of target population, intervention(s) in question, etc. 
• Proposed body of evidence (Step 1b) is appropriate to the topic and scope and includes a broad range of sources (traditional and non-traditional). 
• Proposed method/process (Step 1c) for completing Steps 2-4 is thorough, appropriate and feasible. Potential problems are identified and contingency plans are offered. 
• Preliminary dissemination plan identifies relevant target audiences and indicates opportunities of translation of the results, either by the team, government or NGOs.

Budget:

• Although projects will be evaluated independently of budget, the CTCRI requires budgets to be justified and reserves the right to reduce budgets if expenses are not warranted.

Application guide and forms
Carefully consult the Grant Application Guide for information about completing the forms.

CTCRI grant applications consist of two required forms:

1. Project Form - provides information about the proposed research
2. Applicant Information Forms - provides information about each applicant in the project

Download the guide and forms here: Application Forms and Guide

Putting together a strong application
See Creating a Strong Application for help in preparing a competitive application. Reviewing the following resources will help you to prepare a competitive application:

• Better Solutions for Complex Problems: Description of a Model to Support Better Practices for Health (626 Kb)
• Program Announcement for the Strategic Initiative: "Advancing the Science to Reduce Tobacco Abuse and Nicotine Addiction" (130 Kb)
  
• Canadian Tobacco Control Research Summit Report - abridged
• Grant Application Checklist (40 Kb)

What is expected of successful applicants
see Grant Recipient Responsibilties for more information.

Operational Team. This unique grant program is based on the CTCRI Better Practices Model and requires ongoing consultation with an Operational Team. Funding is provided in three phases, contingent upon approval of the application, interim and end reports. See Operational Team above for further information. 

Use of Abstract and Reporting Information.  All abstracts and reports, including submitted publications, will be posted on the CTCRI website. Please review the CTCRI's Privacy, Intellectual Property and Use of Research Information Statement (20 Kb) for more information and contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Acknowledgement of Funding. Recipients of awards through the Canadian Tobacco Control Research Initiative (CTCRI) and its partners are expected to acknowledging the support of the CTCRI and its partners in all scientific communications and press releases related to the award. See Grant Recipient Responsibilities for further information. 

Interim and End of Grant Report. Details about the format, contents and evaluation of the Interim and End Reports will be distributed to successful applicants. The Interim Report must be submitted to the CTCRI by the date determined by the Operational Team and grantees, approximately midway in the grant period. The End of Grant Report is due within six months of the grant period end date, and must be reviewed and approved by the Operational Team before the final phase of funding is released to the grantees.

Information collected from End of Grant Reports is used to evaluate CTCRI grants programs to better meet the needs of our researchers in the future, to promote research grant results to the research community, to the public and to our donors, and to evaluate the contributions of our research grants to the achievement of the CTCRI’s mission. Grantees must report to the CTCRI the outcomes of the project, including recommendations for practice, further research, and improvements to the Better Practices Model.

Statement of Account. The “Statement of Account” should be submitted by the Host Institution and the Principal Applicant within 6 (six) months of the grant period end date.

Contact
Please consult the current contacts list for all inquires.