Call for letter of intent: Public health measures for COVID-19 response research funding opportunity

Notice

This invitation to submit a letter of intent is now closed. The following is for information purposes only.

Introduction

The Public Health Measures Guidance Division within the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is seeking to fund research that investigates the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical public health measures (PHMs) implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures are interventions that can be implemented to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in communities, and include:

actions taken by individuals, such as:
- wearing a mask
- staying home when sick
actions taken in community settings and workplaces, such as:
- improving ventilation
- policies promoting physical distancing
more restrictive population-based measures, such as:
- school closures
- business closures
- gathering size restrictions

This funding opportunity is focused on investigating non-pharmaceutical PHMs. It does not include pharmaceutical interventions such as COVID-19 vaccines, antivirals and therapeutics. Results should be expected to inform federal policy and recommendations regarding PHMs for COVID-19, and possibly other respiratory infectious diseases.

We're inviting researchers to submit letters of intent for projects that address the objectives and priorities of the PHMs for COVID-19 solicitation (see objectives). This solicitation is the first step in a 2-stage process beginning with a letter of intent. We will notify successful applicants and invite them to submit a funding request in fall 2022.

Context

Since the beginning of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has represented the largest public health crisis that Canada has faced in the last century. This has led to unparalleled effort and investment for pandemic response in an attempt to mitigate its effects. The primary goal of the federal, provincial and territorial COVID-19 response plan has been to minimize serious illness and overall deaths while minimizing societal disruption.

Throughout the course of the pandemic, PHMs have been one of the primary tools available to reduce COVID-19 transmission in communities. PHMs are interventions that can help reduce the transmission of respiratory illnesses in communities, including:

wearing a mask
physical distancing
staying home when ill

Over 2 years have passed since Canada first implemented PHMs to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Different measures have been implemented at different times and in different contexts at the municipal, provincial, territorial and federal level across Canada. At this point in the pandemic, it's crucial that we rigorously assess the impact of these PHMs. Understanding their effectiveness will:

ensure that Canadian recommendations are evidence-based
provide valuable information to inform future pandemic response planning

This type of research will contribute to creating a stronger, more informed and more resilient public health system that is prepared for future emergencies and will contribute to improving the health of those who live in Canada.

This call for proposals focuses on filling knowledge gaps related to the effectiveness of PHMs implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives

This opportunity's objective is to support 2 research projects that have a focus on examining the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical PHMs that have been implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Specific PHMs of interest include:

masking
ventilation
hand hygiene
reducing contacts
physical distancing
respiratory etiquette
quarantine and isolation
cleaning and disinfecting

Projects focused on pharmaceutical interventions including vaccines, antivirals and other therapeutics are not eligible.

Applicants may submit research projects in the form of:

primary studies
secondary data analyses
systematic reviews and meta-analyses
existing projects in need of supplemental funding

The following types of projects are considered within the scope of this funding opportunity:

projects that investigate factors related to PHM effectiveness, such as:
- effect of mask characteristics such as fit
- different methods to clean or store masks
- measurement of incubation period/infectious period
projects that measure the comparative effectiveness of a PHM, such as:
- comparing the effectiveness of different types of masks under various conditions and situations
- effectiveness of different quarantine/isolation period lengths
projects that measure differences in outcomes based on implemented PHM policies at levels, such as:
- federal
- municipal
- international
- provincial or territorial
projects that investigate specific interventions to promote PHMs, such as the effect of:
- specific PHM-related messaging
- PHM-related educational interventions
- interventions to promote mask wearing/ staying home when ill/ physical distancing
projects that investigate negative or unintended consequences of PHMs, such as the effect of quarantine or isolation on mental health outcomes

Note that this list is not exhaustive and is only intended to provide examples.

Research projects should aim to inform federal policy and recommendations regarding PHMs and COVID-19 and possibly other respiratory infectious diseases.

For examples of relevant PHAC PHM guidance products, see:

Applicants who are unsure if their proposed project aligns with the funding opportunity objectives are encouraged to submit a letter of intent for assessment.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include:

scholars
health professionals
postdoctoral scholars
independent researchers

Principal applicants must be affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution or an affiliated institution, including:

hospitals
research institutes
non-profit and non-governmental organizations with a mandate for health research and/or knowledge translation

Individuals working with municipal, provincial and territorial governments are also eligible where the research proposed is not already funded by that government sector. Applicants must have their substantive role in Canada for the duration of the requested grant term.

Other considerations for applications

Official language requirement

The Government of Canada is committed to:

enhancing the vitality of the English and French linguistic minority communities in Canada for:
- Francophones living outside the province of Quebec
- Anglophones living in the province of Quebec
supporting and assisting the development of linguistic minority communities
fostering the full recognition and use of both official languages in Canadian society

Funding recipients may be expected to report on their actions with regard to official language minority communities. We encourage applicants to submit a letter of intent in the official language of their choice.

Learn more about:

Official Languages Act

Gender-based analysis requirements

The Government of Canada is committed to using Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) in the development of policies and programs. GBA+ considers gender as well as other identity factors such as:

age
culture
income
language
education
geography

As the objective of this proposed project is to inform federal recommendations and policies, we expect applicants to incorporate these considerations into their application.

Learn more about:

Working within First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities

The impact of colonization on First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada has had a devastating impact on their health and wellness. As a result, First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada face specific challenges and have unique experiences with the social determinants of health.

We encourage organizations and research teams to submit a letter of intent if they are:

led by First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada
have strong partnerships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities (including demonstrated collaboration)

We will consider various approaches to research, including appropriate research methodologies for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

Research ethics approval

All projects that involve research with humans must be approved by a research ethics board that adheres to the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans. The project lead should also consult the Tri-Council Policy Statement website before the research project begins.

External review

We may show letters of intent to external reviewers, such as:

professional and academic experts
representatives from other levels of government

By submitting a letter of intent, you agree to possible external review of your proposal.

Applicant capacity

Applicants must demonstrate that they and their collaborators have:

appropriate subject-matter expertise
experience and capacity to conduct the proposed research

Funding details

Project duration: 12 months, beginning March 2023 and concluding February 2024

Amount: up to $150,000 per project

Eligible expenses

Eligible costs include such expenses as:

personnel
evaluation
equipment
dissemination
materials and supplies
travel and accommodations
'other' costs related to the approved project

A detailed budget is not required as part of your letter of intent. However, we will ask you to provide a budget if you are invited to submit a funding request.

You may not incur project expenses until all parties accept the grant letter.

Ineligible activities and expenses

The following activities and expenses are not eligible for funding:

membership fees
personnel payments related to:
- severance
- performance
- maternity leave
costs of ongoing activities for the organization
statutory and extended benefits exceeding the 20% ceiling
capital costs, such as the purchase of land, buildings or vehicles
travel and hospitality expenses that exceed the National Joint Council rates
provision of services that are the responsibility of other levels of government
renting charges for space and computer use when already owned by the recipient organization
ongoing operational support, overhead or administrative fees expressed as a percentage of ongoing activities of an organization
unidentified miscellaneous costs

Stand-alone activities are also not eligible for funding. These could include:

symposia
workshops
conferences
audio visual production
website or smartphone application development and maintenance

These activities are considered stand-alone when they are unrelated to the research project.

Submission process and deadline

You must complete your letter of intent using PHAC's template. The letter must be:

single-spaced
no longer than outlined in the template
in size 12 Arial font, inclusive of existing template contents
in Microsoft Word or PDF format

Email us for a copy of the template, or for additional information about this call for letters of intent.

Email: cgc.solicitations-csc@phac-aspc.gc.ca

The deadline for submissions is 11:59 am (ET) on October 14, 2022. Funding will be subject to budgetary and project considerations.

Email your submission to cgc.solicitations-csc@phac-aspc.gc.ca with:

cirid.phmgd-cimri.domsp@phac-aspc.gc.ca in cc
'LOI Public Health Measures for COVID-19' as the subject line

We will email you to acknowledge receipt of your proposal. Make sure that your email address is included in your application.

Rights and obligations

PHAC is under no obligation to enter into a funding agreement as a result of this letter of intent process.

We also reserve the right to:

reject any submission received in response to this invitation
accept any submission in whole or in part
cancel and/or re-issue this invitation at any time

Please note that we will not reimburse an applicant for costs incurred in the preparation and/or submission of a proposal in response to this solicitation.

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2026-09-09