SHRF — Establishment Grant

• Principal Applicant CV
• Research Proposal
• Timeline
• References
• Dean/Department Head Supporting Letter

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's position and research status.

• The applicant must meet the definition of Principal Applicant as defined by SHRF in the SHRF Funding Guide.
• The applicant must hold a qualifying appointment in Saskatchewan at, or above, the rank of Assistant Professor (or equivalent), with the expectation and opportunity to undertake research.
• Adjunct appointments alone do not qualify for eligibility.
• The applicant must be within the first five years of their initial research-related appointment as of July 1 in the application year (i.e., July 1, 2025).
• Individual eligibility scenarios will be assessed by SHRF on a case-by-case basis, with possible eligibility extensions for concurrent completion of Ph.D. studies, career interruptions, career transitions, and limited term appointments.
• Applicants must provide an up-to-date CV for eligibility review.

Who is eligible?

Eligible individuals for the SHRF Establishment Grant must be early-career researchers in Saskatchewan holding positions that entail research responsibilities. The grant supports these individuals in establishing programs of health research within the province.

• Principal Applicant must hold an appointment at, or above, the rank of Assistant Professor (or equivalent) in Saskatchewan.
• Eligible applicants must be within the first five years of their initial research-related appointment as of July 1 in the application year.
• Applications can be made by individuals meeting criteria defined in the SHRF Funding Guide, specifically designated for a Principal Applicant.
• Applications are open to researchers from any area of human health.
• Considerations for eligibility extensions may include career interruptions or transitions, concurrent Ph.D. studies, and limited-term appointments.
• Applicants in a limited-term appointment must provide institutional confirmation of future employment if required.

Who is not eligible

• Companies or organizations outside Saskatchewan are not eligible to hold SHRF funds.
• For-profit industry partners that stand to benefit from the research funded by SHRF cannot receive SHRF funds.
• Applicants cannot be employees of a for-profit organization with a vested interest in the results and applications of the proposed research if they are being compensated from SHRF grant funds for that work.

Eligible expenses

The SHRF Establishment Grant covers various expenses essential to the research activities, focusing on justifiable direct costs.

• Equipment purchases, with justification regarding long-term benefit to the Principal Applicant’s research program.
• Inclusion of in-kind and other source funding in the budget.
• Expenses associated with building external relationships that benefit the research.
• Costs for sharing knowledge outside the academic community.
• Academic knowledge sharing costs up to 10% of the total budget.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Indirect costs of research and any form of overhead
• Costs explicitly associated with preparing a future grant application
• Research activities conducted outside Saskatchewan that are not covered by other funding sources
• Spending or encumbering funds before the grant start date
• Hospitality costs for internal or regular team meetings

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is specifically designed for early-career researchers based in Saskatchewan. The eligibility is geographically restricted to ensure support for health research within the province.

• Researchers holding a qualifying appointment in Saskatchewan.

The evaluation and selection of projects for the SHRF — Establishment Grant focus on several criteria to assess the project's alignment with the grant's objectives and potential impact.

• Applicant Potential (30%):Collaborations - Evidence of mentorship and complementary expertise to support the Principal Investigator (PI) and research.
• Career - PI's expertise to carry out the proposed research and commitment to the research topic/area.
• Productivity - Academic and non-academic knowledge translation activities and other peer-reviewed grant funding.
• Leadership - Evidence of leadership capabilities, including mentorship, engagement, and supervision of trainees.
• Quality of Proposed Research (50%):Rationale & Originality - Identification of gaps in existing knowledge and creative approaches.
• Approach & Methods - Clear goals and objectives, appropriate methodologies, and ethical considerations are addressed.
• Feasibility - Logical timeline and research environment with necessary resources and support.
• Budget - Clear and reasonable justification with evidence of in-kind or complementary supports.
• Potential Impact of Proposed Research (20%):Knowledge Mobilization - Plans for academic and non-academic knowledge translation.
• Contribution of Research - Potential to advance the field and inform health practices, policies, and planning.
• Relevance to Saskatchewan - Potential impact on the health of Saskatchewan residents.
• Research Impacts - Consideration of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) Impact Framework to describe the potential benefits of the research.

• Applications are screened internally after the deadline to confirm eligibility and completeness before review.
• Eligible applications are assessed through a competitive peer-review process by a multidisciplinary committee, with written comments provided by lead and external reviewers.
• For patient-oriented applications, additional feedback is provided by experienced patient partners and integrated with the scientific review.
• Applicants are notified in writing of the outcome through the SHRF RMS, along with anonymous reviewer feedback.
• If funding is offered, applicants must accept the terms and conditions before funds are released; funded projects also require ongoing progress and financial reporting.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• Applicants are encouraged to explore the SHRF Resources page for application guidelines and assistance.
• Letters of support from higher authorities at the institution are essential for demonstrating institutional backing.
• Applicants should complete their Personal Profile in the SHRF RMS system prior to submitting their application.
• The eligibility check is mandatory and should be submitted well ahead of the deadline to ensure timely processing.