The CRISM Atlantic Node is pleased to announce the launch of the Spring 2024 CRISM Atlantic Research Development Program (RDP). The CRISM Atlantic Node aims to promote a dynamic environment where researchers, knowledge users, clinicians, persons with lived and living experience, and public health stakeholders converge to discuss and act on priorities in interventional research in substance use. The Node is committed to supporting the development and implementation of fundable protocols that are relevant, innovative, and have the potential to accelerate the transfer to practice of scientific knowledge in intervention and management of substance use.

Objectives of the Research Development Program (RDP)

Drawing on consultations with network members about the increasing challenges of accessing funding from external granting competitions (more applicants, less funds), the Research Development Program was designed to support CRISM Atlantic Node members with seed funding for the development of research projects and protocols that seek to:

1. improve evidence-based practices (interventions, including public health interventions and harm reduction approaches) aimed at populations affected by substance use and/or those with or at risk of a substance use disorder; and 
2. contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field with new emerging approaches, paradigms, and methodologies that are culturally respectful

Research engaging Indigenous populations should include the use of the Two-Eyed Seeing approach and OCAP principles.

Although this funding opportunity/competition will attract CRISM Atlantic Node members with experience in the competitive research grant application environment, we strongly encourage node members with interest but less research experience to collaborate with those with research expertise to develop and submit competitive proposals for review.

Research Priority Areas

In response to CIHR’s call for Phase II funding for a CRISM Atlantic Node, CRISM Atlantic members were asked to identify key research areas of importance. The areas identified were as follows: Youth and Substance Use; Rural Access and Telehealth; and Concurrent Disorders (Addictions and Mental Health; Addictions and Pain). To support research activities and initiatives in these three areas, Working Groups (WGs) were created. Three Advisory Councils (ACs) which serve to inform the design of the WGs activities were also created. Those three ACs are: Sex and Gender; Indigenous Perspectives; and Persons with Lived and Living Experience (PWLLE). 

The Spring 2023 CRISM Atlantic Research Development will give preference to research project applications focused on one or more of our three identified key research areas of importance:

• Youth and Substance Use;
• Rural Access and Telehealth;
• Concurrent Disorders;

While preference will be given to funding projects in these key areas, proposals focused on other areas of addiction intervention research are welcomed as well.

Preference will also be given to projects which show consideration for the inclusion of one or more of the three cross cutting themes that inform the Node’s work: Sex and Gender, Indigenous Perspectives, and Persons with Lived and Living Experience.

Categories of Admissible Research Activities

Applicants are invited to submit a proposal to obtain financial support in order to:

1. Generate preliminary data or structuring activities (for example, inter-sectoral consultations, collection, or organization of data) related to the development of a new research protocol or proposal (category 1);
2. Develop a new research protocol or proposal for submission to a recognized granting agency (category 2); or
3. Improve a promising research protocol or proposal that has already been submitted to a recognized granting agency competition and was assessed but has not yet received the funding requested. This could include costs for writing assistance and/or pilot data collection that would strengthen the proposal for future external funding (category 3).

A maximum of $10,000 can be awarded to an emerging project proposal (category 1 or 2). A maximum of $15,000 can be awarded to a promising project proposal (category 3). Number of awards made will depend on funds available.

Deadline to Submit Your Research Proposal application:

The RDP is open to CRISM Atlantic Members. To apply to become a CRISM Atlantic member click here: CRISM Atlantic. Interested RDP applicants should forward any inquiries to crismatlantic@gmail.com and submit the completed research proposal form by Monday, May 13th, 2024 before 4 pm (AST).