Supplementary Information for Phase 2 of the CIHR REDI Early Career Transition Award (2022)

The Phase 2 portion of the CIHR REDI Early Career Transition Award (2022) will only be open to individuals who are funded in Phase 1 and who are ready to transition into an independent research faculty position.

Eligible Positions for Phase 2

• An independent researcher position that is tenure-track or considered career path (e.g., research faculty or clinician scientist positions that will provide opportunities to build a long-term research career and secure additional independent funding).
• Traditionally recognized academic positions with evidence of independence (i.e., Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor).
• Have a substantive role in Canada which means that the primary place of employment or primary appointment is in Canada (affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution and/or their affiliated institution).

Funds Available

• As indicated in the funding opportunity, the maximum amount per award is $660,000 (regardless of how long the NPA spends in Phase 1) up to six (6) years funded through two specific Phases:
  • At Phase 1, the maximum amount per award is $90,000 per year for up to three (3) years, for a total up to $270,000 per award.
    • $20,000 per year for the research allowance; and
    • $70,000 per year for the stipend.
  • At Phase 2, the maximum amount per award is $120,000 per year for up to three (3) years if NPAs spend three (3) years in Phase 1 or up to four (4) years if NPAs spend two (2) years in Phase 1.
    • Maximum of $60,000 per year (50%) as contribution to salary; and
    • Minimum of $60,000 per year (50%) as research allowance.

Transition Package Documents

The NPA will be required to submit a Transition Package to CIHR at least two (2) months prior to the Phase 2 position start date. This Package must contain:

• A copy of the Transition Report that needs to be submitted in Phase 1, as indicated in the CIHR Conditions of Funding in the CIHR REDI Early Career Transition Award (2022) funding opportunity. This report includes a summary of progress made during Phase 1, an updated project summary, research plan and budget to reflect updated plans for Phase 2 and a joint assessment by the applicant and Primary Mentor (See Information Letter on the Role of the Primary Mentor for additional information).
• Phase 2 Budget Confirmation Form completed by the NPA, which provides a breakdown of CIHR and host institution contributions that together total at least $240,000 per year. Detailed instructions are found on the form.
• The NPA’s Offer Letter for their Phase 2 full-time independent research faculty appointment from the Host Institution.
• A Letter from Phase 2 Host Institution (e.g., Dean or appropriate authority) that includes the following:
  • A statement attesting that the offer is in line with institutional policies and is comparable to what has been given for other recently hired equivalent faculty positions at the host institution.
  • The Host Institution’s plans to support the NPA’s mentorship and career development, including support and mentoring to be provided to the NPA to apply for and secure independent research grants (e.g., tri-agency, other funders) and set up a successful research program during Phase 2 of the award.
  • The Host Institution’s commitment to equity and diversity, and efforts taken to ensure research environments are inclusive, safe, and supportive, and strategies it employs to promote the success of early-stage faculty.
  • The Host Institution’s commitment to the NPA beyond the term of the award. In alignment with this funding opportunity’s strategic objective of enhancing the probability of the NPAs’ future success in launching successful careers as independent research faculty members in Canada, the Host Institution must demonstrate a commitment to support the research career development of the NPA both during and beyond the term of this award. Support beyond the term of the award may take different forms depending on the academic setting and entry position of the NPA. This includes what actions will be taken or opportunities that may exist to support the future employment of the NPA as an independent researcher.
  • The Host Institution’s commitment to the NPA to provide a minimum of 75% protected time to dedicate to their independent research program and if this conflicts with institutional policies, then percent protected time for research should be in line with institutional policies for other tri-agency award holders (e.g., CRC Tier 2 Chairs) in equivalent faculty positions. The NPA may engage in other duties (e.g., teaching, clinical, service duties) as part of the remaining percent of their full-time professional effort, if such duties do not interfere with, or detract from, the proposed career development plan.
  • The Host Institution’s commitment to provide dedicated space for research activities, with dedicated access to equipment, facilities, infrastructure, and other support needed to conduct the proposed independent research program and perform knowledge mobilization activities (considering accessibility and accommodation requirements).
• Any information not provided in the Offer Letter that is needed for the administrative review.

CIHR will review the Transition Package prior to the release of Phase 2 funding and will not release Phase 2 funding if the institutional commitment is initially deemed inadequate or requires clarification or additional information from the NPA or Host Institution.

We strongly encourage NPAs to contact CIHR Contact Centre at support-soutien@cihr-irsc.gc.ca during or prior to the negotiations with the Phase 2 Host Institutions to ensure they understand the eligibility criteria for Phase 2 positions and what must be included in their Transition Package to avoid a potential delay in the release of Phase 2 funds. Phase 2 Host Institutions are also encouraged to email CIHR Contact Centre at support-soutien@cihr-irsc.gc.ca should they have any questions.

Phase 2 Conditions of Funding

Conditions of Funding

• The matching host institution contributions at a minimum 1:1 ratio (may include funds for the NPA’s salary, the NPA’s research, stipends/salaries for trainees or laboratory/research program personnel dedicated to the NPA’s research program) must be confirmed to CIHR in writing at least 2 months before the transition date to Phase 2. This confirmation must be received and deemed satisfactory by CIHR prior to the release of funds.
• Phase 2 funding will only begin after proof that a full-time faculty or equivalent position is provided by the employing organization.
• The Nominated Principal Applicant may not hold another federally funded salary/Chair award (i.e., from CIHR, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council – NSERC, and/or Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council – SSHRC).
• The CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity (III) and partners seek to collect information on the outputs, outcomes, and knowledge mobilization activities of this funding opportunity as part of their commitment to evaluate the impact of their investments and benefits to the research communities, and to help guide the improvement of future programs and initiatives. As such, the NPA must submit:
  • Annual brief written progress updates in those years that other formal reports, defined below, are not being submitted.
  • Progress updates (e.g., presentation) at the CIHR REDI Forums to be held every 2 years.
  • A Transition Report, at least 2 months prior to the transition to Phase 2 (see Transition Package, below for more information).
  • Final Report to CIHR and other contributing agencies within 12 months of award completion (end of Phase 2).
  • Notes:
    • All reports templates will be made available to the NPA at the beginning of the funding period and can be filled in as research progresses.
    • Annual Reports are due within 2 months of the anniversary of the award start date.
    • The NPA must submit all reports to CIHR and the partners contributing to the NPA’s award. CIHR will share reports with partners supporting the NPA’s award should the agencies request them. This information will contribute to the development of future launches of the REDI program.
• In addition to the above, the NPA may be required to contribute, if requested, to the monitoring, review, and evaluation of the CIHR REDI program, which may include participating in verbal updates, evaluation studies, surveys, workshops, audits, and/or by providing data or reports as required for the purpose of collecting information to assess program progress and results.
• CIHR and partners require that their contribution to your research (Phase 1 and 2) be acknowledged in all written and oral presentations of your research results, including scientific articles, news releases, news conferences, public lectures, and media interviews.
• Applicants are required to reserve and allocate travel costs in their Phase 2 budget for up to two trips within Canada to attend the 2-day CIHR REDI Forums held every 2 years.
• NPAs who are successful in this competition are strongly encouraged to actively participate in peer review, and as members of the CIHR College of Reviewers, when invited.

Adjudication Process

A set of criteria have been developed to determine what constitutes an eligible independent research faculty position for Phase 2 of the award (see Eligibility position criteria above). Given the evolving nature of the academic research ecosystem and the opportunity for lessons learned through this initiative, the interpretation of these criteria may evolve over time.

The interpretation of these criteria is guided by:

• the strategic objectives of this funding opportunity; and
• that the institutional employment offer to the NPA and the Host Institution’s contributions to match CIHR funds shall be in accordance with institutional policies for other tri-agency award holders (e.g., CIHR Tier 2 Chairs) in equivalent faculty positions.

An internal review, which will not evaluate the science, will be conducted by CIHR to confirm whether:

• the applicant has met all the criteria to transition to Phase 2 of the award (see Eligible Positions for Phase 2 and details in the Transition Package, above); and
• has included all required documents in the Transition Package (see Transition Package Documents, above).

Funding Decision

Transition Packages that receive a final recommendation of Pass will be funded.

The names of successfully funded NPAs will be published on the CIHR website.

Date modified:

2022-12-07