Terms of Reference Research Application
Terms of Reference
Research Funding Opportunities
Alzheimer Societies of Hamilton and Halton, Brant, & Haldimand Norfolk & Niagara region (the "Alzheimer Society")
RESEARCH COMMITTEE PREAMBLE
The Alzheimer Society mission is to alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. We believe that one of the ways our mission can be achieved is by supporting both psychosocial and bio-medical research. It is understood that we have a commitment to financially support the research activities of the
The Alzheimer Society is also committed to supporting research at the local level that will be broadly representative of the needs of all four communities. In order to fulfill this commitment to research, we will effectively and reasonably draw on our strengths, local resources, and the organization's financial and human resources. The Society will embrace research that is ethically sound and has the potential to yield results that are scholarly and valuable to people affected by dementia.
The Alzheimer Society's position on research is fully grounded in the Tri-Council Policy on Research Ethics as developed by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) 1998, amended in 2005.
All communities served by the four Societies will be represented on the Research Committee with the ideal being two representatives from each. Length of term will be two years renewable. In addition a researcher from the broader community will be invited to become a member on an annual basis.
The Research Committee members will provide reports and updates on non monetary decisions with the Alzheimer Societies at their respective Board of Director meetings. Applications for financial research support will be reviewed and recommendations for funding will be made to the Hamilton and Halton Alzheimer Foundation.
PRINCIPLES
The following principles will be used to guide the organization's decision making with respect to involvement in or development of research initiatives.
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Research that has value and relevance at the local level that represents the needs of all communities served by the four Societies will be supported.
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In order to make the most informed decisions, the Alzheimer Society Research Review Committee (ASRRC) will conduct an Annual Forum of interprofessionals, persons with dementia and care partners to identify the most current research questions that need to be addressed.
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All research activities must have an ethics review with documented approval (e.g. letter or ethics certificate) for procedures, methodology and recruitment materials by credible experts prior to approval by our organization.
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The ASRRC will maintain a high level of sensitivity as to the potential impacts to the clients/subjects involved.
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The ASRRC will ensure that clients have real and perceived choice/freedom to participate in any research activities and are not unduly burdened with such requests.
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Confidentiality will be maintained of all participants in written reports and publications.
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The ASRRC believe that knowledge gained from research should be shared within our organization and the broader community and therefore will expect that all research projects have an explicit plan for dissemination of the findings.
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Any research request received will be cognizant of the current research environment as well as relevance to the mission of the Alzheimer Society.
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Recognition will be given to the human and financial implications of the research initiative on the organization's current situation. Acceptance decisions will be made on the basis of reasonableness and feasibility.
APPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH SUPPORT
The Alzheimer Society will consider applications for both financial and non-monetary research support.
Applications for financial support could include requests for funds to offset graduate student research or budgetary support for small applied clinical research or pilot projects. The amount that the Alzheimer Society will fund is up to $15,000. Non-monetary support could include assistance in accessing study subjects for external researchers engaging in clinical research or program evaluation.
The Alzheimer Society will consider applications for student research projects. A full proposal must be appended with particular attention to literature review, methodology including procedures, feasibility as it relates to stipulated time frames. We request that student applicants contact the Chair of Research Committee prior to submission of their application to discuss recruitment strategies, and other supports that might be requested from the Alzheimer Society.
The Alzheimer Society will also consider applications from recognized health care organizations. A full proposal must be appended with particular reference to literature review, methodology including procedures and feasibility as it relates to stipulated time frames. We request that applicants contact the Chair of Research Committee prior to submission of the application to discuss methodology and the supports that might be required from the Alzheimer Society. Should a stipend be requested, these need to be earmarked for educational budgets or staff development.
PROCEDURE
Persons requesting support will be asked to provide:
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The name of the principal investigator, co-investigators and sponsoring organization
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A brief description of the purpose, research questions, and methodology of the research project or program evaluation
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A lay description of the purpose of the proposed research study
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Confirmation that the proposal has had an ethics review by credible experts (arms-length relationship with the program evaluator)
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A statement of the specific nature of the support being requested from the Alzheimer Society
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A description of of the measures that will be used to protect confidentiality of participants during research protocols and anonymity of participants when disseminating results.
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A statement of how the research supports the mission, research principles and priorities of the Alzheimer Society and how the research project's significance/relevance for persons with dementia and/or their families
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If financial support is requested, a budget must be included
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An assessment of the estimated burden on Alzheimer Society staff
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A plan for how the research findings will be shared with the Alzheimer Society as to the benefits to clients and staff
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A curriculum vitae
REVIEW PROCESS
Applications will be received twice a year for consideration by the Alzheimer Society Research Committee. Please submit 5 copies for review by April 30th or October 30th to: administration@alzhh.com
Alzheimer Society of
Hamilton Halton
Attention: Chair, ASRCC
1685 Main Street West
Suite 206
Hamilton ,
ON
L8S 1G5
Phone 905-529-7030
Fax 905 529 3787
The Alzheimer Society Research Committee will bring recommended proposals forward to the Alzheimer Foundation Board (AFB) for approval for release of funding at meetings during the months of May and November. Applicants will be informed of the status of their submission in writing, within two weeks of AFB meeting.
Application forms may be obtained by contacting one of the Alzheimer Societies at:
Alzheimer Society of Hamilton and Halton 905-529-7030 www.alzhh.ca
Alzheimer Society of Brant 519-759-7692 www.alzbrant.ca
Alzheimer Society of Haldimand Norfolk 519-428-7771
Alzheimer Society of
The ASRCC will communicate final decisions to applicants in writing within a reasonable space of time.
The Alzheimer Society recognizes that ownership of data and research products resides with the investigators unless otherwise specified in a written agreement between the Alzheimer Society and the investigators. In reports and publications related to research in which the Alzheimer Society has participated, researchers are expected to acknowledge Alzheimer Society support, share the results of their research in a short verbal presentation at an appropriate Alzheimer Society annual meeting, and provide the Alzheimer Society and the Alzheimer Knowledge Exchange (AKE) with a copy of any reports or publications arising from the research
The ASRCC will prepare and submit an annual report of its activities for distribution to each of the four Societies' Boards of Directors in June of each year.
March 2000; revised June 2010
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