THEMES
Into action !
Introduction
EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS
Projects are evaluated by three REPAR members or by the plenary committees appointed by the Scientific Council and usually headed by a Scientific Council member. The members evaluate the following four criteria: relevance, networking, scientific aspect and the quality of the knowledge transfer plan. The sum of the four dimensions gives an overall rating. Too low a rating on the scientific aspect will lead to rejection of the application. This same rating is used to break a tie between two applications when necessary.
Relevance: The application authors are encouraged to carefully read the instructions for each program to ensure that the objectives and methodology of their projects are consistent with the program they choose.
National and international networking: Evaluation of networking is based on criteria related to the diversity and complementarity of disciplines or research methods used by the authors and implemented to carry out clinical research, structural activities and/or development of a technological platform. The authors’ affiliation with various research centers will also be evaluated. Thus, networking will be evaluated according to the number of disciplines and centers involved in the project and in the complementary roles and contributions of each applicant. It is therefore essential to describe the specific role of each applicant and specify the degree of affiliation with the center designated by the researcher.
Scientific merit is evaluated according to the criteria established by the FRQS.
Only researchers and clinicians who are REPAR members may submit a request to the program of activities. Non-member researchers wishing to apply must complete an application form on the REPAR website before January 16, 2012. REGARDLESS OF THE PROGRAM, A RESEARCHER OR CLINICIAN MAY SUBMIT ONLY ONE APPLICATION AS PRINCIPAL RESEARCHER FOR ANY ONE CLOSING DATE. HOWEVER, IT IS POSSIBLE TO MAKE A SIMULATANEOUS APPLICATION TO PROGRAM 3.4 (INTEGRATION OF POSTDOCTORAL CANDIDATES).
REQUEST FOR THE EXTENSION OF REPAR FUNDS
Projects supported by REPAR should be conducted within the set period, normally 18 months after notification of funding. At the end of the set period, a scientific report as well as a financial report must be submitted on REPAR’s website (Member Forms section). It is possible to request an extension for the report due date by completing the available form in the Member Forms section (“Application for Extension” form). The requested extension period may be three months, six months or one year. This last period is generally reserved for exceptional cases. The lead researcher will be notified within a period of up to one month concerning REPAR’s decision on the request for extension. No new funds will be granted to a lead researcher who has not submitted a previous scientific report or having more than one REPAR project extended for six months or more.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications must be completed on the REPAR website by December 19, 2016, at 4 p.m. at the latest (WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS) for the following programs: 1.1, 3.4, 4.5, and a hard copy for program 4.2. Some programs or competitions have a specific submission date. Please see theme details. A completed paper copy must be forwarded to REPAR’s Coordination office along with applicants’ signatures and CVs. The application must be postmarked no later than January 15th at 4 pm.
An application (see the specific number of pages in the description for each program) must present the following elements in a single text, not including the budget or bibliographical references:
- The proposed project’s relevance and originality in relation to REPAR’s research directions and program.
- A demonstration of national or international networking, specifying the diversity and complementarity of the disciplines or methodologies being used to conduct the project submitted.
- The proposed project’s relevance and originality in relation to clinical rehabilitation practice.
- The nature or absence of overlap between the project submitted and other projects which have received previous funding from REPAR or other funding agencies.
- A clear description of a realistic project, including objectives, study population (inclusion and exclusion criteria), proposed method, analysis plan and a timetable.
- A knowledge transfer plan with a description of at least one specific activity.
- The application must include a short bibliography of the most relevant references.
- The application must provide a budget breakdown for use of the funds. Remuneration of the applicants is not an admissible item in the budget.
- The application must be prepared using the Times New Roman 12 font with single spacing and 2.54 cm (1 inch) margins.
- The application must be accompanied by a short CV (scientific activities for the past five years only), such as a CV already prepared for a recognized funding agency (e.g., FRSQ, FQRSC, MRC or CIHR – FQRNT) for each applicant.
- It is important to respect the allocated budget for each program.
- No appendix other than the budget and references will be sent to the evaluators.
- Applications which do not comply with these criteria will be rejected. REPAR reserves the right to strictly adhere to the application criteria.
THEMES
THEME 1 COMPETITIVENESS AND INNOVATION
REPAR’S GOALS FOR THIS THEME:
- Act as a catalyst and springboard in obtaining funding from major external funding agencies.
- Help REPAR members become more competitive in obtaining funds from external agencies.
- Become Quebec’s intermediary in establishing national and international collaborations in rehabilitation research.
- Keep abreast of emerging research topics in rehabilitation.
- Support research activities on emerging research themes selected by REPAR’s Board of Directors and Scientific Council.
THEME 2 KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE AND APPLICATION
REPAR’S GOALS FOR THIS THEME:
- Develop knowledge exchange and application skills.
- Adopt the most efficient knowledge exchange and application strategies specific to the field of rehabilitation in order to encourage clinicians to become involved in evidence-based practice.
- Create a new culture of knowledge acquisition and application.
- Contribute to the improvement of clinical practices and rehabilitation intervention methods through the introduction of new knowledge.
- Become the driving force of clinical rehabilitation research in Quebec.
THEME 3 TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF RESEARCHERS
REPAR’S GOALS FOR THIS THEME:
- Introduce the next generation of researchers to a multidisciplinary and networking-focused clinical research culture early in their training.
- Help offset the shortage of researchers in the field of rehabilitation.
PROGRAM 3.1 - Summer Student Program
Familiarize students with the realities of rehabilitation research. This program is designated for Quebec students registered in an undergraduate or professional master’s program. For the thirteenth consecutive year, REPAR has announced its summer student program. This program is available to regular and emerging research members. The amount provided per student is $5,000. In addition, for the first time this year, an additional $1,000 can be obtained by candidates qualifying for an intersectoral project in line with the FRQ-NT INTER strategic cluster (see details in the program criteria).
PROGRAM 3.4 – Internship Program
Component 1: International
Promote the integration of international postgraduate interns into the research activities of regular REPAR members, as well as into networking activities.
Component 2: MENTOR
Promote the integration of Quebec, Canadian or international postgraduate interns into the research activities of regular REPAR members, as well as into networking activities, in the MENTOR priority areas of: osteoarthritis, neuromuscular deficits, deformities and musculoskeletal injuries. (This program is closed)
PROGRAM 3.5 – Support for Students Wishing to Present at Scientific Events (One student request is accepted per REPAR lead researcher.)
Help a student (working with a REPAR researcher) who is registered in a postgraduate program and who is the primary author of an oral or poster presentation participate in a scientific event by paying a portion of the student’s registration fees, the cost associated with producing the poster or travel-related expenses.
PROGRAM 3.6 - National or international internship program for doctoral students, in partnership with the host organization (Deadline: January 26, 2015 at 4 pm)
This program is designed to support students who are REPAR members in achieving an interprovincial or international research internship in the field of rehabilitation.
THEME 4 PARTNERSHIP ACTIVITIES
REPAR’S GOALS FOR THIS THEME:
- Offer more clinical research opportunities in novel areas of research within a multidisciplinary, multicenter, healthcare and services continuum context.
- Diversify and maximize funds available to members for research activities.
- Promote networking on a national and international level.
To address the previously mentioned objectives, REPAR has joined forces with several partners. Key partnerships are:
- IRSST/REPAR partnership – Joint grant program for research in rehabilitation and occupational reintegration of workers with a workplace injury (4.1)
- Clinical research partnership in physiotherapy (OPPQ/REPAR; 4.2.1)
- Clinical research partnership in occupational therapy (OEQ/REPAR; 4.2.2)
- Clinical research partnership in speech therapy and audiology (OOAQ/REPAR; 4.2.3)
- Neurotrauma research partnership (ONF/REPAR; 4.3)
- Consortium on the development of trauma research in Quebec (4.4)
- Support program for social participation (OPHQ/REPAR; 4.5)
- IRDPQ-IRD-REPAR/FRSQ partnership in hearing impairment (4.6)
- MENTOR (please see Theme 3)
PROGRAM 4.1 - Joint Grant Program for Research in Rehabilitation and Occupational Reintegration (IRSST/REPAR)
The objective of this component of the REPAR-IRSST partnership is to provide support to enable research teams to be better equipped to submit funding requests to provincial and federal granting agencies on issues concerning rehabilitation in the workplace. These are essentially exploratory or precursory activities to project development (ex., pilot projects, knowledge reviews, etc.) to generate more competitive research proposals which entail a substantial leverage effect. Intersectoral and/or international research is highly recommended in these projects.
PROGRAM 4.2 – Clinical Research Partnership
1. Clinical Research Partnership in Physiotherapy (OPPQ/REPAR)
Enable master’s level degree physiotherapists to pursue research in collaboration with REPAR researchers on topics specific to physiotherapy interventions.
2. Clinical Research Partnership in Occupational Therapy (OEQ/REPAR)
Enable clinical occupational therapists who hold a master’s degree to promote the development of an evidence-based occupational therapy practice.
3. Clinical Research Partnership in Speech Therapy and Audiology (OOAQ/REPAR)
The main objective of the “OOAQ – REPAR Partnership Program” is to promote the development of clinical research on communication disorders through an association of clinical research grant programs involving the OOAQ and REPAR.
PROGRAM 4.3 – ONF/REPAR Neurotrauma Research Partnership
Promote research collaborations between Quebec and Ontario through the creation of research teams in neurotraumatology rehabilitation in order to produce high quality inter-provincial projects in specific fields such as spinal cord and brain injuries. The aim of the third phase of the ONF-REPAR Parnerschip is to strengthen and further build on what has already been achieved through support from ONF-REPAR, while ensuring alignment with new national neurotrauma endeavours. A new call for proposals has been launched in order to continue this partnership.
PROGRAM 4.4 – Trauma Research Development Consortium in Quebec (Consortium)
Develop multicenter and multidisciplinary clinical research on a trauma health and services continuum in Quebec. The continuum includes the following phases: acute care, intensive functional rehabilitation, support for reintegration and return to community life (social reintegration), including occupational therapy. Funding appeals are initiated by the FRSQ.
PROGRAM 4.5 - Support Program for Social Participation (OPHQ/REPAR)
The social participation of people with physical disabilities, as well as their remaining in their normal environment, are the main goals of all rehabilitation interventions and thus justify focusing research on environmental factors that may positively influence these objectives. Certain factors, such as the design of accessible environments or the development of social policies may potentially influence several types of clients (hearing, language and speech, motor or visual).
The OPHQ-REPAR partnership is calling for research proposals linked to the different intervention priorities set out in full in the policy. Individuals or teams interested in presenting projects to respond to the initiative of the partnership are encouraged to read the details of the proposal.
THEME 5 RESEARCH PROMOTION AND DISSEMINATION
GOALS PURSUED BY THE REPAR FOR THIS THEME
Since it’s beginning, the REPAR has aimed to hire researchers, clinicians and students, organize research axis and then set up programs that enables clinical research development and forms the future readaptation workers.
Some of these goals will be pursued in the coming years. However, the REPAR also aims on putting forward exchange and application of knowledge and wants to invest in appreciation activities and communication of research results. An important goal is to make REPAR more visible to researchers, students, clinicians, care managers, decision makers and to the general public. Activities are thus encouraged following these objectives according to the available budget.