Grants to our community:
Health and Medical Education/Research
Purpose
Within the Health and Medical Education/Research field of interest the focus of our funding is Community-Based Health Research. We support grants that support initiatives that ensure British Columbians are involved in advancing the health equity of their own communities. These research grants allow researchers and non-profit organizations to undertake relevant research collaboratively at the community level.
- Health is a resource for everyday life, not the object of living. It is a positive concept emphasizing social and personal resources as well as physical capabilities.
Reference: Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. WHO, Geneva - Health Equity is achieved when all people have an equal opportunity to develop and maintain their health, through fair and just access to resources for health.
Reference: Health Promotion Glossary. WHO, Geneva 1998 - Community is a specific group of people, often living in a defined geographical area, who share a common culture, values and norms and are arranged in a social structure according to relationships which the community has developed over a period of time. Members of a community gain their personal and social identity by sharing common beliefs, values andnorms which have been developed by the community in the past and may be modified in the future. They exhibit some awareness of their identity as a group, and share common needs and a commitment to meeting them.
Reference: Health Promotion Glossary. WHO, Geneva
The Types of Projects We Support
In general Vancouver Foundation supports growth and innovation through project-based grants for new initiatives. (See here for a full description.) Through Community-Based Health Research, we support projects in British Columbia that
- are directed at improving health and minimizing health inequities
- build capacity in communities to undertake community-based health research and promote partnerships between community members and researchers that facilitate reciprocal learning
- engage community in problem solving, decision making, and action through research
- are informed by previous findings in the area of investigation
- contribute to relevant and measurable change and/or inform public policy
The Participatory Research Method We Look For
There are many valid research models; specifically, we look to support projects that are:
1. Community situated
- begins with a clearly-defined research question of practical relevance to the community (as opposed to individual scholars)
- is supported, including financially, by individuals and organizations affected by the issue
- is carried out in community settings
- has a clear plan to disseminate findings to the community using appropriate strategies
2. Collaborative
- the research team reflects the range and diversity of the individuals and agencies affected by the issue to be researched
- community members and researchers equitably share control of the research agenda through active and reciprocal involvement in the research design, implementation and dissemination
- follows standards and protocols accepted by both the research and affected communities
3. Action-oriented
- the process and results are useful to community members in making positive social change and in promoting social equity
- evaluation information will be shared with other stakeholders (e.g. researcher, academic institutions, other community-based organizations
Adapted from the Centre for Community Based Research (CCBR)
Typical Grant Amounts
Vancouver Foundation usually funds no more than 50% of the budget for a proposal. Both cash contributions and in-kind donations of services or goods are considered valid matching components. Generally, grant sizes are based on grant amounts for past proposals of a similar nature, the size of the total proposed budget, availability of funds and the importance of the proposal relative to the priorities described in this document.
Eligibility
In addition to Vancouver Foundation’s general eligibility guidelines, the following criteria also apply:
- the project is anchored by an institution or organization based in BC and recognized for carrying out research activities
- the project has two co-leads: one from a research institution; the other from a community-based organization
- the project is (or will be) approved by a research ethics review board
Do You Have the Correct Field of Interest?
Even if there is a community-based participatory focus to your project, it may align better to a different granting field of interest.
- if your project focuses exclusively upon program development, implementation and evaluation activities, then you may want to consider applying for a Health and Society Development grant
- if your project aims to address the severe shortage of paramedics working in rural, northern and remote areas, then you may want to consider the Emergency Medical Assistance Education Fund
- review other fields of interest
How to Apply
Vancouver Foundation has a two-stage application process. The first stage is a Letter of Intent, which is a brief proposal assessed against the priorities and criteria of the Field of Interest you selected. If your proposal aligns well with the Field of Interest, then the second stage is to submit a full grant application upon request.
Review the Letter of Intent Guide and then submit a letter of intent online.
Advisory Committee
Vancouver Foundation works with an advisory committee of researchers and community members to assess applications and to make funding recommendations. Advisory committee members are from across British Columbia and generously volunteer their time and energy to help shape our work and to ensure that we remain in touch with the communities we serve.
Vancouver Foundation Contacts
Assistant, Grants & Community Initiatives
Tel: 604.629.2728
karen.estrin@vancouverfoundation.ca
Niveria Oliveira
Manager, Grants & Community Initiatives
Tel: 604.629.2708
Dave Doig
Director, Grants & Community Initiatives
Tel: 604.638.8735
Other funding opportunities in health and medical research:
Public health bursaries
For post-graduate students in the field of Public or Community health practice
Letter of Intent: submit here
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Letter of intent Guide
Review the HMER Letter of Intent Guide and then submit a letter of intent online.
