2013 Catalyst Grants

CFN launched its first Catalyst Grant Program in October of 2013. The specific objective of this funding program is to catalyze creativity, novelty, and innovation in research to benefit Canada’s seriously ill, frail elderly.

The 2013 Catalyst Program funded projects of up to one (1) year in length and for a maximum of $100,000 each, with multidisciplinary, multi-institutional teams, and partnerships totalling a minimum of 25% of the CFN funding requested.

The Program supports pilot studies, feasibility studies, and novel and innovative approaches aligned with the CFN Strategic Plan and CFN Research Priorities. They are actively managed and have high requirements for partnership, HQP and engagement with stakeholders and knowledge users.  

On June 2, 2014, CFN announced eight awards funding patient-centred research projects, under its Catalyst Grant Program 2013. Scroll down to view each individual project.

In addition to involving 61 researchers, the projects will provide cross-disciplinary training and educational experiences for 30 trainees.

Projects Funded

For more details on any of the projects, please click on the project names below:

Nutrition Care Pathway for Hospitalized Older Adults: Content validation and feasibility testing (CAT 2013-28)

Principal Investigator:

Heather Keller, PhD, RD, FDC — University of Waterloo

Integrating quality of life assessments into acute care for older adults with chronic life-limiting illness (CAT 2013-51)

Principal Investigators:

Richard Sawatzky, PhD, MSc, BSc, RN — Trinity Western University

Robin Cohen, PhD, MSc, BSc — Jewish General Hospital

Kelli Stajduhar, PhD, MSN, BN, RN — University of Victoria

Development and testing of a standardized communication form to improve transitions for nursing home residents (CAT 2013-43)

Principal Investigator:

Greta Cummings, PhD, RN, FCAHS — University of Alberta

DECision-making about goals of care for hospitalized medical patiEnts II: a COMMUNICATion intErvention (DECIDE II COMMUNICATE) — Patient Data Collection and Feedback Pilot (CAT 2013-18)

Principal Investigator:

James Downar, MDCM, MHSc, FRCPC — Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network

Fostering End-of-Life Conversations, Community and Care Among LGBT Older Adults (CAT 2013-21)

Principal Investigators:

Brian de Vries, PhD — Simon Fraser University

Gloria Gutman, PhD — Simon Fraser University

User Studies with Intelligent Assistive Robots and Elder Residents Living in Long-Term Care Homes (CAT 2013-08)

Principal Investigator:

Goldie Nejat, PhD, PEng — University of Toronto

Improving Outcomes for Frail Seniors: Impact of ASILA Program for Long-Term Staff (CAT 2013-47)

Principal Investigators:

Veronique Boscart, PhD, MEd, MScN, RN — Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

George Heckman, MD, MSc, FRCP(C) — University of Waterloo

Screening Elderly PatieNts For InclusiOn in a Weaning Trial: The SENIOR Trial (CAT 2013-45)

Principal Investigator:

Karen Burns, MD, MSc, FRCPC — St. Michael’s Hospital/University of Toronto

About the Application and Review Process

The Program was launched on October 31, 2013, and Pre-application Indications of Intent were due  November 25, 2013. Only those projects that submitted this Intent were eligible to submit full applications by December 18, 2013. Applications were received and adjudicated by the Scientific Review Committee. Those deemed to be of high scientific merit and were then reviewed by the Research Management Committee to determine fit with CFN’s Mission and Priorities.  Eight proposals were ultimately selected for funding by the CFN Board of Directors.

Eligibility and requirements were outlined in the Program Guidelines/Call for Applications, and Application Instructions and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) were also made available. 

The following documents were required as part of a full application package:

  • Application Form 
  • Application Signatures 
  • Budget Template