Grants to Canada researchers affiliated with eligible research institutes, universities, and healthcare agencies for innovative research projects related to arthritis. Applicants are required to register prior to submitting a full grant application. Funding is intended for a wide range of project types, including pilot and feasibility studies, data analysis, small projects, and the development of new research methodologies or technologies.

The goal of the Ignite Innovation program is to support the development and testing of transformative, paradigm-shifting, concepts and approaches to address critical barriers to progress in arthritis research, challenge the understanding of arthritis and its management, and generate novel approaches to confront the challenges faced in defeating arthritis and delivering the best evidence-informed care possible. The program intends to foster novel, high-potential projects and ideas that could be expanded in the future through additional funding sources (i.e., successful operating grants, industry partnership programs, cross-discipline funding opportunities, etc.).

Successfully funded Innovation projects are based on “high risk” ideas that have a strong potential for “high reward”. The scope of high-risk projects could include proposals that focus on novel or untested tool development, cellular pathways, behavioral or psychosocial methodologies, research to address or ameliorate social or structural inequities, novel methods for delivering evidenced-based treatment or self-care interventions, unconventional devices or techniques/procedures (including measures) and/or have potential for unique translation. As projects are at an early stage of development, a high level of risk is expected and not all projects will yield anticipated results. High reward is defined as the potential to create a significant and real change or impact. Applicants must explain the anticipated change or impact that is likely to result and to whom or what will be affected by the change, and its significance. To support the novelty of the project, a thorough evaluation of the literature should be included. Applicants will be required to describe why the project is novel, as it relates to the latest methods, concepts, information, and techniques.

Applications are encouraged from all areas and disciplines of arthritis research, as well as from investigators in other disciplines whose ideas are relevant to the field of arthritis research. Diverse partnerships that advance and accelerate the application of the research are encouraged. These may include transdisciplinary research approaches and/or partnerships with industry, policymakers, consumers, health care providers and others.

This program supports different types of projects including, but not limited to, the following:

• Pilot or feasibility studies;
• Secondary analysis of existing data;
• Small, self-contained research projects;
• Development of research methodology; and
• Development of new research technology.

Applicants must focus on innovative research efforts in the priority areas. See the URL for Full Text link below for information about the priority areas.