Dementia Strategic Fund: Dementia Guidelines and Best Practices Initiative

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The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is pleased to invite eligible applicants to submit proposals for projects that support improved access to and use of high-quality dementia guidance.

Background

Budget 2019 announced $50 million over five years to support the implementation of key elements of Canada's first national dementia strategy, A Dementia Strategy for Canada: Together We Aspire. The strategy's national objectives are to:

The $40 million dedicated to the Dementia Strategic Fund from Budget 2019 is supporting a variety of activities including:

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a set of symptoms linked to brain function. It is characterized by a decline in cognitive abilities. These abilities can include:

Dementia can also affect mood and behaviour.

It is estimated that more than 432,000 Canadians over the age of 65 were living with diagnosed dementia in Canada in 2016/17, two-thirds of whom were women. As Canada's population ages, the number of Canadians living with dementia is expected to rise. The risk of being diagnosed with dementia doubles with every 5-year increase in age, between the ages of 65 and 84. Statistics show that 0.8% of Canadians aged 65-69 years are diagnosed with dementia compared to 31.5% of those aged 90 years and older.

Objectives

This funding opportunity contributes to the implementation of Canada's national dementia strategy by supporting projects intended to improve access to and use of high-quality dementia guidance in Canada. Dementia guidance refers to recommendations and advice that include:

Applicants are encouraged to propose projects with a focus on populations identified as being likely to be at higher risk and/or facing barriers to equitable dementia care. Applicants must demonstrate precisely whether and how the proposed project responds to the needs of the following populations:

This funding opportunity has two streams and five themes. Please note that some themes are open to applications under one stream only.

Streams

Themes

Applicants must clearly indicate how their proposal will result in progress related to at least one theme and the accompanying appropriate stream(s).

Principles

An important consideration during the assessment of an Invitation to Submit a Funding Request (ISFR) proposal is the meaningful inclusion of people living with dementia and dementia caregivers at key stages, as appropriate. As well, the assessment process will include consideration of the project's alignment with the following principles:

Collaboration

Dementia guidance projects are likely to be enhanced through multi-sectoral partnerships that may bring together:

Projects are also encouraged to benefit from in-kind and/or financial support provided by partners from various sectors.

Health equity

Proposals must demonstrate how equity, including consideration of sex and gender as well as other factors (such as LGBTQ2+, age, education, geography, and income), has been considered in the design, implementation and evaluation of the proposed project.

Human rights

Proposals align with Canada's international and domestic commitments on dementia and human rights, and the principle of "respect human rights" as described in the national dementia strategy, as appropriate.

Evidence-based

For all Stream 1 projects, proposals must detail the methodology that will be used and demonstrate an understanding of recognized methodologies. Guideline projects must incorporate rigorous methodology that follows recognized principles and standards. Best practice and practice points should also follow the most up-to-date principles and methods for development and review.

For all Stream 2 projects, proposals must demonstrate how the guidance they have selected for knowledge translation and mobilization activities is of high-quality and is applicable to the context of the project. In addition, for projects focused on populations identified as being likely to be at higher risk and/or facing barriers to equitable dementia care, applicants must demonstrate that the guidance was developed through meaningful engagement with communities expected to use and benefit from it. If currently available guidance cannot meet these criteria, some flexibility may be applied in assessing Stream 2 proposals in certain cases, recognizing that there may be gaps in some areas such as guidance focused on populations identified as being likely to be at higher risk and/or facing barriers to equitable dementia care. Applicants are encouraged to highlight any considerations related to gaps in existing guidance which should be applied in the assessment of proposals.

Results-based

Projects are designed to track progress and capture lessons learned. Proposals must include robust project evaluation plans to assess the outcomes and impact of planned activities.

Culturally safe and culturally appropriate

Proposals are expected to demonstrate how activities and deliverables will be developed in ways that are relevant, culturally appropriate and culturally safe for the individuals and populations they are intended to benefit.

Application process and deadline

All eligible applicants must submit a completed Funding Request in Microsoft Word, the Excel budget sheet, and letters of support. Additional supporting material will not be accepted or reviewed. Funding Request templates are available by sending an email request to: cgc.solicitations-csc@phac-aspc.gc.ca.

The application deadline is 12 P.M. (EST) January 28, 2022.

All applicants must:

The submission process is competitive and all submissions are subject to screening and review. All funding is subject to budgetary and project considerations.

Additional application process information is available by sending an email request to: cgc.solicitations-csc@phac-aspc.gc.ca.

Other application considerations

Official language requirements

The Government of Canada is committed to enhancing the vitality of English and French linguistic minority communities in Canada, supporting and assisting their development, and fostering the full recognition and use of both official languages in Canadian society. Projects must be accessible in one or both official languages depending on the reach and audience. For additional information, consult the Official Languages Act.

Gender-based analysis requirements

The Government of Canada is committed to Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+). GBA+ incorporates consideration of gender as well as other identity factors such as age, education, language, geography, culture and income in the development of policies and programs. Applicants are expected to incorporate these considerations into their submission.

Working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities

The impact of colonization on First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada has had a devastating impact on health and wellness. As a result, First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada face specific challenges and have unique experiences with the social determinants of health. Organizations led by First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada, and organizations with strong partnerships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities (including demonstrated collaboration) are encouraged to submit funding request proposals.

Lobbying

Recent amendments to the Lobbying Act have broadened the definition of lobbying. We encourage applicants to review the revised act and regulations to ensure compliance. For more information, refer to the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada website.

Applicant capacity

Applicants are to provide a 1-page cover letter describing their organization. The letter must include the following information:

Funding details and requirements

Stream 1: Applicants may request funding of up to $250,000 for fiscal year 2022-23 (beginning in Spring 2022) and up to $250,000 for fiscal year 2023-24 (i.e. maximum of 24 months of funding). The total maximum funding available over the two fiscal years is $500,000.

Stream 2: Applicants may request funding of up to $200,000 for fiscal year 2022-23 (beginning in Spring 2022) and up to $200,000 for fiscal year 2023-24 (i.e. maximum of 24 months of funding). The total maximum funding available over the two fiscal years is $400,000.

Stream 1&2: For applicants whose projects address both Stream 1 and 2, funding may be requested up to $350,000 for the fiscal year 2022-23 (beginning in Spring 2022) and up to $350,000 for the fiscal year 2023-24. The total available over the two fiscal years is $700,000.

Eligibility

The following types of organizations are eligible for funding:

Partnerships between organizations with complementary areas of expertise are strongly encouraged, as are projects involving partnerships that span more than one province/territory.
Only Canadian organizations may apply for funding under this solicitation.

Eligible expenses

Eligible costs include expenses such as:

Personnel

Travel and accommodation

Note: Kilometric rates, meals and other travel related expenses must not exceed those allowed under the National Joint Council Travel Directive.

Materials and supplies

Equipment

Note: Cost effectiveness should be considered when deciding whether to purchase or rent.

Rent

Utilities (if not included in the rental agreement)

Performance measurement/evaluation

Other

No project expenses may be incurred prior to the signing of a contribution agreement by all parties.

Ineligible activities and expenses

The following activities and expenses are not eligible for funding:

Personnel

Travel and accommodation

Materials

Rent

Other

Contact us

To obtain additional information about this ISFR, please contact us at cgc.solicitations-csc@phac-aspc.gc.ca.

NOTE: PHAC is under no obligation to enter into a funding agreement as a result of this ISFR.

PHAC also reserves the right to:

Please note that PHAC will not reimburse an applicant for costs incurred in the preparation and/or submission of a funding request proposal in response to this invitation.

Additional resources

For further information on dementia guidance, you may wish to refer to the following publications:

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