Funding opportunity
Researchers are invited to apply for a new grant funding opportunity sponsored by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) to conduct a literature review exploring the possible effects of military occupational exposures on cancers, and potentially other chronic physical health outcomes, in women Veterans.
Anticipated timeline and budget
- Application Deadline:
- 17 January 2025 at 11:59 PM (PST)
- Estimated Project End Date:
- 31 January 2026
- Grant Funding Available:
- $70,000
Background
Women and diverse populations have been historically under-represented in military health research, limiting knowledge of their unique exposures, health risks, and needs. In alignment with current research and governmental priorities, VAC aims to increase knowledge in this area to optimize supports for women Veterans.
Research objectives
This funding opportunity is seeking submissions from researchers to conduct a literature review exploring the possible effects of military occupational exposures on cancer outcomes in Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) military women Veterans. This review should include a summary of known and possible sex- and gender-based differences in both military occupational exposures as well as their impacts on cancers.
Researchers are encouraged to use a broad search strategy so that applicable research from different militaries and contexts is included. Research conducted internationally, including the United States of America, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, should be considered. Researchers are also encouraged to expand the search strategy beyond Veterans to include serving military members and diverse members.
Studies from grey literature should be captured in addition to peer-reviewed literature. Sub-analysis or interpretation may be needed to demonstrate generalizability to women Veterans of the CAF.
In addition to cancer endpoints, researchers are encouraged to include other chronic physical health outcomes (e.g., respiratory, cardiovascular) in their review, if feasible.
Researchers are expected to follow established methods for reviews (e.g., Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)). Some members of the research team should have previous experience with conducting and publishing high-quality literature reviews.
Desired outputs
- Scoping or systematic review in the format of a high-quality manuscript, ready for submission to a scientific peer-reviewed journal (please include any publication fees in your application).
- Appropriate PRISMA checklist.
- Comment on considerations for developing a relevant policy approach or strategy relating to health supports and benefits for women Veterans.
- Sex and Gender Equity in Research (SAGER) guidelines followed.
- Search strategy broadly focused to include:
- international literature and grey literature;
- Veterans and serving military members;
- various cancers, and possibly other chronic physical health outcomes.
- Final Report that includes Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Data analysis, Results, Discussion and References, and the other specifications described above.
- Quarterly progress reports provided to VAC.
- Virtual presentation of findings to VAC (may occur after project end date).
Applicant qualifications and requirements
- Principal investigator on the project must have a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) in a relevant field.
- All appropriate academic research guidelines must be followed, including, when required, a research ethics board approval from any accredited academic institution in Canada. If applicable, documentation will be required prior to funding being issued.
Application deadline
Please download and submit the Research Funding Application form.
Enquiries
Questions about this funding opportunity can be sent to the VAC Research office.