Team & Large Network Grants convene collaborative research teams on a major research project.
Funding envelopes vary widely ($500k to $39M) and there are typically requirements related to team composition. Team and large network competitions usually have long application timelines given the size and scope of the research project and team.
SPARC support
SPARC is providing reviews of UBC faculty-led CIHR Team Grants this Fall 2023.
- These Team Grant reviews are provided on a case-by-case basis, so please contact SPARC (flora.to-miles@ubc.ca) at least 3 weeks in advance of the competition deadline so we can plan for capacity accordingly (see “Review Timeframe and Turnaround” below for details).
- SPARC provides 1 review per application. To optimize the benefits of grant review, please submit a well-developed draft, which enables SPARC to conduct a combined editorial and criteria review (see “Review Types and Availability” below for details).
- To prepare a well-developed draft for review, please access relevant SPARC resources, sample grants and Fundamentals workshop recordings (CWL required).
- If the PI has access to local support (e.g., UBC Okanagan’s Office of Research Services Research Facilitation, BCCHR's Research & Technology Development Office, Faculty-based Grant Facilitator), they should work with their preferred grant reviewer so that we can collectively support as many UBC researchers as possible.
Review Timeframe and Turnaround
- Reviews are typically conducted during the final 2-3 weeks prior to a deadline.
- All reviews are completed by the Friday prior to the UBC ORS PI Submission and the agency Application deadlines, to ensure PIs have time to consider SPARC’s feedback before finalizing their grant for submission. This e-submission process contrasts with the one used for CIHR Project Grants, which is Institutional E-approval.
- The average turn-around time is 2-5 business days.
- This ad hoc process reflects the variable number of Team Grants open at any time, all with unique deadlines, which contrasts with SPARC’s regularly-scheduled, twice-annual CIHR Project Grant review service.
Review Types and Availability
- Editorial Review: detailed edits and suggestions focused on content clarity and impact, flow and readability and organization/structure, and correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.
- Criteria Review: suggestions to ensure adherence to evaluation criteria and formatting guidelines.
- With sufficient notice and capacity, well-developed grants will receive both a criteria and editorial review.
- For requests received in the final week before ORS and agency deadlines, SPARC may only be able to provide a criteria review or consultation. Similarly, during periods of high demand, SPARC may provide only criteria reviews to ensure that all PIs requesting support receive feedback.
- CIHR Project Grant reviews take priority over Team Grant reviews.
- SPARC does not edit references, verify budgets, or edit and format CVs, nor provide grant writing or manuscript review services.