CIHR launches collaborative grants program with China

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has launched a Joint Health Research Institute Grants Program with the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). CIHR is contributing $450,000 annually to the collaborative research grants initiative, while the NSFC is providing $325,000. The aim of the program is to increase scientific cooperation between Canadian and Chinese universities, hospitals and research institutes. Areas targetted by the grants program are neurosciences, diabetes and obesity, cardiovascular system, genetics, infection and immunity and child and youth health. CIHR will fund Canadian researchers to a maximum of $30,000 annually for three years while the NSFC will provide matching funds for participating Chinese researchers. A joint peer review committee has been established specifically for the program and up to 125 projects may be funded. Complete applications are due March 16/06 with a project start date of November ....