CCRF APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Established in September 2009, the Canadian CAM Research Fund (CCRF) represents an annual competitive research funding initiative that is administered by INCAM and is exclusively available to INCAM members. Through a stringent peer-review process, grants are awarded to select research project proposals.

In recognition of the philanthropic vision of Dr. Marja Verhoef, a Co-Founder of INCAM, and the continuous support from the INCAM membership, the CCRF sustains its mission by annually awarding one (1) grant of up to $5,000.

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GOALS & RESEARCH PRIORITIES

The principal objective of the CCRF is to augment and fortify the research capacity within Canada's CAM landscape. This is achieved through the provision of support and funding to propel pertinent and top-tier studies that align with one or more of the prescribed research priorities:

  • Efficacy, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and/or safety of CAM interventions (products, independent modalities and practices)
  • Evaluation of healthcare delivery models that incorporate CAM
  • Development and evaluation/assessment of CAM specific policies in the context of healthcare delivery in Canada
  • Effectiveness and/or usefulness of knowledge translation activities related to CAM information (to public, practitioners, etc.) dissemination

The following types of studies are NOT eligible under the CCRF: (1) IN-VITRO studies, (2) ANIMAL (NON-HUMAN) studies.

For the purpose of the CCRF competition, studies on modalities, practices, therapies, and systems of care categorized as complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine (CAM) will be considered. The proposed study must directly aim to assess, evaluate, examine, and/or test such an intervention. 

For a list of therapies included as CAM, see Appendix 1.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Eligibility for this grant is limited to individuals who are:

  • 1 INCAM members only. Not a member yet? We invite you to join us today.
  • 2 Established Canadian researchers who are affiliated with academic institutions in Canada.
  • 3 New researchers or research trainees in the CAM field who are undertaking MSc and PhD level thesis projects at a Canadian university. They must be under the supervision of an INCAM member at an academic institution capable of administering the funds on their behalf.
  • 4 CAM practitioners collaborating with an established researcher or research trainee at an academic institution capable of administering the funds on their behalf. Projects demonstrating collaborative relationships between CAM practitioners and researchers across disciplines will receive priority consideration.
  • 5 Individuals without any outstanding grants from the CCRF that are currently being fulfilled, including both Principal applicants and Co-applicants (please use the definitions of Principal Investigator, Co-applicant, and Collaborator as provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR): www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/34190.html.)

We're excited that you're interested in having INCAM support your research endeavors! Before applying, you should review the full CCRF Application Guideline below. We also invite you to create your INCAM Member Account if you are not currently an INCAM member.

 

THE CCRF COMPETITION IS NOW OPEN!

Deadline to submit is JULY 15, 2024 @ 11:59 PM ET

APPENDIX 1

  • A

    Acupressure

    Acupuncture (e.g., needle acupuncture, electroacupuncture)

    Alexander technique

    Aromatherapy

    Arts therapy (e.g., dance therapy, drama therapy, music therapy)

    Ayurvedic traditional medicine (Ayurveda)

  • B

    Balneotherapy

    Bee products (e.g., honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly, venom)

    Biofeedback

  • C

    Chelation therapy*

    Chinese traditional medicine

    Chiropractic (i.e., spinal manipulation)

    Color therapy (i.e., chromotherapy)

    Craniosacral manipulation

  • D

    Dietary supplements (non-herbal)* (e.g., vitamins, hormones, amino acids)

    Diet therapy* (e.g., low fat diets, vegan diets)

    Distant healing

  • E

    Electric stimulation therapy* (e.g., transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)

    Electromagnetic therapy*

    Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)

  • F

    Feldenkrais method

  • H

    Herbal supplements (e.g., echinacea, garlic)

    Homeopathy

    Hydrotherapy

    Hyperbaric oxygenation*

    Hypnosis

  • I

    Imagery (i.e., visualization techniques)

  • L

    Light therapy* (i.e., phototherapy)

  • M

    Magnetic field therapy (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation)

    Massage therapy

    Mindfulness practices/meditation

    Morita therapy

    Moxibustion

  • N

    Naturopathy

  • O

    Osteopathic manipulation

    Ozone therapy*

  • P

    Play therapy

    Prolotherapy

  • Q

    Qi gong

  • R

    Reflexology

    Reiki therapy

    Relaxation techniques

  • S

    Snoezelen

    Speleotherapy

    Spiritual healing (e.g., prayer)

  • T

    Tai chi

    Therapeutic touch

    Traditional healers & healing practices (other than Chinese) (e.g., Kamp, Shamanism)

    Tui Na

  • U

    Ultrasonic therapy*

  • Y

    Yoga*

*Depending upon the condition being treated, these therapies may also be standard Western allopathic treatments.

Reference: Wieland LS, Manheimer E, Berman BM. Altern Ther Health Med. 2011; 17(2): 50-59