The below dates pertain to the Expression of Interest. Following review of the Expressions of Interest, full Research Funding Applications will be solicited by the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence.

• Applications Open: June 1, 2022
• Applications Close: July 15, 2022
• Anticipated Notice of Decision: August 2022

In 2021, Veterans Affairs Canada reimbursed $115,942,159 (equivalent to 14,527,631 grams) worth of medical cannabis for 17,495 Veterans.¹ Currently, Veterans Affairs Canada authorizes Veterans for up to three grams per day of dried cannabis, or its equivalent in fresh marijuana or cannabis oil, for a variety of medical conditions.

However, cannabis for medical purposes is an evolving area of treatment. Scientific evidence substantiating the efficacy and safety of cannabis for Veterans is lacking.¹ Recent research shows that some Veterans using medical cannabis to manage their chronic pain have little to no evidence-based education on the benefits and/or harms of cannabis.

This project is aimed at understanding, and disseminating information on, how to effectively educate Canadian Veterans on using medical cannabis to manage chronic pain. This will be a one-year knowledge mobilization project.*

*CPCoE defines knowledge mobilization projects as the creation of a knowledge mobilization strategy, dissemination plan, and associated product(s). This process includes identifying main message(s), knowledge user(s), knowledge goal(s), and knowledge product(s) in consultation with people with lived experience. Examples of these items are highlighted below. Awarded applicants will be supported by the CPCoE knowledge mobilization team in building their knowledge mobilization strategy.

• Main Message(s): a clear and concise headline explaining key takeaways
• Knowledge User(s): stakeholder groups such as Veterans and their families, clinicians, researchers, policy makers, partner organizations, etc.
• Knowledge Goal(s): create awareness, influence clinical practice, influence policy, etc.
• Knowledge Product(s): public-facing plain language summary, infographics, posters, videos, webinars, evidence briefs, social media campaigns, etc.

• Conduct an environmental scan of existing self-education tools for the use of medical cannabis, with an emphasis on tools designed for Veterans;
• Where possible, evaluate the effectiveness of the identified tools as well as their feature sets (i.e., format, frequency, components, content, etc.) and compare/contrast if one or more tools is more effective than others;
• Conclude if these tools address the specific needs of Canadian Veterans suffering from chronic pain, or if additional tools need to be developed to cater to this population;
• Summarize the findings from existing tools, or develop a new tool;
• Create a knowledge mobilization strategy and dissemination plan, including: main message(s), knowledge user(s), knowledge goal(s), and knowledge product(s).

The total funding available for this one-year knowledge mobilization project is $100,000 CAD.

• The proposed project must aim to improve the lives of Canadian Veterans, and their families, suffering from chronic pain;
• The Principal Investigator identified must be an independent researcher affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution with an academic appointment that continues until the conclusion of the funding period;
• The Principal Investigator identified must have successfully completed a course in Sex and Gender-Based Analysis Plus (SGBA+) from a recognized Canadian institution and submit a Certificate of Completion for verification.

The Centre of Excellence uses an e-mail application process. Please complete the Expression of Interest and the Terms and Conditions and submit both documents in PDF format, along with all required attachments, via e-mail to research@vcp-vdc.ca.

All Expressions of Interest are adjudicated by the Centre of Excellence. All applicants will be notified of the results of the adjudication. Successful applicants will be asked to submit a Research Funding Application. Applicants who are not successful will be withdrawn from the competition.

Click here to view our Funding Guidelines, which provide further information on application, review, results, funding, integrity, and Sex and Gender-Based Analysis Plus (SGBA)+. All applicants are expected to read these guidelines thoroughly before applying. Applications that do not adhere to these guidelines will not be considered.