CHILD & YOUTH DIABETES

Call for Letters of Intent: Prevention of type 2 diabetes in northern and remote Indigenous communities


The call for Letters of Intent is now closed. Please check back in September when we announce the funded initiatives.

 

The Lawson Foundation Board of Directors has approved a new direction for the Child & Youth Diabetes Strategy (CYDS), narrowing its scope and making a ten-year commitment to focus on the prevention of type 2 diabetes in northern and remote Indigenous communities. The Foundation’s commitment to enhancing and supporting Indigenous-led solutions is at the core of this renewed strategy. We are currently welcoming Letters of Intent to identify projects and initiatives that align with this strategy. 

Specifically, we are looking to fund the development, implementation and measurement of community-based prevention and health promotion initiatives that have a strong focus on knowledge exchange. We will also support projects and activities that seek to inform sound public policy.

Details about the call including eligibility criteria, available funding and the application process, along with a link to our online application portal are available below. Please ensure to review the description of the current focus.

Objectives

  • To develop, implement and measure community-based diabetes prevention and health promotion initiatives in northern and remote Indigenous communities. The focus on prevention includes health promotion approaches as well as care for those living with diabetes to prevent complications.
  • To share evidence-based knowledge that will inform diabetes-related work in other communities.
  • To inform sound public policy that addresses structural/systems change.

 

Timeframe

We are calling for multi-year proposals (3 years). However, the Foundation will also consider development/seed grants for shorter-term (6-18 months), less complex projects that are exploratory in nature. 

 

Available Funding

We plan to award approximately $3,000,000 over 3 years for eight to 10 projects that fit the strategy. The maximum grant per project will be $300,000 for projects that are three years in duration. A development/seed grant could be up to $50,000.

Requests for funding should be based on the project’s needs, reflecting the size, time frame and complexity of the project. 

Total funding and the number of grants awarded will be confirmed following the final selection process.

 

Population and Geographic Focus

  • Children, youth and their families, including maternal and peri-natal health, to help ensure that children and youth enter adulthood healthy and with a reduced risk of acquiring diabetes and its complications over their life course
  • Northern and remote Indigenous communities in Canada

 

Participation in Convening and Sharing during the Grant Term

Successful applicants will be asked to participate and be fully engaged in the Lawson Foundation’s annual diabetes workshops (in-person or virtual) and other virtual-style meetings to network and share insights and learning with each other and other influencers in the diabetes sector. 

 

Use of Funds

Funds may be used for a broad set of activities that include operational costs, research and implementation of interventions, capacity enhancement/training, knowledge exchange (including publishing for emerging Indigenous researchers and trainees), communications. and convening and partnership development. 

Applicants who are invited to submit a full proposal will be required to budget for project evaluation.

 

Exclusions

The CYDS does not support:

  • Basic science research.
  • Randomized controlled trials. However, the Foundation will consider pilot projects that have the potential to inform a future RCT.
  • Therapeutic interventions involving drugs/natural products and unproven therapies with the exception of traditional medicines or healing practices recognized in participating communities.
  • Scholarships; continuing education of team members with the exception of fellowships or studentships that directly support the proposed project.
  • Capital costs. However, reasonable expenses for equipment and materials may be included in the budget (E.g., the CYDS would not contribute to the building of a community hub but could contribute to the staff and programming costs to operate the facility).
  • Projects already completed.
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Principles that will guide the CYDS

The following key principles/values are integral to the strategy:

  • Indigenous leadership – Indigenous-driven processes and partnerships are fundamental to the success of community-based diabetes initiatives. We will support projects that are Indigenous-led or co-led and intentionally seek to strengthen the capacity of emerging Indigenous leaders, including community leaders and researchers.
  • Indigenous wellness models – We will support projects that employ Indigenous knowledge, practices and concepts of wellbeing and that enhance understanding of Indigenous social determinants of health. Determinants of Indigenous health include education, employment and income, poverty and social supports, cultural identity, self-determination and family as well as connectivity to traditional lands and the ongoing impact of colonization and historical trauma.
  • Community-centred approach – There is great potential when action undertaken regarding Indigenous Peoples and diabetes is community-based and Indigenous led/driven. Actions and targets should reflect the diversity of Indigenous cultures and languages as well as unique community perspectives so that local needs are prioritized and are being met. Please note:  The concept of community is broad, e.g., a geographical community/region, a community of practice or a virtual community.
  • Asset/strength-based approach – Initiatives that take an asset/strength-based approach enable active community engagement in generating community-based solutions and in planning and implementing diabetes prevention and health promotion strategies.
  • Relationships, reciprocity and shared learning – We all have wisdom and learning to share with each other, whether community member, researcher, grantee or funder. The value of an initiative is enhanced by sharing results and learning broadly with other communities, groups, grantees and funders. We believe the grantee/funder relationship is a reciprocal process built on mutual accountability and respect and the success of this relationship is based on a commitment by both parties.

Eligibility to Apply

  • Indigenous-based groups, organizations or communities
  • Individuals who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) and are affiliated with Indigenous organizations or communities
  • Individuals who are affiliated with educational or health care institutions and who can demonstrate meaningful and culturally safe involvement with Indigenous Peoples and communities

The applicant must be a qualified donee. Please check the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Charities Listing to see if your organization or community is a qualified donee and if it has a CRA registered charitable number. If your organization or community is not a qualified donee, your project may be able to be funded if you partner with an organization that is a qualified donee.

The applicant organization and project must operate in Canada.

 

Selection Process

The selection process will occur in two stages. A Lawson Review Committee will review the letters of intent and full proposals.

Stage 1 – Letter of Intent: We ask you to submit a short letter of intent that articulates clearly and concisely your proposed initiative. At this stage, we are looking for innovative ideas that are aligned with the strategy’s focus and objectives as well as the principles that are integral to the CYDS. A committee will review the applications and identify those that best align with the strategy.

Stage 2 – Full Proposal:  Applicants with successful letters of intent that best align with the CYDS will be invited to the second stage of the process – a full proposal competition.

 

Application Timeline

Step 1 Request for Letters of Intent – Submission Deadline Monday, February 14, 2022 at 8 pm EST
Declines or invitations to submit a Full Proposal The goal is to communicate decisions by early April 2022.
Step 2 Full Proposal Submission Deadline Early May 2022
Notification of funding decision The goal is to communicate decisions by early September.

 

How to Apply

Letters of intent are to be submitted using the Lawson Foundation’s online grant application system.

If you are experiencing technical issues or are unable to access our system, please contact Karen Pischedda at childyouthdiabetes@lawson.ca or 226.927.0166 so that we can help you resolve the issue. If you have questions about the funding call, please contact Karen Shelstad at childyouthdiabetes@lawson.ca or 519.709.9768.

If you are unable to use our system, please let us know at childyouthdiabetes@lawson.ca. We will be able to accept your application in MS Word, using the categories identified in our sample letter of intent form.

Please note that the Lawson Foundation will be closed on weekends and over the Christmas holidays. If you are working on your application during these times and have questions, please email your questions to us at childyouthdiabetes@lawson.ca. Continue to work on your application using the MS Word form while our office is closed. We will reply to your email as soon as possible when the office re-opens.

Please submit your letters of intent in English. 

 

Instructions to apply online

The call for Letters of Intent is now closed. Please check back in September when we announce the funded initiatives.

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Note:  You may want to review the FAQs more than once as questions and answers may be added over the application period.
If you have questions about the funding call, please contact Karen Shelstad at childyouthdiabetes@lawson.ca or 519.709.9768.
If you have technical questions about accessing our online system, please contact Karen Pischedda at childyouthdiabetes@lawson.ca or 226.927.0166.

 

Questions Answers
What are the minimum requirements to submit a letter of intent?

Projects should reflect the Child and Youth Diabetes Strategy’s stated focus, objectives and principles.

Projects should be Indigenous-led or co-led.

The applicant organization must be a qualified donee. 

The applicant organization and project must operate in Canada.

 Check the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Charities Listing to see if your organization or community is a qualified donee and if it has a CRA registered charitable number. 

If your organization or community is not a qualified donee, your project may be able to be funded if you partner with an organization that is a qualified donee.
When is the deadline to submit a letter of intent?

Monday, February 14, 2022 at 8 pm EST

Applicants are recommended to submit as early as possible to avoid technical issues. In fairness to others, no late applications will be accepted.
How do I apply?

Click the “Apply” button to register and apply using the Lawson Foundation’s online application system. 

Please submit your letters of intent in English.

Do not include any other attachments or hyperlinks as they will not be reviewed.
How will I know if my application has been received?

When you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email.

Apply early to receive your confirmation before the deadline. 

If you don’t receive a confirmation, please contact us at childyouthdiabetes@lawson.ca.
When will I find out if my letter of intent has been successful or not? The goal is to communicate decisions by the end of March to let applicants know if their applications have been declined or if applicants are invited to submit a full proposal.
What are the next steps following the letter of intent?

Applicants with successful letters of intent will be invited to submit a full proposal. 

Full proposals will be due in early May 2022.
Can one organization submit more than one application? Yes. We are looking for the most innovative ideas that best meet the Strategy’s focus, principles and objectives.
Will you accept a collaborative proposal from multiple organizations?

Yes, as long as the project is Indigenous-led or co-led.

The applicant organization must be a qualified donee with a key role in the project beyond just fiduciary responsibility. 

Please articulate the collaborative nature of the proposal and name the partners in your project description.
Will randomized controlled trials (RCTs) be funded? RCTs will generally not be considered for funding. However, the Foundation will consider pilot projects which have the potential to inform a future RCT.
What is the population and geographic focus of the Strategy?

Your project must be focused on:

  • Children, youth and their families, including maternal and peri-natal health, to help ensure that children and youth enter adulthood healthy and with a reduced risk of acquiring diabetes and its complications over their life course
  • Northern and remote Indigenous communities in Canada 

If the project leaders/organizations are located in southern, non-remote locations, you may still be eligible to apply if your work is focused on northern and remote Indigenous communities.
What is the Foundation’s definition of “community”?

We use a broad definition of “community” that includes the geographical location as well as communities of interest or practice. 

Examples of communities of interest/practice include: 

  • Stakeholders, including people affected by diabetes, who come together to address a specific diabetes care gap for mothers and children
  • Communities working together to develop, implement and share diabetes knowledge and resources
Will we be asked to participate in the Foundation’s convening events? Yes. Successful applicants will be required to participate and be fully engaged in the Lawson Foundation’s annual diabetes workshops (in-person or virtual) and other virtual-style meetings to network and share insights and learning with each other and other influencers in the diabetes sector.  

Our Areas of Focus

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