Learning Through Living: Applied Research Grant Program
Frayme is mobilizing diverse lived expertise as a form of evidence to inform active research in the youth mental health and substance use (YMHSU) sector. Frayme will support currently funded YMHSU research through the Learning Through Living (LTL) Applied Research Grant Program by awarding 4 grants of $50,000 so researchers can engage youth and caregivers with lived expertise in research practice through partnership.
Goals of the LTL Grant Program:
- Integrate and engage diverse, lived expertise to support dissemination, implementation and/or adaptation of research.
- Enhance active research by integrating diverse perspectives from youth and caregivers to make the research design more informed by those who use service.
- Support scaling out of the learnings about engaging individuals with lived expertise in active research so that other researchers can build/integrate these approaches into their research. Specifically, we wish to discover:
- What worked for engaging individuals with lived expertise? To what extent and why?
- What did not work for engaging individuals with lived expertise? Why and what could have been done otherwise?
- Why is what worked important?
- How did you implement it? What should others know so they can implement it?
- How did you measure your engagement process?
Why: Frayme supports the implementation of research knowledge into practice. Research that builds on the experiences of those accessing services is an important contribution to building systems of support that work well for youth and their families. Through these knowledge mobilization grants we are hoping to support YMHSU researchers to engage with individuals with lived expertise (such as youth and caregivers) and scale the learnings to inform future research about the benefits and processes of integrating lived expertise into the research.
Who: These grants are for research teams currently engaged in active research that is focused on the YMHSU sector.
How: Successful research teams will be asked to engage individuals with lived expertise in their research and to work together with the Frayme team to mobilize learnings about this engagement practice. Please see the F.A.Q to learn how Frayme works with grant recipients to mobilize knowledge.
When: The LTL grants will be awarded through an independent adjudication process that will run for a period of 2-3 weeks. Funding is projected to be awarded by summer 2021. Funding as a part of this grant program ends March 31, 2022.
Apply: Find the online application here. If you have any questions, please contact us or need assistance filling out the application, please feel free to contact at frayme.info@theroyal.ca.
Eligibility
Organizations or affiliated individuals eligible for applying include Canadian not-for-profit and charitable organizations (this may include some post-secondary institutions). If you’re uncertain about your eligibility, please email us for clarification at frayme.info@theroyal.ca.
Applications must include:
- Overview of the current active research project (highlighting considerations of equity, inclusion, diversity and accessibility)
- Institutes/Organizations that have supported the research (e.g., financial, administration, in-kind support, etc).
- Applicable REB approval for the research and outline of any modifications/amendments that would be necessary to engage individuals with lived expertise
- Demonstration of plan for meaningful engagement with individuals with lived expertise (including timelines, budget breakdowns, roles and expectations).
- Overview of any previous or current engagement of individuals with lived expertise, advisors, or formal advisory structures supporting the research.
- Plan for knowledge mobilization of findings or results to the broader YMHSU system following the grant (see examples on possible mechanisms below).
In addition, Frayme will prioritize funding for research teams that are focused on increasing engagement and inclusion opportunities for diverse lived expertise. This may include work in the following areas:
- Low socio-economic status, homelessness/barriers to housing
- Systemic racism, exclusion and discrimination in the YMHSU sector
Selection of grantees will be based on all aspects of their applications as described above. In addition, applicants are encouraged to co-develop applications in partnership with lived expert advisors involved in the research and/or proposal.
FAQ
- What’s the purpose of the Learning Through Living (LTL) Applied Research Grant Program?
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- Research that builds on the experiences of those designing and accessing services is an important contribution to building systems of support that work well for youth and their families. The purpose of this grant is to support YMHSU researchers to engage with individuals with lived expertise and scale the learnings to inform future research about the benefits of integrating lived expertise as a form of research evidence. Furthermore, the end goal of all Frayme grants is to encourage and equip organizations within Frayme’s network to learn from your work and/or scale-up or implement best practices in youth mental health and substance use treatment using the best available evidence.
- Questions Grantees can help answer:
- How does lived expertise enhance research?
- How can we evolve research practices to better engage individuals with lived expertise in research design, development and delivery?
- How did engaging individuals with lived expertise in research enhance the research process and results?
- How can engagement be effectively implemented?
- How can engagement be measured?
- How does this grant relate to Frayme’s values?
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- As an organization, Frayme values reciprocity, equity and meaningful engagement. Frayme uses a triangle to symbolize the equal and important role that evidence generated through 1) research, 2) practice and 3) lived experience play in forming a balanced approach improving quality and transforming the youth mental health and substance use services. In order to actualize this approach, Frayme collaborates with a wide range of external stakeholders, including but not limited to researchers, healthcare providers and people with lived expertise to facilitate meaningful and lasting change within the youth mental health and substance use system.
- How does Frayme define individuals with lived expertise?
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- Lived expertise is defined as the expertise acquired through a youth, caregivers and advocates experience in the youth mental health and substance use system. Thus, any individual with past or present experience in the YMHSU system that is willing to use their experience to help inform research in the Learning Through Living grant is eligible.
- What is expected of successful applicants?
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- The lead applicant will be responsible for providing Frayme with proof of REB clearance for the engagement of individuals with lived expertise before funds can be dispersed. This may include successful submission of a new REB application, or amendment of an existing REB. If applicants feel that an amendment is not necessary, they will have to provide sufficient justification to Frayme. If submission/amendment of an REB application required additional costs, this is an eligible expense for the grant.
- The lead applicant will be responsible for interim and final reporting to Frayme. This will include submissions like a statement of account (including actual and forecasted expenses) and an overview of project activities, outcomes, and noteworthy learnings. In addition, each successful applicant will be required to fill out a report detailing the engagement process - the template for this report and those described above will be provided by Frayme.
- All written reports, oral presentations, blog posts, news press, and publications (even those after funding period) supported through this grant must include a Frayme statement of support and be sent to Frayme for our files.
- Promotional material, such as photos or project description, may be solicited to include on our Frayme website, social media channels and other Frayme reports.
- In order to ensure best-practices of engagement are being adhered to, each successful applicant (or team) will be required to take a 1-hour capacity building session pertaining to the standards of engagement, followed by a 1-hour capacity building session focused on providing allyship to those with lived expertise.
- How does Frayme work with grant recipients to mobilize knowledge to the system?
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- Grantees can mobilize learnings about these engagement practices through various mechanisms, including:
- Presentations, including posters and exhibitor booths, at conferences, webinars, and other relevant events
- Peer-reviewed and/or open-access publications
- Public information materials, such as reports, infographics, fact sheets, newsletters, etc.
- Policy papers or responsiveness summaries, detailing recommendations and incorporation of practice into future work
- Frayme will partner with Grantees and/or provide access to resources and internal/external expertise in engagement of individuals with lived expertise in project work. At the end of this Grant, Frayme will synthesize the findings and identify common themes or promising approaches. It is our hope to both (a) help Grantees share their findings to a wider audience using Frayme’s network and (b) share overall promising engagement practices in research across the network.
- Grantees can mobilize learnings about these engagement practices through various mechanisms, including:
- Who is eligible to apply to the LTL Grant Program?
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- You can apply for to the Learning through Living Grant if you / your project:
- Are or are affiliated with a Canadian not-for-profit and/or charitable organization
- Frayme’s mandate is to disseminate evidence and knowledge across its network of partners. Eligible organizations are also required to consent to sharing research and research findings with the broader youth mental health and substance use sector.
- You can apply for to the Learning through Living Grant if you / your project:
- How does Frayme work with grant recipients to mobilize knowledge to the system?
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- Grantees can mobilize learnings about these engagement practices through various mechanisms, including:
- Presentations, including posters and exhibitor booths, at conferences, webinars, and other relevant events
- Peer-reviewed and/or open-access publications
- Public information materials, such as reports, infographics, fact sheets, newsletters, etc.
- Policy papers or responsiveness summaries, detailing recommendations and incorporation of practice into future work
- Frayme will partner with Grantees and/or provide access to resources and internal/external expertise in engagement of individuals with lived expertise in project work. At the end of this Grant, Frayme will synthesize the findings and identify common themes or promising approaches. It is our hope to both (a) help Grantees share their findings to a wider audience using Frayme’s network and (b) share overall promising engagement practices in research across the network.
- Grantees can mobilize learnings about these engagement practices through various mechanisms, including:
- What is the application process and when will funding be awarded?
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- The application process will be open for 4 weeks. After applications close, there will be a 1-month turn-around for application review and notification. If successful, a funding agreement will be prepared and funds will be awarded shortly after.
- How does Frayme work with grant recipients to mobilize knowledge to the system?
-
- Grantees can mobilize learnings about these engagement practices through various mechanisms, including:
- Presentations, including posters and exhibitor booths, at conferences, webinars, and other relevant events
- Peer-reviewed and/or open-access publications
- Public information materials, such as reports, infographics, fact sheets, newsletters, etc.
- Policy papers or responsiveness summaries, detailing recommendations and incorporation of practice into future work
- Frayme will partner with Grantees and/or provide access to resources and internal/external expertise in engagement of individuals with lived expertise in project work. At the end of this Grant, Frayme will synthesize the findings and identify common themes or promising approaches. It is our hope to both (a) help Grantees share their findings to a wider audience using Frayme’s network and (b) share overall promising engagement practices in research across the network.
- Grantees can mobilize learnings about these engagement practices through various mechanisms, including:
- What can funding be used for?
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- Funding is intended to support research and knowledge mobilization activities. This may include compensating individuals via salaries, honoraria or stipends. Funding can also cover meeting expenses (e.g. refreshments, food, childcare, etc.) and other expenses that make research activities accessible to young people and other stakeholders. In addition, funding can be used to procure project materials and small equipment/technology that is directly related to the project. Funding can also be used to support knowledge mobilization activities related to the project including:
- Collecting practitioner or user perspectives (e.g., testimonials)
- Gathering information through formal/informal evaluation (qualitative / narrative feedback)
- Conference and poster presentations
- Publication costs to peer-reviewed and/or open-access publications
- Development of public information materials, such as reports, infographics, fact sheets, newsletters, etc.
- Policy papers or responsiveness summaries, detailing recommendations and incorporation of practice into future work
- Arts-based or creative approaches to share research processes and outcomes (e.g., storytelling through video, art, poetry, etc.).
- Funding is intended to support research and knowledge mobilization activities. This may include compensating individuals via salaries, honoraria or stipends. Funding can also cover meeting expenses (e.g. refreshments, food, childcare, etc.) and other expenses that make research activities accessible to young people and other stakeholders. In addition, funding can be used to procure project materials and small equipment/technology that is directly related to the project. Funding can also be used to support knowledge mobilization activities related to the project including:
- What can funding not be used for?
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- Funding cannot be used to cover expenses associated with the ongoing operations of organizations or programs/initiatives, and cannot be used for the creation of new programs/initiatives. In addition, funds cannot be used to cover capital expenses (such as building renovations and furniture purchase), projects involving partisan political activities, or projects outside of Canada.
- Who will review the applications?
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- A panel of youth and family with lived experience as well as organizational/academic experts in conducting research focused on the youth mental health and substance use sector will be reviewing and scoring applications based on the grant criteria.
- What criteria will be used to review applications?
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- All eligible applications using the following criteria:
- Alignment with the Learning Through Living Grant criteria
- Involvement of youth, families or those not traditionally engaged in research activities
- Reasonableness of the project budget
- Geographic diversity across Canada
- All eligible applications using the following criteria:
- When does the LTL Grant Program wrap up?
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- The timeline for the grant is for completion by March 31, 2022.
- What methods or strategies can I use to share my research and research findings?
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- There are many ways to share your research and findings. Some strategies you may wish to consider or pursue include:
- Gathering information through formal/informal evaluation (qualitative / narrative feedback)
- Conference and poster presentations
- Publication costs to peer-reviewed and/or open-access publications
- Development of public information materials, such as reports, infographics, fact sheets, newsletters, etc.
- Policy papers or responsiveness summaries, detailing recommendations and incorporation of practice into future work
- Arts-based or creative approaches to share research processes and outcomes (e.g., storytelling through video, art, poetry, etc.).
- And many more! This is an opportunity to get creative and shine a light on your great work!
- There are many ways to share your research and findings. Some strategies you may wish to consider or pursue include:
- What kinds of support will be available to help grantees develop their research?
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- Frayme will partner with Grantees and/or provide access to resources and internal/external expertise in engagement of individuals with lived expertise in project work. Frayme can also partner with Grantees to develop knowledge mobilization strategies to share the research and findings across the broader YMHSU sector.
- What types of currently funded research is eligible?
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- Currently funded research which examines any aspect of youth mental health and/or substance use are eligible to apply. This research could either be funded though the host institution, or though an existing grant. Please be advised that if currently funded research is supported through a major Canadian grant, there may be ‘top-up’ restriction in place for the current award. Please check with your primary research funder to learn about any restrictions that may be placed on the current granting award.