Dear CANCHID colleagues, The purpose of the Community-University Research Alliances (CURA) Program of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada is to support the creation of community-university alliances which, through a process of ongoing collaboration and mutual learning, will foster innovative research, training and the creation of new knowledge in areas of importance for the social, cultural or economic development of Canadian communities. A new competition is underway, with letters of intent due May 5. See below for more details. Complete information is available at http://www.sshrc.ca/web/apply/program_descriptions/cura_e.asp The CURA program's specific objectives are to: *promote sharing of knowledge, resources and expertise between universities and organizations in the community; *enrich research, teaching methods and curricula in universities; *reinforce community decision-making and problem-solving capacity; and *enhance students' education and employability by means of diverse opportunities to build their knowledge, expertise and work skills through hands-on research and related experience. A CURA is based on an equal partnership between organizations from the community and the university, and provides co-ordination and core support for planning and carrying out diversified research activities that reflect the CURA program objectives, are centred on themes/areas of mutual importance to the partners, and are closely related to their existing strengths. Each CURA's activities will include: *a research component (short-term and long-term projects, action research, etc.); *an education and training component (in the context of research projects, apprenticeships, activities credited as part of coursework, etc.); and *a knowledge-mobilization component (workshops, seminars, colloquia, policy manuals and other publications, public lectures, etc.) that meets the needs of both academic and community partners. Depending on the CURA's governance structure, a university researcher or an individual from the community environment will direct (or co-direct) the CURA and champion its goals. Applicants successful at the Letter of Intent stage are eligible for a development grant of up to $20,000. At the Letter of Intent stage, eligible expenses are limited to travel, workshops, meetings, secretarial support and communication and dissemination activities. An individual CURA can receive funding of up to $200,000 annually for up to five years. Applications must be submitted jointly by one or more universities and one or more organizations from the community. "Community" may refer to either a geographic focus or to an issue/interest focus. This requirement reflects the fact that CURAs are partnerships between universities and organizations from the community established to jointly develop and implement research activities. While there may be cases where a single community partner is appropriate, it is expected that most CURAs will involve two or more non-university partners. The CURA program involves a two-stage application process: *Eligible applicants must submit, jointly with their partners, a Letter of Intent (LOI) application form - due May 5. *Applicants whose letters of intent are approved by the selection committee will be invited to submit, again jointly with their partners, a Formal Application Only those applicants who are successful at the letter of intent stage will be invited to submit a formal application. Candidates so invited will be provided with the required application material and instructions for completing their proposals. They will also be offered development grants of up to $20,000 to help in the preparation of the formal application, i.e., to round out their network of partners and program of activities and to consolidate their collaborative activities. For development grants, eligible costs are limited to travel, workshops, meetings, secretarial support, and communication and dissemination activities. ************************************************************************ Community-Campus Partnerships for Health is a nonprofit organization that promotes health through partnerships between communities and higher educational institutions. Become a member today at www.ccph.info CCPH is the Higher Education Senior Program Advisor for the Learn and Serve America National Service-Learning Clearinghouse. Visit the Clearinghouse at www.servicelearning.org Join CCPH for our 9th Conference, May 31-June 3, 2006 in Minneapolis, MN! Register today for 4 days of skill-building, networking & agenda-setting ************************************************************************ Access CANCHID archives at: https://listserv.yorku.ca/archives/canchid.html plus CANCHID subscription management. CANCHID is a joint service of the Canadian Society for International Health < http:www.csih.org > and the Distributed Knowledge Project at York University. Queries to: [log in to unmask]