Call for Knowledge Translation Proposals

The 2025 to 2026 call is now open. Deadline to apply is July 28, 2025.

Overview

The objective of this call is to support initiatives focused on synthesizing, disseminating, and exchanging knowledge that aligns with Dialogue McGill’s research mandate.

$ 10,000 maximum

1-year Knowledge Translation project conducted between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026

Objectives

Dialogue McGill's research mandate focuses on understanding the key factors that facilitate or impede access to health and social services for English-speaking communities in Quebec.

Our main objectives are to support, consolidate and expand a growing body of original and interdisciplinary research on the equity and quality of healthcare access for linguistic minorities. The long-term objectives of these initiatives are to understand the ways in which access to health and social services by English speaking Quebecers may be limited, develop strategies so that identified barriers may be overcome or reduced, and Increase dissemination and uptake of related knowledge, strategies, and best practices.

The objective of this call is to support Knowledge Translation (KT) activities focused on synthesizing, disseminating, and exchanging knowledge that aligns with Dialogue McGill’s research mandate.

Eligibility

Applicants

  • The principal applicant must be an independent researcher affiliated with a Québec institution with a research ethics office (e.g., university, research institute, clinical settings).

  • Postdoctoral fellows with a formal university appointment are eligible to apply (if granted, the postdoctoral fellow’s supervisor will formally be the fund holder). Affiliation confirmation must be established prior to submitting the application.

  • Project proposals with researchers at institutions outside Québec and Canada are eligible, provided that the Principal Investigator is based in Québec, the funds are managed and disbursed by the Québec-based institution, and the subject matter relates to the Québec health care sector.

Knowledge Translation (KT) Requirements

To be eligible, the proposed KT activities must:

  • Be completed by March 31, 2026.

  • Align with Dialogue McGill’s Research Program and target the topic of access to health and social services for the English-speaking communities in Quebec. Applications must specify how proposed activities focus on and benefit these communities.

  • Focus on synthesizing, disseminating, exchanging, and implementing knowledge in collaboration with relevant knowledge users within the health and social service system, or those who work directly with this system

  • Include a mixture of academic and non-academic knowledge users who are clearly demonstrated to be part of Québec’s health and social services networks (e.g., professionals working with English-speaking patients). Priority will be given to proposals that provide a letter of support from a relevant knowledge user group; however, Dialogue McGill also welcomes proposals without current knowledge users. If approved for funding, Dialogue McGill can distribute a KT activities summary to partners to solicit interest.

  • Activities can be virtual, in-person, and/or hybrid.

Examples of Eligible KT Activities:

  • Hosting a conference, webinars, or presentations on health service access needs of English-speaking Quebecers

  • Producing literature reviews, technical reports, clinical guidelines, and publications for provision of health services to English-speaking patients in Quebec

  • Developing web-based tools for English-speaking health and/or psychosocial professionals

  • Disseminating products (e.g., podcasts, videos, and more) within the Quebec health and social service network (e.g., Santé Québec, hospitals)

Ethics approval

Proposals should already have research ethics approval or be exempt from ethics approval at the time of application. If ethics application is under review, the timeline for completing the project must account for the ethics evaluation time. Applicants will need to clearly demonstrate that projects can be completed within the applicable call’s funding period.

Funding Announcement

Funding results will be announced in October 2025. If there are discrepancies between the results date on this website and any application forms, the date on this website is considered correct.

For approved proposals beginning prior to September 2025, funding will be retroactive to April 1, 2025.

Questions

For any questions regarding this funding call, please email research.dialoguemcgill@mcgill.ca

Definitions Used in This Call

Knowledge Translation

Often abbreviated as KT, it is a dynamic and iterative process that includes synthesis, dissemination, exchange, and ethically-sound application of knowledge. This process takes place within a complex system of interactions between researchers and knowledge-users which may vary in intensity, complexity and level of engagement depending on the nature of the research and the findings as well as the needs of the knowledge user. It can be applied to improve the health of Canadians, provide more effective health services and products, and strengthen the health care system. Health Canada's Strategic Policy Branch refers to knowledge translation as "moving knowledge to action to improve the health of Canadians."

Synthesis

Refers to the contextualization and integration of research findings of individual research studies within the larger body of knowledge on the topic. A synthesis must be reproducible and transparent in its methods, using quantitative and/or qualitative methods. It could take the form of a systematic review, result from a consensus conference or expert panel or synthesize qualitative or quantitative results. Realist syntheses, narrative syntheses, meta-analyses, meta-syntheses, and practice guidelines are all forms of synthesis.

Dissemination

The active effort to spread evidence-based or evidence-informed knowledge to specific audiences, to increase awareness and understanding, encourage audiences' motivation to use the knowledge and increase their ability to use the knowledge. It involves presenting and delivering knowledge in the most effective ways to suit the intended audiences and their context. Dissemination activities can range from more passive to targeted approaches, e.g. publication of an article in a peer-reviewed journal to delivery of webinars tailored to specific audiences.

Knowledge Exchange

The exchange of knowledge refers to the interaction between the knowledge user and the researcher, resulting in mutual learning. Effective knowledge exchange involves interactions between decision-makers and researchers and results in mutual learning through the process of planning, producing, disseminating, and applying existing or new research in decision-making.

Implementation

Refers to the use of strategies to adopt and integrate evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions and to change practice, policies, and programs within specific settings. These strategies can also be focused on changing behavior. Examples of implementation include the introduction of a new curriculum across multiple organizations or the establishment of a practice change in a health care setting.

Knowledge User

An individual who is likely to use the knowledge generated through research to make informed decisions about health policies, programs, and/or practices. A knowledge-user's level of engagement in the research process may vary in intensity and complexity depending on the nature of the research and his/her information needs. A knowledge-user can be, but is not limited to, a practitioner, policymaker, educator, decision-maker, health care administrator, community leader, or an individual in a health charity, patient group, private sector organization, or media outlet.

For further information Knowledge Translation definitions, frameworks, and related concepts, consult information on the Health Canada Knowledge Translation Planner, Knowledge Translation at the CIHR, and Knowledge Mobilization from the Fonds de Recherche du Québec

Application Process

Researchers will be asked to provide the following during the application process :

  • KT Project proposal (3 pages maximum) including:

    • Lay abstract/resume

    • Title

    • Theoretical background/context

    • Potential impact for English-speaking Quebecers

    • Knowledge User(s) involvement

    • Timeline

    • Ethical considerations

    • Funding sources

    • References

  • A description of expected research deliverables and outputs (e.g., publications, reports, toolkits, conferences)

  • A budget summary and justification, including a breakdown of projected costs per budget category (see eligible expenses)

  • List of previously funded Dialogue McGill research projects or involvement in related activities (e.g., Dialogue McGill conference, supervision of Dialogue McGill-funded students).

Required Documents

  • Duly completed and signed Form 1: KT Proposal

  • A Curriculum Vitae for each investigator (professional or Canadian Common CV)

  • Any supporting documentation (e.g., knowledge users’ letters of support)

Deadline

Please e-mail the completed application form, Curriculum Vitae for each investigator, and all other supporting documents (e.g., knowledge user letters of support) to research.dialoguemcgill@mcgill.ca by July 28, 2025.

Application Forms

Conditions for Funding

This funding call’s fiscal period begins on April 1st, 2025 and ends on March 31st, 2026. KT activities that began prior to funding approval can be retroactively reimbursed starting April 1, 2025. Indirect costs are not eligible. Funds cannot be carried over from one fiscal year to the next (April 1 – March 31 of each year). Funding can only be used for eligible expenses incurred during the funding period.

Successful applicants external to McGill University will be required to sign a subaward agreement with cost reimbursements issued every three months. Upon approval, applicants receive a reporting package that specifies payment schedules and reporting requirements.

Funded applicants must acknowledge Dialogue McGill in all formal communications and publications related to the project. Guidelines are provided upon acceptance. Funded applicants must also report any knowledge transfer activities resulting from the completed project up to 5 years.

Eligible Expenses

Please consult our list of eligible expenses for a detailed breakdown of eligible budget categories.