Grant OverviewPurpose:
To establish a transparent, fair, and collaborative project funding application process among Canadian hepatology organizations, administered by the CASL Executive Committee, to support Canadian hepatology research, knowledge translation, education dissemination, quality improvement, and strategic initiatives with national impact.
Objectives:
• Use a portion of the net proceeds from the annual Canadian Liver Meeting (CLM) in financially profitable years to fund and distribute project grants among Canadian hepatology organizations, with the goal of advancing shared national priorities,
collaborative initiatives, and strategic objectives that benefit hepatology practice, research, and education across Canada.
• Catalyze high-impact, Canada-wide hepatology projects that advance patient care, health systems, education, and research capacity.
• Encourage interdisciplinary and inter-organizational collaboration across CASL affiliates and relevant partners.
• Ensure a rigorous, unbiased review process of applications including an independent external reviewer (e.g., from the CAG Research Office or equivalent) to promote fairness
and mitigate conflicts of interest.
• Promote equitable access to funding opportunities across regions and disciplines in hepatology.
• Foster efficient knowledge translation and measurable outcomes.
Scope & Definitions:
• Eligible Project Types: Education (CME/CPD, curricula, workshops, digital learning), research (clinical, translational, health services), quality improvement/implementation science, data infrastructure, guideline/consensus development, patient engagement
initiatives.
• CASL Affiliates/Partner Organizations: Canadian hepatology related societies, networks, and institutional partners who are actively involved in CLM will be able to apply (individually or in partnership) for the grant
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Active participation from ≥2 distinct disciplines (e.g., hepatology, surgery, nursing, pharmacy, epidemiology, public health, patient partners, Indigenous health).
• Independent External Reviewer: At least two expert reviewers with no material conflict of interest, ideally nominated by or sourced (i.e., the CAG research office or equivalent), who participates in the evaluation and adjudication process.
Governance:
- Sponsor & Administrator: CASL Executive Committee ("CASL Exec").
- Grant Secretariat: CASL secretariat responsible for competition logistics, communications, and documentation.
•
Review Panel:
- CASL Exec members
- CASL Research Committee Chairs
- CASL Education Committee Chairs
- Independent external review
• Decision Authority: CASL Exec, informed by panel scoring and discussion, with external reviewer participation.
Applicant & Institutional Eligibility:• Lead applicant: A member in good standing of CASL for the past three years who actively participates in the annual Canadian Liver Meeting; must hold an eligible appointment at a Canadian institution capable of administering funds.
• Team composition: Must meet interdisciplinary criteria and, if required, multi-affiliate collaboration. Include appropriate patient/public partners and EDI considerations as relevant.
• Multiple submissions: Recommended to submit one funded project per cycle unless otherwise approved.
• Geographic equity: Teams should consider representation across provinces/territories as appropriate to project aims.
