The below dates pertain to the Expression of Interest. Following review of the Expressions of Interest, full Research Funding Applications will be solicited by the Centre of Excellence.

• Applications Open: October 4, 2021
• Applications Close: November 17, 2021
• Anticipated Notice of Decision: December 2021
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Ketamine is an NMDA antagonist and dissociative anesthetic/analgesic currently being used in applications for both chronic pain and mental health. Ketamine is offered in some interdisciplinary chronic pain management clinics across Canada, but there remain some uncertainties about the most appropriate patient populations, modes of delivery, and dosing for optimal effect.

As anecdotal reports grow about the use of Ketamine for treatment resistant mood disorders and its use for chronic pain states (which may also occur concurrently with mood disorders), there is a need to establish the current state of evidence supporting its use. There is also a need to provide appropriate guidance for insurers and other health care funders in supporting its use. This research project is aimed at studying the effectiveness of Ketamine for Veterans managing chronic pain and mental health conditions. This will be a one-year research project.

• Conduct a systematic review of the effectiveness of Ketamine (infusion therapy, oral, and topical formulations) for management of chronic pain and mental health conditions (treatment resistant Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression).

• To the extent that this is possible from the literature, specifically address these treatments in the Veteran population and identify any differences in response from the civilian population.
• Synthesize the evidence about the overall effectiveness, most effective routes of administration, and benefits and/or harms of Ketamine usage for Veterans managing chronic pain and mental health conditions.
• From the evidence, develop a policy statement (or, if this is not possible, prepare a study protocol) that will further the knowledge of appropriate use of Ketamine for treatment of chronic pain, mood disorders/mental health conditions, and/or both in the Veteran population.

The total funding available for this one-year research project is $120,000 CAD.

• The proposed research must aim to improve the lives of Canadian Veterans, and their families, suffering from chronic pain.
• The Principal Investigator identified must be an independent researcher affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution with an academic appointment that continues until the conclusion of the funding period.
• The Principal Investigator identified must have successfully completed a course in Sex and Gender-Based Analysis Plus (SGBA+) from a recognized Canadian institution and submit a Certificate of Completion for verification.

CPCoE uses an e-mail application process. Please complete the Expression of Interest here and submit it in PDF format, along with all required attachments, via e-mail to
‍research@vcp-vdc.ca.

All Expressions of Interest are adjudicated by the Centre of Excellence. Please review our Research Proposal Rating Scale here. All applicants will be notified of the results of the adjudication. Successful applicants will be asked to submit a Research Funding Application. Applicants who are not successful will be withdrawn from the competition.

Click here to view our Funding Guidelines, which provide further information on application, review, results, funding, integrity, and Sex and Gender-Based Analysis Plus (SGBA)+. All applicants are expected to read these guidelines thoroughly before applying. Applications that do not adhere to these guidelines will not be considered.