OGI Offer Of Support For Applicants To ORF-GL2

UPDATE:  OGI is offering continued support to ORF-GL2 applicants in the form of practice face-to-face sessions to be held the week of January 25th, 2010.  Drawing on OGI’s extensive experience with in-person reviews of large-scale genomics proposals, these practice sessions will give GL2 applicants the opportunity to present their research plan as they intend to at their face-to-face review, and to practice answering questions posed by OGI staff acting as mock reviewers.  Please note that OGI has no knowledge about the face-to-face review process to be conducted by the MRI, and participation in an OGI practice review does not guarantee success in the ORF-GL2 competition.
 
To inquire about or schedule an OGI practice face-to-face session, please contact Matt Johnson (mjohnson@ontariogenomics.ca).

On Monday, May 4, 2009, Ontario’s Ministry of Research and Innovation (MRI) posted a new request for proposals (RFP) focused on genomics and gene-based research (in association with the new funds recently announced in the 2009 Ontario Budget):

Ontario Research Fund – Global Leadership Round in Genomics & Life Sciences (ORF-GL²)

Unlike our working relationship with Genome Canada in its funding competitions, proposals to the ORF- GL² will be submitted directly to the MRI-ORF (as outlined in the RFP above) by the applicants, and there is no requirement by either MRI or Ontario Genomics Institute (OGI) that applicants involve OGI in the development of those proposals.

However, based on our ongoing mission as well as our previous experience with supporting the preparation of such proposals, OGI is willing -- for those applicants that choose to take advantage of this offer, and assuming a good match to our focus on large-scale genomics research -- to provide advisory support for groups preparing proposals targeted for the ORF- GL².

In those cases, OGI will be able to provide the following:

• Expert advice on addressing criteria such as Quality of Research, Strategic Value for Ontario, Development of Research Talent, Commercialization, Project Management and Youth Outreach;
• Expert advice on cutting-edge genomics technology (sequencing, proteomics, bioinformatics, etc.);
• Sourcing of genomics platform technology services (sequencing, genotyping, metabolomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, statistics, etc.);
• Specific feedback and coaching from OGI staff and independent scientific experts;
• Focused networking with potential industry and academic partners (see also the Ontario Genomics Sector Innovation Network portal);
• Mock face-to-face review sessions (if such sessions are part of the ORF-GL² review process).

Applicant teams selected for support by OGI will be those that propose large-scale genomics research projects that most closely align with OGI’s mission.  Specifically, supported applicant teams will be those that propose research that:

• Is large-scale with a primary focus in genomics and/or related ‘omics domains (e.g., proteomics, metabolomics, bioinformatics, etc.);
• Employs high-throughput and systematic technologies and techniques; and,
• Will result in the creation of strategic and freely available genomics resources.

If you wish to take advantage of this voluntary program, the following timelines apply:      

We encourage applicants to contact OGI prior to the submission of their NoI.

We encourage applicants to contact OGI prior to the submission of their Nol.

Applicants may also wish to familiarize themselves with our Genomics Capacity Building program, and determine whether or not it provides an appropriate avenue of support for building any international partnerships that will be part of their applications.