Joint Collaborative Program between Genome Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR): “Advancing Technology Innovation through Discovery”

 
Genome Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) have announced a Request for Applications (RFA) to bring Canadian Researchers and the Genome Canada Science & Technology Innovation Centres (S&T IC) together to identify the genetic causes of childhood diseases.  This funding opportunity requires that pan-Canadian consortia be formed that include geneticists, clinicians as well as at least two of the three Genome Canada funded S&T ICs that offer genomic sequencing. The focus of these consortia must be on childhood diseases “for which genes can be identified in a short time frame and with a small number of subjects” and can include either rare, Mendelian diseases or rare pediatric and adolescent cancers.

Two consortia are expected to apply and are currently being initiated through the CIHR.  The ‘Canadian Pediatric Genetic Disorders Sequencing Consortium’ is focused on childhood rare diseases and more information can be found here until August 26, 2010 or at www.cpgdsconsortium.com after August 25, 2010. Researchers interested in joining the Pediatric and Adolescent Cancer Consortium should contact David Hartell at CIHR Institute of Cancer Research.

This is a jointly funded program supported by CIHR and Genome Canada, with each organization providing an initial investment of up to $2 million.   The current effort is viewed as a demonstration project with additional funds expected in the following years.  For more information please click here for the complete Request for Applications (RFA).

Competition Timeline

For more information, please visit the Genome Canada Competition webpage