Genome Canada has launched a Request for Applications (RFA) on January 24, 2012, and is seeking proposals for large-scale research projects which focus on the application of genomics in the area of Genomics and Personalized Health. The competition will be a partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to build on the complementary mandates of Genome Canada and CIHR and provide an opportunity to maximize the effectiveness of the research communities, infrastructure and resources supported by both organizations.

In this competition, Genome Canada intends to fund applied research with a clear path leading to patient and socioeconomic benefit. In particular, projects must make sense from a health economic perspective and ideally some preliminary data supporting such claims should be included in the application.

Application Material and Relevant Links:

• Request for Applications (RFA) [click here]

• Large Scale Applied Research Project Competition Guidelines  [click here]

• National Co-Funding Opportunities [click here]

• Registration Form – due February 27, 2012 [click here]

• Suggested Reviewer Appendix – due February 27, 2012 [click here]

• Pre-Application form - due April 10, 2012 [click here]

• Pre-Application Summary Budget and Co-funding Appendix - due April 10, 2012 [click here]

• Pre-Application Review Criteria [click here]

• Download all Application Material [click here]

• Genome Canada Competition webpage [click here]

• OGI - Financial Guide - LSARP 2012 R&PA - V1.2 [click here]

Funds Available

• There is up to $67.5 million available for this competition with the Government of Canada providing $40 million through Genome Canada and up to $22.5 million through CIHR. An additional $5 million is available from the Cancer Stem Cell Consortium (CSCC).

• At least 50% of the requested funding for eligible costs for each project must be obtained through co-funding from other sources.

• Genome Canada, CIHR and CSCC will invest a maximum of $5 million in an individual project (i.e., with the maximum investment from Genome Canada, plus the required co-funding, a total investment of more than $10 million per project is possible)

• Successful individual projects will be awarded funding for a term of up to four years.

All applicants must identify and address key ethical, economic, environmental, legal and/or social aspects relevant to the genomics research (GE³LS) being proposed as part of the overall research plan (for information about OGI’s GE³LS Support Program, please click here).  Stand alone GE³LS proposals are also eligible to be submitted as large-scale projects.

Note that in this competition Genome Canada will place  strong emphasis on the potential ability of the proposed research to lead to benefits for Canada (with an emphasis on economic benefits).

Competition Timeline

Researchers in Ontario intending to submit an application are strongly encouraged to contact OGI to discuss details of the competition such as the scope, the application process, tips for writing the Benefit for Canada Section of the proposal, how to incorporate GE³LS in proposals, and co-funding requirements.

If you have any questions, please contact Klaus Fiebig, Chief Scientific Officer & VP Research Programs:  +1 416-673-6583 kfiebig@OntarioGenomics.ca