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2020 Large-Scale Applied Research Project Competition: Genomics Solutions for Natural Resources and the Environment

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This competition is closed. All submitted proposals will be assessed according to the process outlined in the competition timeline, and results will be announced as indicated.

2020 Applied Research Project Competition Genomics Solutions for Natural Resources and the Environment. Ontario genomics banner using DNA visuals and Health, agriculture and environment icons

Genome Canada, together with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), has announced a Request for Applications (RFA) for the 2020 Large Scale Applied Research Project Competition “Genomics Solutions for Natural Resources and the Environment”. The Competition aims to support applied research projects that use genomic approaches to address challenges and opportunities in Canada’s natural resources and environment sectors, including interactions between natural resources and the environment, thereby contributing to the Canadian bioeconomy, a healthy environment and the well-being of Canadians.

The scope of this funding opportunity will include areas such as genomics research related to energy, mining, forestry, water stewardship, healthy oceans, wildlife management/conservation and bioproducts that help conserve natural resources, protect the environment and support sustainable resource management. It also includes the use of genomics to understand the adaptive genetic potential of species, populations and ecosystems to climate and other environmental changes and stressors, and identify those key elements that impact ecosystem structure, function and diversity.

The natural resource and environment sectors have a history of using research to assess challenges and develop various solutions. Knowledge and innovation emerging from genomics have the potential to help address the challenges in these sectors and thereby drive sustainability, growth, productivity, commercialization and global competitiveness. Previous investments from Genome Canada in these sectors have led to the development of genomic tools, resources and policies for biomonitoring and ecotoxicological risk assessment, bioremediation, increased efficiency of hydrocarbon extraction, and increased forest sustainability. See previous LSARP projects

Research into the implications of genomics in society (GE3LS research)

Because genomics and its applications in the natural resource and environment sectors can have significant social and economic impact, all projects must undertake research into the application and implications of genomics in society (GE3LS research). GE3LS research can either be the major focus of the project or an integrated component that is shaped by, and helps shape, the overall project.

Funding Available and Term

This funding opportunity makes it possible to collaboratively carry out joint projects with NRCan researchers, where Genome Canada funds will support the Genome Canada eligible researchers and NRCan funds will support the NRCan researchers.

  • There is approximately $25 million available for the term of this competition through Genome Canada, and approximately $1.5 million from NRCan.
  • The contribution from Genome Canada must be between $1 million and $3 million, and the amount of co-funding from eligible sources must be at least equal to the Genome Canada contribution.
  • NRCan will only invest in projects it determines to be relevant; projects are encouraged but not required to include a component that would be funded by NRCan.
  • The NRCan funding for this competition cannot be included as co-funding.
  • Successful individual projects will be awarded funding for a term of up to four years.

Eligibility

Genome Canada funds can only be awarded to individuals affiliated with one or more of the following types of organizations:

  • Canadian universities and affiliated institutions including research hospitals and research institutes
  • Not-for-profit organizations (including community or charitable organizations) with an explicit research mandate
  • Canadian non-federal government departments or agencies

Individuals eligible to receive and administer Genome Canada funds must be:

  • Autonomous regarding their research activities; and,
  • Have an academic or research appointment such that the individual is:
  • allowed to pursue the proposed research project independently for the duration of the funding, to supervise trainees, and to publish the research results; and
  • obliged to conform to institutional/organizational regulations and guidelines concerning the conduct of research, the supervision of trainees, and the employment conditions of staff.

Research teams may include as co-applicants international, private sector, or federal laboratory scientists. However, Genome Canada funding is restricted to activities performed within Genome Canada eligible institutions and NRCan funding (from this funding opportunity) is restricted to activities performed within NRCan.

Genomics in Society Interdisciplinary Research Teams Program (GiSIRT)

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This competition is closed. All submitted proposals will be assessed according to the process outlined in the competition timeline, and results will be announced as indicated.

Genomics in Society Interdisciplinary Research Teams Program

A webinar about the GiSIRT program was hosted by Genome Canada on March 22 & 25. Download the presentation to learn more.

Genome Canada has announced a Request for Applications (RFA) for the Genomics in Society Interdisciplinary Research Teams Program. This program aims to facilitate collaborations and dialogue among researchers and other key stakeholders to ensure effective and responsible translation of innovative genomics applications into sectors capable of transformation by genomics advances.

This program will support teams of researchers from diverse disciplines to address issues at the intersection of genomics and society. Research teams of at least three researchers from different disciplines investigating the advancement, adoption, evaluation, and governance of genomics research are encouraged to apply.

Proposal Focus Areas

  • Stream 1: proposals mainly impacting the human health sector
  • Stream 2: proposals mainly impacting the agriculture/agri-food and/or aquaculture/fisheries sectors
  • Stream 3: proposals mainly impacting the natural resources (forestry, energy, mining) and/or environment sectors

Proposals that address multiple sectors across two or three streams are also eligible to apply.

Project Eligibility

To be eligible, proposals must:

  • Respond to the objectives of the competition;
  • Take an interdisciplinary approach to address topics that will have a national impact;
  • Include at least three researchers from different disciplines at the Leader or Co-Investigator level;
  • Demonstrate an active collaboration with relevant genomics scientific and user communities in the planning and conduct of the research with findings having the potential to enhance practices or policies within these communities.

Funds Available

  • There is approximately $3 million available from Genome Canada.
  • Approximately one-third of the available Genome Canada funding will be invested in each of the three streams as defined above with the goal of funding at least one team in each of the three streams.
  • Genome Canada will contribute between $500,000 and $1 million with the amount of co-funding from eligible sources at least equal to the Genome Canada contribution.
  • Successful teams will be awarded funding for a term of up to four years.

2017 Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (B/CB) Competition

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This competition is closed. All submitted proposals will be assessed according to the process outlined in the competition timeline, and results will be announced as indicated.

Ontario Genomics banner with coding imagery

Genome Canada has announced a Request for Applications (RFA) for the 2017 Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Competition.

This funding opportunity will support projects that build the tools and methodologies needed to analyze and integrate the vast amounts of data being gathered in the ‘omics research community. Of particular interest will be proposals that address challenges associated with data handling and analysis associated with new technologies.

For examples of previously funded projects, see Funded B/CB Projects

RFA Objectives:

  • To support the development of next generation B/CB tools and methodologies needed to manage, analyze and integrate complex data sets produced by modern genomics technologies to better understand the associated biology; and,
  • To provide broad and timely access of these B/CB tools to the research community.

Proposal Focus Areas:

  • Stream 1: proposals mainly impacting the human health sector
  • Stream 2: proposals mainly impacting one or more of the other sectors, i.e., agriculture, aquaculture/fisheries, forestry, energy, mining and/or environment

Project Eligibility

To be eligible, proposals must:

  • respond to the objectives of the competition,
  • be applicable to at least one of the two streams described above; and
  • ensure that the essential components and deliverables of the project will be realized by the end of the project and will apply directly to the genomics research community.

Funding Parameters:

  • Total Funding Available: $12M (approximately $6M per stream)
  • Project Size: $500k-$1M per project (total)
  • Co-funding: 50% from Genome Canada + 50% from other eligible sources (1:1)
  • Award Duration: Up to 3 years

Key Definitions

The term bioinformatics is defined here as the development and application of computational tools and approaches for maximizing the use of genomics data.

The term computational biology is defined here as the development and application of theoretical data-analytical methods, mathematical modeling and computational simulation techniques in the context of the study of biological systems.

The term genomics is defined here as the comprehensive study, using high throughput technologies, of the genetic information of a cell or organism and its functions. The definition also includes related disciplines such as bioinformatics, epigenomics, metabolomics, metagenomics, nutrigenomics, pharmacogenomics, proteomics and transcriptomics.

Disruptive Innovations in Genomics (DIG) Phase 2 Funding Competition

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This competition is closed. All submitted proposals will be assessed according to the process outlined in the competition timeline, and results will be announced as indicated.

Ontario Genomics, the future is in our genes banner with dna imagery

On July 26, 2017 Genome Canada launched a Request for Applications (RFA) seeking proposals for research projects which focus on Disruptive Innovations in Genomics.

For the purposes of this competition, a Disruptive Innovation must be either a new genomics technology or the application of an existing technology from another field, applied to the field of genomics. The Innovation must be truly transformative in that it has the potential to either displace an existing technology, disrupt an existing market or create a new market. A Disruptive Innovation offers the capability to do things not previously possible and is not an incremental improvement of an existing technology.

This is a cloased competition open only to eligible projects funded through the previous DIG Phase 1 competition. The Phase 2 competition aims to support projects focused on prototype development. The timeline below for Phase 2 funding will allow eligible projects to continue to Phase 2 without a gap in funding, and for projects not approved for Phase 2 funding to wind down.

All applicants must demonstrate, with supporting evidence, the potential for the innovation to be disruptive, have impact within the technology space, and eventually benefits to Canada. In addition, Phase 2 projects must have clear deliverables that will be realized by the end of the project and a plan which explains the next steps of how the deliverables from the research will be transferred, disseminated, used, and/or applied to realize the benefits.

In order to better prepare Ontario-led projects for this competition, OGI will do an initial eligibility assessment of registrations and will coordinate an external review of eligible applications prior to submission to Genome Canada. Please note that to accommodate this process the deadlines for submission to OGI differ from those in the official RFA from Genome Canada. Eligible applicants will receive feedback on their applications including gaps and areas for improvement.

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, and co-funding requirements.

Funding Available

There is approximately $5.5 million available for this competition from Genome Canada. Please see the table below for the funding breakdown and co-funding requirements:

Phase 2
Genome Canada Funding Available Approx. $5.5M
Co-funding At least two thirds of project budget
Genome Canada Investment per Project (Maximum) $1M
Term of Project (Maximum) Three years

2016 Genomics Technology Platforms Competition: Operations Support and Technology Development Funds

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This competition is closed. All submitted proposals will be assessed according to the process outlined in the competition timeline, and results will be announced as indicated.

Ontario Genomics banner with dna imagery

Genome Canada’s mission includes a commitment to provide researchers across Canada access to leading edge genomic1 technologies. Genome Canada fulfills this part of its mandate by supporting a number of genomics technology platforms across Canada.

Each technology platform provides researchers access to high throughput genomic technologies such as DNA sequencing, RNA expression, protein identification and quantitation, and metabolomics, as well as new method and protocol development, data analysis and bioinformatics. Each platform also assists researchers in the development of research proposals by providing advice on appropriate technologies, study design, data analysis and bioinformatics that improves the quality of the research. The platforms also develop new and improved genomic technologies ensuring that the services they provide are able to support cutting edge genomics research.

This funding opportunity has two main objectives:

  1. To select the technology platforms best able to provide Canadian researchers access to leading edge genomic technologies and methods.
  2. To enable the selected platforms to develop new technologies and/or improve existing technologies that will improve services provided by the platform and will ensure that they remain at the forefront in providing access to leading edge genomics technologies and methods.

Funds Available

  • This is an open competition for a five-year funding period with a maximum total envelope of $15 million per year available from Genome Canada. The last two years of funding are subject to the successful outcome of an interim review for each platform and Genome Canada securing additional funding.
  • The maximum available funds from Genome Canada for each successful platform will be $2 million per year over five years.
  • 1:1 co-funding will be required. In cases where co-funding is associated with technology development, the co-funding must be allocated specifically for the proposed technology development project.

Each potential technology platform must provide access to leading edge genomic technologies on a fee-for-service basis and show demand for services based on past, current and potential future projects.

1.The term genomics is defined here as the comprehensive study, using high throughput technologies, of the genetic information of a cell or organism, including the function of specific genes, their interactions with each other and the activation and suppression of genes. For purposes of describing Genome Canada’s mandate it also includes related disciplines such as bioinformatics, epigenomics, metabolomics, metagenomics, proteomics and transcriptomics.

Genomics in Society Interdisciplinary Research Teams (GiSIRT)

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The Genomics in Society program aims to bring researchers from different regions, sectors and disciplines together to investigate factors affecting the advancement, adoption, evaluation and governance of genomics research and address issues at the intersection of genomics and society that will ultimately contribute to Canada’s leadership and social and/or economic benefits in these sectors.

This program helps address one of the action items in the response to the Review of Integrated GE3LS program (Genomics and its Ethical, Environmental, Economic, Legal and Social Aspects) by supporting GE3LS research through funding mechanisms in addition to integrated GE3LS research.

Funded Ontario GiSIRT Projects

2020

On March 2, 2020 Genome Canada announced the launch of three projects within its Genomics in Society Interdisciplinary Research Teams (hereafter “Genomics in Society”) program. These three Genomics in Society projects represent a total investment of $5.8 million ($2.6 million from Genome Canada and $3.2 million from co-funding partners including provincial governments, private sector and not-for-profit organizations).

Societal Implications of Genomics Research

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The overall objective of the Genome Canada and SSHRC joint initiative is to support social sciences and humanities research and related activities that will enrich our understanding of the societal implications of genomic research. It is also intended to help build the cadre of social sciences and humanities scholars interested in pursuing genomics-related research collaborations and facilitate their becoming part of multidisciplinary teams applying to Genome Canada applied research competitions.

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (B/CB) Competition

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Genome Canada’s Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (B/CB) Competition supports research projects that address current challenges in bioinformatics and computational biology. Launched in 2012, in partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), this open competition was designed to create an environment that supports the creation and evolution of new tools and methodologies required by the research community to analyze and integrate the influx of large amounts of complex data produced by modern genomics technologies for application across industries.

Funded Ontario B/CB Projects

On February 4, 2019, The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, announced the funding recipients from Genome Canada’s 2017 Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Competition (B/CB). Eight (8) of these projects are based in Ontario – driving $3.6 million of federal funding into the province and an additional $3.7 million in investments by industry, the Ontario government and other funding partners, for a total of $7.3 million. This investment will support the development of next generation tools and methodologies to deal with the influx of large amounts of data produced by modern genomics technologies and will provide broad access to these tools to the research community.

On September 13, 2016, Parliamentary Secretary for International Development, Karina Gould, on behalf of the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, announced the funding recipients from Genome Canada’s 2015 Bioinformatics and Computational Biology competition. Eight (8) projects received funding through Ontario Genomics– with two projects co-led with British Columbia and Atlantic – representing a combined total investment of $1.96 million:

On April 25, 2013, Genome Canada announced the results of the 2012 Bioinformatics and Computational Biology competition. Seven (7) projects received funding through Ontario Genomics, with a combined total investment of $4.7 million ($2.1 million from Genome Canada):

Genomics Technology Platforms (GTP)

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The Genomics Technology Platforms (GTP) enables innovation centres across Canada to collaborate and harness their collective power for the advancement of genomics research.

Currently there are 10 platforms, each receiving core operational funding from Genome Canada, with matching funds from various public and private sector partners. The platforms provide Canadian and international researchers access to leading-edge technologies used in genomics, metabolomics, proteomics and other related areas of research, and assist researchers in the development of research proposals by providing advice on appropriate technologies, study design, data analysis and bioinformatics that improve the quality of the research.

Furthermore, the highly-qualified personnel within each platform provide the Canadian research community with advice and expertise on the selection and use of appropriate technologies, study design, data analysis and bioinformatics, ensuring Canadian research remains world-class and highly competitive on a global scale.

Ontario platforms

Four of the 10 centres in Canada’s Genomics Technology Platforms (GTP) were funded in Ontario and one in Quebec, co-led by Ontario Genomics. These technology platforms provide researchers with access to cutting-edge genomics technologies.

Structural Genomics Consortium

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The Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC)  is an international public-private partnership incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in July 2004 that supports the discovery of new medicines through open-access research. Its core mandate is to determine the 3D structures targeting human proteins of biomedical importance and proteins from human parasites that represent potential drug targets. To date the SGC has been responsible for more than 25% of global output of new human protein structures and more than 50% of the global output of protein structures from human parasites.

The SGC is led by Aled Edwards at the University of Toronto with additional activities at Oxford University. Each site is led by a Scientific Director reporting to Edwards. The SGC began in 2003 and the first two phases of the project has delivered over and above its initial goals. Phase III of the SGC began July 1, 2011. A total of $61 million has been committed by funding partners, of which $28 million is from the public sector (including $2.5 million for one year from Genome Canada) and $33 million from the private sector, including GSK, Pfizer, Novartis, Lilly, Life Technologies, Abbott Laboratories and Takeda Pharmaceuticals, with at least two new companies requesting membership. In addition, SGC has secured at least $8M of in-kind support from pharmaceutical companies. http://www.thesgc.com/

On October 26, 2020,  on behalf of Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Navdeep Bains, William Amos, Parliamentary Secretary (Science), announced $16 million in federal support to 10 new genomics research projects funded through Genome Canada. Provincial governments, businesses and research partners are also investing nearly $41 million in co-funding, for a total investment of almost $57 million in the areas of health, agriculture and the environment.

On June 12, 2017, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, announced a new $33 million investment to support the Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC) – a Canadian-led, international public-private partnership that conducts basic science on the structures of human proteins and releases the research to the public to accelerate drug discovery and help patients worldwide. This latest investment in the fourth phase of Canadian-based SGC activities, conducted principally at the University of Toronto, includes $11 million in federal funding through Genome Canada, $5 million through the Government of Ontario, and an additional $17 million through pharmaceutical companies. This funding will help translate scientific discoveries into cures for patients with a range of diseases such as cancer, ALS, Huntington’s disease, malaria and tuberculosis.

Quick Facts

  1. The SGC is considered a pioneer in open science. Since its inception in 2004, the SGC has shared all research results and output with no restrictions on use, and without filing patents as a core principle. This approach protects against waste and duplication of effort, and catalyzes innovation by facilitating scientific exchange that is unencumbered by intellectual property considerations.
  2. Led out of Toronto, the SGC includes sister sites worldwide, engaging an ever-broadening number of public and private sector partners that collaborate to improve the lives of patients worldwide.
  3. To date, eight pharmaceutical companies are collaborating in and co-financing SGC activities. Outcomes to date include more than 25 ongoing clinical trials and the creation of many start-up companies