The Large-Scale Applied Research Project (LSARP) Competition provides support to large-scale genomics research projects using genomic approaches to address challenges in Canada’s main economic sectors, as well as strategic initiative programs that address national and international opportunities. Launched on May 17, 2010, the funding for this competition is targeted to projects focused on applying genomics research to create socio-economic benefits for Canada, to be realized or initiated before the end of the project
Funded Ontario LSARP Projects
On July 26, 2021 Ontario Genomics announced a total investment of over $39 million into the Large Scale Applied Research Program (LSARP) projects from across Ontario that will help address the impact of climate change and pollution. Genome Canada announced funding for eight Canadian projects under the Genomic Solutions for Natural Resources and the Environment competition with an overall budget of $58.6 million. Five of the eight projects involve Ontario researchers, with over $39 million of the nationwide budget being received by provincial researchers.
On July 23, 2019, The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, announced the $29.3 million investment in the 2018 Large-Scale Applied Research Project (LSARP) Competition: Genomics Solutions for Agriculture, Agri-food, Fisheries and Aquaculture. The eight (8) projects approved for funding use genomics to advance the sustainability, productive capacity and competitive position of the Canadian agriculture and agri-food & fisheries and aquaculture sectors, thereby strengtheing Canada’s economy and the wellbeing of Canadians. Ontario Genomics is leading or co-leading (5) research projects bringing $9.8M of federal funding to Ontario which leverages an additional of $17.1M for a total investment of nearly $27M.
- BeeCSI: ‘omic tools for assessing bee health
- GEN-FISH: Genomic Network for Fish Identification, Stress and Health
- Integrating genomic approaches to improve dairy cattle resilience: A comprehensive goal to enhance Canadian dairy industry sustainability
- 4DWheat: Diversity, Discovery, Design and Delivery
- FISHES: Fostering Indigenous Small‐scale fisheries for Health, Economy, and food Security
On January 23, 2018, Genome Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and project cofunding partners, announced an investment of approx. $162 million over four years in 15 new genomics and precision health projects. These projects – spanning multiple disease areas – demonstrate how genomics-based research can contribute to a more evidence-based approach to health and thereby improve health outcomes for patients, as well as enhance the cost-effectiveness of Canada’s health-care system. Four (4) research projects through Ontario Genomics were approved for funding:
- Care4Rare Canada: Harnessing multi-omics to deliver innovative diagnostic care for rare genetic diseases in Canada (C4R-SOLVE)
- Personalized therapy for individuals with cystic fibrosis
- Microbiome-based precision medicine in inflammatory bowel disease
- UCAN CURE: Precision decisions for childhood arthritis
On December 8, 2016, Genome Canada announced the $110 million investment in the 2015 LSARP competition. The thirteen projects approved for funding use genomics to address the challenges and opportunities facing Canada’s natural resources and environment sectors to drive sustainability, growth, productivity, commercialization and global competitiveness. Three (3) research projects through Ontario Genomics – with one Genome British Columbia co-lead – were approved for funding:
- SYNBIOMICS: Functional genomics and techno-economic models for advanced biopolymer synthesis
- Mine wastewater solutions: Next generation biological treatment through functional genomics
- BEARWATCH: Monitoring impacts of arctic climate change using polar bears, genomics and traditional ecological knowledge
On July 21, 2015, Genome Canada announced the $93 million investment in the 2014 LSARP competition. The eleven projects approved for funding applied genomics in the agri-food and fisheries/aquaculture sectors to address challenges and opportunities related to global food safety, security and sustainable production. Three (3) research projects received funding through Ontario Genomics:
- Towards a sustainable fishery for Nunavummiut
- Increasing feed efficiency and reducing methane emissions through genomics: A new promising goal for the Canadian dairy industry
- Sustaining and securing Canada’s honey bees using ‘omic tools
On March 26, 2013, Genome Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, announced the $149.8 million investment in the 2012 LSARP competition. The seventeen projects approved for funding were focused on the application of genomics to tailor patient treatments and therapies in fields as diverse as epilepsy, autism, HIV/AIDS, cancer, cardiovascular disease, rare neurological diseases, and stroke. Four (4) research projects received funding through Ontario Genomics, and one project was co-led with Genome Quebec:
- Enhanced CARE for RARE genetic diseases in Canada
- Autism spectrum disorders: Genomes to outcomes
- Early detection of patients at high risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma
- The microbiota at the intestinal mucosa-immune interface: A gateway for personalized health
- Personalized medicine in the treatment of epilepsy
On May 9, 2011, Genome Canada announced the results of the 2010 LSARP competition. Three (3) projects received funding through Ontario Genomics, with a combined total investment of $23.8 million ($11.3 million from Genome Canada, $12.5 million from co-funding):
- Biomonitoring 2.0: A high-throughput genomics approach to comprehensive biological assessment of environmental change
- NorCOMM2 – In vivo models for human disease & drug discovery
- Synthetic antibody program: Commercial reagents and novel therapeutics
- Stratifying and Targeting Pediatric Medulloblastoma through Genomics