Call for Proposals

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The competition is contingent upon the success of Network's renewal for Cycle II. Please note that this competition is contingent upon the Network being successfully renewed for Cycle II. We will anticipate that we will receive the decision on the renewal application by mid-December. Those registering by December 13, 2019, will be notified of the renewal status as soon as decision is received by the Network.

Background

The Canadian Glycomics Network (GlycoNet) is a Network of Centres of Excellence that focuses on the role of glycans (carbohydrates) in health. Areas of focus for GlycoNet in Cycle II (2020–23) are antimicrobials, chronic diseases (including diabetes & obesity), neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Additional information about Network research can be found at www.glyconet.ca.

GlycoNet funds projects along the research innovation continuum: 1) translational R&D, 2) clinical engagement, 3) technology development, and 4) Knowledge and Technology Exchange and Exploitation (KTEE). The Network is currently seeking Letters of Intent (LOI) for the following funding programs:

Collaborative Team Grants. These grants involve two or more research groups in different disciplines. Maximum request: $150,000 for one year, 1:1 matching required.
Translational Grants. These grants further advance/translate projects with proof of concept and protected IP. Maximum request: $150,000 for one year, 1:1 matching required.
Strategic Initiatives. These grants fund partner-led initiatives to advance a partner challenge. Maximum request: $150,000 for one year, with possibility of one year renewal, 1:1 matching required.
Clinical Partnerships. These grants offer funding opportunities for clinicians to validate glycomics data from clinical studies. Maximum request: $50,000 for one year.

The intent of the request for Letter of Intent (LOI) is to understand the community’s interest in these funding initiatives. LOIs will be screened and, if selected, will be invited to submit a full proposal in the most suitable funding program. It could be that, upon review of the LOI, the Network considers a different funding program from the one requested. LOIs that involve an investigator who is primarily funded by one of the tri-council agencies (e.g., CIHR) working with others primarily funded by one or both of the other tri-council agencies (e.g., NSERC and/or SSHRC) will be viewed most favourably.

Key Dates

Competition Launch: December 2, 2019 23:59 PST
Notice of Intent deadline: December 13, 2019 23:59 PST
Letter of Intent deadline: January 13, 2020 23:59 PST
Funding release: April – May, 2020

Requirements

Letters of Intent must:

Primarily be targeted to the role/use of glycans in the treatment or prevention of infectious diseases, chronic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and/or cancer and/or lessening the economic burden of these
diseases.
Lead to tangible deliverables by the end of the project that contribute to disease treatment or diagnosis.
- Deliverables include intellectual property, processes, products, services, policies and/or clinical practice guidelines that can be developed with Partners and/or Stakeholders
  - Partner refers to an organization providing cash or in-kind contributions towards a Network project or the Network’s activities.
  - A Stakeholder is an end-user organization that does
    not provide a financial contribution.
Present a knowledge mobilization plan to communicate results to partners and stakeholders.
- Knowledge Mobilization: A continual strategy involving bi-directional learning with partners and end-users using communication and education events each year.
Demonstrate a 1:1 financial match with partner funding (except for Clinical Partnerships); at least 50% of the matching funds should be cash. Partner funding must be NCE eligible; in particular, other Canadian Federal funding (e.g., CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC, CFI) is ineligible for matching. Please contact info@glyconet.ca if you have specific questions about matching eligibility. The project budget clearly shows the co-contribution of partner funds in alignment with NCE and eligible project expenses.
Projects with a higher level of matching funds (e.g. 2:1, Partners:GlycoNet) will be viewed more favorably.
Provide information on the number and type (i.e. undergraduate, graduate student, PDF, etc.) of expected Highly Qualified Personnel trained each year of the project.
Demonstration of equity, diversity and inclusion within the project team (both at the Network Investigator and trainee level) and its activities will be viewed more favorably.
List the desired type of professional development training that GlycoNet could provide to HQP, for example, lab rotations, communication and writing skills improvement, etc.

Eligibility

Based on NCE requirements, this opportunity is open only to individuals who are eligible to hold Tri-Council funds; CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC. Furthermore, GlycoNet requires that all investigators receiving Network funding must have other peer-reviewed support. Such support need not be from the Tri-Council. Questions about project suitability can be directed to the GlycoNet Administrative Office.

Application Process

There will be a two-step application process:

Notice of Intent (NOI): Potential applicants must register by email to Claude Larrivee Aboussafy by 23:59 (PST) on December 13, 2019. The NOI will include the project title, key words, a list of investigators and partners involved in the project, preferred funding program, and an anticipated budget request (including matching funds). Upon registration, applicants will receive detailed instructions for completing the LOI in the GlycoNet Forum.
Letter of Intent (LOI): The LOI will include the project title, a one-page project description, potential deliverables, a knowledge mobilization plan, a list of investigators and partners involved in the project, and an anticipated budget request (including matching funds). LOIs will be peer-reviewed by external reviewers and the RMC. The deadline for LOI submission is January 13, 2020 (23:59 PST).

GlycoNet Management will conduct a review of the LOI to ensure compliance with NCE evaluation criteria. If an LOI is missing critical information, the applicants will be requested to provide the missing information within 48 hours, then re-submit through the GlycoNet forum. If an LOI is not updated as requested, it will be eliminated from the further review.

Deadline

The LOI must be applied and submitted through the GlycoNet Forum by 23:59 (PST) on January 13, 2020. LOIs received after this deadline will not be considered.

Full Application

We anticipate that Full Applications from those LOIs selected to move forward will be due in early March 2020 with funding release in April–May 2020.

Additional Information

Questions about this opportunity can be sent to info@glyconet.ca.