LRCP Catalyst Grants for Translational Cancer Research Spring 2015 Competition

Transcription

1 LRCP Catalyst Grants for Translational Cancer Research Spring 2015 Competition Grant Themes ONLY for: Translational Breast Cancer Research Translational Ovarian Cancer Research Translational Surgical Oncology Research

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Guidelines Pages 2-10 Application Form Pages Page 1

3 GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS LRCP Catalyst Grants for Translational Cancer Research The LRCP Small Grants for Cancer Research and Education are to support cancer research to discover and develop new knowledge that leads to improvement in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Applications designed to promote and achieve these translational goals are encouraged. Cancer research will be viewed in its broadest sense (including basic, clinical, health outcomes, and other research components relevant to cancer) and proposals from all relevant disciplines are eligible for support. GRANT THEME: Please note that, for the Spring 2015 LRCP Catalyst Grant competition, only applications pertinent to the following areas will be accepted: Translational Breast Cancer Research Translational Ovarian Cancer Research Translational Surgical Oncology Research. Special eligibility rules apply: please contact Charlene Manax prior to preparing your application. Please indicate the specific relevance of your application to one or more of these translational cancer research themes on page 2 of the application form and address both translational strength and relevance to specific cancer disease site in the "Self Assessment". ELIGIBILITY: Applicants fall into 3 Categories: 1. Principal and Co-Principal Applicants: lead or co-lead the project. They MUST be primary OR crossappointees to the Western University Department of Oncology. Their academic appointments MUST allow them to apply to major provincial, national, and international agencies for peer-reviewed funding. Their place of research is unrestricted and can be at any Western-accredited site (main campus, SJHC, LHSC, Lawson, and elsewhere). Department of Oncology primary and cross-appointed faculty without formally-assigned wet and/or dry laboratory space and facilities can be Principal Applicants on projects that require such space and facilities but there MUST be, at a minimum, a Co-Principal Applicant who is formally assigned such space and access to those facilities. Principal and Co-Principal Applicants may submit an application for only one Catalyst grant in any calendar year. There can be a maximum of one Principal Applicant or three Co-Principal Applicants for any Catalyst grant application. Where only Co-Principal Applicants are named, one must be the Nominated Principal Applicant to whom all correspondence will be addressed. Curricula vitae of Principal Applicants and Co-Principal Applicants must be included in the application. 2. Co-Applicants: participate fully in the project. They may lead some aspects of the project but not the project as a whole. Co-Applicants need not be appointed in the Department of Oncology and may be located at any Westernaccredited site. There is no restriction on the number of Co-Applicants on any Catalyst grant application, and the number of Catalyst grant applications on which any faculty member is a Co-Applicant is similarly unrestricted. Senior trainees (PhD students, Postdoctoral Fellows, and Clinical Residents and Fellows) are eligible to be Co- Applicants, but only if their involvement in the project is exceptional and in a leadership role consistent with Co- Applicant status. If senior trainees are proposed as Co-Applicants, the Principal Applicant or Nominated Principal Applicant MUST consult Charlene Manax (Charlene.Manax@lhsc.on.ca) in advance to confirm that they are eligible. Curricula vitae of Co-Applicants must be included in the application. Page 2

4 3. Collaborators: participate partially in some aspects of the project, but with less commitment of time and effort than Co-Applicants (e.g., they may provide occasional advice, reagents, partial editing of manuscripts, etc., without actively engaging in generating and analyzing data). They need not be appointed or cross-appointed to the Western Department of Oncology. There is no restriction on the number of Co-Applicants on any Catalyst grant application. Curricula vitae of Collaborators should NOT be included in the application. Applicants must provide evidence that the project has the potential to directly or indirectly generate continued support from an appropriate external agency (e.g., NSERC, Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute, CIHR, etc.) or private sector partner. Applications will be considered on the basis of scientific merit, feasibility, originality, early translatability to patients, and scientific track record of the applicant(s) (i.e., previous level of grant support as a primary investigator in research grants, contribution to peer-reviewed literature, active participation in research). However, new investigators without a substantial scientific track record are encouraged to apply since the first four criteria will be of primary importance. ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES: Current application form is mandatory. Previous application forms will be rejected. Primary applicants can be the principal investigator on only one grant in any calendar year. Supervisors of applicants for Studentships and Fellowships will be considered the primary applicant. Funds must be administered through the office of the Director, Business Affairs, LRCP. A two page progress report must be provided for the most recent LRCP Catalyst/Small Grant awarded to the Principal Investigator. Include detailed information about submitted or published manuscripts, reports, patents or other evidence of dissemination of results. Grants from the Fund will not be awarded unless the report is included. All funds must be used only for the purpose for which they were awarded, and funds unspent at the end of a 24 month period must be returned to the LRCP. Where appropriate, research involving humans, animals, and/or biohazards, must be approved by the University of Western Ontario "Health Sciences Standing Committee on Human Research", the "Council on Animal Care", and/or the UWO Biohazard Committee. Applications must be signed by the Department Head. Self Assessment must be included. Travel funds are not eligible. Funds to purchase computers are not eligible unless the circumstances are exceptional. Funds for summer student stipends are not eligible. Cover pages or additional appendices are NOT allowed. The first page of the Application Form MUST be the first page of your application. Page 3

5 Submit a single electronic PDF with original signatures (not scanned signatures) containing all required information by the indicated deadline date and time: do not submit more than one file. In addition, one original paper copy with original signatures must be submitted within 1 week of the competition deadline. The entire application must be legible or it will be rejected. Do not submit poor quality scanned PDF pages. The address and of the Principal/Nominated Principal applicant will be used for further communication. Fill in the dollar amount requested on the second page of your application. Receipt of complete applications will be acknowledged by to the Principal Applicant only. Applications will be adjudicated by a LRCP Catalyst Grants Review Panel (including London cancer researchers from multiple disciplines and backgrounds). The Principal Investigator of each application will be notified in writing of the outcome of the competition by June 30 or December 30 and funding for successful applications will begin July 1 or January 1. All successful grants will be administered through the LHSC. GRANT CATEGORIES: There are 5 Categories listed on the following pages. Please select the most appropriate and follow the guidelines specific to that Category. Page 4

6 CATEGORY 1: New Research Ideas These grants are for preparation of new research ideas for future application to external peer review agencies and/or private companies. Only research proposals that have not been previously funded will be considered in this category. Funds may be used for: Expendable supplies Technical support (not including research trainees) Please contact the LRCP Financial Services for information on benefit costs required in addition to salary, Deb Seeley at Ext ) Services (commercial preparation of reagents, equipment rental, equipment maintenance, etc.) Research Proposal: A clear, concise description of the research proposal, describing the current state of knowledge about the work proposed with appropriate reference to the literature. It should include relevant work done by the applicant and provide a rationale for choosing particular methods and approaches. Submit not more than 6 double-spaced pages, not including references (print size 12 Times New Roman), with 1 margins at top, bottom and sides. If the New Research Idea has already been submitted for funding by an external agency and received encouraging reviewer comments and scoring, include a copy of those comments and the score sheet. Do NOT include the full application. Period of support: Amount: 1 year, eligible for only one further year on the basis of competitive re-application. Maximum: $30,000 per year For applications in Category 1 please submit the following: Grant Themes Check off appropriate box, if applicable Completed Approval Forms (or applied for) (Human Ethics, Animal Use, Biohazard, if applicable) Application been signed by the appropriate people Self Assessment Summary of Research Proposal Response to Previous Reviews, if applicable (one page MAXIMUM) Research Proposal CVs of Principal Investigator and Co-Applicant(s) NOTE: CV of Collaborators NOT required Budget Module Details of Financial Assistance Progress Report, if applicable. New funding will not be awarded without a progress report on the most recent LRCP Catalyst Grant /Small Grant award to the Principal Investigator. Page 5

7 CATEGORY 2: Supplements to Research Operating Grants from National/International Peer-Review Agencies National and international peer-review agencies (CIHR, CCSRI, NIH and similar) approve only excellent grants for funding, on a highly competitive basis. Peer review panels carefully consider the budgets submitted with those grants and recommend an amount sufficient to do the work. Because of budgetary constraints, however, agencies sometimes provide less funding than recommended by peer review panels. It is recognized that insufficient funding for successful grants is an impediment to success. Applications to supplement budgets for grants from peer review agencies to a maximum of the total amount recommended by peer review panels will be considered. Summary of Research Proposal: (Not to exceed 250 words) For all Operating Grants, the objective(s), hypothesis, approach and research plan should be summarized. Period of support: Amount: Requests may be submitted annually, up to the final year of the grant (maximum). Maximum: the difference between recommended and awarded funding, up to $30,000 for one year. NOTE: Partial supplementation only may be awarded, depending on availability of funds. Priority will be given for the first two years of top-up funding. Continued funding will be based on exceptional circumstances with a strong Progress Report and additional budget information justifying the continued need for supplemental funding. For applications in Category 2 please submit the following: Grant Themes Check off appropriate box, if applicable Completed Approval Forms (or applied for) (Human Ethics, Animal Use, Biohazard, if applicable) Application been signed by the appropriate people Self Assessment Summary of Research Proposal (Page 6): Explain the need for supplementary funding. Budget Module CV of the principal applicant and Co-Principal applicant, not exceeding 5 pages and including: i) a list of all current grant support by the principal and Co-Principal applicant (any overlap with existing grants should be justified), and ii) a list of publications for the last 5 years Cover page, detailed grant summary page, and budget pages of the existing successful grant Evidence that the grant has been awarded. A print of the web page from the granting agency indicating the award, including dollar amounts and duration; or an Authorization for Funding form from the agency. Information sheets indicating: i) the reviewing committee ii) number of grants reviewed iii) application rank of the application among others considered iv) rating score v) recommended average annual operating amount vi) recommended equipment amount All Scientific Officer notes and written internal and external grant reviews for the successful grant, provided to the applicant by the external funding agency. Progress Report, if applicable. New funding will not be awarded without a progress report on the most recent LRCP Catalyst Grant /Small Grant award to the Principal Investigator. Page 6

8 CATEGORY 3: Bridging Grants Projects that are funded by external peer review agencies, but are unsuccessful on submission for renewal to those agencies, fall into this category. Catalyst grant funding of such projects is intended to support early resubmission to external funding agencies and increase the potential to regain funding. Projects supported by Catalyst program bridge funding must be submitted to an external funding agency within 1 year of obtaining Catalyst support. Period of support: Amount: Two years, non-renewable. Maximum $60,000 in total over 2 years. Principal Applicants awarded Catalyst Bridging Grants are not eligible to apply for other Catalyst grant support, as PIs in any category, for the 2 year duration of the Bridging award. For applications in Category 3 please submit the following: Grant Themes Check off appropriate box, if applicable Completed Approval Forms (or applied for)(human Ethics, Animal Use, Biohazard, if applicable) Application been signed by the appropriate people Self Assessment Justification of bridge funding must also be included with a strategy on how to recover funding (use Research Proposal Page 7 for this section). Budget Module Complete comments of the panel reviewers and panel scientific officer A rebuttal to the comments of the panel reviewers Cover page of unsuccessful grant Detailed grant summary page of unsuccessful grant Budget pages for the unsuccessful grant Principal Investigator and Co-Applicant CVs Progress Report, if applicable. New funding will not be awarded without a progress report on the most recent LRCP Catalyst Grant/Small Grant award to the Principal Investigator. Page 7

9 CATEGORY 4: Training Stipends for Graduate Students (MSc or PhD) and Postdoctoral Fellows/Clinical Research Fellows NOTE: summer studentships are NOT funded by the LRCP Catalyst Grants Program: 1. Catalyst program training stipends support trainees only until independent external support is obtained. They are not intended to support trainees for their entire training period. 2. Graduate students are eligible for funding if they have been in their graduate training program for less than 4 years (PhD students) or less than 2 years (MSc students). Stipends will not be awarded for training beyond 4 years (PhD) or 2 years (MSc). 3. Postdoctoral Fellows must apply no later than 2 years after being awarded a PhD degree. They are eligible to receive one year of stipend funding (maximum $25,000, supplemented to an appropriate level by additional funds identified by their supervisor), potentially renewable for one further year only. 4. Trainees who obtain independent support from an external competitive agency that provides less than that awarded by the LRCP Catalyst program may apply to supplement their stipend to the higher level. 5. For graduate students, provide transcripts and the names of graduate advisory committee members. 6. For Postdoctoral Fellows and Clinical Research Fellows, identify the total stipend to be paid and the source of supplementary funding. i) MSc students who have been in graduate training programs for less than 2 years are eligible. Awards for support beyond 2 years in the MSc program will not be considered. Awards will be for a maximum of $18,700 per year. ii) PhD students are eligible if they have been in their graduate training program for less than 4 years. Awards for support beyond 4 years in the PhD program will not be considered. Awards will be for 1 year to allow time for application to external agencies. One additional year of support may be applied for in exceptional circumstances. Awards will be for a maximum of $19,700 per year. For graduate student applications in Category 4 please submit the following: Grant Themes Check off appropriate box, if applicable Completed Approval Forms (or applied for) (Human Ethics, Animal Use, Biohazard, if applicable) Application been signed by the appropriate people Self Assessment Research Proposal (using Page 7, please provide a 2 page, double-spaced Research Proposal) Evidence of acceptability to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies CVs of supervisor and trainee Trainee transcripts Names of external agencies to be applied to for funding Names of supervisory committee members Progress Report, if applicable. New funding will not be awarded without a progress report on the most recent LRCP Catalyst Grant/Small Grant award to the Principal Investigator. iii) Postdoctoral/Clinical Research Fellows: are only eligible to apply no later than 2 years after their PhD degree or completion of post-graduate clinical training, respectively. Clinical Research Fellows must spend at least 75% of their time on research. Awards will be for only 1 year. Applications for renewal for one further year will be considered only under exceptional circumstances. Maximum: $25,000 per year. Include CVs for both the supervisor and Postdoctoral Fellow/Clinical Research Fellow (no more than 5 pages each) and identify the total stipend to be paid and the source of necessary supplementary funding. Page 8

10 It is expected that Postdoctoral /Clinical Research Fellows will receive stipends appropriate to their level of training and at least that recommended by Tri-Council funding agencies. For Postdoctoral Fellows/Clinical Research Fellows in Category 4, please submit the following: Grant Themes Check off appropriate box, if applicable Completed Approval Forms (or applied for)(human Ethics, Animal Use, Biohazard, if applicable) Application been signed by the appropriate people Self Assessment Research Proposal (using Page 7, please provide a 2 page, double-spaced Research Proposal) CVs of supervisor and trainee Names of external agencies to be applied to for funding Progress Report, if applicable. New funding will not be awarded without a progress report on the most recent LRCP Catalyst Grant/Small Grant award to the Principal Investigator. Page 9

11 CATEGORY 5: Equipment Grants Applications to purchase equipment may be from new investigators, established investigators, or collaborative groups. Priority will be given to equipment to support multiple users and groups. Specific research projects to be supported by use of the equipment, the extent of use in different projects, and multi-user potential should be outlined in 2 pages. A quote from the supplier should be appended. All equipment is the property of the LRCP. NOTE: Computers are not normally allowed unless the circumstances are exceptional. Amount: There is no maximum amount. However, awards over $30,000 without partner funding from other sources will be made only in exceptional circumstances. For applications in Category 6 please submit the following: Grant Themes Check off appropriate box, if applicable Application been signed by the appropriate people Self Assessment CVs of Principal Investigator and Co-Applicant(s). NOTE: CV of Collaborators NOT required Budget Module Provide detailed justification for equipment request using Research Proposal on Page 7 (maximum 2 doublespaced pages). Progress Report, if applicable. New funding will not be awarded without description of progress from the most recent LRCP Catalyst Grant /Small Grant awards. Page 10

12 LRCP CATALYST GRANTS FOR TRANSLATIONAL CANCER RESEARCH APPLICATION FORM Principal and Co-Principal Investigator(s) Nominated Principal Investigator (to whom all correspondence will be addressed) Department(s) Address(es) (s) Phone Number(s) Date of Appointment to Western University Dept. of Oncology Short Title of Research or Equipment Required Location of Research Study Co-Applicant(s), Titles and Departments Collaborator(s), Titles and Departments Page 11

13 Check ONE only 1. New Research Idea 2. Supplement to successful external research operating grant 3. Bridging 4. Research Training Stipend 5. Equipment Is this a re-submission of an unsuccessful previous application to the Catalyst Grant program? Yes No Grant Theme (see Guidelines for Applicants ) Check only if applicable, and defend in the body of the grant or a cover letter: 1. Translational Breast Cancer Research 2. Translational Ovarian Cancer Research 3. Translational Surgical Oncology Research (NOTE: contact Charlene Manax for important information before applying in this category TOTAL AMOUNT REQUESTED: Do not exceed the allowable amount as described in the Guidelines Approvals: Check the appropriate box Standing Committee on Human Ethics approval: Yes No Applied for Not applicable Animal Use Subcommittee (AUS) approval: Yes No Applied for Not applicable Biohazard approval: Yes No Applied for Not applicable Approval letters from the relevant institution will be requested before disbursing funds to successful applicants Signature of Principal/Nominated Principal Applicant Date Signature of Department Head Date Page 12

14 1. Self Assessment Note that this section must be completed for your application to be considered. For each question, please indicate the single category (a, b, c, and d) that you believe applies. Please explain your choice below the section. The self-assessment is a guide to applicants to determine how well their application aligns with the intent of their LRCP Catalyst Grants program. Applicants should indicate which statement in each category (1-5) best describes their application, and defend their choice with an explanation in the area provided below each section. The applicants: a) Have the skills and expertise to achieve the goals of the Program/Project. b) Are recognized for their accomplishments, or are new caregivers/researchers/teachers that are promising in the areas of expertise on which the Program/Project depends. c) Are acknowledged leaders, or have demonstrated potential for leadership in the areas of expertise on which the Program/Project depends. d) Are international pioneers in the required areas of expertise, or have the potential for major breakthroughs. Principal/co-Principal applicants should, at a minimum, be described by statements (b). Coapplicants/collaborators must, at a minimum, be described by statement (a) 2. The proposed Program/Project will lead to discovery, innovation, and knowledge-sharing that is: a) High quality and useful. b) Competitive at the national level and may lead to innovation. c) Competitive at the international level and will lead to innovation. d) Leading edge internationally, transformative, and can be expected to have major impact. 3. The proposal will: a) Contribute indirectly to incremental improvement in quality of life, timely access, and coordination of care for cancer patients and their families. b) Directly and significantly improve quality of life, timely access, and coordination of care for cancer patients and their families. c) Yield a major benefit and set new local and provincial standards in timely access and coordination of care and quality of life for patients and families. d) Yield a major benefit and set transformative new international standards to improve quality of life, timely access, and coordination of care for patients and families. Cancer research at the LRCP must lead, or have the potential to lead, to improvement in care of cancer patients. 4. The requested funding is essential for success of this program/project and: a) Enhances institutional capacity. b) Establishes a unique institutional capability. c) Establishes a unique regional or national capability. d) Establishes an internationally competitive capability, which would not exist otherwise. Page 13

15 5. The proposed Program/Project will create or strengthen: a) Local interactions between and among cancer researchers, caregivers, and educators that lead to better outcomes for cancer patients and their families. b) Local and regional interactions between and among cancer researchers, educators and caregivers of different disciplines, organizations, or health sectors, and that lead to better outcomes for cancer patients and their families. c) Partnerships or formal signed agreements between and among organizations or groups in the same sector or from different sectors; that lead to better outcomes for cancer patients and their families, and are a model for provincial and national partnering strategies. d) International partnerships amongst organizations or sectors that lead to better outcomes for cancer patients and their families and are a model for national and international partnering strategies. Page 14

16 2. SUMMARY OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL: (250 Word Maximum) Summarize the objective(s), hypothesis, approach and research plan Page 15

17 RESPONSE TO PREVIOUS REVIEWS (if applicable): One Page Maximum. Fill in this section only if this is a re-submission of an unsuccessful Catalyst grant application. Page 16

18 RESEARCH PROPOSAL: Provide a clear, concise description proposed research. Include the current state of knowledge, relevant work done by the applicant, and a rationale for methods and approaches. Unless otherwise indicated in the Category you are applying to, submit a maximum of 6 double-spaced pages, not including references, with 1 margins at top, bottom and sides. Include references on a separate page. Use only Times New Roman, 12 point font. Page 17

19 4. CURRICULA VITAE OF PRINCIPAL, CO-PRINCIPAL, AND CO-APPLICANTS (CVs of Collaborators not required): Include a list of all current grant support and indicate any overlap. Include a list of publications in the past 5 years. Do not exceed 5 pages per CV. Page 18

20 Name of Principal applicant and institution BUDGET MODULE Financial Assistance Requested RESEARCH STAFF (excluding trainees) Research Assistants Technicians Other personnel (NOTE: Summer students are NOT eligible for support) No. Salary Benefits TOTAL RESEARCH TRAINEES No. Amount TOTAL Postdoctoral Fellows/Clinical Research Fellows (post PhD, MD, etc.) Graduate Students NOTE: Summer students are NOT eligible for support MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND SERVICES Animals Expendable materials Services Other (specify) TOTAL TOTAL OPERATING EQUIPMENT TOTAL REQUESTED Each budget item must include the applicable provincial and federal taxes. Calculate federal taxes using the following "after rebate" percentages universities 3.41%; hospitals 1.9%; other institutions 3.9%. Page 19

21 5. DETAILS OF BUDGET MODULE REQUESTED a) EXPENDABLE SUPPLIES: b) PERMANENT EQUIPMENT: c) TECHNICAL SUPPORT (NOT including research trainees): d) SERVICES: Page 20

22 6. PROGRESS REPORT: Principal/co-Principal Investigators previously funded by the Catalyst or Small Grant program must submit a Progress Report for their most recent LRCP Catalyst/Small Grant award with this application (maximum 2 pages). If Principal/co-Principal applicants have never received such an award, indicate that here; a Progress Report is not required if that is the case. Include detailed information about submitted or published manuscripts, reports, patents or other evidence of dissemination of results. Support from the Fund will NOT be considered unless this Progress Report is received. Page 21