Targeted Areas Overview

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR THE TARGETED AREAS COMPETITION IS DECEMBER 15, 2009

There is an urgent need to address research and development projects concentrating on major challenges for Alberta's livestock industries.  The Alberta Prion Research Institute identified issues during recent consultations that are of immediate significance to industry and policy makers. The Targeted Areas Competition of the Prion Institute allows research leaders to partner with researchers from across the province, Canada and the world to tackle these "targeted areas".

 Proposals will address the following targeted areas:

  1. Dealing with Specified Risk Material (SRM)*
  2. Investigating the pathobiology, environmental effects, and interspecies transmission of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)
  3. Understanding the pathobiology, environmental effects, and interspecies transmission of "atypical" TSEs
  4. Developing risk science with improved data and TSE mitigation strategies

* SRM targeted projects may request major equipment by indicating in the budget section the item(s) to be considered under SRM-CAP Funding. Funding in other target areas will be for costs of operation and minor equipment only.

Target Area Projects are expected to:

  • Identify the Targeted Area to which the research development project applies.
  • Explain how the research project will further the objectives of the Targeted Area.
  • Identify what outcomes will be produced from the research on the identified Targeted Problem. Proponents are urged to discuss issues with industry and government decision makers in developing the proposal.
  • Include one or more of the APRI research themes
  • Addressing one or more of the desired outcomes of the Prion Institute. 
  • Clearly demonstrate the importance of the research for Alberta, Canada, and the economy.
  • Be led by an internationally renowned Alberta-based researcher and carried out by a team of researchers based in Alberta (where appropriate, project may involve researchers and facilities from elsewhere in Canada and around the globe).
  • Demonstrate that the project is innovative and does not duplicate research being carried out elsewhere.
  • Provide a phased implementation schedule with milestones, showing completion within two-years.
  • Include a training component for graduate students or post-doctoral fellows that will help build the pool of researchers working on prion and related diseases in Canada.
  • Include a plan of knowledge exchange activities such as scientific or public outreach, engagement of industry, regulatory agencies and/or both agencies.
  • Develop appropriate partnerships and linkages nationally and internationally and encourage interdisciplinary research
  • Describe the commercial potential of findings and to provide a realistic commercialization plan where feasible.

Eligibility

In order to submit a proposal, researchers must be affiliated with an Alberta university, an eligible Alberta-based research organization, or an Alberta based company with demonstrated research capacity.

The strength of proposals may be enhanced by meaningful collaboration among universities, colleges, industry and policy makers. Integrated proposals from teams of researchers addressing the targeted area are preferred. However, applications from individuals will be considered.

Funding

Value of Award Up to $300,000*

*Major equipment requested under the target area for SRM can be up to $500,000 under specifically justified circumstances

Term of Award   Two Years

Budget

Targeted Project Grants will normally be funded up to a maximum level of $300,000 over two years. Funding below this limit may be approved. Budgets in applications must be carefully documented and clearly justified.

APRI funds may be used for stipends for trainees, research operating costs, minor equipment, costs related to national and international collaborations, knowledge exchange activities, allowable travel costs, and other reasonable direct expenditures as required to carry out the project. Project expenses must be consistent with the Tri-Council policy on the use of research grant funding available on the NSERC web site at; http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca   

Review Process

The Alberta Prion Research Institute's International Research Advisory Council (IRAC) together with external peer reviewers from provincial, national and/or the international community will review the applications. IRAC recommendations will inform funding decisions by the Alberta Prion Research Institute Management Board.

Selection Criteria

APRI Targeted Competition Projects will be evaluated with respect to their fit with the APRI research themes and adherence to the following criteria:

Research Program Excellence

The excellence of the research program and the research team, its relationship to similar efforts around the world, and the degree to which it is capable of tackling significant problems in prion research in an integrated and coherent fashion.

Training Component

The quality of the training environment. The innovation in the training program and the degree to which trainees are prepared for further research in the area. 

Networking and Partnerships

The need for and the quality of relationships with other research providers and the receptor community within the province, across Canada and around the world.

Knowledge Exchange, Technology Transfer and Commercialization

The plans for knowledge exchange, including transfer of know-how and technology to receptor communities. This component of the research will receive strong consideration in the evaluation. Contact and involvement with users, from industry, government or both at early stages of research development is strongly urged.

Freedom of Information Protection of Privacy Act

As a public body, the Alberta Prion Research Institute (APRI) is regulated by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act of Alberta. Personal information collected by APRI about program applicants is used to evaluate applications and administer and monitor funding. Such information includes, but is not limited to, curriculum vitae, contact information, academic affiliation and area of work. Applicants should also be aware that information collected may be used and disclosed as described below.

APRI regularly communicates with relevant officials within an applicant's sponsoring institution or company as sharing information is necessary for the ongoing administration of any funds provided through an Ingenuity program.

 As part of the evaluation process, application details are disclosed to independent members of committees and external referees from the academic, private and public sectors as applicable for a given program. All participating reviewers are advised of confidentiality and protection of information expectations. In some cases, committee members are required to sign non-disclosure agreements.

Files, databases and proposals containing personal information may be used for purposes of operational program management, program planning, evaluation and review, in audits, and to generate statistics for such activities; firms or individuals may be contracted for some of these activities. Personal information provided to contractors or consultants in the context of these activities is subject to confidentiality provisions.

APRI routinely publishes and disseminates certain information about successful applications. Such information may include project leader and researcher names, institutions, department affiliations and field of work.

APRI uses the information in its files and databases to generate mailing lists in order to disseminate its publications and other information to the community.

Timeline

 

First Competition

Second Competition

Deadline for receipt of Applications

June 15, 2009

December 15, 2009

Review of applications by IRAC

September 1, 2009

February 15, 2010

Approval by APRI Management Board

October 1, 2009

March 15, 2010

Funding Announcements

October 15, 2009

March 25, 2010

First funding Commences

November 1, 2009

April 1, 2010

 Application Process

 

The application should include a concise case for establishing an Alberta Prion Research Institute Targeted Area Project. Use the Targeted Area Application Form in the document section for providing the following:

  • Description of the research program and its relevance to the Targeted Area and one or more of the research themes areas of the Alberta Prion Research Institute
  • Overview of the team, including the nature and extent of the collaboration between investigators, plus justification of the capacity of the individual identified to lead the Targeted Area Project
  • Research plan and schedule outlining the training to be achieved
  • Knowledge exchange plan
  • Other expected funding. It is anticipated that the lead researcher or team members will receive funding for their work from other sources for this proposed project. Although there is no matching requirement for these applications, such complementary funding will be included in assessments of the overall value of any given project and is therefore advantageous

 

Format

The Target Areas Application Form must be completed using Arial 12 pt. or equivalent, single spacing, single-sided (originals), black letter, standard print, on 8.5" x 11" (21 .5 cm by 28 cm) white paper with 1" (2.5 cm) margins all around, including attachments.

Use the following standardized Targeted Areas Project Form, and send one original with signatures and one electronic copy in MS Word or PDF format. Use your word processor to save content of the word form as a pdf. (a scanned pdf is not accepted).  The electronic copy may be sent on disk, CD-ROM with the original application or by e-mail to: ron.clarkson@albertainnovates.ca    


Applications are to be sent to:

Alberta Prion Research Institute
Attention: Ron Clarkson, Director, Prion Programs
TARGET AREA PROJECTS
Alberta Prion Research Institute
Scotia Place, Tower II Suite 2001
10060 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5J 3R8

 Contact Information

For questions on Alberta Prion Research Institute grant program guidelines, application information and the peer review process, contact:

Ron Clarkson 
Director, Prion Programs
Alberta Prion Research Institute
Phone: (780) 638-3787
Fax: (780) 643-1432
E-mail: ron.clarkson@albertainnovates.ca

FORMS

Targeted Areas Full Application Form

Targeted Areas Budget Spreadsheet

SRM Targeted Areas Budget Spreadsheet

Targeted Areas Continuation Form