Speaker Support Program

Guest Speaker Support Program

Funding under the Guest Speaker Support Program is provided to help bring distinguished researchers in prion science to Alberta to present lectures and to participate in panel discussions. The process facilitates the dissemination of knowledge to the province's researchers and science professionals.

Each year the Alberta Prion Research Institute allocates a limited amount of funds towards attracting guest lecturers and speakers in prion science to Alberta.

The programs are intended to benefit the Alberta research community by providing funds to bring expert speakers to Alberta. These experts will help plan or implement collaborative programs of research, and/or explore and evaluate recent breakthroughs in prion research. They may be involved in research related activities or public studies or both.

In some circumstances, APRI will consider applications for a modest contribution toward the cost of conducting and associated conference, symposia or workshop.

 

Eligibility

Sponsoring groups or laboratories should be headed by investigators with international reputations and strong records of peer-reviewed publications and grants.

Guest speakers or lecturers will present at conferences, symposia or workshops held in Alberta. It is expected that effort will be made to providing access to the event to students, post-doctoral fellows, laboratory staff, researchers and other invitees, especially stakeholders in the Alberta community. The minimum number of participants will normally be 20-25.

Investigators at other Alberta universities and research facilities should be notified of the meeting. Priority will be given to requests where an associated event includes participants from other Alberta-based institutions and which encourage collaboration between institutions.

Use of funds

Funds are provided primarily to defray the costs of travel and accommodation for invited speakers. Support of up to $1,500 per speaker will be available to offset travel costs to Alberta. Funding requests may be for one or more guest speakers, but the total contribution will be $1,500 for any event.

Applications

Applications are to be submitted on current application forms at least six (6) weeks prior to the proposed event date.

In exceptional circumstances, APRI will consider applications for a modest contribution toward the cost of local workshops, retreats, or planning sessions involving Alberta-based laboratories or other research groups. Such funding will be provided only for the following purposes:

  • discussing science
  • promoting future collaborations
  • developing future strategic plans.

The applicant must provide evidence of having obtained, or of a plan to obtain, funding from other sources for the retreat, workshop or guest lecturer.

Application forms may be obtained by contacting the Prion Institute.

Communications

Funding recipients are required to acknowledge the Alberta Prion Research Institute and Alberta Innovates-Bio Solutions in any communication or publication related to the project. The proponent is expected to communicate the benefits of the program to event participants. The Communications Manager of the Alberta Prion Research Institute will contact you to promote APRI at the event.

Reporting

The Alberta Prion Research Institute and Alberta Innovates-Bio Solutions are committed to demonstrating results to Albertans for the money invested in research.  Funding recipients must adhere to the Prion Institute's reporting requirements and provide requested information in a timely fashion. They must contribute to the monitoring, review and evaluation of the Prion Institute's programs by participating in evaluation studies, program review and audits and provide data or reports as required for the purpose of collecting information to assess the value of the program.

Monitoring

Funding recipients are required to provide a report of the results of the event. The Alberta Prion Research Institute must be notified of significant changes to the proposed event.  APRI reserves the right not to continue to provide funding for a speaker(s) in an event which it considers deviates significantly from the original plan.

Contact Information

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

Ron Clarkson    
Director, Prion Programs
Alberta Prion Research Institute
Phone: (780) 638-3788
Fax: (780) 643-1432
E-mail: ron.clarkson@albertainnovates.ca