Open Competition Guidelines

Applications

 The maximum allowable pages are:

  • Cover sheet and institutional sign off (1 page)
  • Project Summary (½ page)
  • Research Plan: Integration with theme areas (5 pages)
  • Literature and URLs cited (No limit)
  • Project team (1 page)
  • Common CV or NSERC Form 100, all team members (No limit)
  • Deliverables, milestones and schedule (1 page)
  • Training component details (1 page)
  • Knowledge translation plans (½ page)
  • Commercialisation plans (½ page)
  • Socioeconomic benefit (1 page)
  • Detailed budget figures (1 page)
  • Budget justification (1 page)

 Deadline for submission of the Application is June 1, 2009.

Project Summary (½ page)

Provide a general summary of the activities and research that will be conducted during the project. This summary should explain the overall focus of the research and the ways in which proposed members will complement this focus. The summary should be written clearly so that researchers who are not experts in the field can understand it.

Research Plan: Integration with theme areas (5 pages)

Provide a description of the research to be undertaken. This should include a framework for the research, questions to be addressed, methods and approaches to be used, use of collaborative approaches, and anticipated outcomes. The description should clearly demonstrate how the  project will further the objectives of one or more of the theme areas of the Prion Institute.

Particular attention should be given to a description of the planned national and international collaboration that will allow the research team to access expertise, facilities and materials relevant to prion research.

Project Team (1 page)

Beginning with the proposed Project Leader, provide a description of the research experience and background of proposed investigators involved with the project, including the nature and extent of the collaboration between investigators. The capacity of the individual identified to lead the project must be clearly illustrated.

Deliverables, Milestones, and Schedules (1 page)

Address the expected deliverables, milestones and provide a schedule of the project.

Training Component Details (1 page)

Discuss how the research group will address the need for highly qualified people in prion research within Alberta. Provide details of how trainees will be prepared for further research in the area, i.e. time spent in other labs around the world.

Particular attention should be given to a description of the planned training program allowing trainees to access experts, facilities and training at state-of-the-art labs in prion research nationally and internationally.

Knowledge Translation Plans (½ page)

Provide strategies for disseminating network knowledge including description of desirable partnerships within the public sector in the areas of public policy development and social innovation, if appropriate. Particular attention should be given to a plan for the integration of the work with the TSE and Society theme of the Prion Institute.

Commercialization Plans (½ page)

Describe the strategy for management and protection of intellectual property, as well as the plans for handling of any new intellectual property that may arise as the result of Prion Institute sponsored research.

Socioeconomic Benefit (1 page)

Provide a summary of the context and need for the Open Competition Project, including (1) The scientific and engineering research capacity in Alberta, and (2) Long-term economic growth and diversification and quality of life in Alberta and Canada. Clearly demonstrate the importance of the research for Alberta, Canada and the economy.

Detailed Budget Figures and Justification (2 pages)

There is a limit of $150,000.for the budget of Open Competition Projects. It is anticipated that the Alberta Prion Research Institute will support six to eight grants in each of two Open Competitions.

Budgets for applications must be carefully documented and justified. Prion Institute funds may be used for stipends for trainees, research operating costs, equipment, costs related to national and international collaborations, allowable travel costs, and other reasonable 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, which is available at www.nserc.gc.ca

Format

Please use Arial font size 12 pt. or equivalent, single spacing, single-sided (originals) double sided (copies), black letter, standard print, on 8.5" x 11" (21 .5 cm by 2 8 cm) white paper with 1" (2.5 cm) margins all around.

Submit one original and six copies and electronic versions, including the Personal Data Forms (MS Word or PDF format) on disk or CD-ROM, of the Application to the address shown below by the deadline date:

ALBERTA PRION RESEARCH INSTITUTE
OPEN COMPETITION PROJECTS
Scotia Place, Tower II Suite 2001
10060 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5J 3R8

Review Process

Alberta Innovates - Bio Solutions will manage the peer review process. The Alberta Prion Research Institute's International Research Advisory Council (IRAC) will review the applications in conjunction with appropriate external peer reviewers from the international community.

Terms

The initial term for Open Competition Projects will be either two or three years, as determined by the Principal Investigator.

Evaluation of Open Competition Projects is based on the project's success in meeting the high expectations of the program and will be based on:

  • Demonstrated contributions to the desired outcomes of the Prion Institute.
  • The quality of the research.
  • The quality of the participating investigators and trainees.
  • Success in attracting funding from other sources.
  • Managing opportunities to commercialize research.
  • Indicating success in knowledge translation.

Monitoring

Funding recipients are required to provide annual program reports on all projects. The Alberta Prion Research Institute should be notified of significant changes to the project plan. Alberta Innovates - Bio Solutions, as manager of the Alberta Prion Research Institute, reserves the right to call for early formal review if progress appears to be less than satisfactory.

Reporting

Alberta Innovates - Bio Solutions and the Alberta Prion Research Institute are committed to demonstrating results to Albertans for the money invested in research, which is why processes for monitoring progress and appropriate use of funds, as well as for performance measurement, reporting, and program evaluation are put in place. As a result, 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 progress and results. They must also encourage their associates, trainees and administration to participate in the monitoring of the Prion Institute's programs, policies and processes as required.

Projects supported in the Open Competition are required to report to the Prion Institute annually using Prion Institute Reporting Forms.

Communications

Funding recipients are required to acknowledge Alberta Innovates - Bio Solutions and the Alberta Prion Research Institute in any communication or publication related to the project. Funding recipients are requested to participate in outreach activities that communicate the benefits of the research program to Albertans. Please contact the Communications Manager of the Alberta Prion Research Institute for further details.

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

As a public body, Alberta Innovates - Bio Solutions is regulated by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPP) of Alberta. Information provided by applicants on Personal Data Forms is for the use of Alberta Innovates - Bio Solutions ONLY and will not be communicated in any way to anyone outside of the organization.

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
Ron.clarkson@albertainnovates.ca

 

FORMS

Open Competition Full Application Form

Open Competition Budget Spreadsheet

Open Competition Continuation Form