Targeted Areas Guidelines

Applications

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"x11" (21.5cm by 28 cm) white paper with 1" (2.5 cm) margins all around, including attachments.

Use the following standardized Targeted Area Project Form, and send one original with signatures and one electronic copy un 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

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

The maximum allowable pages are:

  • Cover sheet and institutional sign off (1 page)
  • Project Summary (½ page)
  • Research and Development Plan: Integration with theme areas (5 pages)
  • Literature and URLs cited (No limit)
  • Project team (1 page)
  • Common CV or NSERC Form 100 for each project team member (No limit)
  • Deliverables, milestones and schedule (1 page)
  • Training component details (1 page)
  • Knowledge exchange plan (2 pages)
  • Commercialisation plans (½ page)
  • Socioeconomic benefit (1 page)
  • Detailed budget figures (1 page)
  • Budget justification (1 page)

 

Project Summary (½ page)

Provide a general summary of the research and development that will be conducted during the project. This summary should explain the overall focus of the research and development as it applies to the Targeted Area, 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 Plans: Integration with theme areas (5 pages)

Provide a description of the Targeted Research and Development and Knowledge Exchange 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. Identify collaborators in industry and government. 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, or exposure to research application in industry or government.

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 and or to have interaction with industry or government partners.

Knowledge Exchange Plans (2 Pages)

Provide strategies for exchanging knowledge including a description of partnership plans in areas of public policy development, partnerships with industry, industry assistance, and linkages with technology or engineering companies for application of new processes.  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 pages)

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 Targeted Areas 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 $300,000 for the budget of a Targeted Area Project. It is anticipated that the Alberta Prion Research Institute will support up to two grants in each Target Area in two Targeted Area 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, knowledge exchange activities, 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

Review Process

Alberta Prion Research Institute 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.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on their fit with the targeted area and APRI theme areas, and must adhere 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.

Terms

 The term for Target Areas Projects will be two years,

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

  • Demonstrated relevance to the Targeted Area.
  • Demonstrated contributions to the desired outcomes of the Alberta Prion Research 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.
  • Success in knowledge exchange.

Monitoring

Funding recipients are required to provide annual program reports on all projects. The Alberta Prion Research Institute must be notified of significant changes to the project plan.  APRI reserves the right not to continue to fund a project which it considers deviates significantly from the original plan.  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 Targeted Area 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 expected to participate in outreach activities that communicate the benefits of the research program to Albertans. The Communications Manager of the Alberta Prion Research Institute may contact you periodically to request your participation in outreach activities.

Freedom of Information and 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 APRI 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.

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