Inaugural
Request for Letters of Interest for Research Project Funding commencing
1
April 2005
through 31
March 2006
AllerGen NCE is a new federal Networks of Centres of Excellence
established in November 2004. This
is AllerGen’s initial request for Letters of Interest to outline applications
which will lead to participation in the Network’s research program.
AllerGen
VISION
Allergy and allergic disease have been
increasing in epidemic proportions in the developed world over the past two
decades. The reasons for this, including the role of environmental factors in
genetically susceptible individuals, must be better understood if this epidemic
is to be stemmed and cures are to be identified. AllerGen (Allergy,
Genes, and Environment Network) will constitute a
globally unique, Canadian network of researchers and private and public sector
partners that will unite disparate sectors in
Canada to provide major new insights
into the genesis and impact of allergy from cell to society.
AllerGen aims to be an internationally
recognized leader in basic and applied research, knowledge transfer and
commercialization with respect to allergy and allergic diseases. Its research
and development (R&D) program will focus on areas where new knowledge is
required to support product innovation and where research can be translated to
improve a range of policies and health care practices. Research and development will be
undertaken in collaboration with industry, government and patient advocacy
partners. This network aims to catalyze the creation of new medical therapies,
tests, processes, and practices that will shift the global technology frontier
and improve the health, economy and day-to-day lives of Canadians.
AllerGen
MISSION
STATEMENT
AllerGen’s mission is to
support research, networking, commercialization and capacity building activities
that contribute to reducing the morbidity, mortality and socio-economic impact
of allergic disease.
AllerGen
GOALS
AllerGen will
support innovative and inter-disciplinary research that will involve partners in
academic, public and private sectors, representing expertise in medicine,
genetics, molecular biology (genomics and proteomics); environmental,
occupational and population health; epidemiology; health economics, and health
policy; ethics, psychology, sociology, and medical geography; and anthropology.
Research will be aimed at understanding both the physiological and psychosocial
aspects of allergic/immune diseases and at addressing a wide range of allergic
disease related challenges.
Given the
emerging health crisis in allergy in Canada and globally, AllerGen`s research
goals are to make significant contributions to:
1.
The development
of new bio-molecular research-based tools and processes in the fields of allergy
and asthma;
2.
Product and
service innovations in tertiary, secondary, and primary
allergic disease
and asthma management;
3.
Innovations in
population- and community-specific health promotion;
4.
New school,
housing, food and workplace public policies;
5.
Innovations
to
clinical
practice and guidelines; and
6.
Innovative
initiatives to train highly qualified personnel in research,
industry and health care practice.
To achieve these
goals, AllerGen will fund specific programs of research and related individual
projects that ensure that leading Canadian researchers and private and public
sector partners collaborate and focus on creating valuable new knowledge about
allergic disease. AllerGen seeks to allocate its funding in ways that promote
the development and application of allergic disease research in
Canada in
order to generate measurable health, social and economic benefits for Canadians.
AllerGen will also allocate funding to initiatives that will enhance Canadian
capacity in the field of allergic disease research, education and practice by
increasing the number of skilled people engaged in allergy research, and
increasing the overall level of financial investment in allergy research.
AllerGen’s research program falls into five broad thematic areas. These
are:
Theme I: Genes & Early Life Determinants
Theme Leaders: Drs. T.
Hudson (McGill U) & P. Paré (UBC)
Theme II: Environments, Populations &
Society
Theme Leaders: Drs. M. Sears (McMaster) & F. Silverman (U of
T)
Theme III: Mechanisms &
Biomarkers
Theme Leaders: Drs. D. Befus (U Alberta)
& R. Moqbel (U Alberta)
Theme IV: Therapeutics &
Drug Discovery
Theme Leaders: Drs. P. O’Byrne (McMaster U) & L.-P. Boulet (U de
Laval)
Theme V: Prevention, Control
and Public Policy
Theme Leaders: Drs. C.
Mustard (U of T) & A.
Becker (U Manitoba)
A full description of these research foci and an application form are
provided on the AllerGen website at
www.allergen-nce.ca/loi
FUNDING
Approximately 25-30 projects will be budgeted for support in this open
competition across the five Themes of the Network. This will allow for funding
of 5-6 projects per theme. Network-funded Investigators will be eligible to
apply for research funding for initial one-year grants, which will then, based
on satisfactory progress as assessed in a competitive process, be renewable for
up to a maximum of four years. Applicants are requested to submit project
budgets in the range of $50,000 - $200,000 per
annum.
AllerGen
CALL
FOR LETTERS OF INTEREST TO
PARTICIPATE IN NETWORK RESEARCH
AllerGen
requests Letters of Interest from Canada’s
leading researchers and innovators for research projects in support of the goals
outlined above. Applicants will be required to identify the proposed core
research team, and attach relevant CVs (registration CV for CIHR, i.e., pages 1
and 2 of the Common CV), and provide a brief summary of their proposed research,
including:
- The proposed research question.
- The purpose / objectives of the proposed
research.
- The methodological approach and use of research platforms (if
applicable).
- Research
deliverables, pertinent milestones and timeframes to March 31,
2006.
- The
relationship of the proposed activity to the Network Mission and Network Theme
priorities (details are provided at www.allergen-nce.ca/loi).
- Identification of research and networking partners or prospective
partners.
- Knowledge translation /knowledge commercialization
potential.
- The contribution to training of highly qualified
personnel.
- The proposed budget.
The
completed application form, which can be downloaded from the AllerGen website at
www.allergen-nce.ca/loi should be a maximum of four pages in length, in addition
to the budget sheet and relevant CVs.
AllerGen’s Research Management Committee will assess projects outlined in
each Letter of Interest against the following
criteria:
- Relevance of the proposed research to the Network’s mission and goals.
- Appropriateness of the proposed methodological approach, timeframes and
potential utilization of available research
platforms.
- Strategic fit with Network objectives.
- Potential for networking and partnerships.
- Potential for knowledge translation / knowledge
commercialization.
- Appropriateness of budget and potential to leverage additional
non-Network funds.
- Evidence of research experience and leadership capacity.
Priority will be
given to projects undertaken in the context of a multidisciplinary
research team with partner organizations.
High-scoring projects will be invited to develop a Full Proposal for a research
project within the context of (a) specific Theme(s) in the Network.
Applications
must be submitted by December 6,
2004. Invitations to
submit Full Proposals will be issued by December 31,
2004. Full Proposals
will be due on February 15,
2005 for funding
starting April 1,
2005.
Letters of
Interest Deadline: December 6,
2004
Please send submissions by e-mail to loi@allergen-nce.ca
For additional
information please
contact:
Katheryne
Stewart, Network
Coordinator
AllerGen
McMaster University
Hamilton,
ON
L8N
3Z5
Phone: (905) 525-9140, ext. 22939
Fax: (905)
524-0611
Email: stewartk@mcmaster.ca