CIHR > Funding Health Research > Funding Opportunities > Current Funding Opportunities

Team Grant - Emerging: Colorectal Cancer Screening

CIHR Institute of Cancer Research

Request for Applications

Important Dates
Opportunity Launched	June 2006
Content Last Updated	(No updates since launch)
November 1, 2006	Letter of Intent must be courier stamped by this date.
January 15, 2007	Anticipated notification of Letter of Intent decision
May 1, 2007	Full applications must be courier stamped by this date.
October 1, 2007	Anticipated notification of decision.
October 1, 2007	Anticipated funding start date.
Funds Available
CIHR's contribution to the amount available for this initiative is subject to availability of funds voted annually to CIHR by parliamentary appropriations, and the conditions that may be attached to them. The maximum amount awarded for a single grant is $ 500,000 per annum (including equipment) for up to 5 years. The equipment amount is awarded in year one. The final two years of funding are subject to a satisfactory progress review in the third year of funding. The minimum amount available for this Request for Applications is $ 5,000,000. This amount may increase if additional funding partners decide to participate. The funding provided through this Request for Applications is non-renewable. A renewal of funding for a further period may be possible through an application to a future CIHR Emerging Team Grant competition sufficiently far in advance of the termination date of the grant to ensure continuity.
Summary
Colorectal cancer screening falls within the "Early Detection of Cancer" strategic research priority, one of the seven research priorities identified by the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR). This Request for Applications (RFA) will build on previous RFAs launched to support one-year Pilot Projects in colorectal cancer screening. The current RFA is intended to encourage innovative research likely to lead to improvements in colorectal cancer screening in Canada. Specifically, applications are sought that will indicate how to implement currently available technologies at a population level in order to reduce colorectal cancer mortality in Canada in the shortest time frame possible. Another critical objective will be to develop new screening tests for colorectal cancer that can stratify patients into low and high risk groups and do minimal harm in the process. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the Colorectal Cancer Screening Workshop Report for more detailed information on eligible research areas and to clearly indicate in their applications the way in which their proposed research will provide impact, reduce harm and add significantly to the body of current research in a new way. The CIHR program to be used in this RFA is the Emerging Team Grant which provides five-year support for small teams of researchers.

Background
Objectives
Eligibility
Allowable Costs
Review Process and Evaluation Criteria
General CIHR Guidelines
Conditions of Funding
Communications Requirements
Monitoring, Performance Measurement and Evaluation
How to Apply
Contact Information

Background

Canada has one of the highest incidences of colorectal cancer in the world, second only to lung cancer in the overall number of deaths caused. Regular screening for colorectal cancer can diagnose the disease at an early stage and has been proven to reduce mortality. Early screening can also prevent the disease through the detection of pre-cancerous polyps which can be removed during a procedure called colonoscopy. Recently the National Committee on Colorectal Cancer Screening, established by Health Canada in 1998, recommended population-based colorectal cancer screening programs for all Canadian adults between the ages of 50 and 74. To date, such programs have not been implemented although some provinces (Alberta and Ontario) have mounted pilot studies and have plans for a provincially-based colorectal screening program and British Columbia has recently approved the provincial coverage of Fecal Occult Blood Tests (FOBT) as a screening test, as well as coverage for other related technologies (colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, etc.) for diagnostic follow-up of positive screens. Challenges have included: confusion about the ideal first stage test, reservations about FOBT, health systems issues, policy and planning issues, potential population impact, and lack of consensus on professional requirements for various steps in the cascade (education of patients, screening, follow-up testing for diagnosis, and treatment). Coupled to these challenges is the embarrassment that frequently surrounds discussion of the subject among health care providers and the public and the perceived discomfort in undergoing the colonoscopy procedure.

To reduce colorectal cancer mortality, we need more research on how best to implement, at a population level, the tests that are currently available to us for screening and diagnosis. Secondly, new screening tests are required that demonstrate the necessary specificity and sensitivity to accurately predict risk, and that are suited to the operational considerations of population screening. Identification of high-risk patients for more frequent screening and a minimal risk group for less intensive screening would significantly reduce the potential for population harm and also the resources needed for implementation of the colonoscopy component of population-based screening programs.

ICR has identified early detection of cancer as one of its strategic research priorities. Colorectal cancer screening falls within this priority. To date, the Institute has launched two Pilot Project initiatives on screening in preparation for a larger initiative aimed at providing the evidence required for the design and implementation of successful Canadian colorectal screening programs. As part of the process in developing this Request for Applications (RFA), the Institute hosted a one-day invitational workshop on March 28th 2006 in Toronto to determine what new technologies exist, what other countries are doing to address this important health issue and to identify the outstanding research questions. It is strongly recommended that all potential applicants consult the report from this workshop for further details on eligible research areas, before preparing an application.

Objectives

The specific objectives of this Request for Applications are:

To support the development of teams of investigators that will address the research questions identified at the Colorectal Cancer Screening Workshop and undertake research that will lead to a reduction in colorectal cancer mortality in Canada;
To train and establish new investigators in the area of population-based colorectal cancer screening;
To provide evidence-based indications on how to best implement currently available screening technologies at a population level;
To develop new minimal-risk screening tests for colorectal cancer that are able to stratify patients into low and high-risk groups;
To support research that will provide impact, reduce harm and add significantly to the body of current research in a new way;
To encourage research that will take advantage of ongoing natural experiments such as the pilot studies in Alberta and Ontario;
To encourage research that might eventually lead to large-scale randomized controlled trials that would be appropriate for comparing different screening modalities.

Relevant Research Areas

Eligible research areas will include any topic documented in the Colorectal Cancer Research Workshop Report. It is strongly advised that applicants consult this report before preparing their applications for specific examples of relevant research.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

Comparison of both new and existing screening tests, including new imaging techniques, in terms of specificity, sensitivity, practicality and cost effectiveness;
Development of new screening tests, preferably blood-based, which would provide the necessary specificity and sensitivity to stratify patients into high, low and medium risk groups;
Studies into the optimal order in which such tests should be administered, with an overriding requirement for a screening test to have low potential for harm;
Research on the best way to access both tissue (mucus, stool, serum, polyps, tumours) and comprehensive patient data. Wherever possible links should be made to existing infrastructures such as Canada's Tumour Repository Network and national and/or international biomarker initiatives;
Studies evaluating new imaging modalities such as virtual colonoscopy and the development of improved agents for tagging and contrast studies;
Research on how to design programs that could evaluate changes in technology and relate it to budget impact and health economics;
Research into what kind of information health professionals, the public and the government needs in order to accelerate the implementation of a national screening program and increase patient compliance with screening programs already in place;
Research on the most effective way to get screening program information to the public and health professionals.

CIHR Institute of Cancer Research
ICR is dedicated to supporting research that reduces the burden of cancer on individuals and families through prevention strategies, screening, diagnosis, effective treatment, psycho-social support systems, and palliation.

Within ICR's Early Detection of Cancer research priority area, early diagnosis of pre-malignant changes or early cancer offers the greatest opportunity for curative treatment.

Screening tests likely to be useful on a population level should be:

highly specific and sensitive
free of serious complications
non-invasive
cost-effective
suitable for implementation at a population level

An important criterion for a successful screening program is the degree to which the general population adopts it, especially in traditionally underserved communities such as ethnic, aboriginal, rural and immigrant groups.

ICR is committed to funding $1M per year for 5 years towards this Initiative.

Relevance review will be conducted at the full application stage. For planning purposes, at the Letter of Intent stage representatives from the CIHR Institute of Cancer Research will have access to the anonymized Letter of Intent package and the one-page attachment describing how the proposed research addresses the objectives and relevant research areas (see How to Apply). At the full application stage, these representatives will have access to an updated version of the one-page attachment and the anonymized research proposal summary to conduct relevance review.

The following criteria will be used in conducting relevance review.

Does the proposed project meet the goals and objectives as outlined in the RFA?
Does the proposed project meet the general objectives and eligibility criteria of the Emerging Team Grant program?

Relevance review occurs apart from peer review (scientific review) and has no relationship to the results of peer review.

Upon completion of peer review of the full applications, the representatives from the CIHR Institute of Cancer Research will receive the ratings, rankings and peer review committee recommendations on funding level and term for the applications that are rated in the CIHR fundable range and are found to be relevant to the specific objectives of the research initiative and the research areas described under "Objectives" and "Relevant Research Areas." These applications will be funded from the top down in order of ranking as far as budgets will allow. Applications that receive a ranking below 3.5 will not be funded.

Eligibility

Eligibility criteria specified in the Emerging Team Grant Program shall apply to applications submitted in response to this Request for Applications.

Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) will not be considered under this RFA.

Specific Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility requirements specific to this Request for Applications include the following:

Applicants must clearly indicate how their proposed research will provide impact, reduce harm and add significantly to the body of current research on colorectal cancer screening in a new way;
Multidisciplinary teams that involve several research centres and/or provinces are encouraged.

Allowable Costs

The allowable costs are identified within the Emerging Team Grant Program.

Review Process and Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated following the evaluation criteria and peer review process described in the Emerging Team Grant Program.

In addition, the following evaluation criteria specific to this Request for Applications will apply.

Relevance. Applicants should describe how their proposed research will impact on current, modalities for population-based colorectal cancer screening and lead to a reduction in colorectal cancer mortality;
Responsiveness to the Program. Applicants must indicate how the proposed team meets the Objectives and the Eligibility criteria of the Emerging Team Grant program;
Innovation/Advancement. The project should challenge current research thinking and paradigms and/or address unexplored areas. Applicants should also provide a plan for effective dissemination of research findings through linkages with the appropriate user communities. Applicants must clearly indicate how their proposed research will provide impact, reduce harm and add significantly to the body of current research on colorectal cancer screening in a new way;
Approach. The application should describe the conceptual framework, methods, hypotheses, design and analyses for projects to be funded by this application. Brief descriptions of projects already funded, but which constitute part of complete research program should also be provided;
Nominated Principal Applicant. This applicant is appropriately trained and has demonstrated research excellence;
Value Added. Applicants should emphasize the ways in which the Emerging Team research program adds value by bringing together researchers from different backgrounds, institutions, and/or themes, in a meaningful collaboration that will advance our understanding of the issues related to population-based colorectal cancer screening and have an impact on colorectal cancer mortality. It is particularly important for this RFA, that research teams have a clear plan for effective and timely knowledge translation;
Team Excellence. Emerging Teams should consist of team members who have been productive, creative and original in their approach to research. Applications should describe how the team will recruit and provide training opportunities for graduate and post-doctoral trainees as well as investigators who are new to the team's area of research.

General CIHR Guidelines

The General CIHR Guidelines described in the Emerging Team Grant Program shall apply to this Request for Applications. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate the use of gender and sex-based analysis in applications.

Conditions of Funding

All conditions specified in the Emerging Team Grant Program shall apply to applications funded through this Request for Applications.

Access to Information Act and Privacy Act, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)

All personal information collected by CIHR about applicants is used to review applications, to recruit reviewers, to administer and monitor grants and awards, to compile statistics, and to promote and support health research in Canada. Consistent with these purposes, applicants should also expect that information collected by CIHR may be shared as described in Use and Disclosure of Personal Information Provided to CIHR for Peer Review.

CIHR as a federal entity is subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, therefore the requirements of these two statutes will apply to all information located in CIHR's premises including, without limitation, cost-sharing agreements related to this Request for Applications and all matters pertaining thereto.

While respecting the application of the Privacy Act to federal entities, all signing parties involved in a collaborative agreement will also be bound by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). All personal information (as identified by the PIPEDA) collected, used or disclosed in the course of any commercial activity under collaborative agreements related to the Request for Applications will be collected, used and disclosed in compliance with the PIPEDA.

Communications Requirements

Communications requirements are described in the Emerging Team Grant Program.

Monitoring, Performance Measurement and Evaluation

Monitoring, Performance Measurement and Evaluation requirements are described in the Emerging Team Grant Program.

The following table is intended to further clarify objectives of this RFA by linking them to expected outcomes and measures which will be included in CIHR's Management Resources and Results Structure (MRRS) required by Treasury Board.

Objective	Outcome	Measure / Indicator
To support the development of teams of investigators that will undertake research to reduce colorectal cancer mortality through improved screening modalities at the population level;	Growth and sustainability of the new team; Increased networking and collaborations between researchers; Increased quality and productivity of award recipients in area of colorectal cancer screening (e.g. publications, colloquia); Development of new and improved screening tests for colorectal cancer; Development of more effective communication and education methods to increase patient compliance with new and existing screening tests.	Number of new teams, and of researchers in the new teams; Successful applications to operating grants and infrastructure team funding; Knowledge translation activities. Implementation of population-based screening programs for colorectal cancer; Increased compliance with existing and new screening tests at the population level.
To train and establish new investigators in the area of population-based colorectal cancer screening.	Increased number of trainees in colorectal cancer research; Establishment of new investigators in colorectal cancer screening research.	Number of trainees within teams; New investigators that are integrated in the new teams.

How to Apply

Applicants are advised to review CIHR's grants and awards policies and guidelines outlined in the CIHR Grants and Awards Guide.

Submit your application to the Emerging Team Grant Program. Follow the instructions provided in the How to Apply section of the Emerging Team Grant Program.

Additional Instructions for this Request for Applications:

Within the Research Funding Program section of the application web form, select the box marked "Strategic Initiative/RFA" and enter "Team Grant -Colorectal Cancer Screening" in the space provided.
Provide an additional one page attachment entitled "Team Grant -Colorectal Cancer Screening," describing how the research proposed addresses the objectives and relevant research areas described above.
Complete the Applicant Consent Form for Use and Disclosure of Personal Information Provided to CIHR for Peer Review, which is included in the application form.

Contact Information

For questions specific to the Emerging Team Grant Program, including CIHR funding guidelines, how to apply, and the peer review process contact:

Jonathan Faulkner
Program Delivery Officer
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: (613) 946-6568
Fax: (613) 954-1800
Email: jfaulkner@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

For questions about the objectives and relevant research areas:

Erik Blache
Project Manager/ Analyst
CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity
Telephone: (613) 941-4329
Fax: (613) 954-1800
Email: eblache@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

Created: 2006-06-15
Modified: 2006-06-15
Reviewed: 2006-06-15
Print

Top of Page

Important Notices

Français	Contact Us	Help	Search	Canada Site
CIHR Home	About CIHR	What's New	Funding Opportunities	Funding Decisions