Proof of Principle Program - Application Package
Number of Copies: One (1) original full application as well as three (3) additional copies of the application should be submitted.
Note that:
No application number is assigned at the LOI stage. In order to apply to CIHR you must have a CIHR or MRC Personal Identification Number (PIN) .
Application Process
1. Submit a Letter of Intent. Full Applications without Letters of Intent will NOT be considered.
2. Review necessary documentation in the Grants and Awards Guide and the Proof of Principle Program Description.
3. Review the following PDF forms to familiarize yourself with the application requirements:
- Research Module - [ PDF (268 KB) | Help ]
- Operating Budget Module - [ PDF (33 KB) | Help ]
- Common CV (Validated for CIHR) - [ PDF (86 KB) | Help ]
- Industrial Partnership Module (Phase 2 only) - [ PDF (23 KB) | Help ]
4. Read and print the following Guidelines for the Completion. Note that some instructions found in these guidelines may be superseded by the guidelines specific to the Proof of Principle program found on this page.
5. Have your PIN ready.
6. Complete the Research Module [Web Forms], including the Research Proposal (page 12).
Guidelines for Completion of the Research Module specific to this opportunity:
- In the "Research Funding Program(s)" section of the Research Module, select "Strategic Initiative/RFA" and enter the title of this program.
- The Technology Transfer Office Director (or equivalent) must be a signatory on the Research Module signature page 2a.
- The section "Suggested External Referees", and the field "Suggested Peer Review Committees" in the "Collaborators and Committees" section are not required. Also, publications will not be accepted.
Guidelines for Completion of the "Text to be Attached" section of the Research Module specific to the opportunity:
- Page 10 must be completed by POP Phase II applicants only. This should be completed using the guidelines for the Summary of Progress section outlined below.
- Page 11 requesting a response to previous reviews is required for applications that have been previously reviewed and are being resubmitted.
- Page 12 should be completed as outlined below.
Guidelines for Completion of the Research Proposal (page 12 of Research Module) specific to this opportunity:
Applicants are encouraged to adhere to the following presentation layout, keeping in mind the evaluation criteria laid out in the section of the program description entitled "Peer Review Process and Evaluation Criteria." Please note that page limitations must be respected. Figures and references are not included in page limitations.
I) Overview
This section should be one (1) page, identified as page 12a, and should include the following:
- Description of discovery/invention (i.e., IP).
- Description of business opportunity.
- Justification for proof of principle grant funding (provide a convincing argument for the potential commercial success based on the initial technology assessment).
II) Research and Technical Plan
This section should be five (5) pages, identified as pages 12b to f, and should include the following:
- Background of the discovery/invention (IP).
- Summary of the relevant literature.
- Advantages and disadvantages of discovery/invention (IP).
- Required research question(s) (describe the scientific or technical requirements to move the IP toward commercialization).
- Research and Methodologies (present hypotheses and describe available expertise and experimental plan to test them).
- Time lines (layout of milestones and deliverables for the Research and Technical Plan during the term of the project).
III) Commercialization Plan
*This section must be completed in collaboration with the TTO office (or equivalent).
**Please refer to the section entitled "Common Peer Review Committee Concerns" in the program description when completing this section.
This section should be six (6) pages, identified as pages 12g to l, and should include the following:
- Intellectual Property (describe status of the IP and plan with respect to the potential for protection, patent status, related patents, prior art, freedom to operate).
- Relevant patents (include the description and patent numbers of the top five most relevant patents related to your IP).
- Market (describe market potential, target, characteristics, barriers - including regulatory hurdles, etc.).
- Opportunity (describe competitive advantage and available business expertise).
- Commercialization strategy (present plan to overcome disadvantages and barriers with respect to IP protection and market penetration; justification for licensing, spin-off venture, choice of receptor, or other route).
- Timelines (layout milestones and deliverables for the execution of the Commercialization Plan during the term of the project; include a description of the follow-on steps - by the researcher and/or institution - after the funding period).
- Impact (describe expected economic impact and/or social and health benefits).
Guidelines for Completion of the Summary of Progress (Page 10 of Research Module) Specific to this Opportunity (Maximum 1 page):
Note: This section applies to Phase II applicants only.
The summary of progress should describe the advancement of the discovery/invention towards commercializable technologies. Applicants are encouraged to adhere to the proposed presentation layout as follows:
- Advancement of knowledge of IP.
- Progress in technology transfer and commercialization activities.
- Hurdles encountered and how they were addressed.
7. Complete the Operating Budget Module [Web Forms].
Guidelines for Completion of the Operating Budget Module Specific to this Opportunity:
- Use item "Other" to describe and justify expenses associated with the implementation of the commercial plan.
- Ensure that contributions from ALL sources are justified. Please label this section clearly in the additional pages allowed for budget justification.
- Provide a Detailed Budget Justification for Commercialization Plan. This section must be completed in consultation with the Technology Transfer Office and signed by the TTO director. This section must justify funding requested in the following areas:
- Patenting
- Consultants
- Market Research
- Communication/Networking
- Academic Collaboration
- Resource Materials
8. Complete the Common CV - http://www.commoncv.net/ [External Site].
Guidelines for Completion of the Common CV Specific to this Opportunity:
- The CV module must be completed for all Principal Investigators and co-applicants.
- Please note that Draft copies of the CV module are not accepted at the full application stage. Please ensure that the CV module is validated and does not state "draft" at the top of each page.
9. Complete the Industrial Partnership Module [Web Forms]
Guidelines for Completion of the Industrial Partnership Module Specific to this Opportunity:
Note: This section applies to Phase II applicants only.
- To be completed by the investor.
- Please refer to the General Guidelines for the Industry-Partnered Program for guidelines on cash and in-kind contributions when completing this module
10. Send Application by Courier to:
RE: "Proof of Principle Program"
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Room 97, 160 Elgin Street
Address locator: 4809A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0W9
