Sponsored by:
GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
The CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity
and
CIHR/Rx&D Research Program
Summary
This program is a collaborative effort between GlaxoSmithKline Inc., CIHR/Rx&D and the CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity. The goal of the Program is to fund pilot project grants to conduct meritorious research in the area of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) biology and identification of small molecule targets as antiviral agents.
| September 15, 2004 | Letter of intent must be courier stamped by this date. |
| October 15, 2004 | Invitation to submit full application |
| November 15, 2004 | Full proposals must be courier stamped by this date. |
| March 2005 | Notification of decision |
| March 2005 | Anticipated start date |
| Duration of projects | Up to 2 years |
| Funds Available | Maximum amount per grant is $150,000. Total of $750,000 for this initiative. |
Table of Contents
Background
Partners
Specific Objectives and Eligible Research Areas
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Mechanism of Support
Funds Available
Allowable Costs
How to Apply
Evaluation Process and Criteria For Peer Review
General CIHR Guidelines and Conditions of Funding
Communication
Intellectual Property
Performance Measurement and Evaluation
Background
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus, SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). SARS was first reported in Asia in November 2002. The outbreak of SARS in Toronto in the spring of 2003 posed significant challenges for the Canadian public health system and front-line health care workers. The challenge of developing antiviral therapies to prevent SARS and other coronaviruses remains with us today.
Partners
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is Canada's premier federal funding agency for health research. Its objective is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care system.
The CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity (III) supports research to enhance immune-mediated health and to reduce the burden of infectious disease, immune-mediated disease, and allergy through prevention strategies, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation.
The CIHR/Rx&D Research Program is a partnership between Canada's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D) and CIHR, established to provide an opportunity for health researchers to work in collaboration with Rx&D companies. Research undertaken must be beneficial to all parties with a view to improving the quality of health of Canadians.
GlaxoSmithKline Inc. (GSK) is a Canadian research-based pharmaceutical company with a powerful combination of skills and resources that provides a platform for delivering strong growth in today's rapidly changing healthcare environment. GSK is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.
Specific Objective(s) and Eligible Research Area(s)
The objective of this initiative is to support research in the area of SARS biology and identification of small molecule targets as antiviral agents.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Eligibility criteria for all CIHR research funding (grant) programs apply. Please refer to Eligibility for Research Funding Programs on the CIHR website.
The business office of the institution of an eligible Principal Applicant generally administers CIHR funds. The eligibility requirements for Institutions are found on the CIHR website in the Financial Administration of Funds Guide .
Mechanism of Support
This initiative is designed to solicit pilot project grant applications in support of research projects by individuals or small groups of investigators.
Funds Available
Allowable costs
Applicants should review CIHR's guidelines on Eligible Expenditures for Research Funding Programs for a complete listing and description of allowable costs and activities.
The full application must provide a detailed justification of all costs.
How to ApplyApplicants should review the instructions on "How to Apply" on the CIHR website. There are two steps to applying to this RFA:
1. Submit your letter of intent using the CIHR Operating Grants registration package, which consists of pages from the CIHR Research Module, in addition to pages one and two of the Common CV for each applicant and co-applicant participating in the research project. - see the Registration Procedures on our website and send this to CIHR by September 15, 2004.
2. If you are invited to submit a full application, the deadline for full applications is November 15, 2004.In completing CIHR forms, be sure to refer to both the Grants and Awards Guide and the guidelines for completion specific to each module. The proposals must address all criteria as described below under "Evaluation Process and Criteria for Peer Review" Please note that in order to apply to CIHR you must have a CIHR or MRC Personal Identification Number (PIN). If you do not already have a PIN, please follow the application procedures and allow at least one working day to receive confirmation. More than one working day may be required in peak periods - late January and early August. The following application forms/modules are required, using the CIHR application forms (modules).
- CIHR "Registration Module" which is a collection of some pages of the following modules and is described on the "application forms" website page referred to above.
- CIHR Research Module
- Common CV Modules for all applicants/team members
- CIHR Operating Budget Module (including the costs of personnel, travel, supply/equipment, etc.) which fully justifies each item of funding requested.
Evaluation Process and Criteria for Peer Review
Each proposal must describe how the grant will address the important health issues described under "Specific Objective and Eligible Research Area" above.
The letter of intent must be submitted prior to full applications as these will be used to screen for relevance to the goal of the "SARS Small Molecule Pilot Project Grants Initiative" and to set up appropriate expertise on the peer review panel. Delegates from III, the Canadian SARS Research Consortium's (CSRC) Scientific Advisory Committee, and CIHR will take part in the relevancy review, which will be conducted in accordance with CIHR standards and guidelines. Funding decisions will be based on the scientific merit of the proposed research.
Applications will be evaluated by the CIHR's University-Industry peer-review committee. Committee members are selected based on suggestions from many sources including the Institute and partner. The committee will follow the CIHR peer review process for grants.
General criteria for assessing applications are listed below. It is understood that referees and committees will weigh questions such as these differently from one application to another.
The Research Proposed
The Applicant's Productivity, Experience and Training
General CIHR Guidelines and Conditions of Funding
All conditions, as specified in CIHR's Grants and Awards Guides, shall apply to those funded through this initiative. Conditions cover areas such as Applicant and Institutional Responsibilities, Ethics, Official Language Policy, Access to Information and Privacy Acts, Acknowledgement of CIHR support etc. Successful recipients will be informed of any special financial conditions when they receive CIHR's Authorization for Funding Form (AFF).
Communication
The grant recipients under this SARS initiative are required to acknowledge all funding partners in any communication or publication relating to this grant. A reprint of each publication and conference presentations which arise during or result from the funded project must be forwarded to CIHR for distribution to all funding partners.
Reporting
Grantees will be required to provide the funding Partners with an annual scientific and financial report on the supported project at the end of each year of funding of the grant. The deadline for receipt of these reports will be three months after the end of each year of funding.
Within six months after the end of the grant's term, the nominated principal applicant is required to submit a final performance report. The report should be at least 1,000 words in length describing how the grant funds were used including the aims of the research, the methods used, the results obtained and how they have been disseminated. All papers and abstracts related to the funded research that are published or in press must be appended to the report. Send this report to Dr. David Brener, Director of Research Translation Programs
Intellectual Property
The funding organizations do not and will not claim any proprietary right to any intellectual or tangible property resulting from the research grants made under this Program. However, GlaxoSmithKline Inc., and CIHR must be informed of any commercialization outcomes derived from the research supported by these funds.
The grantee and his or her host institution should make every reasonable effort to maximize beneficial impact to Canada from the exploitation of the knowledge and intellectual property resulting from the research supported under this Program.
Accordingly, the grantee's host institution (university or hospital) will be expected to have a clear policy regarding the grantee's right to publish and intellectual property, in order to provide adequate protection and management of intellectual property of potential commercial interest.
The onus is on the grantee holder to seek patent protection in collaboration with the host institution for inventions or developments arising from research supported under this Program.
Performance Measurement and Evaluation
It is intended that performance of this initiative wil be assessed through ongoing monitoring and periodic evaluation. All funded applicants will be expected to participate in the evaluation strategy, contributing advice, data and reports as required for assessment purposes.
The following table is intended to further clarify objectives by linking them to expected outcomes and measures.
| Program Objectives | Expected Outcomes | Outcome Measures |
| Promote innovative, pilot or feasibility studies in the area of antiviral agents for respiratory infections | Development of new and innovative approaches in the research area. | Evaluation of the researcher's final report, presentations and publications. |
| Allow researchers to develop the evidence necessary to determine the viability of new research directions in the area of antiviral agents | Increased numbers of successful applications to other grant programs and patents. | Numbers of projects that follow through to new applications for funding or filing of patents. |
Address for Submitting Application and Contact Information
Send Application by Courier to:
RE: "SARS Small Molecule Pilot Project Grants Initiative"
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Research Translation Programs
Room 97, 160 Elgin Street
Address locator: 4809A
Ottawa, ON K1A 0W9
Attention: Prabha Singh
Contacts for Further Information:
For questions on CIHR funding guidelines or how to apply contact:
Prabha Singh
Program Delivery Officer
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Room 97, 160 Elgin Street
Address locator: 4809A
Ottawa, ON K1A 0W9
Telephone: (613) 952-0823;
Fax: (613) 954-1800;
Email: psingh@cihr.gc.ca
For questions about this initiative and research objectives contact:
Institute Representative
Bruce Moor
Assistant Director
CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity
Suite 214, SDRI
1400 Western Road
London ON N6G 2V4
Telephone: (519) 661-3328
Fax: (519) 661-4226
Email: bmoor@uwo.ca
