Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (co-lead)
Institute of Genetics (co-lead)
In partnership with
Institute of Aging
Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health
Institute of Infection and Immunity
Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis
CIHR Ethics Office
ALS Society of Canada
Canadian Space Agency
Canadian Stroke Network
National Research Council Canada
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Neuroscience Canada
Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation
Stem Cell Network
The Foundation Fighting Blindness
| Important Dates | |
| Opportunity Launched: | June 2007 |
| Content Last Updated: | (No updates since launch) |
| November 1, 2007 | Emerging Team Grants Letter of Intent Deadline - Letters of Intent must be courier stamped by this date. |
| January 15, 2008 | Emerging Team Grants Letter of Intent Decision |
| June 2, 2008 | Emerging Team Grants Full applications must be courier stamped by this date |
| October 1, 2008 | Emerging Team Grants Anticipated notification of decision and start date. NB: The funding start date is currently under review, and may potentially be delayed up to a maximum of six months (i.e. April 1, 2009). |
| Summary | |
|
This announcement marks the fourth request for applications (RFA) in Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine (RMNI), one of the major initiatives of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). In collaboration with leading health research organizations, this announcement provides research support in the areas of Nanotechnology Applied to Health (Nanomedicine), Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering, and Rehabilitation Sciences. This RFA features significant expansion in the area of Nanomedicine, including support for research into the health impacts of nanotechnology (including health policy, regulatory aims, and nanotoxicology), and novel drug delivery methods (including across the blood-brain barrier). General examples of supported research under this initiative could include cellular and molecular imaging, biophotonics, drug delivery and targeting, development of novel vectors for gene therapy, bioengineering and tissue replacement, and the integration of social, cultural, ethical, environmental, economic and health services perspectives of human health within these domains, among others. Key to this initiative is a multi-disciplinary commitment to addressing the larger health issues and questions within this emerging field. The long-term goal is to develop innovative and socially validated treatment approaches based on the science of regenerative medicine and nanomedicine that will ultimately result in improved quality of life for individuals, their families, and populations. Funds Available: The total amount available for this Strategic Initiative remains to be determined, but will be a minimum of $1.5 million per annum. This amount may increase if additional funding partners decide to participate. | |
Background
Partners
Objectives and Relevant Research Areas
Eligibility
General CIHR Guidelines
Mechanisms of Support
Additional Funding Opportunities related to this Strategic Initiative
Contact Information
Description of Partners
Building on the success of its first three strategic request for applications, CIHR and its valued partners are pleased to announce this fourth round of requests for applications though the Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine initiative (RMNI).
This current strategic initiative announcement provides support for research in Nanotechnology Applied to Health (Nanomedicine), Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering, and Rehabilitation Sciences. This RFA features significant expansion in the area of Nanomedicine, including support for research into the health impacts of nanotechnology (including health policy, regulatory aims, and nanotoxicology), and novel drug delivery approaches (including across the blood-brain barrier). For more information on eligible research approaches within these domains, please see "Objectives and Relevant Research Areas" later in this announcement.
To help achieve the goals of this initiative, this announcement includes support for innovative Emerging Team Grants. Further details of the requirements and specific goals of this grant program are available under "Mechanisms of Support" later in this announcement. In addition to this funding opportunity, a number of specific partnered programs are also available, as described under "Additional Funding Opportunities related to this Strategic Initiative."
The fundamental goal of this strategic initiative remains the development of meaningful multi-disciplinary research approaches to regenerative medicine and nanomedicine. This goal is consistent with the Integration theme of the Institute of Genetics, namely to fuel the convergence of the modern life sciences (genetics, biochemistry, molecular and cell biology) with the physical (chemistry and physics), mathematical and applied (engineering and computer) sciences. These approaches also need to balance consideration of the social, cultural and ethical impacts of these novel technologies with key rehabilitation and accessibility issues, as well as the potential economic costs of such treatments. Research into the maintenance of health or prevention of disease and degeneration is also encompassed by this initiative.
The commitment to supporting truly innovative and leading edge multi-disciplinary research directed against key health research problems makes up the core of this strategic initiative.
The Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction and the Institute of Genetics are dedicated to identifying and developing collaborations with other CIHR institute(s), branch(es) or office(s), funding organizations and stakeholders to enhance the availability of funding for this strategic initiative, and to create, where appropriate, opportunities for knowledge exchange and translation related to the scope of this particular initiative. Applicants are invited to visit the Description of Partners to find a list of partners and their respective mandates and/or strategic interests. This list will continue to evolve as new partners join in this initiative.
Please note that Partner contributions are subject to a successful relevancy review and the availability of funds. The review of applications for relevance to Partner research priority areas will have no impact on the peer review process.
Specific objectives and relevant areas of research for this strategic initiative are described under the general thematic headings of Nanotechnology Applied to Health (Nanomedicine), Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering, and Rehabilitation Sciences. Please note that there is considerable overlap between these areas. Applicants are not required to address multiple thematic areas in their application, although a commitment to multi-disciplinary research is critical. Applicants are encouraged to explicitly address large scientific questions or health research problems in their proposed research projects. Applicants are encouraged to clearly explain how their application addresses at least one of the themes of Nanomedicine outlined below.
Many definitions of nanotechnology are possible. These definitions typically encompass a wide range of technologies that measure, manipulate, or incorporate materials and/or features with at least one dimension between approximately 1 and 100 nanometers (see for example ASTM International Terminology for Nanotechnology E2456-06). Such applications typically exploit the properties, distinct from bulk/macroscopic systems, of nanoscale components.
At present, CIHR broadly defines nanomedicine as the specialized measurement or intervention - at a molecular scale - needed to treat disease or restore function.
This definition is meant to be inclusive of techniques and methodologies relevant to health research that do not necessarily fit within the more narrow definitions of nanotechnology. Relevant disciplines could include, but are not limited to, mathematics, computational sciences, chemistry, physics, and engineering and applied sciences. Potential general applications of nanomedicine could include, but are not limited to:
Note: Applicants planning to work with nanoparticles (i.e. particles with lengths in two or three dimensions that are smaller than 100 nm) are required to explicitly address the potential health safety and environmental risks in their research proposals. Proposals focused on nanoparticles are encouraged to include toxicological expertise on their teams.
Specific applications of Nanomedicine that may be directly supported by initiative partners include, but are not limited to:
The potential benefits of nanotechnology applied to health are great, due in part to the unique properties of matter at this scale length. However, these very properties also make the health safety and environmental risk assessment of some nanotechnology-based materials difficult - particularly for nanoparticles, where toxicity compared to their bulk counterparts is often poorly understood. Specific concerns for nanoparticles include a higher chemical reactivity (due to smaller particle size, different crystal shapes/lattice arrangements, etc.) and different reactivity to light (due to quantum confinement).
CIHR, its current partners, and other interested stakeholders both domestically and internationally, recognize that research directed toward supporting regulatory, E3LS, and health policy aims can form an integral component of multi-disciplinary research in nanomedicine. E3LS refers to ethical and/or environmental and/or economic and/or legal and/or social aspects of nanotechnology; therefore E3LS is a constellation of social or natural construed disciplines and issues that interface with the technical aspects of nanotechnology
Through this initiative, CIHR and its partners seek to better understand the short and long-term health, ethical, environmental and societal impacts of nanotechnology and to provide a sound evidence-base upon which Canada's existing regulatory framework can be evaluated. Applications focused on the interface between scientific evidence, E3LS, and regulatory (or other normative responses) will be accepted.
Examples of potential research topics could include, but are not limited to:
In the context of this initiative, novel Nanomedicine drug delivery approaches could include any drug delivery technology where a critical component of the drug delivery system has at least one dimension between approximately 1 and 100 nanometers, and where specific activity at this scale length is critical for function. This definition includes gene therapy, which can be broadly defined as any approach that corrects gene expression responsible for disease development. Specific therapeutic applications of Nanomedicine include, but are not limited to:
Of particular relevance to this strategic initiative is the development of novel drug and gene delivery systems based on nanomedicine principles, including the application of novel imaging technologies to monitor effectiveness and determine potential adverse effects. The integration of drug and gene therapy with stem/progenitor cell research and tissue engineering approaches to regenerative medicine is also encouraged.
1.B.i. Blood Brain Barrier (BBB)
Several initiative partners are interested in supporting applications using drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Blood vessels in the brain are unique in having specialized physiological and biochemical systems that control the movement of molecules and immune cells into and out of the brain. These aspects of the BBB are poorly understood and determining their nature would have tremendous importance for both the understanding of neuropsychiatric diseases and for the delivery of treatments for many brain disorders. Novel applications of nanomedicine could include vaccine approaches against various forms of addiction or vaccines against neurodegenerative diseases, for example.
Stem cells are an area of considerable research excellence in Canada, and form an integral component of this initiative in Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine. Eligible areas of research include pluripotent embryonic stem cells and post-natal "adult" stem cells. Researchers are encouraged to consider approaches to integrate stem cell research with tissue engineering and rehabilitation sciences, as well the application of nanomedicine technologies to stem cell research.
Researchers should consult with the "Updated Guidelines for Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Research" when preparing their applications. All applications that propose research falling within the scope of the Guidelines will be subject to review by the CIHR Stem Cell Oversight Committee.
Relevant research areas on therapeutic applications of stem cells include, but are not limited to:
One of the key goals of regenerative medicine is to stimulate the renewal of bodily tissues or the restoration of function through the use of natural or bioengineered materials. Tissue engineering is thus an integral part of regenerative medicine, and Canada is recognized for its expertise in several areas, including research excellence in several key organ systems as well as the basic sciences of biomaterials, scaffolding and drug delivery for both soft and hard tissue applications.
Specific therapeutic applications of tissue engineering research include, but are not limited to:
This initiative in Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine is also interested in funding innovative research in rehabilitation. Advances in neurosciences, physiology, motor learning and brain imaging techniques have challenged the traditional view of regeneration as it applies to rehabilitation. The broader concept of functional restoration is proposed to embrace the continuum of restorative processes or plasticity induced by rehabilitation interventions that occur in the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles to promote recovery of function after stroke, injury or disease, or to limit the effects of aging.
Specific therapeutic applications of rehabilitation research to regenerative medicine include, but are not limited to:
Some of the broader research questions that could be addressed in proposals submitted to this initiative include, but are not limited to:
Eligibility criteria for all CIHR research funding programs apply. The business office of the institution of an eligible Nominated Principal Applicant generally administers CIHR funds. Please refer to the Eligibility Requirements for CIHR Grants and Awards regarding the eligibility requirements for individuals and institutions.
This Request for Applications will follow the CIHR Guidelines for Grant Programs.
For instructions on how to apply for Emerging Team grants, please refer to the specific Request for Applications (RFAs) below:
Request for Applications |
Funding |
Timelines |
| Emerging Team Grants are intended to support the creation or development of teams of investigators undertaking collaborative multidisciplinary research in any of the eligible research areas outlined in this strategic initiative. |
Up to $500,000 per annum, for 5 years |
Letter of Intent: 2007-11-01 Applicants notified of the results of the letter of intent review: 2008-01-15 Full application deadline: |
Proof of Principle Phase I (POP-I) Grants will fund proof of principle research projects of up to 12 months duration designed to advance discoveries/inventions towards commercializable technologies, with a view to attract new investment and create new science-based businesses.
Proof of Principle Phase II (POP-II) Grants will fund proof of principle research projects up to 12 months duration at the co-investment stage undertaking follow-on proof of principle activities in partnership with a non-academic investor. This funding opportunity is aimed at providing a platform to better enable the academic institution/researcher to move the discovery/invention further down the innovation pipeline.
Letters of Intent are due September 17, 2007, with full applications by November 1, 2007. For more information please see the Commercialization - Proof of Principle Initiative RFA.
The long-term goal of the Mobility in Aging Initiative is to address research and knowledge translation needs within the range of intrinsic and extrinsic challenges (from biological to environmental) associated with mobility of older Canadians. Such investments will ultimately optimize the well-being of a large number of current and future older Canadians as well as significantly reduce the nation's health care costs. Fundamental to this initiative are multi-disciplinary approaches to addressing the larger health issues and questions within Mobility in Aging.
The Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine Initiative is partnered on the Mobility in Aging Initiative on Catalyst: Planning and Development Grants. These grants provide support of planning and/or development activities that normally precede complex, multi-stakeholder and/or team research programs in Mobility in Aging.
For more information, please the Mobility in Aging Strategic Initiative Announcement.
In the context of a developing partnership on research between Canada and California, Nanotechnology and Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine have been identified as key priorities. Accordingly, CIHR invites applicants to include in their proposal joint research initiatives between the State of California and their Emerging Team grant program. This could take the form of researcher/student exchanges, travel bursaries, etc (supplemental budget of up to $50,000 per year). The partnership must be well justified and outlined in the submitted proposal with targets and projected outcomes. CIHR is hopeful that new funds will be available in the context of the Canada-California initiative although this is not confirmed at this time.
For questions on CIHR funding guidelines, how to apply, and the peer review process contact:
Nathalie Gendron, Ph.D.
Deputy Director
Knowledge Creation Programs
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Tel: 613-941-4576
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: ngendron@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
For questions about this initiative and research objectives contact:
Eric Marcotte, Ph.D.
Associate Director
Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Tel: 905-467-1822
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: emarcotte@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Note: Additional partners, including partners from industry and the private sector are expected to join this funding initiative over the coming year.
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
CIHR is Canada's major 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.
CIHR - Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA)
The vision of the Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA) is that innovative research will provide new knowledge of the biological and socio-cultural processes underlying neurological, mental and addictive disorders. As such, the INMHA's mission is to foster excellence in innovative, ethically responsible research in Canada that aims to increase our knowledge of the functioning and disorders of the brain and the mind, the spinal cord, the sensory and motor systems, as well as mental health, mental illness and all forms of addiction. The INMHA intends to support initiatives that mobilize and link scientists in innovative collaborative programs across these research domains. The INMHA seeks to translate this new knowledge into a better quality of life for all Canadians through improved outcomes, health promotion and health care services.
CIHR - Institute of Genetics (IG)
The mission of the Institute of Genetics (IG) is to support excellent research on the genetic and biochemical basis of health and disease, including the interaction of genes with the physical and social environments, to facilitate the translation of research findings into health policy and practice, and to examine the ethical, legal and social implications of genetic discoveries. The IG encourages translational research by fostering collaboration between the basic and clinical research communities, and collaborates with other Institutes of CIHR to optimize the impact of genetic discovery on other disciplines. A critical responsibility of the IG is to examine the ethical, legal and social implications of new genetic discoveries.
CIHR - Institute of Aging (IA)
IA supports research to promote healthy aging and to address causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions associated with aging. IA has identified five priority research areas for research on aging and health (in no particular order): Healthy and successful aging; Biological mechanisms of aging; Cognitive impairment in aging; Aging and maintenance of functional autonomy; and health services and policy relating to older people. The Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine Initiative (RMNI) aligns with CIHR IA's Mobility in Aging Initiative and the identified research and knowledge translation gaps:
CIHR - Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH)
ICRH supports research into the causes, mechanisms, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions associated with the heart, lung, brain (stroke), blood, blood vessels, critical and intensive care, and sleep. The ICRH vision is to achieve international leadership by fostering an environment of openness, excitement, energy, commitment and excellence in highly ethical, partnered initiatives focused on research, research training, and research translation for the circulatory and respiratory sciences and for the betterment of the health of Canadians. In March 2007, following consultations with the ICRH community and Institute Advisory Board, the following new priorities were identified:
The ICRH will consider providing financial support to highly ranked ICRH-relevant projects, depending on availability of funds.
CIHR - Institute of Infection and Immunity (III)
The Institute of Infection and Immunity (III) seeks to establish national leadership, priorities and programs that promote innovative research to reduce the global burden of infection and immune-based disease and improve quality of life. The 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 III has identified a need to support the development of new tools, technologies and methods capable of providing non-invasive evaluation of infectious and immune processes in vivo.
CIHR - Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA)
The Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA) will support research to enhance active living, mobility and movement, and oral health; and to address causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions related to bones, joints, muscles, connective tissue, skin and teeth. The mission of IMHA is to eradicate pain, suffering and disability, in order to enhance quality of life for people affected by arthritis, and musculoskeletal, oral and skin conditions. Applications will be considered in IMHA's six focus areas: arthritis, bone, oral health, muscle, MSK rehabilitation, and skin and must be linked to one of its three research priorities:
CIHR - Ethics Office
Ethics is a key part of the CIHR's mandate, with regard to promoting, assisting and undertaking health research that meets the highest standards of ethics, as well as encouraging interdisciplinary, innovative and integrative research on ethical issues pertaining to health and health research.
(Note: This page contains external hyperlinks. Our policy on external hyperlinks is located on our Help with Accessibility and External Links page.)
ALS Society of Canada
The mission of the ALS Society of Canada is to support research towards a cure for ALS and to support Provincial ALS Societies in their provision of quality care for persons affected by ALS. We fund RESEARCH for a cure. We SUPPORT people affected by ALS to serve immediate needs. We provide INFORMATION to build awareness. The ALS Society of Canada was founded in 1977 as a national voluntary organization dedicated solely to those affected by ALS. Member of the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations.
Canadian Space Agency
The primary objectives of the Space Life Sciences Program of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) are to explore basic principles of biology to understand the role of gravity in life processes, to better understand how life functions and adapts to the environment of space and readapts upon return to the conditions on Earth, and to obtain knowledge and develop technology to produce safer space travel and improve life on Earth. Particular areas of interest include bone and muscle loss, adaptation of heart and other body systems and organs to weightlessness, maturation of organisms in space, biological effects of space radiation, and space psychology.
Space life science is essential in the preparation for the exploration of space. Long duration flight will become commonplace in future inter-planetary exploration, and understanding the biological consequences of microgravity and radiation exposure may be essential to survival. As more becomes known of these factors, countermeasures and pre-adaptations can be developed. Significant benefits to the quality of life and contributions to human welfare on Earth can be expected from the enhanced knowledge and new medical technologies resulting from the program.
Canadian Stroke Network
One of the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE), the Canadian Stroke Network's (CSN) mission is to reduce the effects of stroke on the lives of Canadians and on Canadian society. The CSN was established to create a national consortium with the capacity to enhance our knowledge of stroke, develop new treatment plans and medical technologies to improve individual outcomes, and create policies that will benefit the country as a whole. The Network places Canada at the forefront of stroke research through its multi-disciplinary research program, high-quality training for Canadian scientists and clinicians, and national and global partnerships. The CSN is also equally dedicated to decreasing the physical, social, and economic consequences of stroke on the individual and on society.
The Foundation Fighting Blindness
As Canada's largest independent charity for vision research, The Foundation Fighting Blindness is responsible for groundbreaking genetic eye research in teaching hospitals and universities across the country. Its mandate is to support Canadian research directed at discovering causes, treatments and ultimately cures for eye diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration and related retinal diseases. Its mandate is also to educate Canadians about prevention of eye diseases and promotion of eye health. The Foundation Fighting Blindness was established in 1974 and since then has funded over millions in vision research in Canada. To learn more about the latest vision research, visit their web site. The Foundation Fighting Blindness believes that "A Cure is in Sight".
National Research Council Canada (NRC)
The NRC is recognized globally as a leader in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through science and technology. NRC is committed to contributing to significant innovations that support Canada's quality of life, improve the environment, protect health, and create new sources of wealth for Canadians. Through its focused research programs, its Industrial Research Assistance Program ("NRC/IRAP") and the rapid-access service to world-wide scientific, technical and medical information provided by the Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (CISTI), NRC is a key player in the national system of innovation. NRC has also recently formed the National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) in Edmonton, Alberta, which will serve as a key resource for developing an Integrated Nanostructures Network in Canada. Working with other progressive organizations, NRC is helping provide the bridge between strategic research and wealth creation.
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada - Nano Innovation Platform (NanoIP)
NSERC is Canada's federal funding agency for university based research in the natural sciences and engineering. Through various programs, NSERC supports fundamental discovery based research, collaborative university-industry research partnerships and the advanced training of Canada's future scientists and engineers. In recognition of the strategic importance and multidisciplinary nature of nanotechnology and nanoscience, within its scientific and engineering community, NSERC recently created a Nano Innovation Platform (NanoIP) to coordinate Canadian university research in this area and to collaborate with organizations such as the National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) and NanoQuebec.
NeuroScience Canada
Established in 1998 as the successor to the NeuroScience Network Centre of Excellence, NeuroScience Canada is a national, non-profit organization that aims to bring relief and hope to the millions of Canadians challenged by neurological and psychiatric diseases, disorders and injuries. NeuroScience Canada supports researchers across disciplines and institutions who are investigating the mechanisms that protect and repair the brain and nervous system. NeuroScience Canada collaborates with the public, private and voluntary sectors, in order to harness the knowledge and resources of all those who wish to support neuroscience research and training programs. Our collective efforts will ensure that Canada continues and grows its research capacity in the neurosciences and maintains its status as a world-leader in excellent neuroscience research.
Stem Cell Network
Stem cells play a critical and essential role in the human body, from the embryonic stem cells that can grow into any of the specialized cells that form the body, to post-natal "adult" stem cells that function within the body to repair and regenerate tissue. One of the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE), the Stem Cell Network brings together experts from all sectors and backgrounds, to share and build on their experiences and ideas, and to work together to achieve common goals. These include being a catalyst for the development of new therapies, creating a critical mass of knowledge and people in Canada by contributing to the training and education of specialists in stem cells, facilitating the transfer of technologies to the marketplace, and promoting informed debate on the source and use of stem cells.
Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation
The Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation (ONF) recognizes the importance of setting and striving for clearly defined goals and practices. In collaboration with consumers, and other provincial and national stakeholders, ONF is committed to continuously strengthening activities and initiatives that support its core business to create new and applied knowledge through strategic investment in the neurotrauma field, and to build the research capacity of the neurotrauma field. The ONF's vision is to achieve reduced impact, incidence and prevalence of neurotrauma injuries and have people living with brain and spinal cord injuries participating as full members of society.
