2010 Genome Canada Competition

Information Session

June 1, 2010

2010 Genome Canada Competitions

• All information presented here is taken from the published Guidelines (www.genomecanada.ca or www.genomealberta.ca). In case of a discrepancy please trust the published Guidelines

• Competitions covered:– 2010 Large-Scale Applied Research Competition– Competition for Science and Technology Innovation

Centre Operations Support

Responsibilities in the Funding Process

Genome Canada Genome Centres

To develop and implement a milestone driven research plan AND a finance and management strategy that will ensure program success

• Organize Peer Review• Ensure excellent projects are funded• Monitor progress of funded projects through interim review

• Conduit to all submissions to Genome Canada• Provide guidance in preparing

Pre-Application and Full Proposals• Work with applicants to secure co-funding• Actively manage funded projects

2010 Large-Scale Applied Research Competition

• The $75 million investment in genomics research by the Federal Government in Budget 2010 will be used by Genome Canada as follows:– $15 million (plus an additional $9 million) for an open competition

in support of the Science and Technology(S&T) Innovation Centres (formerly Platforms)

– Up to $60 million for a combined open/targeted large scale project competition that will emphasize a high potential for economic return

• A minimum of $30 million is available for projects targeting the areas of forestry and the environment – designated the Targeted Competition.

• Up to $30 million is available for projects targeting Genome Canada’s other strategic sectors (agriculture, fisheries and human health) – designated the Multi-Sector Competition.

Forestry Targeted Competition

• Genome Canada welcomes applications employing genomics approaches in areas that include, but are not limited to, the following: – selecting commercially desirable trees– developing genomics enabled detection mechanisms and

diagnostics for forest pests, diseases, invasive species and microorganisms;

– understanding host-pathogen genetic interactions– developing tools to manage forests and wood production– developing options for the use of forest biomass as feedstock; and, – optimizing the role of forests in carbon sequestration.

Environment Targeted Competition

• Genome Canada seeks applications that employ genomics approaches to understand the underlying biological processes involved in areas that include, but are not limited to, the following: – environmental remediation, restoration and habitat rehabilitation; – the development of new sources of energy and cleaner production

technologies; – monitoring and gaining a greater understanding of biodiversity; – pollution and contaminant abatement, prevention and detection; – wildlife management and conservation; – environmental adaptation to climate change; – synthetic biology and understanding the future of designing biology for the

environment; and, – water stewardship

Multi-Sector Competition

• Proposals addressing one of Genome Canada’s other strategic sectors (agriculture, fisheries and human health), or impacting two or more of these sectors, are welcome in the multi-sector competition.

Ethical, environmental, economic, legal and social aspects of genomics research (GE3LS)

• All applicants must consider the key GE3LS aspects arising from their proposed research and develop a plan to address these aspects as an integrated component of the research plan. As stated above, GE3LS proposals are also eligible to be submitted as large-scale projects in either the targeted or multi-sector competition.

Key Criteria

• Genome Canada is seeking proposals for large-scale research projects which focus on the application of genomics research such that there is a high potential for benefits for Canada (with an emphasis on economic benefits) to be realized or initiated before the end of the project;

• Proposals must be of a scale and scope that they cannot readily be funded at internationally competitive levels through other mechanisms;

• Well established, internationally recognized Project Leadership is critical;

• Multi-Institutional, including international, Projects are highly encouraged.

Timelines• May 17, 2010 Launch of Request for Applications (RFAs) and release of competition

Guidelines and Evaluation Criteria

• June 15, 2010 Registration due date - Genome Centres • June 17, 2010 Registration due date – Genome Canada • June 22, 2010 Applicants notified of eligibility of Registration • July 15, 2010 Pre-Application due date – Genome Centres • August 9, 2010 Pre-Application due date – Genome Canada • September 14, 2010 Applicants notified of results of Pre-application • November 1, 2010 Deadline for full applications to Genome Centres • December 1, 2010 Deadline for full applications to Genome Canada • Late January 2011 Review committee meets (including meetings with applicants) • Mid-February 2011 Decision by Genome Canada Board of Directors • Late February 2011 Notification of Award (NOA)

Registration

• June 15, 2010 Registration due date - Genome Centres • The Registration form will be used to provide early guidance

to Genome Canada on elements such as who is applying, what they are planning to do, research areas, approximate budgets, relevance to targeted areas and suggested reviewers. This will allow for screening for eligibility and facilitate the early selection of reviewers for the peer review process.

• Only applicants who submit a registration that is deemed eligible will be allowed to submit a Pre-Application.

• Genome Alberta will assist researchers in the preparation of their Pre-Application and Full Applications

Streamlining and Process

• Registration– Check for eligibility only

• Pre-Application– Description of the proposed research including an integrated GE3LS

research plan, in addition to a potential benefits for Canada section. – High level management and financial (including budget and

proposed co-funding) Individuals with the appropriate expertise will evaluate the Pre-Application, focusing on the quality of the research plan and the potential for benefits for Canada but also taking into consideration the management and financial plans.

– Only the most competitive Pre-Applications will be invited to submit full applications.

Streamlining and Process

• Full Proposal– Detailed description of the proposed Research– Detailed management and financial (including budget and

proposed co-funding). A multidisciplinary committee of experts, with expertise in assessing the scientific, management, financial and benefits to Canada criteria will be established to review applications.

– The review committee will meet with and interview representatives from each project through a face-to-face meeting.

– Only those proposals demonstrating the highest degree of overall excellence will be funded.

Co-Funding and Budget

• Genome Canada requires that at least 50% of the requested funding for eligible costs be obtained through co-funding from other sources. Co-funding for this competition must be applied for on or after March 4, 2010.

• On a case-by-case basis, funding applied for before the specified date may be considered eligible co-funding if these funds are specifically re-directed towards the Genome Canada project.

Typical Co-funding Sources

• Grants (other than tri-council), including provincial grants, international grants, scholarships, foundations, federal laboratories

• Industry/end users• Provincial Government

– Genome Alberta will advocate on your behalf to AAET

Competition for Science and Technology Innovation Centre Operations Support

• In addition to Large Scale Research Projects Genome Canada supports Innovation Centres (formerly called Platforms)

• A total of $24 Million/2years is available• Applicants can request operations support funds

for staff who specialize in methods and technology development, information technology and data analysis, such as statisticians and bioinformaticians.

Primary criteria for any S&T IC to receive funding from Genome Canada

• Demonstrated demand for services (current and future) from Genome Canada-funded projects, as well as projects funded by other organizations

• Technical ability to deliver the services• Demonstration of sufficient infrastructure capacity• Management • Appropriateness of financial processes 

Marco Marra, UBCDNA Mapping,DNA Sequencing

Christoph SensenU. of CalgaryBioinformatics

Colleen Nelson, UBCMicroarrays

Stephen SchererU. of TorontoDNA Sequencing, DNA Synthesis, Cytogenetics

Christoph BorchersU. of VictoriaProteomics

McGill University/Genome QuebecGenotyping, DNA Sequencing, Microarrays

VancouverCalgary

Toronto

MontrealVictoria

Existing Genome Canada Innovation Centres

Timelines

• June 2010. Launch of competition and release of guidelines

• Aug 20, 2010. Deadline for Letter of Intent to Genome Centre

• Sept 15, 2010. Deadline for Letter of Intent to Genome Canada• Oct 8, 2010. Eligible applicants invited to apply• Dec 8, 2010. Deadline for Full Application to Genome Centre• Jan 12, 2011. Deadline for Full Application to Genome Canada• Late-Feb 2011. Review meeting, including face-to-face• March 2011. Funding decisions by Genome Canada Board• March 31, 2011. Notice of Award (NOA)

Summary

• GC 2010 Large Scale Project Competition in targeted areas of Forestry and Environment and Multi Sectors

• Process involves Registration, Pre-Application and Full Proposal

• All submissions need to go through the lead Genome Centre

• Registration is due June 15, 2010• Only applicants who submit a registration that is deemed

eligible will be allowed to submit a Pre-Application. • Not sure what to do, contact Genome Alberta

Contact information

Gijs van Rooijen Ph.D

Chief Scientific Officer

Genome Alberta

(403) 503 5220

vanrooijen@genomealberta.ca