the fy19 defense appropriation provides $130 million (m) to the department of defense breast cancer research program (bcrp) to support innovative, high-impact research with clinical relevance that will accelerate progress to end breast cancer for service members, veterans, and the general public.  as directed by the office of the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, the defense health agency, j9 research and development directorate manages the defense health program (dhp) research, development, test, and evaluation (rdt&e) appropriation. the managing agent for the anticipated program announcements/funding opportunities is the congressionally directed medical research programs (cdmrp) at the u.s. army medical research and materiel command (usamrmc).

fy19 bcrp program announcements and general application instructions for the following award mechanisms are posted on the grants.gov website. 

applications submitted to the fy19 bcrp must address one or more of the following overarching challenges:

·         prevent breast cancer (primary prevention)

·         identify determinants of breast cancer initiation, risk, or susceptibility

·         distinguish deadly from non-deadly breast cancers

·         conquer the problems of overdiagnosis and overtreatment

·         identify what drives breast cancer growth; determine how to stop it

·         identify why some breast cancers become metastatic

·         determine why/how breast cancer cells lie dormant for years and then re-emerge; determine how to prevent lethal recurrence

·         revolutionize treatment regimens by replacing them with ones that are more effective, less toxic, and impact survival

·         eliminate the mortality associated with metastatic breast cancer

https://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/bcrp

breakthrough award – level 1 & 2 letter of intent due march 14, 2019, level 3 & 4 preproposal due march 12, 2019

·         investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent)

·         senior postdoctoral fellows who do not meet the eligibility requirements of the breakthrough fellowship

award are encouraged to apply under funding levels 1 and 2

·         supports promising research that has high potential to lead to or make breakthroughs in breast cancer.

·         potential impact of the research may be near-term or long-term, but it must move beyond a minor advancement and have the potential to lead to a new approach that is fundamentally better than interventions already approved or in clinical development.

·         partnering pi option allows two principal investigators (pis), termed initiating and partnering pis, to collaborate on a single application.

different funding levels, based on the scope of research, are available.  it is the responsibility of the pi to select the funding level that is most appropriate for the research proposed.  the funding level should be selected based on the scope of the research project, rather than the amount of the budget.

the following are general descriptions, although not all-inclusive, of the scope of research projects that would be appropriate to propose under each funding level:

• funding level 1:  innovative, high-risk/high-reward research that is in the earliest stages of idea development.  in order to foster research with clearly defined potential to yield new avenues of investigation, preliminary data are not required. proof-of-concept is the anticipated outcome.

• funding level 2:  preclinical research that is already supported by substantial preliminary or published data and strongly validates clinical translation in a well-defined context within the breast cancer landscape.
• funding level 2 – population science and prevention studies: with compelling justification, population science and prevention studies may request higher levels of funding and an additional year in the period of performance. such studies may require additional resources due to the participation of human subjects and/or use of human biospecimens.
• funding level 3:  advanced translational studies with a high degree of project readiness. where relevant, proof of availability of and access to necessary data, human samples, cohort(s), and/or critical reagents must be provided. if the proposed research would ultimately require us food and drug administration (fda) involvement, applications must demonstrate availability of and access to clinical reagents (e.g. therapeutic molecules) and subject population(s). applications must state a realistic timeline for near-term clinical investigation. small-scale clinical trials (e.g. first in human; phase i/ib) may be appropriate.
• funding level 4:  large-scale projects that will transform and revolutionize the clinical management and/or prevention of breast cancer.  human clinical trials are required. pis are expected to have experience in successfully leading large-scale projects and demonstrated ability (through personal experience or via a commitment from a collaborating clinical investigator) to implement a clinical project successfully. where relevant, applications must demonstrate availability of and access to necessary data, human samples, cohort(s), and/or critical reagents. for proposed research that will require fda involvement, project readiness requirements at the time of application submission include: proof of availability of and access to clinical reagents (e.g. therapeutics) that meet regulatory compliance guidelines; proof of availability of and access to appropriate subject population(s); validated projections for patient recruitment; and submission of an investigational new drug (ind) or investigational device exemption (ide) application to the fda, if applicable.

funding levels 1 and 2:

·         submission of a letter of intent is required prior to full application submission.

·         each pi may submit only one application as a pi or initiating pi for each funding level.  there are no limitations on the number of applications for which an investigator may be named as a partnering pi.  however, applicants are discouraged from submitting as a partnering pi on multiple applications unless they are clearly unique, meaningful collaborations addressing distinct research questions.

·         additional funds are available for applications submitted under the partnering pi option or the population science and prevention studies option..

·         clinical trials are not allowed.

funding levels 3 and 4:

·         submission of a preproposal is required; application submission is by invitation only.

·         each pi may submit only one application as a pi or initiating pi for each funding level.  there are no limitations on the number of applications for which an investigator may be named as a partnering pi.  however, applicants are discouraged from submitting as a partnering pi on multiple applications unless they are clearly unique, meaningful collaborations addressing distinct research questions.

·         additional funds are available for funding level 3 applications submitted under the partnering pi option.

·         applications must include two or more breast cancer advocates on their research team.

clinical trials are allowed (funding level 3) or required (funding level 4).

funding level 1:

maximum funding of $450,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

maximum period of performance is 3 years

funding level 1 – partnering pi option:

maximum funding of $750,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

maximum period of performance is 3 years

funding level 2:

maximum funding of $1 million (m) for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

maximum period of performance is 3 years

funding level 2 – partnering pi option:

maximum funding of $1.5m for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

maximum period of performance is 3 years

funding level 2 – population science and prevention studies

maximum funding of $1.5m for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

maximum period of performance is 4 years

funding level 2 – population science and prevention studies – partnering pi option

maximum funding of $2m for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

maximum period of performance is 4 years

funding level 3:

maximum funding of $3m in direct costs (plus indirect costs)

maximum period of performance is 4 years

funding level 3 – partnering pi option:

maximum funding of $4m for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

maximum period of performance is 4 years

funding level 4 and funding level 4 – partnering pi option:

maximum funding of $10m for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

maximum period of performance is 4 years

breakthrough fellowship award – letter of intent march 14, 2019

as of the application submission deadline, all eligible pis must have:

·         successfully completed the requirements for a doctoral or medical degree, and

·         been in the laboratory or clinical research setting in which the proposed research is to be performed for no more than 2 years, and

·         a total of less than 4 years’ experience in a postdoctoral fellowship or mentored clinical research training program (excludes any clinical residency or fellowship training)

mentor

·         must have breast cancer research experience, including current funding and recent publications

·         supports exceptionally talented, “best and brightest” recent doctoral or medical graduates in pursuit of innovative, high-impact breast cancer research.

·         the scope of the research should include innovative, high-risk/high-reward research in the early stages of idea development or research already supported by preliminary date with the potential to make significant advancements toward clinical translation.

·         proposed research must have high potential to lead to or make breakthroughs in breast cancer and show evidence of rigorous experimental design, sufficient experimental details, appropriate controls, pitfalls and alternatives, and a statistical plan.

·         individualized researcher development plan and mentorship should prepare the pi for an independent career at the forefront of breast cancer research or patient care.

·         the pi is not required to have previous experience in breast cancer research.

·         submission of a letter of intent is required prior to full application submission.

·         maximum funding of $300,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

·         maximum period of performance is 3 years

era of hope scholar award – letter of intent due march 14, 2019

·         independent, non-mentored investigators within 6 years of their last training position (e.g., postdoctoral fellowship, medical residency, clinical fellowship) as of the application submission deadline

·         supports exceptionally talented, early-career scientists who have demonstrated that they are the “best and brightest” in their fields through extraordinary creativity, vision, innovation, and productivity.

·         applications should articulate a vision that challenges current dogma and demonstrates an ability to look beyond tradition and convention.

·         pis must demonstrate experience in forming effective partnerships and collaborations and exhibit strong potential for future leadership in breast cancer.

·         experience in breast cancer research is not required; however, the application must focus on breast cancer, and the pi must maintain a 50% dedication of his/her full-time professional effort during the award period to breast cancer research.

·         applications must include two or more breast cancer advocates on their research team.

·         submission of a letter of intent is required prior to full application submission.

·         maximum funding of $3m for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

·         maximum period of performance is 4 years

innovator award – preproposal due march 12, 2019

·         associate professor or above (or equivalent).

·         supports visionary individuals who have demonstrated exceptional creativity, innovative work, and paradigm-shifting leadership in any field.

·         provides opportunity to pursue novel, visionary, high-risk ideas that will accelerate progress toward ending breast cancer.

·         experience in breast cancer research is not required; however, the application must focus on breast cancer, and the pi must maintain a 50% dedication of his/her full-time professional effort during the award period to breast cancer research.

·         applicants must include two or more breast cancer advocates on their research team.

·         submission of a preproposal is required; application submission is by invitation only.

·         maximum funding of $5m for direct costs (plus indirect costs).

·         maximum period of performance is 4 years

distinguished investigator award – preproposal due march 12, 2019

·         at or above the level of assistant professor or above (or equivalent) and more than 6 years beyond the pi’s last mentored position as of the application submission deadline

·         supports established visionary leaders from any field to pursue innovative ideas that could accelerate progress toward ending breast cancer.

·         applicants must propose research that is a fundamental shift from the pi’s track record of research.

·         does not support continuation of or incremental changes from the pi’s published line of research.

·         if the pi is not an established breast cancer researcher, the application must clearly articulate a motivation and commitment for proposing a fundamental shift in the pi’s research and mist include at least one collaborator with breast cancer expertise.

·         pis must include two or more breast cancer advocates on their research team.

·         high-risk/high-reward projects pursuing innovative new paradigms are encouraged, but not required.

·         submission of a preproposal is required; application submission is by invitation only.

·         maximum funding of $3m for direct costs (plus indirect costs)

·         maximumperiod of performance is 4 years

a pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic biomedical research application portal (ebrap) at https://ebrap.org prior to the pre-application deadline. all applications must conform to the final program announcements and general application instructions available for electronic downloading from the grants.gov website.  the application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on grants.gov.  a listing of all cdmrp and other usamrmc extramural funding opportunities can be obtained on the grants.gov website by performing a basic search using cfda number 12.420. 

for email notification when program announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “email subscriptions” on the ebrap homepage at https://ebrap.org.  for more information about the bcrp or other cdmrp-administered programs, please visit the cdmrp website (https://cdmrp.army.mil).

point of contact:

cdmrp help desk

301-682-5507
help@ebrap.org

do you have an innovative idea that has the potential for real-world impact at the intersection of technology and aging? age-well’s sip accelerator funding program supports innovative post-discovery projects focused on the commercialization and/or knowledge mobilization of solutions (e.g. technologies, services or policies) aligned with age-well’s mission and vision.

the program provides:

• financial support;
• training opportunities; and
• strategic mentorship.

age-well is dedicated to the creation of technologies and services that benefit older adults and caregivers. our aim is to help older canadians maintain their independence, health and quality of life through technologies and services that increase their safety and security, support their independent living, and enhance their social participation.

award value and term:

up to $40,000 over 12 months. the program will also provide strategic mentorship and training opportunities from the age-well network and its partners in addition to financial support.

application deadline:

the application deadline is march 1, 2019, 5:00pm est.

training and mentorship details:

• successful projects will be assigned to key mentors who will work with and support the funded project. project teams will be required to hold regular meetings with their assigned mentors and/or the age-well scientific directors to ensure ongoing progress towards project goals.
• projects will have access to age-well member benefits and specialized services from age-well partners and core facilities, such as legal advice, commercialization and knowledge mobilization support, working space, access to prototyping labs, and entrepreneurship training.
• upon completion of the financial award, projects will continue to be eligible to receive ongoing in-kind support and services from age-well.

*for more information on the program, eligibility criteria and application process, please visit the age-well sip accelerator webpage.

global affairs canada: faculty mobility program

deadline: february 19, 2019

maximum value: 7,000 cad

duration: 3-8 weeks (can be extended / combined with other sources of funding)

eligibility:  full-time faculty from recognized canadian institutions, proposing to teach or conduct research in the following elap countries:

• caribbean: anguilla, antigua and barbuda, bahamas, barbados, belize, bermuda, british virgin islands, cayman islands, cuba, dominica, dominican republic, grenada, guyana, haiti, jamaica, montserrat, saint kitts and nevis, saint lucia, saint vincent and the grenadines, suriname, trinidad and tobago, turks and caicos;
• central america: costa rica, el salvador, guatemala, honduras, nicaragua, panama;
• north america: mexico; or
• south america: argentina, bolivia, brazil, chile, colombia, ecuador, paraguay, peru, uruguay, venezuela.

institutions apply on behalf of faculty. more information is available on the government of canada international scholarships site:

http://www.scholarships-bourses.gc.ca/scholarships-bourses/can/institutions/elap_faculty-pfla_professeurs.aspx?lang=eng

please contact jill sherman, intl.research@lakeheadu.ca , x8014, for more information.

the fy19 defense appropriations act provides $350 million (m) to the department of defense peer reviewed medical research program (prmrp) to support or medical research projects of clear scientific merit and direct relevance to military health.  as directed by the office of the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, the defense health agency (dha), j9 research and development directorate manages the defense health program (dhp) research, development, test and evaluation (rdt&e) appropriation.  the managing agent for the anticipated program announcements/funding opportunities is the congressionally directed medical research programs (cdmrp).

fy19 prmrp program announcements and general application instructions for the following award mechanisms are posted on the grants.gov website. 

fellowship name: l’oréal canada for women in science research excellence fellowships, with the support of the canadian commission for unesco

deadline: march 22, 2019

sponsor: l’oréal canada inc.

objective: the fellowships are being given to enhance the role of women in devising scientific solutions to problems confronting humankind in the 21st century. the purpose of this program is to support major research projects undertaken by canadian women scientists at the post-doctoral level in canada.

number: up to 2 post-doctoral fellowships will be awarded.

eligibility: eligible applicants must be female canadian citizens or permanent residents of canada.

apply now!:  https://portal.scholarshippartners.ca

the nomination periods for nserc’s top research prizes are underway. show us where to shine the spotlight and nominate your peers and colleagues for their outstanding research partnership.

synergy awards for innovation

by working together to develop new and better products and improve process, universities, colleges, polytechnics and companies help to make our world a better place. together they collaborate to shape canada’s future, allowing us to be at the forefront of the world's emerging knowledge-based economy.

the updated literature for the synergy awards for innovation has been posted on the nserc website. the awards recognize university-industry research and development (r&d) partnerships in the natural sciences and engineering. in addition to the three categories for universities, the awards include a category for colleges and polytechnics to highlight the impact and lasting benefits of their applied r&d collaborations with industry partners. april 15, 2019 is the submission deadline for this year’s nominations. for increased inclusion and advancement of women and other under-represented groups, the nominator must outline how diversity was considered in the nomination process.

winning university researchers receive a $200,000 nserc research grant while colleges receive up to $100,000 for an applied research tools and instruments grant. industry partners receive vouchers valid towards the cash portion of their contribution in a future partnerships grant.

the encqor 5g academic technology development program partners researchers at ontario-based post-secondary institutions with encqor 5g anchor firms on 5g technology development projects. areas of research interest are defined by challenge statements submitted to oce by the encqor 5g anchor firms and posted to the oce website on a rolling basis.

to be notified of encqor 5g sme and academic development program challenge statements as they launch sign up for the encqor 5g ontario mailing list.

the encqor 5g academic technology development program supports collaborative technology development projects to develop, integrate, test or validate pre-commercial technologies for the ipaas testbed.

oce is pleased to let you know that intake is now open for new encqor 5g academic technology development challenge statements.

launched earlier this year, the encqor 5g academic technology development program partners researchers at ontario-based post-secondary institutions with encqor 5g anchor firms on 5g technology development projects. areas of research interest are defined by challenge statements submitted to oce by the encqor 5g anchor firms and posted to the oce website on a rolling basis.

new challenge statements are listed in the table below.  

the career guidance for trainees (cgt) program provides grants of $30,000 to $50,000 over a one-year period to support demonstration projects that will model affordable, transferable approaches to improving trainees’ readiness for stable, fulfilling careers.  

please note:  this program does not support biomedical research projects proposed by individual investigators.