SU2C Canada Cancer Stem Cell Dream Team Research Funding
The SU2C Canada Cancer Stem Cell Dream Team Research Funding represents a new, focused effort to implement advances in Cancer Stem Cell research as rapidly as possible through the creation of a collaborative, translational cancer research "Dream Team." The most talented and promising researchers across Canadian institutions will be assembled into a pan-Canadian Dream Team, forming an optimal configuration of expertise needed to solve key problems in Cancer Stem Cells and positively impact patients in the near future. This Dream Team will span multiple disciplines and utilize the new tools of modern biology, with an emphasis on genomics, to attack research questions in a coordinated way. The Dream Team will have mechanisms for sharing of resources and platforms (knowledge, talent, tools, technologies, etc.) across the Team including existing platforms and resources as well as those to be developed, incorporating new methods and technologies into the research groups, and training and networking across the Dream Team. Mechanisms to foster collaborations within and among the Dream Teams will be employed, an approach that promotes the sharing of information and a goal-oriented focus on measurable milestones of progress.
There are currently $10.6 million CAD available for this SU2C Canada Cancer Stem Cell Dream Team, with funds from the CSCC (through Genome Canada and CIHR) and SU2C Canada. The SU2C Canada Cancer Stem Cell Dream Team will be funded for a four-year term.
In addition to the funds available from the CSCC (through Genome Canada and CIHR) and SU2C Canada, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) has made available up to $3 million of supplemental funds to support clinical trial activities should the successful proposal include clinical trial activities within the province of Ontario (please see "SU2C Canada-OICR Cancer Clinical Trials: Canadian Dream Team Supplementary Funding" document which can be downloaded from proposalCENTRAL). It should be noted that clinical trial activities in any region of the country can be supported by the $10.6 million available from Genome Canada, CIHR, and SU2C Canada. Continued efforts to partner and collaborate with other organizations to support the objectives of the SU2C Canada Cancer Stem Cell Dream Team are ongoing. As other partnerships are confirmed the relevant information will be communicated to potential applicants. Applicants are also encouraged to explore potential partnering and collaboration opportunities.
SU2C Canada_CSCC_Guidelines Final.pdf
SU2CCanada_CSCC_Call_For_Ideas.docxThis research funding opportunity is in support of one integrated and cohesive pan-Canadian Dream Team that will undertake cancer stem cell genomics research. The research proposal should focus on addressing the role of cancer stem cells and stem cell programs on resistance and treatment failure in cancer with the goal of improving the outcomes of hard-to-treat cancers and thereby impacting the health of cancer patients. The project must have a plan for how the Dream Team's discoveries can be translated into applications and clinical utility and have mechanisms for the sharing of resources and platforms. The ideas should be based on perceived opportunities for success as well as high-priority areas with a critical need for rapid progress.
In particular, the applicants must:
1. Focus on addressing the role of cancer stem cells and stem cell programs on resistance and treatment failure in cancer;
2. Include genomic approaches as essential components in terms of importance to the overall outcomes of the research program;
3. Present a plan for how the Dream Team's discoveries can be translated into applications and serve clinical utility;
4. Build a pan-Canadian program (i.e., includes Dream Team Key Personnel (DT Leader, Co-leader, and Principals) from AT LEAST three different provinces/territories), which brings together interdisciplinary research groups to answer questions that will significantly advance the field of cancer stem cell research (e.g., specific disease areas, underlying cellular mechanisms, etc.);
5. Be integrated and cohesive, based on excellence and innovation, and be highly networked across the country and to include existing platforms and resources, as well as those to be developed;
6. Include mechanisms for sharing resources and platforms (knowledge, talent, tools, technologies, etc.) and developing or incorporating new methods and technologies;
7. Present innovative approaches and integrate advances from other fields or technologies;
8. Include training opportunities for the future generation of scientists and foster an entrepreneurial culture within the community;
9. Address issues of importance to end-users, including industry, health care administrators, and oncology practice guideline panels;
10. Demonstrate engagement with industry including; areas of collaboration, sharing of resources and expertise, and provision of co-funding.
For your application to be eligible:
1. The Dream Team Leader (DTL) must be an independent researcher at a Genome Canada/CIHR eligible institution
2. The Dream Team Co-leader must be an independent researcher at a Genome Canada/CIHR eligible institution. We encourage the Co-leader to be from an independent Institution, and preferably from a different regional jurisdiction, than the DTL.
3. At least four team members (i.e., Dream Team Principals (DTPs), other than the DTL and Co-leader, must be independent researchers.
4. Key personnel (DTL, Co-leader, and DTPs) must be from at least three different provinces/territories in Canada (teams must be multi-institutional).
5. At least one member must be a Young Investigator.
6. At least one member should be an End-User and one a Patient Engagement Representative.
There are no citizenship or residency status restrictions, but the funds must be used for research at Canadian institutions.
None.
Complete Program Guidelines and Submission Instructions are available on the proposalCENTRAL website.
For more information, please contact [email protected] or 416-797-5366