the oicr window-of-opportunity network is pleased to release its 2022 call for concepts. details, concept application form, and important deadlines can be found at oicr.on.ca/woo-trial-call-for-concepts.
 
background:
the woo network was formed in 2020 and is co-led by drs. angel arnaout (the ottawa hospital) and melanie spears (oicr) to propel a clinical-translational research program where novel therapies are quickly tested in cancer patients prior to surgery. the network provides prioritized woo studies with trial development support, funding, translational analysis, and knowledge dissemination. the woo network also builds study capacity through mentoring of new investigators, industry partnerships, patient engagement, data analysis and sharing network expertise.
 
concept focus:
the initial scientific focus of the network is immunomodulation, to understand the biology of how therapeutics can elicit an immune response and alter the immune environment in tumours. this is critical to make immunotherapy more effective, less toxic, and more durable. please refer to the portfolio concept call [pdf] for more detail.
 
evaluation criteria:
applications will be accepted from oncology researchers affiliated with not-for-profit research organizations in ontario. concepts will be evaluated based on the following key criteria of woo network trials:

• pre-surgical design
• small, multi-centre, with less than 100 patients
• focus on immunomodulation with identification of novel biomarkers of immune response
• demonstrated drug safety profile
• highly engaged principal investigators and co-investigators, including surgeons and oncologists
• embedded patient partnership
• feasibility for patient accrual completed within two years, with ethics approval, study start-up and first patient accrued within the first two quarters after funding approval

 
funding available:
up to $450,000 total per trial, over two years.
 
key dates:

• concept deadline: february 7, 2022, 12 p.m. est
• concept presentation: march 29, 2022, during network meeting (10 a.m. – 12 p.m. est)
• full application deadline: may 16, 2022, 12 p.m. est

partnership engage grants are expected to respond to the objectives of the insight program and the connection program. however, partnership engage grants cannot respond exclusively to the objectives of the connection program.

these grants provide short-term and timely support for partnered research activities that will inform decision-making at a single partner organization from the public, private or not-for-profit sector. the small-scale, stakeholder-driven partnerships supported through partnership engage grants are meant to respond to immediate needs and time constraints facing organizations in non-academic sectors. in addressing an organization-specific need, challenge and/or opportunity, these partnerships let non-academic organizations and postsecondary researchers access each other’s unique knowledge, expertise and capabilities on topics of mutual interest.

clinical partnerships

these grants offer funding opportunities for clinicians to validate glycomics data from clinical studies. maximum request: $50,000 for one year. download pdf request for proposals >>

translational grants

these grants further advance/translate projects with proof of concept and protected ip. maximum request: $150,000 for one year, 1:1 matching required. download pdf request for proposals >>

strategic initiatives

these grants fund partner-led initiatives to advance a partner challenge. maximum request: $150,000 for one year, with possibility of one year renewal, 1:1 matching required. download pdf request for proposals >>

international partnerships

glyconet has formalized a partnership with academia sinica to co-fund collaborative research between two entities. these grants fund projects that involve at least two groups, one in canada and one in taiwan. glyconet will fund research conducted in canada, while academia sinica will fund research conducted in taiwan. projects require at least a 1:1 matching and must be completed within 12 months. download pdf request for proposals >> 

the objective of the idea to innovation (i2i) grants is to accelerate the pre-competitive development of promising technology originating from the university and college sector and promote its transfer to a new or established canadian company. the i2i grants provide funding to college and university faculty members to support research and development projects with recognized technology transfer potential. this is achieved through defined phases by providing crucial assistance in the early stages of technology validation and market connection.

the objective of the idea to innovation (i2i) grants is to accelerate the pre-competitive development of promising technology originating from the university and college sector and promote its transfer to a new or established canadian company. the i2i grants provide funding to college and university faculty members to support research and development projects with recognized technology transfer potential. this is achieved through defined phases by providing crucial assistance in the early stages of technology validation and market connection.

the objective of the idea to innovation (i2i) grants is to accelerate the pre-competitive development of promising technology originating from the university and college sector and promote its transfer to a new or established canadian company. the i2i grants provide funding to college and university faculty members to support research and development projects with recognized technology transfer potential. this is achieved through defined phases by providing crucial assistance in the early stages of technology validation and market connection.

the objective of the idea to innovation (i2i) grants is to accelerate the pre-competitive development of promising technology originating from the university and college sector and promote its transfer to a new or established canadian company. the i2i grants provide funding to college and university faculty members to support research and development projects with recognized technology transfer potential. this is achieved through defined phases by providing crucial assistance in the early stages of technology validation and market connection.

the inter-american organization for higher education (iohe) has launched a seed fund that will support collaborative research between iohe members (including lakehead) on the implementation of the un sdgs. under this call, the iohe will consider research initiatives that fulfill any one or more of the sdgs but also ". . . the relationships among the sdgs, and ways in which effective collaboration and partnerships among stakeholders can further the achievement of all of the sdgs."

the specific goals of this call are as follows:

• to promote collaboration and partnerships among iohe members, and between members and local communities to advance the implementation of the un agenda 2030 through the creation of knowledge that is locally applicable and globally relevant; and
• to learn from exemplary partnership models between heis and communities to further the sdgs, which can be effectively adapted for use by others in the iohe network

eligibility
to be considered eligible, projects must address one or more sdgs or ". . .promote the inclusion of the sdgs in curriculum, course design, research, outreach and partnership development to promote the fulfillment of agenda 2030."  as well, the research project must include at least one international partner from another member country of the americas. such partners can potentially be another iohe member and/or a community partner (please see the program guidelines for more information).  please note that under this call, priority will be given to projects that engage local community partners in the definition and development of the project.

duration/matching funds

the proposal will have a duration of up to 18 months, and the iohe's contribution to the budget of each proposal will be up to cad $10,000.  applicant institutions and their partners secure a combined 35% minimum cash and/or in-kind contributions over and above the requested iohe funds during the life of the grant.

submission

under this call, institutions can submit more than one application.  this involves a two-stage process:  

stage 1 – letter of intent (due january 16, 2021; internal deadline january 6, 2021).

stage 2 – full proposals (if invited) are due february 25, 2022 (internal deadline: february 11, 2022). 

for more information, please click here or contact jill sherman, international research facilitator at intl.research@lakeheadu.ca

the ctn postdoctoral fellows program offers prospective researchers with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the hiv clinical research setting, under supervision of experienced canadian researchers.

the ctn postdoctoral fellowship awards program offers career support to outstanding young scientists at major canadian centres. the goals of the program are:

• to help meet the need for trained principal investigators in hiv and related health conditions in canada,

• to foster a dynamic research environment at canadian hiv care centres and institutions, and

• to promote cooperation and collaboration among pharmaceutical and bio-technology industries, government and scientists in the evaluation of new hiv therapies, vaccines and clinical interventions.