global affairs canada has launched a call for preliminary proposals to enhance gender equality and empowerment of women and girls in latin america and the caribbean region. this call will seek projects that focus on up to three areas targeting gender equality by: (i) enhancing women and girls’ participation in public life; (ii) preventing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence; and (iii) promoting women’s economic empowerment. the deadline to submit a proposal is wednesday, march 13, 2019, 12:00 p.m. (noon), eastern time.

the 'network of european funding for neuroscience research' (neuron) was established under the era-net scheme of the european commission. the aim of era-net neuron is to coordinate and optimize research efforts and funding programmes of its partner countries in the fields of disease related neuroscience.

under the umbrella of neuron, a joint transnational call (jtc2019) has been launched for biomarkers in disorders of the brain. for afflicted patients, a correct diagnosis and individualized treatment without severe side effects are of crucial importance. despite impressive improvement on our knowledge of brain function, valid and reliable biomarkers for clinical and research use in the field of brain diseases are still urgently needed. brain disease biomarkers candidates are continuously identified and published by academic research groups. however, the rigorous validation of those promising candidates as research or clinical tools is seriously hindered by the frequent use of poorly standardized practices.

cihr and the neuron funding organizations particularly wish to promote multi-disciplinary work and translational research proposals that combine basic and clinical approaches. in the context of the present call, the inclusion of psychiatrists and/or neurologists in the proposed teams is highly encouraged, along with fundamental neuroscientists. the teams are expected to submit novel, ambitious ideas that can only be achieved by the complementary collaboration between partners.

research areas

research proposals should cover at least one of the following areas:

• fundamental research addressing the discovery and validation of biomarkers to be used as bio-signatures of the pathophysiology associated to specific neurological and psychiatric diseases
• clinical research on clinically relevant biomarkers for the diagnosis, patient stratification, prognosis or monitoring or prediction of treatment response and side effects for specific neurological and psychiatric diseases

for more information please consult the era-net neuron website.

addressing the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance (amr) requires a holistic and multi-sectoral approach – referred to as one health. resistant bacteria and antibiotics can be found in humans, animals and the environment, and they may spread from one to the other, and from one country to another. amr does not recognize geographic or human–animal borders. the primary aim of the ninth joint call of the joint programming initiative on antimicrobial resistance (jpiamr) is to combine the resources, infrastructures, and strengths of multiple countries in order to facilitate innovative research projects on diagnostics and surveillance strategies that can be used to detect and monitor antimicrobial resistance (amr).

the call focuses on the development of new or improved diagnostics and surveillance strategies, tools, technologies and methods that can be used to aid the diagnosis of amr infections in human and veterinary settings, or the surveillance and detection of amr in humans, animals and the environment. projects addressing both human and veterinary diagnostic and surveillance topics may also consider how research on prevention and prudent use of antibiotics could optimise the efficacy and safety of antimicrobial chemotherapy. projects should consider implementation into appropriate geographic settings, including into low and middle income countries (lmics), and assume a one health perspective where appropriate.

another aim of this call is to support and increase the participation of researchers from lmics. research and innovation on amr by and within lmics has great importance for our collective global future. amr thrives in settings with limited access to water and sanitation, medicines, veterinary and health care, and geographic environments where antimicrobials are produced and applied and pose increased and unknown risks for humans, animals and the environment.

projects should aim to either:

• develop strategies, tools, technologies, and methods for the detection, monitoring, profiling and/or surveillance of antimicrobial resistance and dynamics leading to resistance.
• study ways to facilitate and implement the uptake and use of existing strategies, tools, technologies, and/or methods for the detection, monitoring, profiling and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance and dynamics leading to resistance.

projects should consider international guidelines and standards for surveillance amr.

this funding opportunity is expected to:

• promote the continued coordination and integration of epigenetic and epigenomic research across canada and internationally
• promote the continued coordination and integration of knowledge translation activities across the ceehrc funded components

this funding opportunity is expected to:

• support early career investigators in initiating and conducting independent research in the area of maternal reproductive, child and youth health with the goal of building research capacity in this important health research area.

the cancer research society operating grants competition is offered to research projects in basic and fundamental, early translational and environment-cancer research. cihr-icr is co-funding operating grants, that, but are not limited to:

• fundamental or early translational research, including preclinical research in the area of breast cancer;
• research studying the environmental causes of cancer including viruses, pollutants, work environment, lifestyle and diet;
• support cancer research by early career researchers.

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.