CCS/UHN Research Grants on Neurofibromatosis and Cancer: Probing the Links

The funding opportunity will focus on one of the three types of Neurofibromatosis, Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a hereditary, autosomal dominant disease caused by inherited changes in the NF1 gene on chromosome 17, which provides instructions for making a protein called neurofibromin.

This program is a unique opportunity for cancer researchers to combine forces with researchers in neurofibromatosis and other relevant fields and disciplines to accelerate their understanding of the genomic and molecular drivers of cancer in NF1. The ultimate goal is to discover interventions to prevent cancer developing, or to enable diagnosis at the earliest possible time when treatments are likely to be more effective. In addition, projects focused on disease management and appropriate patient care, including the integration of clinical, translational, and technological innovations are strongly encouraged.

Goals

• To build new, or expand existing, collaborations between the neurofibromatosis community and the cancer community that span research pillars (biomedical, clinical, health services, population health) to focus complementary resources and expertise on improving the short and long-term health outcomes for people living with NF1 by reducing cancer incidence or ameliorating its impact.
• To include experts from other fields and disciplines where appropriate (e.g., genetics, technology development, and social sciences) to bring in new ideas, resources, and perspectives to accelerate progress.
• To build sustainable capacity for future research by including early career researchers (within 10 years of their first appointment), trainees, clinicians, and allied health professionals as an integral part of research teams.
• To facilitate the adaptation and repurposing of existing methods and technologies from other health fields and research disciplines with the potential to change the status quo in cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and care for people with NF1.
• To engage people with lived experience of cancer and NF1 to bring clinical relevance and perspective to grant applications.

Funding Information

• The total funding envelope for this initiative is $2M over three years.
• $200K/year or $400K in total.
• As a result of designated donations this funding envelope includes up to $500K earmarked for breast cancer research.

Eligible Projects

• Developing interventions to improve quality of life and models of care for people with NF-related cancers.
• Enhancing cancer screening and early detection for people living with NF1.
• Developing pre-clinical models of NF and therapeutic strategies as they relate to cancer.
• Undertaking genomic and molecular biology studies on NF-related cancers.
• Studying signalling pathways involved in tumour progression in NF-related cancers.
• Other novel approaches to advance their understanding and management of cancer in people with NF1.

Eligible Costs

• Funding will be provided to support the direct costs of research, including supplies, salaries, and equipment associated with the proposed work.

Eligibility Criteria

• The funding opportunity is open to both small and large multidisciplinary teams, as appropriate for the work proposed.
• For this competition, there is a limit of one application per Principal Investigator or co-Principal Investigator. Applications from early and mid-career researchers (within 15 years of their first academic appointment) are strongly encouraged.
• Engagement of researchers from non-traditional disciplines, outside the cancer and neurofibromatosis field, is strongly encouraged.
• To build sustainable capacity for future research, each team is encouraged to include early career researchers (within 5 years of their first appointment), trainees, clinicians, and allied health professionals as an integral part of research teams.
• Applications are strongly encouraged to demonstrate meaningful involvement of people with lived experience of NF1 in the development, implementation, and dissemination of research findings.
• Applications are welcomed from across Canada, from any eligible institution or centre.

Review Criteria

• The review criteria for the applications will include but not necessarily be restricted to the following:
  • the relevance of the research proposed to the goals of the funding opportunity
  • the originality and potential impact of the proposed work
  • the novelty and value of any new collaborations across different fields and disciplines
  • the appropriateness of the methods for the research project
  • the appropriateness of the qualifications and experience of the investigators leading and participating in the project
  • the appropriate incorporation of sex as a biological variable and/or gender as a social determinant of health, where applicable
  • the engagement of patient partners, as an integral part of the team, including in the development of the proposal

Application Requirements

• When preparing the full application, the following additional information is required:
  • Team member CVs or letters of support
  • A detailed scientific proposal (21,000 characters, spaces included)
  • Key milestones and timeline (1 page)
  • A description of how sex and/or gender and/or other dimensions of diversity and their intersectionalities have been factored into the research plan through to dissemination of results/next steps (4200 characters spaces included)
  • A detailed knowledge translation and mobilization strategy that chronicles potential next steps, including collaborations and partnerships with other research institutions, networks and/or sectors, as appropriate.
  • A draft terms of reference (ToR) (word/pdf).
  • A detailed budget and justification for supplies, expenses, personnel (including team members, where eligible), and equipment to conduct the proposed research. This must include the number of personnel required to complete the work.

For more information, visit Canadian Cancer Society.