FAQ

Clinical Research Fund FAQ

What types of award are available?

A. Seed Grants (up to Max $25,000 cash + $ 25,000 credit per team)

Proposals may include requests for up to a maximum of $25,000 cash. An additional $25,000 may be requested for work done in the Clinical Research Unit [CRU] or Heritage Medical Research Clinic [HMRC], which will be provided as credits rather than cash.

These are designed to seed new ideas for investigation, with the expectation that such data and collaborations will result in the submission of one or more peer-reviewed clinical research applications or the securing of industry support for clinical research. These will be available to support clinical research, including studies of therapies, diagnostic tools, pharmaceuticals and prevention strategies in humans, as well as comparative evaluations of those interventions against each other and against existing practices. Basic research related to identifiable human tissues, retrospective analyses, surveys, and other types of CIHR pillar 1 research are not eligible for funding by the CRF.”

Accepting a seed grant from the UCalgary Clinical Research Fund constitutes a commitment that results will be used as the basis for an application to a Tri-Council agency within two years. Applications for seed grants will be accepted twice yearly (deadlines July 15, December 15).

B. Pre-submission, Planning or Data Collection Grants (up to $10,000 per team)

These are designed to set up new projects or to perform pre-submission activities that are expected to result in the submission of a peer-reviewed clinical research application or securing industry support for a clinical research study. These will be available to support clinical research, including studies of therapies, diagnostic tools, pharmaceuticals and prevention strategies in humans, as well as comparative evaluations of those interventions against each other and against existing practices. Basic research related to identifiable human tissues, retrospective analyses, surveys, and other types of CIHR pillar 1 research are not eligible for funding by the CRF.

Applications for pre-submission, planning or data collection grants are available on an ongoing basis and applications will be accepted at any time.

What kinds of research are eligible for these awards?

Cancer-related applications are not eligible as there is a separate fund available for these applications administered through Alberta Cancer Clinical Trials - http://www.albertacancerclinicaltrials.ca/researchers/funding-for-trials/.    

Seed Grants and Pre-submission/Planning/Data Collection Grants will be available to support clinical research, including studies of therapies, diagnostic tools, pharmaceuticals and prevention strategies in humans, as well as comparative evaluations of those interventions against each other and against existing practices. Basic research related to identifiable human tissues, retrospective analyses, surveys, and other types of CIHR pillar 1 research are not eligible for funding by the CRF.

Who is eligible to apply for these awards?

These awards are available to all UCalgary faculty or researchers who hold an academic appointment.

How many times can you apply? 

No more than two grants (one of each type) (pre-submission or see) can be held by a given principal investigator at any one time. A maximum of 1 application per year (either a seed grant or presubmission grant, but not both) to the CRF is permitted per calendar year (January 1 - December 31).

What are the budget limits for these awards?

Proposals may include requests for up to a maximum of $25,000 cash. An additional $25,000 may be requested for work done in the Clinical Research Unit [CRU] or Heritage Medical Research Clinic [HMRC], which will be provided as credits rather than cash. Pre-submission/planning/data collection grants have a maximum budget of $10,000. Budgets must be well justified, and requests may be made for amounts smaller than the maximum. Applicants must demonstrate that there is no conceptual overlap with already funded projects to the satisfaction of the reviewers.

What are the reporting requirements for these awards?

Grant recipients will be required to provide CCCR an annual progress report and a statement of expenditures through the online review system. The successful CRF fund should be acknowledged in all related presentations and publications.

What are my obligations as a grant recipient?

  • Successful applicants and their co-investigators are expected to participate in the review of future CRF grants. Failure to participate in reviews may lead to cancellation or suspension of an existing reward, or to ineligibility to apply to the CRF
  • All grant recipients must comply with the reporting and expenditure requirements as stated on the Notice of Award
  • Accepting a Pre-Submission or Seed CRF grant constitutes a commitment to apply for a related Tri-Council grant within two years of receipts

What is the duration of each grant?

  • Pre-submission – 1 year
  • Seed grant – 2 years
  • Funds must be used within the duration of the grant. Extensions may be granted at the discretion of the ACT committee. Please email cccr@ucalgary.ca if you require an extension.

Can non-UCalgary researchers or UCalgary post-doctoral students be co-investigators for a CRF grant?

  • Pre-submission – Yes
  • Seed grant – Yes
  • In all cases, the role of the external investigators should be specified.

What are the CRF grant deadlines?

  • Pre-submission – (Maximum $10,000) – No deadline (can be submitted at any time)
  • Seed grant – (Maximum $25,000 cash + $25,000 Credit) – July 15 and December 15 - 11:59 pm MST
  • Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

What type of CV should be submitted?

  • There is no prescribed format for the CV. Applicants should submit the CV that will best highlight their relevant track record and expertise.
  • Seed and Pre-Submission should include the CV of the PI only

How to register?

Reviewer FAQ


Who do I contact if I need assistance?