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PrioNet Canada Announces Proof of Principle Fund

Bookmark this page for the next application deadline TBA.

Purpose
The purpose of PrioNet Canada's Proof of Principle Fund is to support innovation and help investigators working on prion diseases advance discoveries/inventions towards commercialization. Applicants are encouraged to use this fund as a source of support for up to 12 months in duration for research projects with commercial potential. The fund can be used as a prelude to qualifying for a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Proof of Principle Phase I grant, or as a supplement to other funds secured for the research initiative. While not mandatory, funding from industry is encouraged in line with CIHR guidelines. 
 
Eligibility
Open competition. Applicants must qualify for PrioNet Canada Network Membership, and have an appointment with a Networks of Centres of Excellence-approved academic institution, and meet guidelines for funding by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
 
Fund Availability
A grant of <$200,000 will be awarded over a one-year (12 month) period.  The funding is non-renewable.
 
Application Process
A succinct description of the technology and a justification for funding should be provided within a maximum of five pages.  The application should clearly address the following criteria. 

• Technology description
• Reason for commercial potential
• Specific timelines and milestones of the research program
• Budget with justification

Please include a Signature Page with signatures from all Principal Investigator's and Co-Investigator's.  Include the Principal Investigator's CV using the Common CV format.

Applications should be forwarded in English to the attention of the Director of Scientific Programs and Training, PrioNet Canada, Suite 200, 2386 East Mall, Gerald McGavin Building, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z3.  Electronic copies should be sent to mwong[at]prionetcanada.ca and hard copies with original signatures should be sent via courier to the PrioNet Administrative Office.
 
The merit of the application will be assessed first by the Research Management Committee and then followed by a review by an ad hoc Business Advisory Committee with notification of the review within 60 days of submission of the application.
 
Conditions of Award
The Award is subject to the terms of the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) Network Agreement and is a separate accountable advance for which an annual Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council financial statement (Form 300) must be completed and provided to the PrioNet Adminstrative office.

A detailed report is required at the end of the funding period. CIHR guidelines will be used to determine allowable expenditures. PrioNet Canada’s funding contribution available for this initiative is dependent upon availability of funds from the funding partners under the NCE program. PrioNet Canada reserves the right to negotiate co-benefit of intellectual property arising from research supported by this grant.

Appeal Mechanism
The Executive Director of the Network will review appeal requests and report to the Board of Directors. The Executive Director's report shall discuss whether (and how) the appeal in question has unveiled procedural errors against the applicants. The Board will receive the Executive Director's report and decide whether to dismiss or to forward the appeal for further evaluation by an ad-hoc committee.  The decision of the Board of Directors will be final. Should the Board of Directors favor further evaluation, the appeal mechanism is restricted to the Selection Process itself and excludes the Scientific Advisory Committee recommendations. The ad-hoc committee will review the issue and submit a report with recommendations to the Board for consideration. The Board will review the report and render a final decision on the appeal. The Board’s decision will be communicated to the parties involved and to the NCE Directorate.

Last Updated: 4/16/2010 7:16:09 PM