CCS CIHR Action Grants

For the purpose of this funding opportunity eligible areas of focus include, but are not restricted to:

Behavioural:

• Commercial tobacco use and second-hand exposure
• Vaping
• Physical activity/sedentary behaviour
• Healthy weight/obesity
• Diet
• Sun and UV exposure
• Alcohol use
• Sleep deprivation/disruption
• Potential impact of Covid 19 on lifestyle factors, e.g. increased alcohol and tobacco use, chronic anxiety and stress, weight gain

For the purpose of this funding opportunity eligible interventions include, but are not restricted to:

• Interventions that create opportunities and support for people of all backgrounds and cultures to create healthy environments that support healthy behaviours that are easy to implement and maintain given the influence of relevant context and history.
• Novel policy interventions with the clear potential for broad or targeted population impact.
• Culturally safe or relevant interventions that aim to increase health and well-being across the lifecycle for all populations, including First Nations, Inuit, Métis and/or Urban Indigenous Peoples.
• Interventions that target the biological mechanisms underpinning the pathways linking lifestyle factors to cancer.
• Interventions that integrate aspects of virtual and digital health (i.e. biosensors, activity trackers), with a focus on the implementation of emerging technologies.
• Interventions focused on previously identified high risk populations.
• Interventions to prevent cancer through immune modulation, such as vaccines for known or new targets.
• Chemoprevention interventions/strategies.
• Interventions mediated by the microbiome or metabolome that are etiologically-related to cancer development.
• Personalized interventions using strategies, such as circulating biomarkers to optimize prevention, e.g. surrogate markers, or pre-malignant indicators.
• Surgical procedures, such as removal of fallopian tubes to prevent ovarian cancer, prophylactic mastectomy in genetically high-risk populations.

Interventions directly related to the potential long-term impact of COVID-19 on any of the above-mentioned research areas would also be eligible.

For this funding opportunity eligible approaches include, but are not restricted to:

• Evaluating interventions to known risk factors in context, in relation to the real-world settings in which they are most likely to occur, for example schools, neighbourhoods, communities, workplaces, and dwellings.
• Projects that focus on community-based approaches that are grounded in, or engaged with, distinct population groups, including First Nations, Inuit or Métis communities, societies or individuals and their wisdom, cultures, experiences or knowledge systems, as expressed in their dynamic forms, past and present.
• Considering relevance to different populations and contexts, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis, urban/suburban/rural/remote, gender, ethnic, racial and socio-economic contexts and tailoring strategies to identified high-risk groups or underserved populations.
• Where appropriate, extending research collaborations beyond the health sector to engage less-typically sought expertise, such as engineers, architects, computer scientists, social and political scientists, urban and transportation planners, local municipalities, governments, educators, community leaders, Indigenous Elders or Knowledge Keepers and the general public.
• Leveraging discovery research, emerging technologies, big data, and existing platforms (e.g. the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project (CanPath), Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), and other relevant cohorts and databases.

Integrating sex, gender and diversity perspectives into the proposed research to promote rigorous science that has the potential to expand our understanding of health determinants for all people. As such, applicants are required to indicate how they will account for sex (biological factor), gender (socio-cultural factor) and diversity in the research design, methods, analysis and interpretation, and dissemination of findings.

CCS, CIHR-ICR, CIHR-IIPH, and partners are committed to equity, diversity, inclusivity and Indigenous rights, and strive to promote inclusive excellence in our funding programs. We welcome all eligible applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply for our funding opportunities.

A multidisciplinary peer review committee will be assembled for this competition comprised of individuals recommended by all partners on this funding opportunity. The peer review committee will be composed of diverse (gender, geography, career stage, race) scientists with expertise relevant to the submitted applications, and patient/survivor/caregiver representatives who will evaluate the relevance of the applications to cancer and those affected by it.

The mandatory abstract registration will be used by all partners to assess relevance to the competition and to inform the composition requirements of the review panel.

Successful applications must fall within the fundable range (>3.5). Grants will be funded in rank order.

Abstract registration is mandatory and will include applicant details (Principal Investigators, Co-Applicants, Additional Authors, Knowledge Users, Survivors/Caregivers), a public summary, a brief scientific summary, keywords, a clear description of how the proposed study, if successful, has the potential to reduce the incidence of cancer and be scalable at a population level and/or adaptable for local contexts to ensure better access, reach and sustainability, and suggested reviewers and research tracking information. Specific guidelines for the abstract registration are available and should be closely consulted during preparation of the application.

For this competition, there is a limit of one application per nominated Principal Investigator.

Applications from Early- and Mid-Career Researchers (within 5 and 15 years of their first academic appointment, respectively) are strongly encouraged. In addition, researchers from non-traditional disciplines, outside the cancer field, are also strongly encouraged.

For applications involving First Nations, Inuit, Métis and/or Urban Indigenous communities, the Principal Investigator or co-Principal Investigator must self-identify as Indigenous or provide evidence of meaningful and culturally safe engagement with Indigenous communities. The involvement of Indigenous Elders and/or Knowledge Keepers is encouraged.

A relevance review of the abstract registrations will be conducted by all participating partners to ensure alignment with the program description and scientific focus. Abstracts deemed relevant to the competition will be invited to submit a full application.

Any significant changes to the proposed project or applicant team after the Abstract Registration deadline should be communicated to the CCS (research@cancer.ca) as soon as they are known. Substantive changes that significantly alter the overall goals and aims of the proposal relative to the Abstract Registration are not permitted.

The proposal will contain no more than 5 pages of single-spaced text and 2 pages of figures/tables/charts and associated legends.

Full applications include the following:

1. A public summary of the proposed research that demonstrates how the research will lead to significant advances in cancer prevention
2. A scientific abstract that clearly states the aims of the overall proposal including any previous work done by team members in the area, experimental design(s), methods and analysis plans
3. A detailed proposal describing the work to be performed (including aims, previous work, experimental design, methods and analysis), and an indication of which member(s) of the research team will be responsible. Consideration of equity, diversity and inclusion principles in the composition of research team must be evident.
4. Considerations regarding sex and/or gender and/or diversity
5. Relevance of the proposal to primary cancer prevention, including the impact that results will have on specific challenges in primary cancer prevention.
6. A detailed description of any products expected to result from this funding (if applicable).
7. A detailed knowledge translation and mobilization strategy that describes the scalability or adaptability of the project and chronicles potential next steps and which could include collaborations and partnerships with other research institutions, networks and/or sectors, as appropriate.
8. A detailed budget and justification for supplies, expenses, personnel and equipment to conduct the proposed research. This must include the number of personnel required to complete the work and a description of their experience and/or education level.
9. For applications involving First Nations, Inuit, Métis or Urban Indigenous communities, clear evidence that Indigenous communities have been engaged in the development of the application and that the research will be conducted by, grounded in, or engaged with, First Nations, Inuit, Métis or Urban Indigenous communities.

The review committee will prepare individual written critiques. The review criteria for the applications will include but not necessarily be restricted to the following:

• the potential for creative but feasible game-changing interventions in real world settings that will directly impact primary cancer prevention and offer a clear route for scalability or adaptability and impact at a population level
• the degree to which, if successful at the proof-of-concept stage, the intervention will drive “action” beyond the next logical step, in a field of study to change the status quo in primary cancer prevention
• the integration of researchers and knowledge users/end-users from fields outside cancer into project teams
• the background and scientific rationale for the proposed research
• the qualifications and experience of the investigators leading and participating in the project
• the appropriateness of the methods for the focus of the research
• the appropriateness of the term and amount of support requested
• the appropriate incorporation of sex as a biological variable and/or gender as a social determinant of health and/or diversity (conditions, expressions and experiences
• of different groups identified by age, education, sexual orientation, parental status/responsibility, immigration status, Indigenous status, religion, disability, language, race, place of origin, ethnicity, culture, socio-economic status and other attributes), where applicable
• for applications involving First Nations, Inuit, Métis or Urban Indigenous communities: the extent to which the application is aligned with the CIHR-IIPH mandate, and CIHR’s definition of Indigenous Health Research and Meaningful and Culturally Safe Health Research
• Alignment with Indigenous principles of self-determination and self-governance such as the First Nations Principles of OCAP® (Ownership, Control, Access and Possession), the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance, or other relevant principles of Indigenous self-determination in research.

Applicants are reminded to review the eligibility and requirements page for details on scientific and financial reporting, funder acknowledgement, and Canadian Cancer Society policies. In addition, research applications may be related but cannot be identical to any other currently funded projects. It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify the funding Partners immediately should substantial overlap arise from new funding awards during the application and review process of this competition.

Alberta Health is committed to decreasing the incidence of all cancers Albertans face. In 2023, it is expected that over 23,000 Albertans will be diagnosed with cancer and almost 7,000 will die of their disease. By supporting primary cancer prevention projects with a direct line of sight to public health or clinical implementation, we aim to rapidly decrease the incidence and mortality of cancers in the province, as this will have a tremendous impact on improving the health of many Albertans. Alberta Health will prioritize funding to projects with the greatest population and health outcomes impact. To be eligible for Alberta Health funding, the study should be based in the province and the project team must have at least one researcher from Alberta.

For further information please contact Kate Murie, Director, Health Evidence and Policy at: Kate.Murie@gov.ab.ca

BC Cancer, a program of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Foundation is the fundraising partner of BC Cancer to advance research, enhance care and break down cancer to benefit all British Columbians. To be eligible for BC Cancer / BC Cancer Foundation funding, the study should be based in British Columbia and must involve at least one researcher affiliated or in collaboration with BC Cancer.

For further information, please contact Karen Hagan, Grants Officer, Office of Research Administration and Operations, BC Cancer at: khagan@bccancer.bc.ca

Founded in 1945, the Society is a national not-for-profit organization whose sole mission is to fund research on all types of cancer, thereby contributing to the advancement of science aimed at preventing, detecting, and treating the disease. With respect to the current funding opportu8nity, CRS is particularly interested in projects in the following areas:

• Interventions to prevent cancer through immune modulation, such as vaccines for known or new targets
• Chemoprevention using repurposed drugs, such as aspirin, metformin, hormonal antagonists (e.g. tamoxifen, raloxifene) or new candidate drugs
• Personalized interventions using strategies, such as circulating biomarkers to optimize prevention, e.g. surrogate markers, or pre-malignant indicators
• Where appropriate, extending research collaborations beyond the health sector to engage less-traditional expertise, such as engineers, architects, computer scientists, social and political scientists, urban and transportation planners, local municipalities, governments, educators, and the general public
• Leveraging discovery research, emerging technologies, big data, and existing platforms (e.g. the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project (CanPath), Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), and other relevant cohorts and databases

For further information please contact Dajan O'Donnell, Director, Scientific Affairs and Partnerships at: dodonnell@src-crs.ca

CancerCare Manitoba (CCMB) is the provincially mandated cancer agency and is responsible for setting strategic priorities and long-term planning for cancer and blood disorders. CCMB’s goal is to reduce and, where possible, eliminate the burden of cancer on the people of Manitoba through exemplary programs of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, continuing care, research and education. To be eligible for CCMB funding, the application must be based in Manitoba and be conducted in collaboration with CCMB. Applications from Manitoba should also be aligned with CCMB’s goal and strategic directions.

For further information, please contact Kathleen Decker, Senior Scientist & Lead, Health Services Research Platform, CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute at: kdecker@cancercare.mb.ca

In 2021, breast cancer has become the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the world, according to new estimates from the World Health Organization. Breast cancer mortality is at its lowest level in 30 years, mainly due to improvements in treatment and early detection. On the other hand, breast cancer incidence has remained stable over the same period. QBCF’s main goal as partner of this initiative is to propel breast cancer prevention research by means of innovation. QBCF encourages researchers 1) to explore multidisciplinary approaches or multiple domains of expertise in order to bring solutions fast such as involvement of community organisations, 2) to apply novel technologies to develop decision tools, 3) and to develop or optimize infrastructure, resources, and education tools that will enable innovation in breast cancer prevention research in the future. QBCF also encourages researchers to look into primary prevention of the most fatal forms of breast cancers. To be eligible for QBCF funding, the project must include at least one researcher-collaborator from Quebec institutions.

For further information, please contact Cedric Baudinet, Grant Manager at: subvention.grant@rubanrose.org

The Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) is the provincial agency responsible for funding, facilitating, and promoting innovative, collaborative health research in Saskatchewan, Canada. SHRF works as a catalyst, driver and leader to: build and broaden the province’s research knowledge; increase stakeholder engagement; generate new and diverse partnerships; and measure the impact of health research.

Any applications from Saskatchewan should be aligned with the needs and in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency (SCA). Priority will be given to research involving appropriate engagement with Indigenous communities and the following areas of focus:

• Innovative smoking cessation interventions aligned with lung cancer screening
• Innovative UV protection interventions aligned with the Sun Smart coalition
• New and innovative ideas in primary cancer prevention aligned with this call for research and SCA priorities

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada is a voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancers. Since the 1950s, LLSC has contributed millions of dollars to researching new therapies that are saving thousands of lives today. We are also extremely proud of the millions of program dollars we spend annually supporting Canadian affected by blood cancers in coping with the challenges of the disease, its treatment, and long-term survivorship. As an organization with the mission of curing leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improving the quality of life of patients and their families, our strategy to achieve this goal is based on three areas of focus: research, community support and advocacy.

Through this partnership The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada aims to advance breakthroughs in prevention for blood cancers. The LLSC is interested in studies that address the following topics:

• Identifying factors that reduce blood cancer risk or increase protection: drugs, vaccines or lifestyle intervention
• Developing novel approaches to remove/deactivate tumor drivers that initiate, or predispose, disease onset.
• Developing strategies that will enable innovation in blood cancer prevention research in the future

For further information, please contact Paul O’Connell, Manager, Medical and Scientific Engagement at: paul.oconnell@lls.org