Research Funding Opportunities

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Path to a Cure (PTAC) – Collaborative Research Grant
Small molecule CFTR modulators that directly target the mutant protein are powerful therapies that will likely benefit 90% of people with CF in the near future. However, there is still a significant unmet need for people with CFTR mutations who do not respond to modulators, do not generate sufficient quantities of protein for correction, or block protein synthesis (i.e., premature stop codon mutations, splice site mutations, indels, etc.). To ensure all people with CF have access to effective CFTR-directed therapies, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation announced the Path to a Cure initiative in 2019.  

Projects supported through the Path to a Cure: Collaborative Research Grant should be ambitious in scope and utilize cutting-edge technologies and strategies that have the potential to inform or translate into novel therapies to restore CFTR protein function by fixing and/or replacing the defective CFTR gene.  

Collaborations that bring new investigators into the CF research community are a high priority. A single Collaborative Research Grant proposal must have at least two -- and may include up to four -- related research projects (each led by a separate principal investigator) that share a well-defined theme and overall objective. Proposals must contain sufficient preliminary data to justify support from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Total direct costs for the Collaborative Research Grant may not exceed $1,000,000 USD per year for up to three years. The application must consist of at least two projects, each led by an independent investigator. The lead institution may request up to $25,000 USD direct costs per year to support an administrative core, however, total direct costs may not exceed the $1,000,000 cap per year. An additional 12% of indirect costs per year may be requested.

• Full application deadline to Research Services via RMS: Monday, July 11 at noon
• Full application deadline to CFF:  Thursday, July 14

Contact: Caitlin Janzen

Biological Basis for Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes (CFRD)
New! The CF Foundation is now accepting applications for the Biological Basis for Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes (CFRD) RFA. This goal of this funding announcement is to support projects that will improve our understanding of the biological underpinnings of the development and progression of CFRD as well as to identify potential novel therapeutic strategies to manage and treat the disease. Although most commonly described as a lung disease, CF also is associated with an increased risk of diabetes. Cystic fibrosis–related diabetes (CFRD) affects up to 50% of adults with CF and is associated with significantly increased mortality. The mechanisms by which CFTR dysfunction contributes to diabetes remain poorly defined.

Applications submitted through this mechanism must focus on basic science research projects and may request up to $150K US per year for up to three years to complete the projects.

• For programmatic questions, contact Katherine Tuggle (ktuggle@cff.org)
• Deadline to Research Services via RMS: Thursday, July 28 at noon
• Full application deadline to CFF: Tuesday, August 2

Contact: Caitlin Janzen

Campus Alberta Small Business (CASBE) program Stream II
Alberta Innovates Post-secondary Investments and Emerging Technologies (PSIET) has launched the 2022-23 Campus Alberta Small Business (CASBE) program.  Please see the link below:

https://albertainnovates.ca/programs/campus-alberta-small-business-engagement/

Please note there are two new matching opportunities in the 2023 CASBE program:

• NSERC Alliance Quantum Grants https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Innovate-Innover/alliance_quantum-alliance_quantique/index_eng.asp
• Approved NSERC Applied Research and Technology Partnership grants (ARTPs) that align with the Alberta Innovates PSIET CASBE requirements.

Deadline: The Campus Alberta Small Business Engagement (CASBE) program receives applications in a continuous intake basis.  Both Alberta Innovates and NSERC recommend potential applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. Note that all applications will be reviewed and evaluated on a first come first serve basis.

Contact: Caitlin Janzen

Robot Round-up : Advanced Robotics Platforms and Control Solutions: Government of Canada – Department of National Defence
The Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) Contest, Robot Round-up, calls for Canadian innovators to demonstrate to DND/CAF how advancements in robotic platforms and methods of control can be leveraged to help CAF members accomplish high risk tasks. DND/CAF are hosting this Contest to observe advancements from the current state of the art in robotics. These could include advancements in mobility, manipulation, sensing, localization of threats, advanced modeling, information synthesis, or by using Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), supervised autonomy, techniques to reduce the operator involvement in the task.

• For additional support please contact Michael D. Blough
• For more information, please see the Funding Deadline calendar

Contact: Lisa Singh/Michael D. Blough

SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships
These fellowships support the most promising Canadian new scholars in the social sciences and humanities, and assist them in establishing a research base at an important time in their research careers.

• Award:  $45,000 per year for 1 or 2 years
• RSO Final Internal Deadline (Full Application):  Friday, September 9 at 12:00 PM MDT

Contact:  rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca

Mitacs - Elevate

Mitacs Elevate is a two-year training program for postdoctoral fellows (PDFs), where participants lead and undertake a research project with an industry partner. Open to all disciplines and all industry sectors.

Award:  $70,000 minimum per year for 2 years

RSO Final Internal Deadline (Full Application):  Thursday, June 30, 2022, at noon (12:00 p.m. MDT)

Contact:  rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca

Humboldt Research Fellowship

The Humboldt Research Fellowship for researchers of all nationalities and research areas: We support you – postdoctoral and experienced researchers – with your research in Germany. The Humboldt Research Fellowship enables you to conduct your own research at various stages of your career in collaboration with a host at a German research institution of your choice. Hosts may apply for a subsidy towards research costs.

Award:  €2,670 per month for up to 24 months

RSO Final Internal Deadline (Full Application):  Ongoing – applications reviewed every March, July, and November.

Contact:  rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca

Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship

In providing Feodor Lynen Research Fellowships for postdocs, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation enables highly qualified scientists and scholars from Germany who are just embarking on their academic careers and who completed their doctorates less than four years ago to spend extended periods of research (6-24 months) abroad. Scientists and scholars from all disciplines may apply for any country abroad.

Award:  Variable

RSO Final Internal Deadline (Full Application):  Ongoing – applications reviewed every February, June, and October.

Contact:  rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca

GROWW Cohort Program

The GROWW program strives to positively impact the lives of all people who identify as women and to inspire individuals who are dedicated to propelling women’s health. This 2-year training program will include seminars from academics within the field of women's and girl's health, experiential learning opportunities and workshops, mentorship partners, a summer institute, and professional networking to help co-create new research and/or employment opportunities.

Award:  $40,000 minimum per year for 2 years ($20,000 from partial scholarship & $20,000 minimum fund match from supervisor)

RSO Final Internal Deadline (Full Application):  Friday, June 24, 2022, at noon (12:00 p.m. MDT)

Contact:  rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca

For more information on these and other Postdoc Funding Opportunities, please visit our Funding Deadline Calendar.