2023 AICR/WCRF Inspire Research Challenge

Eligibility

• The Inspire Research Challenge is open to early career individuals, defined as not less than two years but not more than six years post-doctoral degree (PhD or MD research).
• Eligible applicants must currently be employed on a research contract within a department at a research institution affiliated with a university or medical school.
• The Inspire Research Challenge is open to investigators worldwide.
• Applicants are expected to demonstrate conceptual independence from post-doctoral supervisors or mentor(s) and post-doctoral applicants must provide proof of support for their application from their current supervisor.
• Applicants must have a valid Orchid ID.

Summary

Background and Rationale 

Over the past four decades, AICR/WCRF have built a reputation as the global authority on diet, nutrition, physical activity and cancer. AICR/WCRF were among the first to recognize and support research on how lifestyle factors could reduce cancer risk and improve survivorship. Three Expert Reports, four decades of funding research projects, annual conferences highlighting the latest research and the Global Cancer Update Program (formerly Continuous Update Program), have all cemented the WCRF network as the most trusted source of the latest evidence.

The concepts pioneered by AICR/WCRF and AICR/WCRF Cancer Prevention Recommendations are now the mainstay of public health cancer (and other non-communicable diseases) prevention initiatives and clinical practice. Despite this huge success, cancer incidence rates and the burden of disease remain unacceptably high so the urgent demand for progress remains.

AICR/WCRF have always been at the forefront of innovative research, new ideas and fostering progress in the field of diet, nutrition and cancer. As part of our continued commitment to accelerating progress, AICR (in partnership with WCRF International, World Cancer Research Fund and Wereld Kanker Onderzoek Fonds (WKOF)) is launching the “Inspire Research Challenge” a new grant call aimed specifically at Early Career Investigators. The Inspire Research Challenge will prioritize innovative, bold, and creative proposals with the potential to catalyze rapid and impactful advances in cancer prevention, treatment and survivorship.

Scope

Applicants are encouraged to be bold. The Inspire Research Challenge prioritizes inspiration over incrementalism. Inspire Research challenge funding will accelerate novel research ideas that provide unique insights to challenge current conventions and longstanding dogma or take advantage of emerging themes and technologies. Inspire Research Challenge funding aims to support the development of new research ideas/concepts, the combination of research areas in innovative ways, the establishment of new collaborations, and/or the application of new innovative methods or technologies.

Proposed projects must have direct relevance to cancer prevention, treatment or survivorship and may address any or all stages of the cancer journey. Proposals should address modifiable factors including both lifestyle, such as diet, nutrition, physical activity, and environmental factors such as pollution/contaminants and pathogens. Particular priority will be given to novel exposures including stress, sleep and host factors such as immune function.

Proposals must address an explicitly stated hypothesis and clearly state objectives that will enable the applicant to test that hypothesis. The use of experimental models must be justified regarding their relevance to human cancers. Evidence synthesis approaches, such as systematic reviews and meta- analyses, and applications that propose solely cell line studies will not be considered.

Applicants should clearly state the expected outcomes of their proposal, and the anticipated potential for exploration with future funding. Applicants must demonstrate the feasibility of their proposal as well as the suitability of their research environment.

Overhead

Additional 10% of direct costs

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Pre-application program deadline

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

Resources

Call for Proposals