2023 Alex's Lemonade Stand ‘A’ Award Grant

Eligibility

• Applicant institutions may be based in the United States or Canada. Applicants need not be United States citizens. Funds must be granted to nonprofit institutions or organizations.
• Applicants must have an MD, PhD or MD/PhD (DO, MBBS or equivalent) and be within five years of their first faculty appointment as an Assistant Professor at the time that their application is submitted. More senior Assistant Professors, as well as Associate and Full Professors, are ineligible. If still at the Instructor level, the applicant must have a firm commitment from the Department Chair/Division Chief at the time of grant submission for an Assistant Professor position within one year of receiving the award.
• A minimum of 75% of the applicant’s time during the ‘A’ Award period must be allocated as protected time for all research activities. This percentage of time includes both ‘A’ Award activities and the applicant’s other research responsibilities.
• Applicants cannot be the Principal Investigator (PI) of a K99/R00 or other independent, nationally competitive award (e.g., R01 or equivalent, P or U award) that has been funded or recommended for funding (i.e., will be funded) any time before the ‘A’ Award grant start date. R01 equivalent grants include the DP1, DP2, DP5, R01, R37, R56, RF1, RL1, U01 and selected R35 activity codes. Applicants cannot have 2 R21s or 2 R03s at any time before the award
• Applicants currently holding an ALSF Young Investigator (YI) Grant may apply. If the ‘A’ Award is given, it would supersede the YI grant if there is an overlap in the funding periods

Research Restrictions

• ALSF does not fund proposals for research utilizing human embryonic stem cells or non- human primates. Research with human induced pluripotent stem cells is permissible.
• Awards are not renewable.
• Projects focused on epidemiological aspects of pediatric cancer and/or cancer control are
• not eligible for the ‘A’ Award.
• Proposals focused on social determinants of health with an emphasis on oncologic
• outcomes (rather than psychosocial outcomes) are permitted.

Summary

The purpose of the ‘A’ Award Grant is to advance ALSF’s mission to find cures and better treatments for childhood cancers by providing support to early career scientists who want to establish a career in pediatric oncology research. The ideal applicant has an original project that is not currently being funded. Demonstration of a future commitment to pediatric cancer investigation as well as institutional support for the career development of the investigator are critical components of a successful application. A mentor is required, and a career development plan must be included.

Scope of Proposal: Proposals must fall within the scope of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation’s mission, focused on childhood cancers. Proposals with a sole/primary focus on patients >19 years of age will not be considered.

Budget: The requested budget should be in proportion to the scope of the proposed project and should be at or under $800,000 USD in direct costs over four years. A maximum of $200,000 in total costs may be requested per year. Refer to the program guidelines for further information about budgetary allowances and restrictions.

Resource and Data Sharing: Grant recipients are expected to share unique resources developed under this funding award, and as part of the application, applicants are required to submit a Resource Sharing Plan using ALSF’s Resource Sharing Form. Applicants should describe their track record of generating resources that are broadly re-used, the specific resources that will be generated in this proposed project, and the mechanisms by which those resources will be shared. To demonstrate a commitment to sharing that will be actualized, applicants should provide information in their sharing plan that clearly states the type of resource that will be shared, the method, characterization and timing of such sharing, and the anticipated resources (budget, personnel, etc.) required by the applicant and the resource user. Reviewers will consider the extent to which the dissemination of resources produced under the award will enhance or diminish the impact of the proposed work. For a full description and an example, see the Resource Sharing Form. For the full Resource Sharing Policy visit our Resources for Grant Applicants page.

Overhead/Indirect Costs:

Overhead/Indirect costs are not allowed.

Optional Childhood Cancer Data Lab Collaboration

Applicants may elect to work with the Childhood Cancer Data Lab as part of this award. This is not required and is meant to serve as a benefit. If you are interested in collaborating with the Data Lab, please fill out this form (preferably 4 weeks before Grant due date) and indicate your submission is associated with an Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation grant application. This resource does not have a cost associated with it and should not be included in the budget.

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.

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.

Application Process

1. To start an application, navigate to the ALSF portal and losing (or complete your one-time registration and then login).
2. Complete your application according to Program Guidelines and Instructions.
3. Before submitting your application, initiate internal university approvals by completing a Pre-Award/Application record in RMS (https://my.rms.ucalgary.ca/). Attach a PDF of your completed application (along with any additional required attachments), and submit for approvals from your department head and/or faculty Associate Dean (Research). NOTE: When submitting in RMS, please ensure that you allow time for academic approvals prior to the Research Services Office internal review deadline of 12:00pm MT, May 9, 2023.
4. Once these approvals are obtained, RMS will automatically forward the Application record to Research Services for institutional review and approval.
5. Research Services will review, provide feedback (by email) if necessary, and will provide the institutional approval. If digital or wet-ink signatures are required, we will provide the capping institutional signature and will advise when ready.
6. A fully approved Application, including any supplementary documentation, must be submitted via the ALSF portal by 6:00pm, May 12, 2023.