Arthritis Society Canada Ignite Innovation Grants 2023

Eligibility

There is a limit of one Ignite Innovation application per Principal Investigator/Co-Principal Investigator in a competition.

NEW! A PI can only hold two Arthritis Society Canada-funded grants or awards across all Arthritis Society Canada or partnered competitions as PI/Co-PI at any time and only one per program. PI/Co-PI(s) can apply to only two competitions per year. Applications for subsequent funding can be submitted in the final year of a current grant. Applicants will be required to declare all funding in the "Other Funding" section of their application(s). 

To be considered eligible for this grant:

• Applications must be submitted by an eligible Principal Investigator (PI) at an eligible Canadian Host institution as defined by Arthritis Society Canada. The full description of eligibility, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the PI and HI in the management of Arthritis Society Canada’s research and training funds are defined on the Arthritis Society Canada website.

Summary

The goal of the Ignite Innovation program is to support the development and testing of transformative, paradigm-shifting, concepts and approaches to address critical barriers to progress in arthritis research, challenge our understanding of arthritis and its management, and generate novel approaches to confront the challenges we face in defeating arthritis and delivering the best evidence-informed care possible. The program intends to foster novel, high-potential projects and ideas that could be  expanded in the future  through additional funding sources (i.e., successful operating grants, industry partnership programs, cross discipline funding opportunities, etc.).

Successfully funded Ignite Innovation projects are based on “high risk” ideas that have a strong potential for “high reward”. The scope of high-risk projects could include proposals that focus on novel or untested tool development, cellular pathways, behavioural or psychosocial methodologies, research to address or ameliorate social or structural inequities, novel methods for delivering evidenced-based treatment or self-care interventions, unconventional devices or techniques/procedures (including measures) and/or have potential for unique translation. As projects are at an early stage of development, a high level of risk is expected and not all projects will yield anticipated results. High reward is defined as the potential to create a significant and real change or impact. Applicants must explain the anticipated change or impact that is likely to result and to whom or what will be affected by the change, and its significance. To support the novelty of the project, a thorough evaluation of the literature should be included. Applicants will be required to describe why the project is novel, as it relates to the latest methods, concepts, information, and techniques.

This program encourages bold attempts to test novel hypotheses and/or generate new knowledge and/or improvements related to prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and support; therefore, while projects must be feasible and doable by the applicant(s), preliminary data is not necessary.

Applications are encouraged from all areas and disciplines of arthritis research, as well as from investigators in other disciplines whose ideas are relevant to the field of arthritis research. Diverse partnerships that advance and accelerate the application of the research are encouraged. These may include transdisciplinary research approaches and/or partnerships with industry, policy makers, consumers, health care providers and others. Note that the next logical step or incremental advancement on published data is not considered innovative and should not be submitted to this competition. 

NEW! - Arthritis Society Canada and the Canadian Dupuytren Society are announcing a new research funding opportunity under the 2023 Ignite Innovation Grant program. Like arthritis, Dupuytren Disease is a common and debilitating condition that can occur in people of any age and sex and for which there is currently no cure. Dupuytren Disease is a heritable condition that affects connective tissues (fascia, skin, and nerves) of the hands, can result in palm and finger contractures and, similar to arthritis, causes debilitating and permanent loss of hand function. Individuals living with Dupuytren Disease report increased anxiety, mood and mental health disorders, and devastating challenges in maintaining their chosen professions, just like those with arthritis. Studies that can include people with arthritis who also experience the symptoms of Dupuytren’s Disease are eligible to apply for top up funding (max $10,000). More details on this funding can be found here.

Please see linked opportunity for further information and details about ASC's research priorities.

Application deadlines

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.

For Registration phase, RSO review is not required, as it is non competitive.

Abstract registrations must be submitted through the Arthritis Society Canada’s online research grant portal. The abstract registration will inform the panel composition. Registration is mandatory and will require applicant and team members details, scientific abstract, keywords, innovation and relevance statements, and suggested reviewers and exclusions.

For Full Application:

1. Complete Full Application on the Arthritis Society Online Grant Portal system
2. To initiate internal approvals, complete the Pre-Award/Application record in RMS (https://research.ucalgary.ca/conduct-research/additional-resources/resea...), attach your completed Application, and submit for approvals from your department head and/or faculty Associate Dean (Research). *Important: when submitting in RMS, please ensure that you allow time for academic approvals prior to the Research Services review deadline of 12:00pm on June 26, 2023
3. Once these approvals are obtained, RMS will automatically forward the Application record to Research Services for institutional review and approval.
4. Research Services will review, provide feedback (by email) if necessary, and will provide the institutional approval. RSO will provide the capping institutional signature and will advise when ready.
5. Full Applications, including any supplementary documentation, should be submitted to the agency via the portal on June 29, 2023 by 3:00PM Mountain Time.