Canadian Cancer Society Challenge Grants

Eligibility

A Principal Investigator must hold a firm academic position (as a primary appointment) which allows the individual to engage in independent research activities for the duration of the project and includes the ability to supervise trainees and publish research results. A researcher designated as the Principal Investigator must be based in, or formally affiliated with, an eligible Canadian Host Institution such as a university, research institute or health care agency.

Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research associates (who are not independent investigators), Adjunct Professors or Status only appointments (except where they hold a firm academic position at another Canadian institution), technical support staff, or investigators based outside of Canada are not eligible to be a Principal Investigator (see below for Research Training Award eligibility). Where there is uncertainty as to the eligibility of an individual due to their appointment/title, CCS encourages applicants to reach out for clarification. Both the Principal Investigator and executive authorities of the Host Institution are required to agree to the terms of the Host Institution/Canadian Cancer Society Agreement included as part of the application, thereby acknowledging and agreeing to all the responsibilities and obligations outlined in that Agreement.

Summary

The Challenge grant program will support cancer research projects across the cancer continuum and across disciplines, with an ultimate goal of solving a problem (i.e. a ‘challenge’) in cancer that will be meaningful to people affected by or at risk of cancer.

Challenges should align with CCS Research Goals and applicants must clearly articulate how and/or why the challenge is relevant to people affected by cancer (or at risk, for prevention-focused research).  Applicants must clearly describe the anticipated contribution of their proposed project towards solving the identified challenge. This includes, for example, outcomes that have immediate impact (such as a device, therapeutic, program, policy, or practice change), or those that are more long term in scope (such as an important finding relevant to the biology or etiology of cancer that could eventually be applied to prevent cancer or improve outcomes).

Preliminary data or supporting evidence, for both the challenge and the proposed solution, is required. Applicants must articulate how the goals for the project will pave the way towards a solution to the challenge identified, both over the term of the grant, as well as what the next steps towards impact would be should the project aims be achieved. For example, applicants may describe how the knowledge generated through the grant will be shared and/or mobilized, with strategies beyond publications and presentations (e.g. through engagement of patient, survivors, caregivers, clinicians and other practitioners or end-users early on) to ensure utility of the solution, and to support next steps.

The Canadian Cancer Society’s Research Strategy places people at the center of our research endeavours. By embedding affected communities throughout the research continuum, we will identify and achieve desired results sooner. Applicants will be required to consider sex, gender, and other identity factors (e.g. race, ethnicity) and their intersectionalities in the research design, methods, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of findings/outcomes wherever relevant. Equitable access to research outcomes should also be considered for relevant applications.

Overhead

Not applicable

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

Application deadlines

Abstract Registration (no submission to Research Services needed)

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.

Submission Process

Abstract Registration Phase is non-competitive so no submission to Research Services required. Complete the abstract submission at the Canadian Cancer Society EGrAMS website by June 21, 2023

For Full Application:

1. Complete Full Application on the CCS online EGrAMS application system and print preview or save a pdf copy.
2. To initiate internal approvals, complete the Pre-Award/Application record in RMS (https://research.ucalgary.ca/conduct-research/additional-resources/resea...), attach the pdf version of 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 September 18, 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. If digital or wet-ink signatures are required, we 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 September 21, 2023 by 3:00PM Mountain Time (date tentative)