2024 Fall - Multiple Principal Investigator (MPI) Clinical Award

Eligibility

• Applicants must speak with program staff prior to submission to ensure the project design is in line with the goals of this RFA. Failure to do so will result in the administrative withdrawal of the proposal.
• At least two (2) but no more than three (3) investigators may be included in a given award.
• United States residents and applicants from outside the United States are welcome to apply.
• Applicants must be independent investigators. An independent investigator is an individual who is out of fellowship training and whose institution allows them to submit applications for research funding as a Principal Investigator.

Summary

The Foundation’s Investigator-initiated Clinical Research Programs aim to provide support for academic clinical research projects that have the potential to make an important contribution to the CF Foundation’s mission. Academic clinical research projects may address diagnosis, treatment, management of disease or symptoms, or the pathophysiology of CF using clinical (observational or interventional), translational or epidemiologic study approaches.

The CF Foundation funds investigator-initiated clinical research through the Clinical Pilot and Feasibility (CP&FA), Clinical Research Award (CRA), the Clinical Research Award Plus (CRA+), the Multiple Principal Investigator Clinical Award (MPICA), and other various targeted funding opportunities that occur throughout the year.

Funding for any investigator-initiated clinical research award is a tier two process. The CF Foundation requires CP&FA, CRA, CRA+, and MPICA to submit either a Letter of Intent (LOI) or Concept Proposal in advance of a full application. Full applications are accepted on an invite-only basis; however, applicants may be able to by-pass the LOI when resubmitting an application with prior approval from the Program Officer.

Award Overview

MPI Clinical Research Awards are offered to provide support for investigator-initiated clinical research projects that require the unique expertise of multiple PIs from different disciplines to conduct the project successfully. Research projects must have the potential to make an important contribution to the CF Foundation’s mission. Research projects may be designed to test new hypotheses and/or new methods (Pilot and Feasibility) OR to advance established results with the potential to address diagnosis, treatment, management of disease or symptoms, or the pathophysiology of CF using clinical (observational/interventional), translational or epidemiologic study approaches. Each investigator is expected to be a significant contributor to the project and share the responsibility and authority for leading and directing the project. Collaborations that bring new investigators and technologies into the CF research community will be given highest priority. Each PI should be working together to address a single overarching research question/hypothesis.
Each investigator is expected to be a significant contributor to the project and share the responsibility and authority for leading and directing the project. Each investigator should bring unique expertise to the project- in most cases, we expect to see investigators from distinct subspecialties or research disciplines collaborating for these awards. Investigators are expected to be thought partners on the proposed work, with each applicant carrying a nearly equal role in the conduct of the work, and fundamental to the ability to address the research question. The MPICA should not be used to support multi-site studies where one PI’s role is solely to support enrollment, provide samples or data, or serve in a consulting role (please see the CRA or CP&FA RFAs for these projects). Collaborations that bring new investigators and technologies into the CF research community will be given highest priority.

Application Submission

There is a two-stage process consisting of a Pre-Proposal (LOI) and Full Proposal, which is by invitation only. Both stages of this competition will be part of the Research Management System (RMS), and approvals will be obtained electronically.

Creating an RMS Pre-Award LOI Record

Creating an RMS Pre-Award Application Record

Overhead

12% in addition to total direct costs.The lead institution may request up to $25,000 in additional direct costs per year to support an administrative core.

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.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via RMS 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.

Additional Resources

Program Policies and Guidelines

Application Portal

Support for projects involving Indigenous Research: 

Support with the development of your grant application is available through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST). Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage. 

Support for Knowledge Engagement: 

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation is available through the Knowledge Engagement Team. Applicants can reach out by email to the KE team at knowledge.engagement@ucalgary.ca. For more information, please visit the KE team webpage. 

Support for Research Data Management: 

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca OR research.data@ucalgary.libanswers.com. 

Support for EDI in Research: 

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice. Contact Erin.OToole@ucalgary.ca for more information. 

Support for Research Security: 

The new Research Security Division is available to offer guidance and support on safeguarding research and ensuring that principles of research security are upheld while conducting leading edge research. Learn more on their webpage or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.