ALS Canada-Brain Canada Career Transition Award 2024

Eligibility

The intent of this award is for ALS Canada and Brain Canada to support a promising postdoctoral fellow or Research Associate working at a Canadian institution to transition into an independent position contributing to ALS research. By the time of the funding start date, the applicant should be ready to transition within the next 2-3 years. 

The applicant must have a PhD; applicants with an MD are also eligible but need to explain why, based on their project and future career plans, the Clinical Research Fellowship is not the appropriate avenue to seek support from ALS Canada and Brain Canada. The postdoctoral portion may be carried out in the individual’s current institution, or another institution approved by ALS Canada and Brain Canada.

Summary

The vision of ALS Canada is to achieve “a world free of ALS”, and the vision of Brain Canada is “Bold science for brain health”. To build momentum for continued pursuance of new treatments and a better understanding of the disease through the end of the decade and beyond, it is imperative that promising young investigators are nurtured into a career focused on ALS research. This program will identify and engage rising stars pursuing innovative research in labs and academic institutions in Canada. This award has the long-term goal of developing the next generation of scientists across various disciplines within basic and clinical sciences, contributing to knowledge generation and translation in ALS. 

To fulfil this mission, ALS Canada and Brain Canada will provide a three (3) year award to support a talented young investigator to pursue advanced research and transition into a junior faculty position at a Canadian institution. The expectation is that this additional training will allow award recipients to increase their knowledge and skills, thereby enhancing continuation of their career in ALS-related research and improving their competitiveness for a junior faculty position in Canada. Successful candidates will expand their research horizons and develop independence to become a leader in the field in a manner that sets them apart from their mentor(s).

Funding 

The award will be for up to three (3) years for a total of $250,000 CAD. Each year, ALS Canada and Brain Canada will provide a $60,000 salary and $20,000 research allowance, with $30,000 for research allowance in year three. Year three funding will begin upon achieving an independent position at a qualifying Canadian institution, defined according to CIHR guidelines. This may be deferred for up to one year to allow for additional time in securing a position. The intent of year three funding is to provide modest incentive for competitive hiring. If an independent position is achieved in the first two years, the remainder of the three-year award will be provided to the recipient as junior faculty. If an independent position is secured at an institution outside of Canada, the applicant would no longer be eligible for year three funding. 

Year three funding at the faculty level is contingent upon receipt of: 

• A signed letter of offer from the institution where the faculty position will be held, indicating the start date 
• Report indicating successes leading to faculty position (limit 2 pages)

Please read the full application instructions for further details on how to complete and submit your application. 

Overhead

Not allowable as per sponsor policy (pg. 5). 

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.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Support for projects involving Indigenous Research:

Support with the development of your grant application is available internally 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 internally through the Knowledge Engagement Team. Applicants can reach out by email to the KE team at knowledge.engagement@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. 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@libanswers.ucalgary.com and/or visit https://libguides.ucalgary.ca/researchdatamanagement.

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.

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application