Genome Canada: 2024 Canadian Precision Health Initiative (CPHI)

Eligibility

Eligible projects must:

• Complete all project activities by March 31, 2029
• Be co-funded from eligible sources such that the co-funding is at least equal to the Genome Canada contribution
• Generate a minimum of 2,000 genomes
  • Projects with a smaller number may be considered in specific circumstances where need and statistical power at the project level can be justified
• Complete whole-genome sequencing by a Genome Canada–approved sequencing centre (SC)
  • At least 45% of the total project budget should be used to cover costs associated with generating short-read genome sequencing data through Genome Canada–approved SCs
• Include self-identified race, ethnicity and ancestry data in their depositions
• Obtain and share Research Ethics Board approval with Genome Canada before biological samples are shared with the SC

Summary

Genome Canada, alongside its regional, provincial and national partners, is embarking on the most ambitious genomic health research program in Canada’s history with the aim to gather, share and make accessible genomic data from 100,000 or more people in Canada to accelerate research, foster innovation and improve health care. Building a diverse data resource that researchers can easily access—while keeping personal information private— will help transform our one-size-fits-all health-care approach into a modern, precision health system that can have enormous impacts.

The Canadian Precision Health Initiative (CPHI) is the first of four integrated, connected pillars of activity: Generating population-level genomic data.

• This pillar will focus on the creation of national data assets that are accessible and reflect the diversity of Canada’s population. The goal is to to sequence the genomes of at least 100,000 Canadians, reflecting Canada’s unique and diverse population. This will provide the rich dataset needed to advance research, drive innovation and improve health-care outcomes for all Canadians.

Genome Canada will invest $60M to support whole-genome sequencing data generation using short-read Illumina technology, with a maximum contribution of up to $6M per project.

Additional funding for the generation of long-read genome sequencing to enhance the utility of the dataset generated is also available to projects that are approved for funding for short-read, whole-genome sequencing data generation. This additional funding is available through two options, with approximately $10M available from Genome Canada for each option:

• Option 1: Long-read genome sequencing using Oxford Nanopore Technologies
  • Projects can apply for any amount up to $10 million
  • Co-funding from eligible sources must at least equal the Genome Canada contribution
• Option 2: Long-read genome sequencing using PacBio Technology
• Projects can apply for any amount up to $10 million
• Co-funding from eligible sources must at least equal the Genome Canada contribution

SUBMISSION PROCESS

The application process consists of a two stage adjudication process. Only submissions successful at LOI will be invited by Genome Canada to submit an application.

1. Letter of Intent (LOI)
2. Full applications – on invitation only

Individuals interested in participating or who have questions should contact Georgia Balsevich at Genome Alberta (GAB) at gbalsevich@genomealberta.ca (cc Research Services at ipd@ucalgary.ca) as soon as possible.

Institutional and agency milestones are listed below, additional instructions follow.

Timeline

• Activity:       Submit draft Letter of Intent (LOI) to GAB and Research Services
  • email to gbalsevich@genomealberta.ca, cc ipd@ucalgary.ca

              Deadline:    October 21, 2024

• Activity:       Submit final Letter of Intent (LOI) to GAB and Research Services; approvals within RMS
  • email to gbalsevich@genomealberta.ca, cc ipd@ucalgary.ca

              Deadline:    By noon, October 29, 2024

• Activity:       Invitation to full application 

              Deadline:    November 15, 2024

• Activity:       Submit draft application and budget to Research Services for final review 
  • email to gbalsevich@genomealberta.ca, cc ipd@ucalgary.ca

              Deadline:    By December 4, 2024

• Activity:       Submit final application and budget to Research Services for final review; approvals within RMS 
  • email to gbalsevich@genomealberta.ca, cc ipd@ucalgary.ca

              Deadline:    By 9:00 am December 12, 2024

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.

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI

OVERHEAD: N/A

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Pre-application program deadline

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.

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.

RMS Training

As the full application will run through RMS, we encourage applicants to view the step sheets available at the RMS Training page. 

For training or technical support, you can contact RMS at: rms@ucalgary.ca and 403.210.9309.

Selection criteria

Projects will be prioritized for funding in a portfolio based on the following criteria:

• The population cohort of the national databank is reflective of the diversity of the Canadian population
• The portfolio includes a combination of disease-specific and targeted cohorts, large population and hypothesis-free cohorts, and cohorts of under-represented groups, including Indigenous populations, to create a large, diverse genomic dataset
• The resulting national databank has the potential to advance precision health and address the pressing health needs of unique regional populations and priorities
• The national databank has the potential to advance the utility of genomic data for industry and other stakeholders, increasing the impact of the research through follow-up activities, such as translation, implementation and commercialization
• The portfolio should encompass partners and project teams that embody Canada’s diversity and uphold Genome Canada’s values regarding inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA), as well as its commitment to fulfill the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and adhere to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples