Hope for Tomorrow Research Competition 2024

Eligibility

The Principal Applicant is responsible for the direction of the research project and the coordination of research activities. The Principal Applicant must:

• Be an independent researcher in the fields of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
• Be affiliated with a graduate degree-granting research institution in Alberta
• Have their substantive academic position be in Alberta for the duration of the requested funding
• Be a member of Campus Alberta Neuroscience (join here)

Applicants can only submit one application to this competition as Principal Applicant. Multiple submissions from the same Principal Applicant are not permitted.

The application may include one or more co-applicants, which can be any of:

• Independent researchers from inside or outside of Alberta
• Knowledge Users
• Trainees

Summary

The Hope for Tomorrow Research Competition, a partnership between Campus Alberta Neuroscience (CAN) and the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories (AS AB/NT), focuses on research that has the potential to make a significant impact on the quality of life of patients, families, and caregivers through exploration into the causes, prevention, treatment, and cure of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Research that pushes the boundaries of what is currently understood as having a positive impact on improving and maintaining quality of life for those affected by these diseases is encouraged - researchers should think “outside of the box” and bring disciplines together in unexpected ways to form bold, innovative perspectives.

Area of Focus: Innovative and novel Quality of Life research that has the potential to make a significant impact on the quality of life of patients, families, and caregivers is this year’s Area of Focus. This area is defined broadly, and the examples cited are not intended to preclude or constrain other projects or proposals. Potential applicants are encouraged to submit proposals in their own areas of interest or formulate questions different from those presented in the Program Guidelines but aligning with the Area of Focus (Quality of Life).

Funding Considerations

Requests may not exceed CAD $250,000 and must be matched at a minimum of 1:1 ratio through funding from one or more funding partners secured by applicants. Matching funding must be cash. A signed letter guaranteeing the matched funds or other proof of secured matching funds is required by the Full Application deadline (December 20, 2024). Funding from CIHR and other Tri-Council competitions will not be accepted as matching funding for this competition. Full Applications will not be accepted unless accompanied by a letter of commitment of matched funds from the funding partner(s).

Program Resources

• Hope for Tomorrow Research Competition 2024 Program Guide

Submission Process

This competition will be part of the Research Management System (RMS), and approvals will be obtained electronically. Research Funding Application Approvals (RFAA) forms are not required as approvals are collected electronically in RMS.

Application to this funding opportunity follows a two-stage process: a Notice of Intent (NOI) and Full Application.

1. Notice of Intent (NOI)

Applicants are required to submit an NOI by October 24, 2024 at 12:00 pm (MT).

RSO review and RMS approval are not required at this stage.

2. Full Application

The Full Application, plus approval in the Research Management System (RMS) using a Pre-Award/Application record, must be submitted to RSO by December 17, 2024 at 12:00 pm. Please be sure to select 'Submitted for approval' (under Save & Progress) in RMS in good time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the RSO internal deadline. Consult your department and faculty for more information on their approval processes and timelines.

Do not submit to the agency until RSO's approval has been granted in RMS. Once this institutional approval has been obtained, the Principal Investigator will receive an automated message from RMS to their @ucalgary email address. You can then proceed with submitting your application by December 20, 2024 at 12:00 pm (MT). A personalized link for the online Full Application submission will be sent to the Principal Applicant once the NOI has been received.

Overhead

Not applicable. The competition guidelines do not allow for overhead and/or indirect costs.

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.

RESOURCES 

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, community partnerships, and responsible research assessment (DORA) is available through the Knowledge to Impact Team. Applicants can reach out by email to the KI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca. For more information, please visit the KI 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 edi.rso@ucalgary.ca for more information. 

Support for Research Security: 

The Research Security Division is available to assist researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the new policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC). Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.  

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with RSO units, the more help we can be! 

RMS: 

Creating a Pre-Award Application (do not create a new Application record if you have an existing LOI record for the same competition)