Melbourne-Calgary Enabling Capabilities Collaborative Seed Funding 2024

Eligibility

This collaborative funding call is open to all research staff whose primary appointment is at one of the
named partner Institutes. Competitive proposals will be those that support further developing cutting
edge and novel capabilities, potential for impact, collaborative gain, and alignment with one of the
designated areas. and access to the capability will be viewed favourably.

Summary

What is the aim of the Melbourne-Calgary Enabling Capabilities Collaborative Seed Funding 2024?
The aim of the Collaborative Seed Grant 2024 is to encourage capability building and to develop 
research collaborative partnerships between the Doherty Institute, an unincorporated joint venture 
between the University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, and 
investigators located at the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine and 
other Faculties within the University of Calgary, Calgary Alberta, Canada. This grant opportunity 
has been jointly funded through the Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics and the Snyder 
Institute.

The Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics (CGCPT)

Established with the support of a significant philanthropic donation from Mr. Geoff Cumming, the 
Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics is a mission-driven, globally connected research 
program committed to enabling the rapid design and development of treatments for pathogens of 
pandemic potential, based at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity. The centre 
will advance the science behind antiviral therapeutics, transforming the management of future 
pandemics and saving lives.

An important element of the Centre’s research plan includes the establishment and expansion of 
Enabling Capabilities, specialised facilities and teams focussed on key technologies that will be 
needed to support the mission of the Centre. These Enabling Capabilities will accelerate research 
outputs and will provide researchers with access to the very best technologies to enhance 
efficiency and speed in their work and reduce duplication of effort.

What initiatives will be considered for funding?
Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to investigators conducting collaborative initiatives 
in the area of enabling capabilities that will enhance the mission and impact of the CGCPT. 
Investigators should be located within both the Doherty Institute and the University of Calgary, 
including the Snyder Institute. Eligible proposals will be jointly led by one principal 
investigator (PI) from each Institution. A history of prior collaboration is not necessary.

Enabling Capabilities are technologies that will support and accelerate the mission of the CGCPT 
through providing key technologies that are needed for therapeutic development for pathogens of 
pandemic potential. These include capabilities that will lead to knowledge generation and also 
enable operational excellence and efficiency. Enabling capabilities include, but are not limited 
to:
•  Organoids and organ on a chip models
•  Structural biology
•  Imaging – in vivo, 2D/3D
•  Animal models, e.g. humanised mice, IMC/wild mice, woodchuck
•  mRNA/LNPs
•  Omics, including AI and machine learning

What are the conditions of funding?
The successful initiative(s) are required to be completed by December 31st 2025. All monies received must
be expended, or have a discrete plan for completion of spending by this time. Applications should meet
the following mandatory criteria:
• Two Principal Investigators, one based at the University of Calgary, and one at the Doherty
Institute.
• An outline of a pathway for how the initiative can build or strengthen partnerships in the area of
enabling capabilities required for the development of therapeutics for pathogens of pandemic
potential. Collaborative benefits for both Institutes must be articulated.
• A statement of a clear vision and timeline of how the funding will be expended.
• A commitment to attending any relevant seminars/workshops throughout the course of, and
following, the grant period.
The Doherty Institute and the University of Calgary are committed to promoting equity in research.
Proposals should include a diverse research team, including balanced gender representation.

Overhead

Funding will be available to primarily support direct research costs, however, applications to support travel costs may be considered where appropriate.

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.

What is the application process?
The following documents must be submitted electronically through the SmartyGrants portal by 11:59pm 
Melbourne time / 6:59am Calgary time, Thursday October 10th 2024.
•  Completed application form
•  Most recent CV for both Principal Investigators, and any co-investigators*
•  Signed certification forms from respective Authorised Representatives from both Doherty and 
Calgary, as well as signed Co Investigator consent forms, to be uploaded into your application. 
Forms are shared here.
* For Canadians we recommend the CCV (CIHR Biosketch format)

Incomplete applications and applications submitted after this time will not be considered. All
correspondence to applicants will be via email.

Applications submitted outside the SmartyGrants portal, including via email and PDF, will not be
considered.

Further information
Who do I contact with queries?
cgcpt-grants@unimelb.edu.au

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