LLS – Snowdome Translational Research Program

Eligibility

The Principal Investigator (PI): 
• MUST be a person (companies or institutions are not eligible) 
• MUST be an independent investigator, defined as a scientist who has dedicated laboratory space, directly hires, and supervises laboratory personnel (technicians, graduate students, postdocs, and staff scientists), and makes all decisions concerning research activities and use of the grant funds 
• MUST be an established investigator, defined as a researcher with more than three years in an independent faculty appointment 
• May only submit one application per application cycle per grant program provided the aims differ • CAN serve as a Collaborator on other applications provided the aims differ 
• If the applicant can demonstrate a significant track record in malignant hematology and/or blood cancer research, a Co-PI may strengthen the proposal but is not required 
• If the applicant has scientific achievements and significant expertise in another scientific area and no track record in blood cancer research, the applicant MUST have a Co-Principal Investigator(s) who has the required significant track record in hematology and/or blood cancer research Not eligible to apply for a grant in this program: 
• Predoctoral scientists or postdoctoral fellow 

A Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI): 
• MUST be a person (companies or institutions are not eligible) 
• MUST be an independent investigator with an independent appointment 
• If the PI has the necessary track record in blood cancer research, a Co-PI may strengthen the proposal but is not required 
• If the PI has no expertise or proven track record in any of the blood cancers, an expert Co-PI is REQUIRED 
• May only submit one application per application cycle per grant program provided the aims differ 
• CAN serve as a Collaborator on other applications provided the aims differ 
• MUST be designated at the LOI phase detailing the nature and extent of the scientific interaction 
• At least one research aim of the proposal fully depends on their expertise, typically performed in their laboratory and/or facility Page 4 

Scientific Staff/Collaborators/Other Key Personnel 
• MUST be a person (companies or institutions are not eligible)
• May strengthen the work proposed but is not required 
• May provide expert insight, guidance, or feedback on research progress 
• May be included on different projects or programs provided the aims differ 

Summary

The Snowdome Foundation is an Australian-based not-for-profit organization with whom LLS is partnering to enhance our common goal to accelerate cures and better treatments for blood cancer patients. Snowdome Foundation will contribute funding for one meritorious TRP application focused on blood cancer research from an investigator working in Australia, an Australian investigator working in another country, or to Australian and non-Australian researchers jointly applying as co-PIs. Applications must be submitted to the LLS TRP program and will be evaluated within the general pool of TRP applications. In addition, applications will be jointly reviewed by LLS and Snowdome Foundation to ensure they meet the funding objectives of both organizations, and scientific progress of each awarded TRP will be evaluated by both organizations on an annual basis. LLS will administer the grant program. If you have selected eligibility for Snowdome Foundation, please ensure you select at least one topic of interest as outlined below.  General Topics of Particular Interest: 

1. Personalized medicine approach for cancer treatment. Advances in cancer care have significantly improved lives of patients with hematologic diseases such as AML, CLL, Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas, MM, and ALL. LLS believes that, with time, cures can be achieved for certain diseases or subtypes of diseases. Therefore, LLS will continue to support research that may revolutionize cancer care for any hematologic disease. 

2. Development of novel therapies and/or novel therapeutic strategies including those that target mutational and epigenetic events both in the tumor cells and within the microenvironment. Such therapies can be applicable to any hematologic malignancies, but emphasis is warranted in the following areas: a) Aggressive subtypes of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma including but not limited to DLBCL, tFL, MCL, PTCL, and ALCL b) Indolent lymphoma, including but not limited to: CLL, FL, WM (therapies with the potential to provide significant extension of lives of patients or total disease control in defined subtypes) c) Myeloid disorders including MPN/MDS/AML as well as lymphoid disorders such as ALL d) Multiple Myeloma and pre-emergent conditions e) LLS is especially interested in novel immunotherapy approaches and understanding novel immune synapses relevant to blood cancers.  

3. Improvements in the safety and efficacy of stem cell transplantation 

Overhead

Overhead costs are capped at 10%. 

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.

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.

Each applicant must submit the LOI by October 16, 2024, at 3:00pm ET via the LLS Research Portal (https://lls.fluxx.io). The applicant should carefully craft the information requested in the LOI as this information is automatically populated into the full application and is subject to the “Changes” clause listed below. There are two main aspects to the Letter of Intent Phase: all Fluxx webform fields and the “Previous Studies/Preliminary Data” (1 page maximum) downloadable template for completion. 

The LOI for TRP will be reviewed after the deadline. If the LOI is approved, the applicant will be notified by an automated email from the LLS Research Portal stating that they may proceed to the full application phase. Applicants may also check the status of their LOI on the LLS Research Portal. 

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