Alberta ALS Research Network (AARN) Established Research Program Award 2026

Eligibility

To be eligible, the Principal Applicant must:

1. Hold an independent academic or research appointment at an Alberta institution that meets CIHR eligibility requirements or equivalent standards recognized by AARN, with the autonomy to conduct independent research and supervise trainees;

2. Lead an established ALS research program, defined as an ongoing, coordinated body of research with: 

1. A sustained track record of peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and/or knowledge translation outputs; 
    
2. A history of competitive, peer-reviewed external funding supporting the program; 
    
3. Existing research infrastructure (e.g., active cohort, registry, biobank, data platform, established clinical or laboratory pipeline, or equivalent) that the proposed work will build upon; and 
    

4. Demonstrated productivity and measurable impact in the ALS field or a directly related area.

    

    

3. Be in good standing with their institution and any current or previous AARN funding. 

4. A member of AARN. 

Summary

AARN is pleased to launch an Established Research Program Grant to provide enhanced funding to mature, high-performing ALS research programs in Alberta that are positioned to expand their scope and impact. This opportunity is intended for ongoing, well-defined research programs that have established research infrastructure, demonstrated productivity, and a sustained track record of output (for example, longitudinal cohorts, registries, biobanks, or platform-based research programs). The objectives of this funding opportunity are to:

• Facilitate growth of established ALS research programs by supporting expansion of scope, scale, or reach beyond what existing funding allows;
• Leverage existing research infrastructure to generate greater scientific and clinical impact;
• Promote knowledge translation to improve health outcomes for individuals living with ALS; and
• Strengthen research capacity and collaboration within Alberta.

Applications are expected to demonstrate how AARN funding will meaningfully enhance an existing research program rather than initiate new, standalone work.

Application Submission

1. Combine all application materials in a single PDF file, named using the format AARN_EstablishedProgram_[PI Last Name]_2026.pdf.

    

2. Submit the application by email to Kelsie Snow, AARN Project Manager, at kelsie@alsab.ca by Dec 1, 2026.
3. Applicants will receive an email confirmation of receipt within two business days. If confirmation is not received, it is the applicant's responsibility to follow up before the deadline.
4. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
5. Questions about the application or eligibility may be directed to kelsie@alsab.ca. Applicants are encouraged to reach out well in advance of the deadline.

Overhead

Application deadlines

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) or Research Facilitator 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

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be!

Contact the following Research Service units for support with:

Projects Involving Indigenous Research:

Support with incorporating wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management 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.

Knowledge Mobilization, Research Impact Assessment, DORA:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, research impact, responsible research assessment (DORA), and open science, 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 and access to resource archives, please visit the KI team webpage.

Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca.

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.

Research Security:

The Research Security Division is available to ensure researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC).

Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.

Pre-Award Submissions:

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI
RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application