Cancer Research for Screening and Prevention (CRSP) Program Fund 2026-2027

Eligibility

Applicants

• General Stream: Post-secondary institutions are eligible.
• Indigenous Stream: Post-secondary institutions are ineligible as primary applicants under the Indigenous Stream but can be co-applicants or partner organizations. Alternatively, a UCalgary-led application involving Indigenous groups, communities, and/or organizations can be submitted to the competition's general stream.

Eligible Proposals

The Cancer Research for Screening and Prevention (CRSP) Program Fund is accepting both project-based (implementation/evaluation-based) and research-based applications. For an application to be considered eligible under the CRSP program, a gap in cancer prevention and screening should be identified and addressed in the proposal.

Examples of proposals that will be considered include, but are not limited to:

• Research and/or proof of concept initiatives that promote improvements to cancer screening practices;
• Cancer prevention and screening, which, for the purposes of this call, includes: health promotion/prevention research with improved cancer-related outcomes; early detection; chronic diseases; development, implementation, and/or evaluation of care pathways.

Considerations for exceptions may be possible for proposals that consider other aspects of cancer (e.g., secondary or tertiary prevention, survivorship, treatment, etc.); however, research/projects focused on primary prevention and cancer screening will be given priority.

Summary

The purpose of the Primary and Preventative Health Services (PPHS) Cancer Research for Screening and Prevention (CRSP) Funding Program is to invest funding to support and encourage research initiatives that will promote the prevention or early detection of cancer and related chronic diseases, improve patient outcomes, and demonstrate opportunities for widespread implementation and value to the healthcare system. These guidelines ensure funds are awarded in a transparent and merit-based process to high-impact projects led by principal investigators at eligible institutions in Alberta. CRSP funding will support approved projects that align with PPHS' strategic priorities for up to $1 million for a maximum project length of three years.

The objectives of the CRSP program are to:

• Improve the overall health of Albertans by supporting cancer research on prevention, early detection and screening.
• Build capacity for cancer research and innovation excellence with eligible institutions to promote implementation, collaboration and investments.
• Promote investment in cancer research that supports the sustainability of the health care system.

Submission Process

There is a two-stage process consisting of a Expression of Interest (EOI) and Full Proposal, which is by invitation only. Both stages of 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.

1. Expression of Interest (EOI)

The EOI, plus approval in the Research Management System (RMS) using a Pre-Award/Letter of Intent record, must be submitted to RSO by July 21, 2026 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.

Once you have received RSO approval, you must submit the EOI by July 24, 2026 at 4:00 pm (MT).

2. Full Application (by invitation only)

The Full Application, plus approval in the Research Management System (RMS) using a Pre-Award/Application record,* must be submitted to RSO by November 3, 2026, 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.

*Creation of a new Pre-Award/Application record in RMS is not necessary. You can automatically generate an Application record from the existing LOI record by changing the status of the LOI record to 'Invited to full application' (under Save & Progress).

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 November 6, 2026 at 4:00 pm (MT).

This application also requires a signed signature page from the RSO prior to submission (this document will be available for download in RMS).

Program Resources

• CRSP Program Guidelines
• Expression of Interest (EOI) Form

Overhead

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.

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