Treat FTD Fund

Eligibility

Funding is open to researchers and clinicians worldwide at:

• Academic medical centers, universities, or non-profits. Industry partnerships are encouraged.
• Biotechnology companies. Existing companies and new startups are both eligible.
• NOTE: All funding is provided through mission-related investments that require return on investment based upon scientific and/or business milestones (see Our Research Strategy for more information).

Summary

The Treat FTD fund aims to support the development of drugs or devices for FTD disorders while building a better understanding of FTD pathophysiology, biological mechanisms of disease, and analytically and clinically validated biomarkers with a well-defined context-of-use. The fund aims to de-risk clinical development programs by supporting clinical trial readiness activities or early/mid-stage clinical trials with clear go/no-criteria for later stage drug development. Programs will be considered that test novel or repurposed drug candidates or devices in phase 0, 1 or 2 clinical trials for FTD disorders, led by academic researchers or biotechnology companies, worldwide. Both disease-modifying and symptomatic approaches will be considered.

The RFP seeks to support clinical trials incorporating:

1. biological mechanisms that have a sound scientific rationale for FTD
2. biomarkers that would permit evaluation of target engagement, downstream pharmacologic effect, and biological effect
3. trial designs aligned with constraints associated with a rare disease population
4. clinical outcome measures that could provide a deeper understanding of the drug mechanism and disease progression
5. therapeutics applicable to sporadic or genetic forms of FTD. Trials of treatments applicable in sporadic FTD are especially encouraged.

Although the strongest proposals will address all these aspects, all early-stage clinical trials with a sound biological rationale and well justified outcome measures for the patient population will be considered.

Overhead

Not provided. 

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.

SPONSOR RESOURCES

Leveraging of existing resources, clinical coordination centers/networks, and patient registries are highly encouraged.

Relevant resources include:

• ARTFL-LEFFTDS Longitudinal Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (ALLFTD)
• Genetic Frontotemporal Dementia Initiative (GENFI)
• FTD Prevention Initiative
• The FTD Disorders Registry
• ReD-Lat and the FRONTIER Research Group
   

INTERNAL 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