DoM Research Network Seed Funding Program 2021
In 2018, the Department of Medicine (DoM) launched a competition to support identified Research Networks with seed funding. The goal of this grant was to provide support to successful networks, in the hope that they would be able to leverage the grant in pursuit of additional funding, while growing their networks. Three grants of $50,000 were awarded. The DoM is now launching a new call for Network Seed Fund grants.
Objectives
The objective of the Network Seed Fund competition is to provide support to networks and, where possible, act as leverage for larger funding opportunities such as SPOR grants. Networks that engage trainees, involve patients and community, or act as catalysts across existing networks (ie. research platforms) are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility
The Letter of Intent (LOI) stage is open to any established networks that include representation from at least two divisions within the DoM, operating across multiple hospital sites. Collaborations with faculty from other departments is strongly encouraged. Whenever possible, the project team should include trainees and fellows in some capacity, particularly members of the CSTP. Each Network must identify a lead PI, and at least two Co-PIs, one of whom must be a faculty member in the Department of Medicine.
Guidelines
Successful projects must take into account the following guidelines.
- Diversity: Networks should consider the make-up of their project teams and are encouraged to consider gender balance, representation of visible minorities, all job descriptions, divisions, hospitals, and equal membership from junior, intermediate, and senior level faculty members, as well as trainees.
- Partnership with GEMINI: Networks are encouraged to consider ways that their programs of research can utilize GEMINI to access clinical data. The DoM is committed to supporting its Networks with pooled contributions to facilitate dedicated data analysis from the GEMINI database. More information on GEMINI can be found on the GEMINI website.
- Allowable costs: Please see the Use of Grant Funds section of the Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC) Financial Administration Guide for a complete listing and description of allowable costs and activities. An exception to this is the allowance for a maximum of 15K in direct salary support for Clinician Investigators identified as part of the project team.
- Conditions of Funding: Part of the application should outline other funding opportunities the project team is planning to apply for and the timelines for that application. The application should also highlight other funding already secured and how it will be used to enhance the funding provided by the DoM.
Projects should also review and reflect on the Department of Medicine Values & Guiding
Deadlines
We are mindful of the current challenges presented by the ongoing pandemic. If you are part of a network that is intending to apply to this opportunity, but cannot meet the posted deadlines, please contact Dr. Michael Farkouh about an extension.
The funding competition will have two stages;
1. A Letter of Intent (LOI) round. All eligible networks are invited to submit a short statement and draft budget by 5pm on Friday, April 9, 2021.
2. The LOIs will be reviewed by a diverse panel of faculty members from the DoM Research Committee.
3. Feedback will be supplied to the applicants by April 26th, 2021, and those selected to go forward will be asked to submit a complete application by 5pm on May 21, 2021.
Full eligibility and application details can be found here: https://deptmedicine.utoronto.ca/file/3897