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Funding Opportunities


Call for Applications: Neuromuscular Research Partnership 2012


Competition Code:

201203JNM

Registration Deadline

2012-02-01

Application Deadline

2012-03-01

Anticipated Notice of Decision

2012-06-29

Funding Start Date

2012-10-01



Summary

  • The CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Health and Mental Addiction (INMHA), the Institute of Genetics (IG) and the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA), in partnership with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Society of Canada (ALS Society of Canada) and Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC) will provide funding for applications that are determined to be relevant to the following research priority areas described below:


  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • Spinal muscular atrophies
  • Diseases of the neuromuscular junction (e.g. myasthenia gravis)
  • Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy
  • Diseases of the skeletal muscle (e.g. muscular dystrophies, myopathies, myotonic disorders, metabolic or endocrine muscle diseases)
  • Diseases of the peripheral nerve (e.g. Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies and Charcot Marie-Tooth)
  • Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD)
  • Genetically determined ataxias (e.g. Autosomal Recessive Spastic Ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay, Friedreich's Ataxia)
  • Other neuromuscular disorders covered by Muscular Dystrophy Canada


  • The objective of the Neuromuscular Research Partnership is to fund excellence in the research priority areas described above.
  • Basic, focused or applied research that will help move the research field forward towards treatment options for the diseases supported by the ALS Society of Canada and Muscular Dystrophy Canada are eligible for funding. Basic research that does not lead towards treatment options will not be considered as relevant.
  • More information on the research priorities of CIHR-IG, CIHR-IMHA, CIHR-INMHA, ALS Society of Canada, and Muscular Dystrophy Canada, can be found on their websites.

Funds Available

  • The total amount available for this funding opportunity is $1,649,665.
  • There is no maximum for a single grant per annum. The maximum amount awarded for a single grant will be the CIHR recommended amount for up to three (3) years for projects relevant to NRP below the CIHR funding cut-off. Projects relevant to NRP above the CIHR funding cut-off will receive funding for the recommended term through the Open Operating Grants Program. CIHR anticipates that three to four (3-4) grants will be funded through this competition.
  • Should additional funding by either the ALS Society of Canada and/or Muscular Dystrophy Canada become available, these organizations may provide bridge funds (of $100,000 maximum for one year) to applications directly relevant to the mandate of either of these organizations. To be eligible for this bridge funding, the applications must have been submitted to the NRP and must have been unsuccessful in both the open operating grant and priority announcement funding opportunities.

Specific Requirements

  • This Priority Announcement will require the completion of a Relevance Form.
  • On this form, applicants must clearly demonstrate the relevance of the proposed project to the research priority areas stated above and to the diseases supported by ALS Society of Canada and Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
  • Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact ALS Society of Canada and Muscular Dystrophy Canada directly if they have any questions regarding relevance.
  • For grants funded through this program, progress and end of grant reports will be required. These reports will be shared with the funding partners.

How to Apply

Important: Please read all instructions to familiarize yourself with the application process before applying. For new applicants or for those wanting a reminder of the main application procedures, an overview of CIHR's application processes can be found under "Apply for Funding". Note that these are general instructions only as the specific application instructions for this funding opportunity are located below.

  • The application process for this funding opportunity is comprised of one (1) phase: Application.
  • Applications are submitted through the "201203MOP" competition of the Operating Grant: 2011-2012 funding opportunity. While you must complete the "Registration" phase of the Operating Grants: 2011-2012 program, you do not need to complete this step when applying to Priority Announcements.
  • To complete your Application, follow the specific application guidelines and instructions which are fully described in the Operating Grant: 2011-2012 "How to Apply" section.
  • Reminder to applicants: Please ensure that your application is complete (includes all required signatures) and is submitted on time to CIHR.
  • To apply for funding through these priority announcements, select the priority announcement title and relevant research area(s) addressed by your research proposal in the "Identify Priority Announcements and Relevant Research Area" section of your ResearchNet application. 
  • You may request that your application be considered for up to three (3) priority announcement research areas per application, in each Operating Grant competition.

Contact Information

For questions on CIHR funding guidelines, how to apply, and the peer review process contact:

Janet Lemoine
Program Delivery Coordinator
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-957-1188
Fax: 613-941-4394
Email: Janet.lemoine(at)cihr-irsc.gc.ca

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your ResearchNet account or the e-Submission process contact:

CIHR ResearchNet Support
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-941-9080
Email: support(at)researchnet-recherchenet.ca

For questions about this research initiative and research objectives, contact:

Neuromuscular Research Partnership
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Fax: 613-954-1800
Email: pce.pec(at)cihr-irsc.gc.ca

ALS Society of Canada
Denise Figlewicz, Ph.D.
Vice President, Research
3000 Steeles Avenue East, Suite 200,
Markham, Ontario, L3R 4T9
Telephone: 905-248-2052 ext. 202
Fax: 905-248-2019
Email: daf(at)als.ca

Muscular Dystrophy Canada
Marla Spiegel
National Director, Research, Programs and Services
Suite 900-2345 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON, M4P 2E5
Telephone: 416-488-0030 ext. 134
Fax: 416-488-7523
Email: marla.spiegel(at)muscle.ca