Clinical Trials Funding Expansion Initiative

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Clinical Trials Funding Expansion Initiative Pilot at the University of Alberta. This program aims to support clinician scientists, clinicians, health researchers, and other relevant researchers in developing investigator-initiated clinical trial proposals for the Spring and Fall 2025 CIHR Project Grant competitions.

The pilot will offer tailored support that could include expert consultations, grant development assistance, and access to key resources, all with the goal of enhancing the quality and success rate of investigator initiated clinical trial applications.

This pilot plan is a collaborative effort supported by the Office of the Vice-President (Research and Innovation), the College of Health Sciences, and the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.

How will this initiative benefit researchers?

• Increase the number and quality of clinical trial proposals submitted by U of A researchers.
• Provide strategic support, training, and guidance to participants from various faculties, centres and institutes, including the Clinical Trials Office (CTO) and the Office of the Vice-President (Research and Innovation).
• Establish best practices based on feedback from CIHR review experts.

Who will benefit?

This pilot is open to clinician scientists, clinicians,  health researchers and other relevant researchers from all U of A colleges and standalone facilities, especially those with clinical trial platforms ready for development.

How will this pilot be structured?

The pilot will run from September 2024 to February 2026 and will begin with an environmental scan and cohort identification process. Up to 10 researchers will be selected to receive tailored support for clinical trial design and grant development. Where possible, the pilot will leverage existing pathways of support. 

What kind of support will participants receive?

Participants will be able to select from a suite of support based on their needs and university capacity including:

• Guidance on methodology, biostatistics, and patient recruitment.
• One-to-one mentorship, regulatory assistance, and help with grant writing and data management.
• Access to training, workshops, and university resources to support successful clinical trial proposal development.

What Is the timeline?

• September to November 2024: Environmental scan and cohort identification.
• Spring and Fall 2025: Participants will develop and submit proposals for CIHR competitions.
• February 2026: Results and feedback will be evaluated.

This initiative offers an exciting opportunity to strengthen the University of Alberta’s clinical trial research capacity, with the pilot outcomes providing valuable insights into sustainability and expansion challenges and opportunities.

Further details will be shared in the coming weeks.

For more information, please contact Research Partner, Robin Love at robin.love@ualberta.ca.

Aminah Robinson Fayek
Vice-President Research Innovation

Lawrence Richer
Associate Dean, Health Research, College of Health Sciences