Member Funding Opportunities

All applications to LKSIoV must align with our relevance criteria to be eligible for funding. Eligibility criteria for this funding program:

1. The Principal Investigator must be a member of LKSIoV and a faculty member at the University of Alberta.
2. The Principal Investigator can be anyone eligible to apply for national or international grants.
3. The Principal Investigator may put forward a maximum of one application per year.
4. Additional considerations, such as compliance with reporting requirements, will also be taken into consideration by the review committee (refer to Awardee Obligations below).

All funding requests are limited to a total maximum of $40,000 per grant application. Applications with a budget request greater than $40,000 must include matching funds.

The budget request in this grant application represents the total budget for a 12-month period of support. Funding associated with this award cannot be used as top-up funding. All principal investigators, co-applicants and collaborators must demonstrate an independent stipend/salary source.

Note: LKSIoV Research Support & Innovation Grants will be awarded based on need and merit of the applicant and application.

Eligible Expenses

Eligible expenses include (but are not limited to):

• materials, supplies, and other expendables
• equipment costs that do not exceed 10% of the total proposed project budget
• animals and animal facilities
• computer/CPU time, data access charges, and library resources
• computer and computing equipment or software limited to $2,000
• publication costs (including open access publishing)
• salaries (including benefits) for research assistants, technicians, or post-doctoral fellows
• stipends for summer and graduate students
• travel - limited to $2,000 (total) for conference attendance (including transportation, registration fees, per diem/meals, accommodation, etc.)
• travel required for research data collection (mileage paid according to U of A guidelines)

Ineligible Expenses

Ineligible expenses include:

• secretarial and clerical support
• stipend for members of the research team
• renovations
• maintenance of equipment
• installation of major equipment
• membership fees
• equipment purchases valued at over 10% of the total proposed budget
• indirect university costs

Research Administrative Services (RAS) no longer reviews internal to the University applications. As such, institutional approval and signatures are no longer required at the time of application. 

The LKSIoV offers various funding opportunities to its members.

Rapid Response

These grants are intended to provide an applicant with access to funding within a fairly quick time frame. Although rarely sought, these funds are meant to enable an applicant to pursue a novel investigation and acquire data as a foundation for future funding competitions of a larger platform.

Proof of Principle

Proof of Principle (PoP) funding requests are discovery grants intended to provide investigators with funds to explore research opportunities with potential for generating Intellectual Property (IP). Funds can be used to apply for patents, as well as prosecute them. Guidance on development and protection of patents will be provided to successful applicants if needed.

Translational Research

Translational research grants anticipate a clear vision for how a proof of principle can be translated into clinical practice. If an IP has already been acquired, these funds can assist, for example, in the development of a spin-off company or in the acquisition of pre-clinical data for potential commercial partnerships.

Collaboration (Multi-Disciplinary)

These grants are designed to support any of the above grants with collaborative efforts, involving two (2) or more investigators in a multi-disciplinary research proposal. The research project must clearly detail the work that will be done by the Principal Investigator and each Co-investigator. For LKSIoV funding purposes, a Co-investigator is defined as an individual who contributes to the proposed research activities.

Collaborator Requirements

Many research grants involve the assistance of collaborators. The LKSIoV defines a Collaborator as a person who provides a specific service or resource (e.g., access to equipment, provision of specific reagents, training in a specialized technique, statistical analysis, access to a patient population, etc.). If any of the LKSIoV Research Support & Innovation Grants involve collaborators, a letter of support for each collaborator may be provided with the application submission as an appendix. Letters of Collaboration must clearly detail the role of each collaborator.

To apply for LKSIoV Research Support & Innovation Grants, the applicant must complete the application form. You will automatically receive a copy of your completed application form via email. 

In addition to the application form, the following documents are required (listed below) in a single PDF file. Each of the following sections must adhere to the following submission requirements (except the signatures pages):

• Use 12-point Roboto font
• Each page must have margins of 1" (2.54 cm) all around (i.e., top/bottom/left/right)
• Pages must include the applicant's name in the left header (last name, first name) AND page number of total pages in the footer (e.g., page 1 of 5)

Electronic Signatures Page

Principal Investigator - please create a proposal in the Researcher Homepage, upload your proposal in PDF format, as well as your application form in PDF format, then press submit.

All internal persons (i.e., U of A co-applicants) required to sign your proposal will be prompted to do so electronically.*

Once Research Administrative Services has received your proposal and signed it, you will be notified. Attach the electronic signatures pages from RSO to your submission package. Please contact Research Administrative Services if you are not sure how to acquire the signatures page.

*NOTE: External co-applicants should submit a signed letter indicating their role on the project as a co-applicant. Attach this letter to your submission package.

NOTE: By signing electronically, the principal investigator and all co-applicants agree(s) to abide by the UAPPOL and LKSIoV Research Support & Innovation Grant Funding Program Terms of Reference governing any award pursuant to the sponsorship of this application.

Lay Information

This information may be used and/or released publicly for communication initiatives. Specifically, it may be used to inform our stakeholders (or others), and/or to promote the work of the LKSIoV and its members in the media (e.g., website, radio, TV, social media, etc.) Please provide a lay title and lay summary of the research proposed in this application. Ensure the language is suitable for a broad/lay audience; do not use scientific or technical language. Successful applicants (i.e., Principal Investigator) that do not present suitable lay information will be asked by LKSIoV for amendment. Please ensure the lay summary is a maximum of half a page.

Scientific Summary

Please provide the scientific title of the proposed research. Also, provide the scientific abstract (summary) of the work proposed in this application. The summary should be a maximum half a page.

LKSIoV Relevance

Please detail the relevance of the proposed research to the LKSIoV in a maximum of half a page.

Research Project

Please provide an outline of your research proposal, including a concise summary of the current state of knowledge relating to the work proposed. The objectives and research plan must be clearly detailed, with the rationale for the methods and approaches addressed. A maximum of three (3) pages may be appended for this section. The page total does not include references. NOTE: An additional two (2) pages may be added for charts, figures, etc.

Knowledge Translation Plan

Please provide a knowledge translation plan that details the expected outcomes and impact of the proposed research. Include a clear statement outlining the plan for outputs/next steps (e.g., future grant applications, impacts on health policy, commercialization, etc). This section should be maximum half a page.

Budget Summary

The budget summary and justification represent the total budget request and cannot exceed $40,000 CAD. Applications with a budget request over the $40,000 must present with matching funds. Please refer to Financial Support & Expenses section for detailed eligible and ineligible expenses.

Note: Use Budget Template for this section.

Budget Justification

Please outline the expenses listed in the budget with a clear justification. The budget justification is limited to a maximum of two (2) pages. Any matching funds must be clearly identified and detailed.

Principal Investigator Summary of Other Funding

Please provide a complete list of currently held or pending grants (including potential submissions) by the Principal Investigator.

In addition, provide the following information for each listed item:

• the status of each award with the corresponding period of support
• a copy of the summary page of the application
• a statement on the conceptual and budgetary overlap with this application

Note: Eligibility to hold LKSIoV Grant funds may be impacted by compliance in funding overlap declaration. 

Principal Investigator Curriculum Vitae

Please provide a CIHR Biosketch from Canadian Common CV, listing your most recent activity for the last seven (7) years. If co-investigators are listed on this application, please provide their CIHR Biosketch from Canadian Common CV as well.
Note: Application adjudication will be based on scientific merit and demonstrated financial need. 

All awards will be contingent on the availability of funds.

To apply for LKSIoV Research Support & Innovation Grants, the completed and signed application form, along with required documentation must be submitted by the deadline. There are two funding periods per year:

SUBMISSION DEADLINES

Winter Competition: Applications are due by December 1 @ 4:00pm. Note: the deadline for 2024 is December 2 at 4:00pm.

Selection committee results will be announced by February 28 in the subsequent calendar year.

Summer Competition: Applications are due by June 1 @ 4:00 pm. Note: the deadline for 2024 was June 3 at 4:00pm.

Selection committee results will be announced by August 31 in the same calendar year.

When application deadline falls on a statutory holiday or weekend, the application shall be due by 4:00pm on the next business day.

Submission Instructions

1. All complete grant applications must be received in the LKSIoV Office by the stipulated deadline.
2. Application packages must be submitted using the link provided under Google Application Form (see below).
3. Complete application packages must be submitted as a single PDF file.

NOTE: You will receive a confirmation of receipt email shortly after submission.

If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact our office at lksiov@ualberta.ca or phone: 780-492-1084.

Important Notes:

• Late applications will not be accepted
• Applications with missing information / documentation will be given to the Adjudication Committee as submitted. It is the Principal Investigator's responsibility to ensure a funding request application package is accurate and complete. Eligibility to participate in the competition and/or hold funds may be affected and result in an unsuccessful application

Competition Results

The adjudication of funding applications for a Winter competition will be completed by February 15 of the subsequent year. A formal letter with official competition results and feedback will be emailed to the Principal Investigator within two (2) weeks following the adjudication (by February 28).

The adjudication of funding applications for a Summer competition will be completed by July 20 of the same calendar year. A formal letter with official competition results and feedback will be emailed to the Principal Investigator within two (2) weeks following the adjudication (by August 15).

Notification of LKSIoV Research Support & Innovation Grant Awardees will be posted on the LKSIoV communication channels (website, social media, SUTV, etc.) after the official competition results and feedback have been emailed to the Principal Investigator(s). All institutional sponsors will be provided with application outcomes.

Funding Implementation

All offers of LKSIoV Research Support & Innovation Grant funding must be implemented within the period stipulated on the formal award letter:

Winter Competition: Awardees receive funding for the period of March 1 to February 28 of the subsequent year (1 year);

Summer Competition: Awardees receive funding for the period of September 1 to August 31 of the current year (1 year).

The LKSIoV Research Support & Innovation Grant funding is disbursed as a one-time lump sum payment. All ethics and other institutional approvals must be received by Research Administrative Services in order to release the funds.

Upon receipt of an LKSIoV Research Support & Innovation Grant, it is expected that the funded research will be completed within the awarded timeframe stipulated in the formal award letter. In the event that progress is delayed, LKSIoV may consider a no-cost extension to the initial period of financial support.

Extension Request Requirements

To assess extension eligibility, the LKSIoV requires a formal extension request outlining:

1. the reason for the extension
2. expected completion timeline
3. any other pertinent information

Extension request must be submitted no later than two (2) months prior to the end of the period of support:

Winter competition awardees must submit extension request by December 31.

Summer competition awardees must submit extension request by June 30.

All formal extension requests must be sent electronically to lksiov@ualberta.ca.

If the spend rate for any LKSIoV Research Support & Innovation Grant at the time of formal extension request is deemed inappropriate, LKSIoV may opt to terminate the grant and recover any residual funds.

Notification Results for Extension Requests

All formal extension requests will be reviewed by the LKSIoV Director, Dr. Lorne Tyrrell. If needed, the LKSIoV Director will consult with the Selection Committee for further advice. All extension request results will be delivered via email no later than 1 month after receipt of request.

LKSIoV Research Support & Innovation Grant recipients must agree to certain obligations that include, but are not limited to:

Acknowledgement

All oral or poster presentations, publications, including public messages, arising from research supported by LKSIoV grants must acknowledge the support of LKSIoV. A funding acknowledgement example is provided in the formal offer of award letters. The email notification contains logos for such use.  Logos are also found below under Google Application Form, Budget Summary & LKSIoV Logos.

LKSIoV reserves the right to terminate any grant funding if the conditions of the award are not met or if there is evidence of unsatisfactory progress. LKSIoV supports the University of Alberta's efforts to ensure the highest standards of research and scholarship practice and behaviour. By submission of the signed application, the Principal Investigator asserts that the information provided in the document(s) adheres to all research policies and procedures in place at the University of Alberta.

Misrepresentations of authorship, credentials or research support may result in disqualification of the application from this competition. Further actions may include disqualifying the Principal Investigator and/or research team member(s) from future competitions, withdrawal of any remaining installments of support for any existing LKSIoV grant for which misrepresentation appears in the submission, and seeking partial or full repayment of any past financial support under any LKSIoV grant for which misrepresentation appears in the submission.

• LKSIoV Research Support and Innovation Grants Application Form
• Budget Summary (Microsoft Word)
• LKSIoV Logo in Colour
• LKSIoV Logo in White

To apply for LKSIoV Bridge Funding, members must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. The Principal Investigator must be a member of LKSIoV.
2. The Principal Investigator can be anyone eligible to apply for national or international grants.
3. The Principal Investigator may put forward a maximum of one application per year.
4. The Primary Investigator must have been unsuccessful in a current national or international competitions, scored in the top 30%, and may not have alternative forms of funding.
5. Regardless of the ranking, a grant application must have been reviewed and discussed by the national or international funder (i.e.: CIHR) adjudication committee (and not triaged) for eligibility of LKSIoV.
6. Bridge Funding.
7. The Primary Investigator agrees to re-submit their revised application in the immediately following competition.
8. Priority will be given to those that have not held LKSIoV Bridge Funding in the last three years.
9. Additional considerations such as compliance with reporting requirements will also be taken into consideration by the review committee (refer to Awardee Obligations below).

All awards will be contingent on the availability of funds.

Note: Applicants are strongly encouraged to participate in the University of Alberta Grant Assist Program (GAP) review prior to submission.

All bridge funding requests are limited to a total maximum of $40,000.00 CAD per grant application. Applications with a budget request greater than $40,000 must include matching funds. The budget request in this grant application represents the total budget for a 12-month period of support.

Note: LKSIoV Bridge Funding Grants will be awarded based on need and merit of the applicant and application. All awards will be contingent on the availability of funds.

Eligible Expenses

Eligible expenses include (but are not limited to):

• materials, supplies, and other expendables;
• equipment costs may not exceed 10% of the total proposed project budget;
• animals and animal facilities;
• computer/CPU time, data access charges and library resources;
• computer and computing equipment or software limited to $2,000;
• publication costs (including open access publishing);
• salaries (including benefits) for research assistants, technicians, postdoctoral fellows;
• stipends for summer and graduate students;
• travel - limited to $2,000.00 (total) for conference attendance (includes transportation, registration fees, per diem/meals, accommodation, etc.);
• travel required for research data collection (mileage paid according to U of A guidelines).

Ineligible Expenses

• secretarial and clerical support;
• stipend for members of the research team;
• renovations;
• maintenance of equipment;
• installation of major equipment;
• membership fees;
• equipment purchases valued at over 10% of the total proposed budget;
• indirect university costs.

To apply for LKSIoV Bridge Funding Grants, the following is required.

Application Form

A completed and signed LKSIoV Bridge Funding Application Form.

Grant Proposal

A copy of the complete grant application submitted to national or international funder (i.e., CIHR) for which bridge funding is sought.

Competition Result

A copy of the competition result indicating a score within the top 35%, with all outcome documentation provided, including the formal results letter, the notice of decision, all application review and scientific officer notes.

Note: Regardless of the ranking, a grant application must have been reviewed and discussed by the national or international funder (i.e.: CIHR) adjudication committee (and not triaged) for eligibility of LKSIoV Bridge Funding.

Plan

A brief outline of how LKSIoV Bridge Funds will be used to increase the Primary Investigator's competitiveness in upcoming national or international funding competitions (maximum 1/2 page);

Budget Summary

The budget summary and justification represent the total budget request and cannot exceed $40,000.00 CAD. Applications with a budget request over the $40,000.00 must present with matching funds. Please refer to Financial Support & Expenses for details on eligible and ineligible expenses.

Note: Use Budget template for this section.

Budget Justification

Outline the expenses listed in the budget with a clear justification. The budget justification is limited to a maximum of two (2) pages. Any matching funds must be clearly identified and detailed.

Note: Applications will be considered by the LKSIoV Awards Review Committee. Application adjudication will be based on demonstrated financial need and scientific merit. All awards will be contingent on the availability of funds.

To apply for a LKSIoV Bridge Funding Grant, the completed and signed original application form, along with required documentation must be submitted by the deadline. There are two funding periods per year therefore the closing date is variable.

Submission Deadlines

For both the Winter or Summer competition, applications are due approximately two weeks after CIHR competition results are released, by 4 p.m. local time (MST)*. Please consult website for exact deadline dates.

Selection committee results are announced within 30 days of application submission deadline.

Submission Instructions

LKSIoV, in partnership with FoMD, CRINA, NACTRC, and WCHRI, is only supporting an electronic submission portal for bridge funding applications.

NOTE: only applications submitted through the partnership portal will be considered.

Important Notes

Late applications will not be accepted.

Applications with missing information or documentation will be given to the Selection Committee as submitted. It is the Principal Investigator's responsibility to ensure a funding request application package is accurate and complete. Eligibility to participate in the competition and/or hold funds may be affected and result in an unsuccessful application.

Competition Results

The adjudication of LKSIoV Bridge Funding Grant applications for both the Winter or Summer competition will be completed within 30 days of the application deadline. Official competition result letters and competition feedback will be emailed to the Principal Investigator within two (2) weeks following the adjudication (within 45 days of application submission).

LKSIoV Bridge Funding Awardees will be posted on the LKSIoV website, social media, SUTV, etc. after the official competition result letters and competition feedback has been emailed to the Principal Investigator. All institutional sponsors will be provided with application outcomes.

Funding Implementation

All offers of LKSIoV Bridge Grant funding must be implemented within the period stipulated on the formal award letter:

Winter Competition: Awardees receive funding for the period of March 1 to February 28 of the subsequent year (1 year);

Summer Competition: Awardees receive funding for the period of August 1 to July 30 of the subsequent year (1 year).

NOTE: Due to CIHR funding changes in 2020, awardees receive funding for the period of October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021 (1 year).

The LKSIoV Bridge Funding Grant is disbursed as a one-time lump sum payment. LKSIoV will only distribute award funding upon confirmation from the Research Services Office that an account has been opened (Advice Notice).

Note: Ethical and all other institutional approvals must be received by Research Services Office to open the account. LKSIoV must be listed as the award funder.

Upon receipt of a LKSIoV Bridge Funding Grant, it is expected that the funded research will be completed within the awarded timeframe stipulated in the formal award letter. In the event that progress is delayed, LKSIoV may consider a no-cost extension to the initial period of financial support.

Extension Request Requirements

To assess extension eligibility, the LKSIoV requires a formal extension request outlining:

• the reason for the extension;
• expected completion timeline;
• any other pertinent information.

Extension request must be submitted no later than two (2) months prior to the end of the period of support:

• Winter competition awardees must submit extension request by December 31.
• Summer competition awardees must submit extension request by May 31.

All formal extension requests must be sent electronically to LKSIoV Office: lksfunds@alberta.ca.

If the spend rate for any LKSIoV Bridge Funding Grant at the time of formal extension request is deemed inappropriate, LKSIoV may opt to terminate the grant and recover any residual funds.

Notification Results for Extension Requests

All formal extension requests will be reviewed by the LKSIoV Director, Dr. Lorne Tyrrell. If needed, the LKSIoV Director will consult with the Selection Committee for further advice. All extension request results will be delivered via email no later than 1 month after receipt of request.

LKSIoV Bridge Funding Grant recipients must agree to certain obligations that include, but are not limited to:

Acknowledgement

All oral or poster presentations, publications, including public messages, arising from research supported by LKSIoV grants must acknowledge the support of LKSIoV. A funding acknowledgement example is provided in the formal offer of award letters, and, the email notification contains logos for such use.

Progress / Final Report

The Principal Investigator is required to complete and submit a progress and/or final report within 30 days of the request to report. An email with instructions will be sent to the Principal Investigator to facilitate the reporting. Failure to comply with reporting requirements may result in ineligibility to apply to future LKSIoV funding programs.

Progress / Final Presentation

The LKSIoV will occasionally hold a Research Grant Symposium focused on showcasing the various research initiatives investigated by the LKSIoV members that are supported (in full or in part) by the LKSIoV. Principle Investigators are expected to deliver a short oral presentation outlining the progress or the results of a research projection supported by the LKSIoV. If an awardee is unable to present, a member of their research team is expected to present the evolvement or the outcomes of their research supported by LKSIoV. Symposium date(s) and presentation expectations will be emailed to the Principal Investigator awardee.

LKSIoV reserves the right to terminate any grant funding if the conditions of the award are not met, or if there is evidence of unsatisfactory progress. LKSIoV supports the University of Alberta's efforts to ensure the highest standards of research and scholarship practice and behaviour. By submission of the signed application, the Principal Investigator asserts that the information provided in the document(s) adheres to all research policies and procedures in place at the University of Alberta.

Misrepresentations of authorship, credentials or research support may result in disqualification of the application from this competition. Further actions may include disqualifying the Principal Investigator and/or research team member(s) from future competitions, withdrawal of any remaining installments of support for any existing LKSIoV grant for which misrepresentation appears in the submission, and seeking partial or full repayment of any past financial support under any LKSIoV grant for which misrepresentation appears in the submission.

• Bridge Funding Grants application form (MS Word)
• LKSIoV Logo in Colour
• LKSIoV Logo in White