New Call Application Deadline: 25 January 2019
The Zavalkoff Family Foundation’s Brain@McGill and The Gail Asper Family Foundation IMRIC/Hebrew University Collaboration in Neurodevelopmental, Neurodegenerative and Neuropsychiatric Diseases: Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment
McGill University, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (‘Hebrew University’ hereafter) and The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC) have partnered to establish collaborative research and training opportunities in the area of Neurobiology.
Within the framework of this formal collaboration, these partners announce a call for applications for competitive joint Pilot Project Grants to support collaborative research in Neurobiology. The objective of a pilot project would be to generate preliminary data that will be used to support external research grant applications, which should be submitted within six to twelve months after the completion of the project. The maximum amount that can be requested for a pilot project is C$50,000. High-risk approaches will be considered. In these cases, risk will be evaluated against the potential to deliver ground breaking results.
Applications are invited for up to four Pilot Project Grants to support new or ongoing collaborations. The maximum amount that can be requested for each application is C$ 50,000 ($25,000 from Hebrew U and $25,000 from McGill).
Applications should involve one McGill-affiliated principal investigator (PI) and one Hebrew University-affiliated PI. Each PI can participate in maximally one application.
Proposals should clearly demonstrate
- the added value of the planned joint research.
- how planned joint research will provide training opportunities for at least one trainee (MSc, PhD, MD students or postdoctoral fellows).
It is anticipated that data generated through these collaborations will allow researchers to pursue more comprehensive joint external research funding.
Key Dates for 2019 Competition
- Application Deadline: January 25, 2019
- Decision Expected by: March 1, 2019
Eligible Costs
Funds can be requested for:
- Directly incurred costs of the research project, including laboratory consumables.
- Return airfare between Israel and Montreal (plus other travel costs such as taxi fares) for the applicants and trainees listed on the grant. Air travel must be claimed at the lowest rate available, not to exceed full economy fare.
- Per diem costs to cover accommodation and reasonable out of pocket expenses during travel (as a guide, it is expected that these costs would be in the range of C$ 200-250 per day). If these expenses are expected to be significantly different (e.g., travel or housing special needs), this should be indicated in the budget.
Non-eligible Costs
- Salaries of PIs.
- Visitor fees, student fees, or bench fees (either University will not charge fees on collaborative activities funded under this scheme).
- Honoraria for guest lecturers.
- Costs of publication.
- Significant items of equipment (over C$ 1,000).
Review Process
An ad hoc joint Review Panel composed of McGill and Hebrew University PIs will review applications according to the following criteria:
- Track record of the applicants.
- Quality and originality of the proposed activities.
- Evidence that the proposed research might lead to a continuing collaboration between the partner laboratories.
- Demonstrated potential for enhancement of training of students/fellows.
Each partner institution will establish a committee of approximately 3-5 senior researchers to evaluate proposals. Each proposal will be evaluated by the committees of the institutions involved in the proposed project for scientific excellence. Applicants may not take part in the review of their own proposals.
The results of each institution’s evaluation will be provided to the steering committee members representing the partnership at that institution, who may choose to seek further scientific expert advice if it is deemed necessary. It may be possible to ask applicants to resubmit, taking into account the reviewer’s comments.
Funding decisions will be made by the steering committee. These may take into account the longer-term strategic objectives of the partnership as agreed at that time; or any other factors deemed appropriate. The panel’s decision will be final and there will be no appeal procedure.
How to Apply
For each application, PIs will need to send electronically:
- Completed application form
- Biosketch of PIs including a list of significant recent publications.
- Short biosketch of any listed collaborators (publication list not required).
- A budget including justification of all costs requested.
At project end, pilot projects and workshops should provide a brief (normally 1 page max) report detailing achievements. This should highlight key results, potential impacts of continued research in the area, student mobility, abstracts, talks at scientific meetings, funding applications, publications in preparation, and any media highlights.
Any publications generated as a result of an award must acknowledge the partnership specifically referring to support from ‘The Zavalkoff Family Foundation's Brain@McGill and The Gail Asper Family Foundation IMRIC/Hebrew University Collaboration in Neuroscience’. Investigators should update the partnership coordinators on the progress of publications arising from these awards. Should a project cease for any reason, including project end, unspent funds will be returned to the partnership.
Please email applications to:
Prof. Haya Lorberboum-Galski (hayag [at] ekmd.huji.ac.il) and Prof. Stefano Stifani (stefano.stifani [at] mcgill.ca).