RESEARCH FUNDING Programs
The Prion Institute focuses on the following areas of research excellence: protein folding and misfolding; pathobiology of TSEs; surveillance and control; and TSEs and society.
Applications must be submitted through the Alberta Innovates application website.
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE RESEARCH PROGRAM
The Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Research Program supports collaborative research directly related to understanding and managing CWD, a prion disease that affects deer, elk and other cervids. The Program funds projects to find solutions to the challenges faced from CWD. The Program will result in a better understanding of the mechanism and transmission of CWD, minimize disease risks through development of innovative approaches that contribute to the diagnosis, prevention, cure, and possible elimination of the disease, and identify the broader societal and economic impact of CWD in Alberta. Projects could also provide information useful to all levels of government for the development of public policies regarding CWD. Proposals that embody expertise and approaches including more than one of the Program theme areas are strongly encouraged.
Application Deadline: August 4, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. MDT
For more information or to apply, please visit the Alberta Innovates website.
ALBERTA ALZHEIMER RESEARCH PROGRAM
The Alberta Prion Research Institute (Prion Institute) and the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories (AS AB/NT) co-fund the Alberta Alzheimer Research Program (AARP). The AARP allows qualified Alberta investigators to seek funding for research directly related to Alzheimer’s disease in areas related to understanding the fundamental mechanisms of the disease and/or improving the quality of life of those with Alzheimer’s disease. There are two streams for grants: Young Investigator Grants and Regular Research Grants. Young Investigator Grants are available to Alberta researchers who are within five years of their first appointment after completing their research training. These grants are for up to $200,000 with a term of up to two years. Regular Research Grants are available to all Alberta researchers, including young investigators. These grants are for up to $150,000 with a term of up to two years.
Application Deadline: no current competition
EXPLORATIONS
The Explorations Program allows Alberta-based investigators to seek funding for research directly related to prion diseases and prion-like human neurodegenerative diseases and dementias. The research themes for this program are protein folding and misfolding in prion diseases, the pathobiology of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), surveillance and control of prion diseases, TSEs and society, protein folding and misfolding in prion-like human neurodegenerative diseases, and prion-like mechanisms in human neurodegenerative diseases. The Alberta Prion Research Institute offers one tier of funding for the Explorations competition: grants of up to $150,000 for a maximum of two years.
Application Deadline: no current competition
NEW COLLABORATIONS
The New Collaborations program is intended to encourage collaborations between researchers from an Alberta-based institution with researchers from institutions outside Alberta. Qualified investigators may seek funding for small research projects directly related to prion diseases and/or human neurodegenerative diseases and dementias where the etiology involves protein misfolding and the pathogenesis has prion-like characteristics. New Collaborations grants are intended to foster the development of new research partnerships by supporting short-term research projects aimed at addressing relevant fields of inquiry in the Prion Institute themes. Grants of up to $100,000 Canadian for a maximum period of two years are available.
Application Deadline: no current competition
RESEARCH TEAM PROGRAM
The Research Team Program allows teams of qualified investigators to seek funding for research directly related to prion diseases and prion-like human neurodegenerative diseases and dementias. The research themes for this program are protein folding and misfolding in prion diseases, the pathobiology of TSEs, surveillance and control of prion diseases, TSEs and society, protein folding and misfolding in prion-like human neurodegenerative diseases and prion-like mechanisms in the pathobiology of prion-like human neurodegenerative diseases. The program is designed to encourage collaboration within Alberta and between Alberta-based investigators and researchers outside of Alberta. The team of researchers must be from at least two different research institutions. The Alberta Prion Research Institute provides up to $250,000 for a team grant over a maximum of one year and may include partner agency funding for a period beyond the first year.
Application Deadline: TBA
SPECIFIED RISK MATERIALS PROGRAM
The Specified Risk Materials Program is intended to allow qualified investigators to seek funding for research directly related to the following areas of specified risk materials (SRM): detection of prions in complex matrices; SRM as feedstock for processes and products; disposition and disposal methods; cost benefit estimates of existing or new disposition and disposal methodologies; risk assessment; risk communication about SRM and risks and benefits of disposition and disposal of SRM; and other. Funding is accessible for all relevant fields of inquiry in the themes as described in the guideline to develop innovative disposition and disposal methods and/or uses of specified risk materials. This competition will support grants of up to $500,000 for a period of up to three years.
Application Deadline: no current competition
IDeal PROGRAM
The IDeal Program, also known as the Innovation and Delivery Program, was created to encourage collaboration among industry, Alberta universities and research institutions. The Alberta Prion Research Institute invites applications for research and development projects undertaken by Alberta-based private sector organizations or public sector researchers and their private sector partners. A private sector partner may be a company, an industry association or similar body. Direct project costs are shared by private sector partners and the funders. IDeal grants are typically of an applied nature and directed at a specific challenge identified by the private sector partner and the industry. Themes accessible for funding are:
- Protein folding and misfolding in prion diseases;
- The pathobiology of TSEs;
- Surveillance and control of prion diseases;
- Diagnostic technologies;
- Solutions to enhance market access;
- Innovative disposal and/or uses of specified risk material;
- TSEs and society;
- Protein folding and misfolding in prion-like human neurodegenerative diseases; and
- Prion-like mechanisms in human neurodegenerative diseases.
Funding may be up to $500,000. Projects may range from one to three years in duration.
Application Deadline: no current competition
GUEST SPEAKER SUPPORT PROGRAM
The Guest Speaker Support Program is designed to disseminate knowledge to the Alberta research and science community by offering funding to help bring notable researchers in prion and protein misfolding science to Alberta to present lectures and to participate in panel discussions. These experts assist with planning or implementing collaborative research programs and/or explore and evaluate recent breakthroughs in prion science. Speakers might be involved in research related activities or public studies or both. Funds are provided primarily to offset the costs of travel and accommodation for guest speakers. Support of up to $1,500 is provided for speakers travelling within North America, and up to $2,500 is provided for speakers travelling from outside North America. In some cases, the Alberta Prion Research Institute will consider application for a contribution toward the cost of conducting an associated conference, symposia or workshop.
Application Deadline: no current competition
MOBILITY PROGRAM
The Mobility Program is intended to encourage investigators who are within five years of their first appointment after completing their research training or graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to visit another laboratory for a short period of time, between one to six months. The visit will be to learn or provide instruction on new methods and techniques required to research prion and prion-like protein misfolding diseases or to learn new methods of socio-economic approaches that impact prion diseases.
Application Deadline: no current competition
RESEARCH AND POLICY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The Research and Policy Fellowship program will help establish and nurture links between provincial and federal decision-makers and scientific professionals to support public policy related to prion diseases for the benefit of improving the wellbeing of Albertans. A contribution toward salary and benefits of up to $70,000 per year (prorated for shorter terms) and a possible research supplement of up to $10,000. The award will be paid to the academic institution or government department that hosts the Fellow for use in activities related to the fellowship.
Application Deadline: no current competition
Research and Policy Fellowship Program Guidelines
EXPANDING HORIZONS PROGRAM
The Expanding Horizons Program is a professional development program for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who are currently working on prion research. The objective of this program is to provide research trainees with access to mentoring in order to develop skills and knowledge that are applicable both within and outside of the lab. Seminars focus on career development in research as well as other careers they might undertake such as those in industry or policy making. Ensuring trainees are skilled in topics like lab management, networking, communicating, interview skills and grant crafting will benefit their futures as well as the future of prion research.
