Innovation grants

Only Full applications are required for this competition (no abstract registration required).

A maximum of one application per Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator will be permitted in each competition.

The proposal will contain no more than 4 pages of single-spaced text and 2 pages of figures/tables/charts and associated legends. Specific guidelines for the online application are available here.

When preparing the full application, the following is required:

1. a public summary of the proposed research
2. a scientific abstract (and non-confidential scientific abstract)
3. an innovation statement explicitly describing how the project is transformational and innovative.
4. a detailed scientific proposal clearly stating the aims of the project, experimental design, methods and analysis.
   
   
   • Investigators must provide a compelling rationale for the hypothesis.
   • Preliminary data may be included, but is not a requirement.
   • Overly-ambitious aims are discouraged (see above)
   • Details of the investigator(s) including which member(s) of the research team will be responsible for which aspect of the project and a rationale for their inclusion in the project are required, and a description of the research environment where the work will take place. 
5. a vision statement explicitly describing how the proposed work could move the field forward and accelerate progress in cancer research. This statement should also clearly address the expected “next steps” following completion of the project.
6. a budget justification related to the supplies, equipment and personnel associated with the research project. This must include the number of personnel required to complete the work and a description of their experience and/or education level and their commitment to the project.

The review criteria will include, but not necessarily be restricted to, five assessment categories: Innovation, Research Strategy, Investigator(s), Environment, and Cancer Relevance.

Innovation

(Innovation rating scale)

• potential to address an important problem or a critical barrier to progress in the field
• potential to improve or apply a novel theoretical concept, approach, methodology or tool
• degree to which the research is transformative, original, unique and creative, in the context of the current state of the field
• potential gain relative to (any) perceived risk
• degree to which the research proposes new paradigms or challenges existing ones

Research strategy

• scientific merit and compelling rationale that considers critical review and analysis of preliminary data and/or published literature, as appropriate
• identification of potential limitations of the proposed research strategy and how they will be addressed, including alternative approaches
• appropriateness of the term and amount of support requested

Investigator(s)

• qualifications and appropriate expertise of the investigator(s)

Environment

• quality of the research environment in which the work will take place

Cancer relevance

• potential impact on cancer prevention and/or control
• degree to which the proposed research could ultimately address CCS’s mission to eradicate cancer and enhance the quality of life for people living with and beyond cancer.

There must be no overlap (0%) with any held or pending applications including those at the registration, abstract or Letter of Intent submission stage to any agency as of this competition due date. The Innovation grant must contain 100% unique aims to comply with this policy (conceptual overlap is permitted but must be explained by the applicant.

Duplicate applications will not be accepted.

Applicants are reminded to review the eligibility and requirements section for details on scientific and financial reporting, funder acknowledgement, Canadian Cancer Society policies on open access and tobacco related funding.