CIHR Operating Grant: Impact Grant: CEEHRC Phase II
Well-being, Health and Biomedical Discovery
Deadlines
Academic Unit: Inquire with Unit
Memorial Deadline: Thursday 10th, August 2017
External Deadline: Tuesday 15th, August 2017
Description
Registration Deadline: July 18, 2017
Application Deadline: August 15, 2017
This funding opportunity is a component of the second phase of the Canadian Epigenetics, Environment and Health Research Consortium (CEEHRC), which is a pan-Canadian initiative led by CIHR, with a number of dedicated funding opportunities planned over the next several years.
Decades of investment into the genetic basis of disease have led to revolutionary new insights around gene regulation, and the mechanisms through which gene and environment interactions may affect human health. Key to these is epigenetics – the study of changes in the regulation of gene activity and expression that are not dependent on gene sequence and that can be environmentally induced. Through the first phase of the Canadian Epigenetics, Environment and Health Research Consortium (CEEHRC) initiative, and coordinated partnered international efforts, we have learned that many chronic and complex diseases are associated with persistent epigenetic changes. CEEHRC recognizes the importance of all levels of research in epigenetics, from individual cells to whole populations. Key to all approaches is a focus on collaborative research – namely, integrating different methodologies and disciplines aligned along health needs.
This funding opportunity is intended to support significant progression in epigenetic research where there is the potential to overcome significant challenges or hurdles to translation. These may span the spectrum of basic discovery through to translational research of relevance to the clinic. This program is not intended to support incremental research advances, but ones where the opportunity for high impact breakthroughs is expected. The goals are to promote major advancement in epigenetic research at whatever stage of translation, from the fundamental discovery stage (including studies in model organisms and on basic epigenetic mechanisms), through to applied research (including clinical proof of concept or population-based proposals). This program provides a new mechanism for CEEHRC researchers to accelerate the application of new knowledge in epigenetics that could address key problems with the potential for practical health applications.
Research Areas
This funding opportunity will support projects relevant, but not limited to, the following research areas:
- complex diseases and chronic conditions, including but not limited to cancer, mental health and how diet and nutrition can influence chronic disease,
- inflammation and host-microbiome interactions,
- health and wellness considerations for Indigenous Peoples
- implications for populations with vulnerabilities
Alternatively, applications may focus on underlying mechanisms/approaches in epigenetics research that could have broad implications for health and disease. These could include, for example:
- new isolation techniques for characterization of distinct cells within tissues (including single cell assays)
- new methods to reduce the number of cells required for epigenomic assays
- new biomarkers and epigenetic signatures that have the potential to stratify patient populations or disease phenotypes, or predict treatment response
- Translation of validated biomarkers into drug-able targets or other therapeutics interventions
In many cases, further refinement or development of strategies and techniques may be required before moving to large-scale integrated teams.
Additional details can be found on CIHR’s website