Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), Cancer Therapeutics Innovation Pipeline – Request for Applications 2022

Sponsor

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR).

Program

Cancer Therapeutics Innovation Pipeline

For More Information

For complete program details and how to apply, please visit the Cancer Therapeutics Innovation Pipeline program web-page.

Description

The Cancer Therapeutics Innovation Pipeline (CTIP) Program was established to capitalize on Ontario’s expertise in cancer biology and drug discovery. Its aim is to create a pipeline of validated cancer targets and first-in-class or best-in-class, novel, selective lead molecules (small molecules or biologics) that will attract partnerships and/or investment for further preclinical and clinical development. To generate a sustainable pipeline, CTIP will support projects that aim to provide increasing evidence of target validation and disease association using data from knowledge bases, functional assays, and drug screening in relevant in vitro and in vivo models of the cancer type of interest.

CTIP funds projects in four stages of preclinical drug discovery and is currently inviting applications for the following two funding streams:

Early Validation (EV) projects:

• Deliver robust translational evidence that a Target-of-Interest (TOI) is associated with a specific cancer type(s) based on data from knowledge bases and from studies demonstrating that perturbation of the TOI in relevant cell-based models produces anti-cancer effects sufficient to trigger a drug discovery campaign.
• Funding available: Up to $150,000 per year for a maximum of two years.

Early Accelerator (EA) projects: 

• Deliver a validated primary assay to enable initial screening of molecules against a defined target.
• Funding available: Up to $150,000 for a maximum of one year.

Eligibility

OICR invites applications from investigators at Ontario academic centres, hospital research institutes, or other government research institutions. CTIP funding is only tenable in Ontario. For-profit entities are not eligible to apply. 

Investigators are eligible to participate on and submit multiple CTIP submissions. OICR is focused on developing and supporting the next generation of cancer researchers, and strongly encourages applicants to include early career investigators/clinicians as part of the study team.

For complete program eligibility criteria, please visit the Cancer Therapeutics Innovation Pipeline program web-page.

Funding Availability

EV projects will be funded up to $150,000 per year, inclusive of overhead, for a maximum of two (2) years.

EA projects will be funded up to $150,000, inclusive of overhead, for a maximum of one (1) year.

Please note, annual funding is contingent upon available funding from the Government of Ontario via the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

Indirect Costs

OICR will provide up to thirty per cent with respect to eligible direct research expenses of the approved proposal to cover institutional overhead.

Project Duration

The funding term start date for a funded CTIP application is December 1, 2022:

• The award term for EV projects is up to two (2) years (December 1, 2022 – November 30, 2024).
• The award term for EA projects is up to one (1) year (December 1, 2022 - November 30, 2023). 

Special Notes

For an overview of the CTIP funding opportunity, consider attending a one-hour, virtual info session on June 30, 2022, 2-3 p.m. ET. This session will be recorded and posted on the OICR web-page for viewing at a later date. To register for the session, please visit the Session Registration web-page.

How to Apply

NOIs, LOIs and full applications are to be submitted using ReportNet, OICR’s online system for managing grants and awards.