Rapid response: Real-time insights for pandemic decision-making

Updated Information

Changes to the following headings:

  • Indirect Costs: 15%
  • New Internal Deadline: June 12
  • New Internal Contact: Angela Vuk (avuk@uoguelph.ca)
  • How to Apply: Applications must be submitted through Canada Post's eConnect system which is a 2-stage process with DND and can require several days.  Researchers are encouraged to complete the registration process as early as possible to ensure your application can be submitted by the internal deadline. Please contact the Office of Research if you require assistance with this process.

Sponsor

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC)

Program

COVID-19 Challenges (Phase 1)

For More Information

For more information visit the Covid-19 Challenges website.

Description

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) in collaboration with Canada’s defence, security and public safety communities are looking for innovative epidemiological and healthcare solutions involving data gathering and data analytics technologies to support the early detection and community-based surveillance of outbreaks of contagious diseases. The goal is to provide actionable insights and to permit rapid decision-making with respect to the full emergency preparedness spectrum.

Background and Context

Within a few short months, the novel Coronavirus COVID-19 has evolved from less than 100 cases in a single country into a global, public health emergency affecting nearly five million people in 188 countries. As of May 20, 2020, there were 81,194 confirmed cases and 6,106 reported deaths in Canada.

Government officials need to be able to make rapid and informed decisions at different stages of the emergency management spectrum when managing all aspects of a highly contagious disease of the magnitude of COVID-19. For instance, it is of the utmost importance that officials be able to detect the outbreak as soon as possible, and make rapid decisions for adapting to, eliminating or reducing the risks to Canadians (i.e., prevention and mitigation); be ready to respond to the emergency and manage its consequences through measures prior to and following the outbreak within Canada (i.e., preparedness and response); and be able to quickly restore conditions to an acceptable level (i.e., recovery). Healthcare officials and First Response organizations need a near real-time, accurate picture of the extent and patterns of disease transmission at the community-level, in order to better understand current and evolving healthcare demands, in order to be able to make informed, time-sensitive decisions about how to allocate limited and/or secure additional resources; and be able to relax mitigation efforts.

This challenge represents a call to action to Canadian innovators to encourage partnering across different sectors and among individuals within different fields to work together to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as future outbreaks of contagious diseases. The goal is to support the development of new and innovative ways of collecting, sharing and analyzing real-world data (open source, social media, licensed proprietary, etc.) at the community-level in order to support improved prediction, situational awareness and enable better management of such outbreaks.

Eligibility

This CFP is open to individuals, academia, not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, and provincial/territorial/municipal governments.

Applicants with joint ventures may also apply. See section 1.6 of the IDEaS Program Applicant Guide for more information.

Funding Availability

Phase 1 – award up to $200,000

Maximum Project Value

See 'Funding Availability'.

Indirect Costs

15%

Project Duration

Phase 1 is up to 6 months in duration

Special Notes

Please refer to the Office of Research COVID 19 web-page for directives related to research activities at the University of Guelph.

Deadlines

If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.

TypeDateNotes
Internal Deadline

Please submit your proposal, along with an OR-5 Form to research.services@uoguelph.ca.

External Deadline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through Canada Post's eConnect system which is a 2-stage process with DND and can require several days.  Researchers are encouraged to complete the registration process as early as possible to ensure your application can be submitted by the internal deadline. Please contact the Office of Research (research.services@uoguelph.ca) if you require assistance with this process.

Stage 1: Proposal Submission

The Applicant is to complete the following:

For Questions, please contact

Send any questions to the IDEaS Program mailbox (DND.IDEaS-IDEeS.MDN@forces.gc.ca). We try to turn around any responses within 48 hours. Please note that questions received less than five (5) calendar days before the application deadline may not be answered.

Register to the information session on June 11, 2020 to answer questions about the application process, as well as any technical questions.

Office of Research

Angela Vuk, Senior Grants and Contracts Specialist
Research Services Office
519-824-4120 x55026
avuk@uoguelph.ca

Alert Classifications
Category:
Funding Opportunities and Sponsor News

Disciplines:
Health and Life Sciences
Humanities
Information and Communications Technology
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Social Sciences