IDEA SUBMISSION SU2C CANADA CANCER STEM CELL INITIATIVE
CALL FOR IDEAS
The American Association for Cancer Research International-Canada (AACR International-Canada), on behalf of
Stand Up To Cancer Canada (SU2C Canada), and the Cancer Stem Cell Consortium (CSCC) with funding from
Genome Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), are launching a Call for Ideas for a SU2C
Canada Cancer Stem Cell Dream Team Research funding opportunity.
Building on the strengths in cancer stem cell (CSC) research in Canada and the learnings from consultations with
the stakeholder community, this Call for Ideas seeks to support one integrated and cohesive pan-Canadian
Cancer Stem Cell Dream Team. The Dream Team will bring together key stakeholders – researchers, clinicians,
industry, NGOs, and funders – with the goal to improve the outcomes of hard-to-treat cancers, and thereby
have an impact on human health, by focusing on the role of CSCs and stem cell programs on resistance and
treatment failure in cancer. This Dream Team will span multiple disciplines and utilize the new tools of modern
biology, with an emphasis on genomics, to address research questions in a coordinated way. The Dream Team
will have mechanisms for sharing existing resources and platforms (knowledge, talent, tools, technologies, etc.),
as well as those to be developed, incorporating new methods and technologies, and training and networking
across the Dream Team. Mechanisms to foster collaborations within this Dream Team and with other Dream
Teams, an approach that promotes the sharing of information and a goal-oriented focus on measurable
milestones of progress will be employed.
There are currently $10.6 million available for this SU2C Canada Cancer Stem Cell Dream Team, with funds from
the CSCC (through Genome Canada and CIHR) and SU2C Canada. The SU2C Canada Cancer Stem Cell Dream
Team will be funded for a four-year term.
In addition to the funds available from the CSCC (through Genome Canada and CIHR) and SU2C Canada, the
Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) has made available up to $3 million of supplemental funds to
support clinical trial activities should the successful proposal include clinical trial activities within the province of
Ontario (please see “SU2C Canada & OICR Cancer Clinical Trials: Canadian Dream Team Supplementary Funding”
document which can be downloaded from proposalCENTRAL). It should be noted that clinical trial activities in
any region of the country can be supported by the $10.6 million available from Genome Canada, CIHR and SU2C
Canada. Continued efforts to partner and collaborate with other organizations to support the objectives of the
SU2C Canada Cancer Stem Cell Dream Team are ongoing. As other partnerships are confirmed the relevant
information will be communicated to potential applicants. Applicants are also encouraged to explore potential
partnering and collaboration opportunities.
SU2C Canada, Genome Canada and CIHR believe that this unique Dream Team model will advance scientific
research in the interests of both today’s cancer patients and those who may develop cancer in the future.
SU2C Canada Cancer Stem Cell Dream Team Program Specific Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for the research funding the Dream Team must:
 Focus on addressing the role of CSCs and stem cell programs on resistance and treatment failure in
cancer;
 Include genomic approaches as essential components in terms of importance to the overall outcomes of
the research program;
1
IDEA SUBMISSION SU2C CANADA CANCER STEM CELL INITIATIVE








Present a plan for how the Dream Team’s discoveries can be translated into applications and clinical
utility;
Build a pan-Canadian program (i.e., includes Dream Team Principals from AT LEAST three different
provinces/territories), which brings together interdisciplinary research groups to answer questions that
will significantly advance the field of CSC research (e.g., specific disease areas, underlying cellular
mechanisms, etc.);
Be integrated and cohesive, based on excellence and innovation, and be highly networked across the
country and to include existing platforms and resources as well as those to be developed;
Include mechanisms for sharing resources and platforms (knowledge, talent, tools, technologies, etc.)
and developing or incorporating new methods and technologies;
Present innovative approaches and integrate advances in other fields or technologies;
Include training opportunities for the future generation of scientists and foster an entrepreneurial
culture within the community;
Address issues of importance to end-users, including industry, health care administrators, and oncology
practice guideline panels;
Demonstrate engagement with industry, including areas of potential collaboration, sharing of resources
and expertise, and provision of co-funding.
This will be a two-stage process: Letters of Intent (LOIs) and Full Proposals.
A webinar to answer questions for interested candidates will be held on October 27, 2014. Details will be made
available on the Genome Canada and CIHR websites.
The SU2C Canada Scientific Advisory Committee (CSAC) and the Cancer Stem Cell Subcommittee will review LOIs
for eligibility and overall merit of the proposed research, and potential for the Dream Team’s discoveries to be
translated into applications and clinical utility. At least two, and up to three, of the most meritorious LOIs will be
invited to submit full proposals.
Each top-ranked Team invited to develop a full proposal will convene a workshop with stakeholders, end-users,
and potential partners, including industry, industry associations, health-care administrators, and oncology
practice guideline panels. The development workshops, which will take place independently for each of the
potential Dream Teams, will serve to develop the Research Program, refine Dream Team membership, identify
additional sources of funding, optimize the proposal’s alignment with the objectives of the call and relevance to
stakeholders, end-users, and potential partners, and ensure its potential for research translation and end-user
uptake.
The workshops will be led by the Leaders of each successful LOI and supported by Genome Canada and CIHR.
Representatives from AACR International-Canada, SU2C Canada and other partners will be present as observers.
The workshops must take place between February 23 and March 1, 2015 and include the key members of the
proposed team. The Leader and Co-leader candidates are required to attend.
The full proposals will be reviewed for eligibility, relevance, and overall excellence as determined by the review
criteria, by a committee comprised of the CSAC, the Cancer Stem Cell Subcommittee, and the chairs of the
subcommittees reviewing the other Canadian programs. The committee will select one pan-Canadian SU2C
Canada Cancer Stem Cell Dream Team from the invited full proposals during a face-to-face meeting with the
2
IDEA SUBMISSION SU2C CANADA CANCER STEM CELL INITIATIVE
finalist Dream Teams.
LETTER OF INTENT INSTRUCTIONS
Letters of Intent must be in English and submitted by 12:00 p.m. (Noon) ET Monday December 8, 2014, using
the proposalCENTRAL website at https://proposalcentral.altum.com.
GETTING STARTED IN proposalCENTRAL
If you are a new user of proposalCENTRAL, follow the “REGISTER” link and complete the registration process.
After you register, complete your Professional Profile (second tab from the left) before starting the application.
If you are already registered with proposalCENTRAL, access the site and log in with your Username and
password. If you have forgotten your password, click on the “Forgot your password?” link. Supply your e-mail
address or your User ID in the space provided; your password will be sent to you by e-mail.
To start a Letter of Intent, select the Grant Opportunities tab (gray tab furthest to the right). A list of grant
mechanisms will be displayed. Filter the list by searching for American Association for Cancer Research. Search
for the Program titled “SU2C Canada Cancer Stem Cell Dream Team” and click the “Apply Now” link (second to
last column) to create your Letter of Intent.
Complete all fields in the Letter of Intent on the template provided. Upload all requested documents in portable
document format (PDF). See the proposalCENTRAL FAQ section,
https://proposalcentral.altum.com/FAQ/FrequentlyAskedQuestions.asp, for more information.
If you have any difficulties registering, logging in, or creating your Letter of Intent, contact proposalCENTRAL
Customer Support immediately:
Phone: (800) 875-2562 or (703) 964-5840
E-mail: pcsupport@altum.com
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A COMPLETE LETTER OF INTENT:
Submissions must be in English no longer than three (3) pages and utilize no smaller than 11 point type (font)
size. References are not part of the 3-page limit
Submissions must demonstrate excellence in how they meet both the program specific eligibility criteria
described above and the technical eligibility criteria described below, and include the following elements:

Project Summary Statement – Briefly describe the idea for a pan-Canadian SU2C Canada Cancer Stem
Cell Dream Team and provide justification for the suggestions with background information. Provide the
rationale as to how the research groups, individually and together as one pan-Canadian Dream Team
3
IDEA SUBMISSION SU2C CANADA CANCER STEM CELL INITIATIVE






will advance the field e.g., what questions will be addressed and how this will advance the science in
the CSC field?
Impact for Patients – Describe how your proposed research as a pan-Canadian interdisciplinary, multiinstitutional, and collaborative Cancer Stem Cell Dream Team would result in more rapid innovative
advances in the field, and how the Dream Team’s discoveries can be translated into applications and
clinical utility.
Approach – Describe the research approaches and identify key personnel, i.e., a Dream Team Leader,
Co-leader, and other Principals, whose expertise would contribute successfully to the suggested
research program. Each Team should consist of one Dream Team Leader, a Dream Team Co-leader,
additional Dream Team Principals, at least one of whom should be expert in translational research, and
at least one Patient Engagement Representative, and one end-user.
Potential co-funding/partnering with stakeholders and end-users, including industry
Plan for sharing resources and platforms, including plans for expansion of existing platforms or
development of new platforms
If applicable, OICR Supplementary clinical trials description should be included in the 3-page LOI.
Key Literature References – References to publications supporting the proposal may be included.
In addition, a 2-page biosketch is required for the Dream Team Leader, Co-leader, and Principals.
TECHNICAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To maximize creativity, innovation, and collaboration, the Dream Team must include laboratory and clinical
researchers, senior and/or young investigators, and senior scientists. While collaborators can be anywhere in
the world, all the funds from SU2C Canada, Genome Canada, and CIHR must be used towards research
performed in Canadian institutions.
Each Team will consist of a Dream Team Leader (DTL), a Dream Team Co-leader, additional Dream Team
Principals (DTP), at least one of whom should be an expert in translational research, and at least one Patient
Engagement Representative, and one end-user. No Dream Team will have more than two Leaders or Principals
from the same or affiliated institutions. It is expected that additional Investigators from the DTL’s or DTP’s
institutions may be involved in the Dream Team research project, and there is no limit to the number of
Investigators from each of the collaborating institutions.
There are no citizenship or residency status restrictions, but SU2C Canada funded scientists must be in Canada.
Neither members of the SU2C Canadian Scientific Advisory Committee (CSAC) and the subcommittees, nor
members of their individual laboratories, are eligible for funding as part of the SU2C Canada Cancer Stem Cell
Dream Team. A scientist may not be funded on more than one SU2C Canada-sponsored Dream Team. No more
than fifty percent of the Principals (including Leader and Co-leader) from a previous or current Dream Team
may apply as a group on a new Dream Team proposal.
4
IDEA SUBMISSION SU2C CANADA CANCER STEM CELL INITIATIVE
Definitions:
Dream Team Leader. The Dream Team Leader is the person responsible for the scientific and technical
direction of the proposed research project, contractual and financial obligations, and other organizational
assurances/certifications. The DTL must ensure that the Team complies with the terms and conditions of
the award, and will be the primary contact person for the AACR International-Canada.
Dream Team Co-leader. A Dream Team Co-leader should be designated by the Dream Team Leader to assist
in directing the scientific and technical work of the Team. A Co-leader will serve as an alternate contact
person for the AACR International-Canada.
The Dream Team Leader and Co-leader are expected to each dedicate at least 20% (or 40% combined) of
their time and effort to the Dream Team research project.
Dream Team Principals. Dream Team Principals are senior investigators who will lead a
component(s)/subproject(s) of the Dream Team research project. The team must be pan-Canadian in
nature including Principals from AT LEAST three different provinces/territories. Dream Team Principals must
dedicate at least 10% of their time and effort to the Dream Team research project.
End-Users. End-users are defined as organizations and/or individuals who are able to use the deliverables
generated through the research to make informed decisions on issues such as practice guidelines and
standards, policies, programs, and product development. They will enable the Dream Team scientists to see
their research through the eyes of the target audience and integrate these perspectives into the direction of
the Dream Team research.
Patient Engagement Representatives. Include individuals with personal experience of a health issue and/or
informal caregivers. Patient Engagement Representatives are defined as individuals who are able to actively
collaborate in the governance, priority setting, and conduct of research as well as in summarizing,
distributing, sharing, and applying its resulting knowledge. Patient Engagement Representatives will enable
the Dream Team scientists to see their research through the eyes of the target audience. Patient
Engagement Representatives do not represent the viewpoints or issues of any one organization nor their
individual personal perspectives.
Investigators. Senior investigators, other than the DTLs and DTPs, who contribute substantively to the
Dream Team research project.
Young Investigators. Junior faculty (i.e., independent investigators who have completed their training no
more than 5 years prior to the start of the research funding term), postdoctoral fellows, clinical research
fellows, or any other researchers-in-training who are working under the direction of a scientific mentor (i.e.,
a DTL, Co-Leader, DTP, or Investigator) may be included as members of the Dream Team.
Collaborators. A Collaborator is an individual who is not involved in the day-to-day execution of the research
but whose role is to provide a specific service or expertise (e.g., access to equipment, provision of specific
reagents, training in a specialized technique, statistical analysis, access to a patient population, etc.).
Candidates with a question about the eligibility requirements are encouraged to contact the AACR
International-Canada at su2ccanada@aacrcanada.ca prior to submitting the proposal.
LETTER OF INTENT DEADLINE
5
IDEA SUBMISSION SU2C CANADA CANCER STEM CELL INITIATIVE
Monday December 8, 2014 by 12:00 p.m. (noon) Eastern
QUESTIONS?
E-mail (preferred):
Phone:
su2ccanada@aacrcanada.ca
416-797-5366
6
IDEA SUBMISSION SU2C CANADA CANCER STEM CELL INITIATIVE
I. LETTER OF INTENT CONTACT INFORMATION
Full Name:
Degree:
Title/Position:
Department:
Institution:
Mailing Address:
Last (Family)
MD
PhD
MD, PhD
PharmD
First (Given)
Other:
City
Middle Initial
Province
Postal Code
Country:
Telephone:
Country code (City code) Telephone number
E-mail:
Assistant’s
Name:
Last (Family)
First (Given)
Middle Initial
Assistant’s Email:
Does the proposal include the optional OICR Supplementary funding
Yes
No
PERMISSION STATEMENT: By submitting an idea for the SU2C Canada Cancer Stem Cell Dream Team research
funding the submitter is giving permission for AACR International-Canada to use the idea in any manner related
to the SU2C Canada Cancer Stem Cell initiative. However, this permission does not preclude the submitter from
using the idea for other purposes.
Please check this box to indicate that you have read and agree to the permission statement.
7
IDEA SUBMISSION SU2C CANADA CANCER STEM CELL INITIATIVE
II. LETTER OF INTENT
Must be no more than 3 pages in length (excluding references)

Project Summary Statement – Briefly describe the idea for a pan-Canadian SU2C Canada Cancer Stem
Cell Dream Team and provide justification for the suggestions with background information. Provide the
rationale as to how the research groups individually and together as one pan-Canadian Dream Team will
advance the field e.g., what questions will be addressed and how will this advance the science in the
CSC field?

Impact for Patients – Describe how your proposed research as a pan-Canadian interdisciplinary, multiinstitutional and collaborative Cancer Stem Cell Dream Team would result in more rapid, innovative
advances in the field, and how the Dream Team’s discoveries can be translated into applications and
clinical utility.

Approach – Describe the research approaches and identify key personnel, i.e., a Dream Team Leader,
Co-leader, and other Principals whose expertise, would contribute successfully to the suggested
research program. Each Team should consist of one Dream Team Leader, a Dream Team Co-leader,
additional Dream Team Principals, at least one of whom should be expert in translational research, and
at least one Patient Engagement Representative, and one end-user.

Potential co-funding/partnering with stakeholders and end-users including industry

Plan for sharing resources and platforms, including plans for expansion of existing platforms or
development of new platforms

If applicable, OICR Supplementary clinical trials description should be included in the 3-page LOI.

Key Literature References – References to publications supporting the suggestion may be included.
In addition, a 2-page biosketch is required for Dream Team Leader, Co-Leader, and Principals.
8