LRCP Catalyst Grants for
Translational Cancer Research
Fall 2014 Competition
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Guidelines
Application Form
Revised September, 2014
Page 1
Pages 2-11
Pages 12-21
GUIDELINES FOR APPLICANTS
LRCP Catalyst Grants for Translational Cancer Research
The LRCP Small Grants for Cancer Research and Education are to support cancer research to discover and develop
new knowledge that leads to improvement in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Applications designed to
promote and achieve these translational goals are encouraged. Cancer research will be viewed in its broadest sense
(including basic, clinical, health outcomes, and other research components relevant to cancer) and proposals from
all relevant disciplines are eligible for support.
ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants fall into 3 Categories:
1. Principal and Co-Principal Applicants: lead or co-lead the project. They MUST be primary OR crossappointees to the Western University Department of Oncology. Their academic appointments MUST allow them to
apply to major provincial, national, and international agencies for peer-reviewed funding. Their place of research is
unrestricted and can be at any Western-accredited site (main campus, SJHC, LHSC, Lawson, and elsewhere).
Department of Oncology primary and cross-appointed faculty without formally-assigned wet and/or dry laboratory
space and facilities can be Principal Applicants on projects that require such space and facilities but there MUST
be, at a minimum, a Co-Principal Applicant who is formally assigned such space and access to those facilities.
Principal and Co-Principal Applicants may submit an application for only one Catalyst grant in any calendar year.
There can be a maximum of one Principal Applicant or three Co-Principal Applicants for any Catalyst grant
application. Where only Co-Principal Applicants are named, one must be the Nominated Principal Applicant to
whom all correspondence will be addressed. Curricula vitae of Principal Applicants and Co-Principal Applicants
must be included in the application.
2. Co-Applicants: participate fully in the project. They may lead some aspects of the project but not the project as
a whole. Co-Applicants need not be appointed in the Department of Oncology and may be located at any Westernaccredited site. There is no restriction on the number of Co-Applicants on any Catalyst grant application, and the
number of Catalyst grant applications on which any faculty member is a Co-Applicant is similarly unrestricted.
Senior trainees (PhD students, Postdoctoral Fellows, and Clinical Residents and Fellows) are eligible to be CoApplicants, but only if their involvement in the project is exceptional and in a leadership role consistent with CoApplicant status. If senior trainees are proposed as Co-Applicants, the Principal Applicant or Nominated Principal
Applicant MUST consult Charlene Manax (Charlene.Manax@lhsc.on.ca) in advance to confirm that they are
eligible. Curricula vitae of Co-Applicants must be included in the application.
3. Collaborators: participate partially in some aspects of the project, but with less commitment of time and effort
than Co-Applicants (e.g., they may provide occasional advice, reagents, partial editing of manuscripts, etc., without
actively engaging in generating and analyzing data). They need not be appointed or cross-appointed to the Western
Department of Oncology. There is no restriction on the number of Co-Applicants on any Catalyst grant application.
Curricula vitae of Collaborators should NOT be included in the application.
 Applicants must provide evidence that the project has the potential to directly or indirectly generate continued
support from an appropriate external agency (e.g., NSERC, Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute, CIHR,
etc.) or private sector partner.
 Applications will be considered on the basis of scientific merit, feasibility, originality, early translatability to
patients, and scientific track record of the applicant(s) (i.e., previous level of grant support as a primary investigator
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in research grants, contribution to peer-reviewed literature, active participation in research). However, new
investigators without a substantial scientific track record are encouraged to apply since the first four criteria will be
of primary importance.
GRANT THEME:
Separate from the Grant Categories outlined below, grant funds have been allocated to research on specific cancer
disease sites. The following disease sites are currently identified for funding:





Translational Breast Cancer Research
Translational Ovarian Cancer Research
Translational Prostate Cancer Research
Translational Head and Neck Cancer Research
Translational Surgical Oncology Research (NEW CATEGORY ) Special eligibility rules apply, please contact
Charlene Manax (charlene.manax@lhsc.on.ca) prior to preparing your application.
If the translational cancer research in your application has specific relevance to one or more of these cancer disease
sites, please indicate this on page 2 of the application form and address both translational strength and
relevance to specific cancer disease site in the "Self Assessment".
ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES:

Primary applicants can be the principal investigator on only one grant in any calendar year. Supervisors of
applicants for Studentships and Fellowships will be considered the primary applicant.

Funds must be administered through the office of the Director, Business Affairs, LRCP. A two page progress
report must be provided for the most recent LRCP Catalyst/Small Grant awarded to the Principal
Investigator. Include detailed information about submitted or published manuscripts, reports, patents or other
evidence of dissemination of results. Grants from the Fund will not be awarded unless the report is included.
All funds must be used only for the purpose for which they were awarded, and funds unspent at the end of a 24
month period must be returned to the LRCP.

Where appropriate, research involving humans, animals, and/or biohazards, must be approved by the University
of Western Ontario "Health Sciences Standing Committee on Human Research", the "Council on Animal
Care", and/or the UWO Biohazard Committee.

Applications must be signed by the Department Head.

Self Assessment must be included.

Travel funds are not eligible.

Funds to purchase computers are not eligible unless the circumstances are exceptional.

Funds for summer student stipends are not eligible.

Cover pages or additional appendices are NOT allowed. The first page of the Application Form MUST be
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the first page of your application.

Submit a single electronic PDF with original signatures (not scanned signatures) containing all required
information by the indicated deadline date and time: do not submit more than one file. In addition, one original
paper copy with original signatures must be submitted within 1 week of the competition deadline.

The entire application must be legible or it will be rejected. Do not submit poor quality scanned PDF pages.

The address and email of the Principal/Nominated Principal applicant will be used for further communication.

Fill in the dollar amount requested on the second page of your application.

Receipt of complete applications will be acknowledged by email to the Principal Applicant only. Applications
will be adjudicated by a LRCP Catalyst Grants Review Panel (including London cancer researchers from
multiple disciplines and backgrounds). The Principal Investigator of each application will be notified in writing
of the outcome of the competition by June 30 or December 30 and funding for successful applications will
begin July 1 or January 1. All successful grants will be administered through the LHSC.
GRANT CATEGORIES:
There are 5 Categories listed on the following pages. Please select the most appropriate and follow the
guidelines specific to that Category.
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CATEGORY 1: New Research Ideas
These grants are for preparation of new research ideas for future application to external peer review agencies and/or
private companies. Only research proposals that have not been previously funded will be considered in this
category.
Funds may be used for:
 Expendable supplies
 Technical support (not including research trainees) Please contact the LRCP Financial Services for information
on benefit costs required in addition to salary, Deb Seeley at Ext. 53106 )
 Services (commercial preparation of reagents, equipment rental, equipment maintenance, etc.)
Research Proposal:
 A clear, concise description of the research proposal, describing the current state of knowledge about the
work proposed with appropriate reference to the literature. It should include relevant work done by the
applicant and provide a rationale for choosing particular methods and approaches.
 Submit not more than 6 double-spaced pages, not including references (print size 12 Times New Roman),
with 1” margins at top, bottom and sides.
 If the New Research Idea has already been submitted for funding by an external agency and received
encouraging reviewer comments and scoring, include a copy of those comments and the score sheet. Do
NOT include the full application.
Period of support:
Amount:
1 year, eligible for only one further year on the basis of competitive re-application.
Maximum: $30,000 per year
For applications in Category 1 please submit the following:
Grant Themes – Check off appropriate box, if applicable
Completed Approval Forms (or applied for) (Human Ethics, Animal Use, Biohazard, if applicable)
Application been signed by the appropriate people
Self Assessment
Summary of Research Proposal
Research Proposal
CVs of Principal Investigator and Co-Applicant(s) NOTE: CV of Collaborators NOT required
Budget Module
Details of Financial Assistance
Progress Report, if applicable. New funding will not be awarded without a progress report on the most
recent LRCP Catalyst Grant /Small Grant award to the Principal Investigator.
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CATEGORY 2: Supplements to Research Operating Grants from National/International Peer-Review
Agencies
National and international peer-review agencies (CIHR, CCSRI, NIH and similar) approve only excellent grants for
funding, on a highly competitive basis. Peer review panels carefully consider the budgets submitted with those
grants and recommend an amount sufficient to do the work. Because of budgetary constraints, however, agencies
sometimes provide less funding than recommended by peer review panels. It is recognized that insufficient funding
for successful grants is an impediment to success. Applications to supplement budgets for grants from peer review
agencies to a maximum of the total amount recommended by peer review panels will be considered.
Summary of Research Proposal: (Not to exceed 250 words)
For all Operating Grants, the objective(s), hypothesis, approach and research plan should be summarized.
Period of support:
Amount:
Requests may be submitted annually, up to the final year of the grant (maximum).
Maximum: the difference between recommended and awarded funding, up to $30,000 for
one year.
NOTE: Partial supplementation only may be awarded, depending on availability of funds. Priority will be given
for the first two years of top-up funding. Continued funding will be based on exceptional circumstances with a
strong Progress Report and additional budget information justifying the continued need for supplemental
funding.
For applications in Category 2 please submit the following:
Grant Themes – Check off appropriate box, if applicable
Completed Approval Forms (or applied for) (Human Ethics, Animal Use, Biohazard, if applicable)
Application been signed by the appropriate people
Self Assessment
Summary of Research Proposal (Page 6): Explain the need for supplementary funding.
Budget Module
CV of the principal applicant and Co-Principal applicant, not exceeding 5 pages and including:
i) a list of all current grant support by the principal and Co-Principal applicant (any overlap with existing
grants should be justified), and
ii) a list of publications for the last 5 years
Cover page, detailed grant summary page, and budget pages of the existing successful grant
Evidence that the grant has been awarded. A print of the web page from the granting agency indicating the
award, including dollar amounts and duration; or an Authorization for Funding form from the agency.
Information sheets indicating:
i) the reviewing committee
ii) number of grants reviewed
iii) application rank of the application among others considered
iv) rating score
v) recommended average annual operating amount
vi) recommended equipment amount
All Scientific Officer notes and written internal and external grant reviews for the successful grant, provided
to the applicant by the external funding agency.
Progress Report, if applicable. New funding will not be awarded without a progress report on the most
recent LRCP Catalyst Grant /Small Grant award to the Principal Investigator.
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CATEGORY 3: Bridging Grants
Projects that are funded by external peer review agencies, but are unsuccessful on submission for renewal to those
agencies, fall into this category. Catalyst grant funding of such projects is intended to support early resubmission to
external funding agencies and increase the potential to regain funding. Projects supported by Catalyst program
bridge funding must be submitted to an external funding agency within 1 year of obtaining Catalyst support.
Period of support:
Amount:
Two years, non-renewable.
Maximum $60,000 in total over 2 years. Principal Applicants awarded Catalyst Bridging
Grants are not eligible to apply for other Catalyst grant support, as PIs in any category, for
the 2 year duration of the Bridging award.
For applications in Category 3 please submit the following:
Grant Themes – Check off appropriate box, if applicable
Completed Approval Forms (or applied for)(Human Ethics, Animal Use, Biohazard, if applicable)
Application been signed by the appropriate people
Self Assessment
Justification of bridge funding must also be included with a strategy on how to recover funding (use
Research Proposal Page 7 for this section).
Budget Module
Complete comments of the panel reviewers and panel scientific officer
A rebuttal to the comments of the panel reviewers
Cover page of unsuccessful grant
Detailed grant summary page of unsuccessful grant
Budget pages for the unsuccessful grant
Principal Investigator and Co-Applicant CVs
Progress Report, if applicable. New funding will not be awarded without a progress report on the most
recent LRCP Catalyst Grant/Small Grant award to the Principal Investigator.
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CATEGORY 4: Training Stipends for Graduate Students (MSc or PhD) and Postdoctoral Fellows/Clinical
Research Fellows
NOTE: summer studentships are NOT funded by the LRCP Catalyst Grants Program:
1. Catalyst program training stipends support trainees only until independent external support is obtained. They
are not intended to support trainees for their entire training period.
2. Graduate students are eligible for funding if they have been in their graduate training program for less than 4
years (PhD students) or less than 2 years (MSc students). Stipends will not be awarded for training beyond 4
years (PhD) or 2 years (MSc).
3. Postdoctoral Fellows must apply no later than 2 years after being awarded a PhD degree. They are eligible to
receive one year of stipend funding (maximum $25,000, supplemented to an appropriate level by additional
funds identified by their supervisor), potentially renewable for one further year only.
4. Trainees who obtain independent support from an external competitive agency that provides less than that
awarded by the LRCP Catalyst program may apply to supplement their stipend to the higher level.
5. For graduate students, provide transcripts and the names of graduate advisory committee members.
6. For Postdoctoral Fellows and Clinical Research Fellows, identify the total stipend to be paid and the source of
supplementary funding.
i) MSc students who have been in graduate training programs for less than 2 years are eligible. Awards for support
beyond 2 years in the MSc program will not be considered. Awards will be for a maximum of $18,700 per year.
ii) PhD students are eligible if they have been in their graduate training program for less than 4 years. Awards for
support beyond 4 years in the PhD program will not be considered. Awards will be for 1 year to allow time for
application to external agencies. One additional year of support may be applied for in exceptional circumstances.
Awards will be for a maximum of $19,700 per year.
For graduate student applications in Category 4 please submit the following:
Grant Themes – Check off appropriate box, if applicable
Completed Approval Forms (or applied for) (Human Ethics, Animal Use, Biohazard, if applicable)
Application been signed by the appropriate people
Self Assessment
Research Proposal (using Page 7, please provide a 2 page, double-spaced Research Proposal)
Evidence of acceptability to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
CVs of supervisor and trainee
Trainee transcripts
Names of external agencies to be applied to for funding
Names of supervisory committee members
Progress Report, if applicable. New funding will not be awarded without a progress report on the most
recent LRCP Catalyst Grant/Small Grant award to the Principal Investigator.
iii) Postdoctoral/Clinical Research Fellows: are only eligible to apply no later than 2 years after their PhD degree
or completion of post-graduate clinical training, respectively. Clinical Research Fellows must spend at least 75%
of their time on research. Awards will be for only 1 year. Applications for renewal for one further year will be
considered only under exceptional circumstances. Maximum: $25,000 per year. Include CVs for both the
supervisor and Postdoctoral Fellow/Clinical Research Fellow (no more than 5 pages each) and identify
the total stipend to be paid and the source of necessary supplementary funding.
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It is expected that Postdoctoral /Clinical Research Fellows will receive stipends appropriate to their level of
training and at least that recommended by Tri-Council funding agencies.
For Postdoctoral Fellows/Clinical Research Fellows in Category 4, please submit the following:
Grant Themes – Check off appropriate box, if applicable
Completed Approval Forms (or applied for)(Human Ethics, Animal Use, Biohazard, if applicable)
Application been signed by the appropriate people
Self Assessment
Research Proposal (using Page 7, please provide a 2 page, double-spaced Research Proposal)
CVs of supervisor and trainee
Names of external agencies to be applied to for funding
Progress Report, if applicable. New funding will not be awarded without a progress report on the most
recent LRCP Catalyst Grant/Small Grant award to the Principal Investigator.
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CATEGORY 5: Equipment Grants
Applications to purchase equipment may be from new investigators, established investigators, or collaborative
groups. Priority will be given to equipment to support multiple users and groups. Specific research projects to be
supported by use of the equipment, the extent of use in different projects, and multi-user potential should be
outlined in 2 pages. A quote from the supplier should be appended. All equipment is the property of the LRCP.
NOTE: Computers are not normally allowed unless the circumstances are exceptional.
Amount: There is no maximum amount. However, awards over $30,000 without partner funding from other
sources will be made only in exceptional circumstances.
For applications in Category 6 please submit the following:
Grant Themes – Check off appropriate box, if applicable
Application been signed by the appropriate people
Self Assessment
CVs of Principal Investigator and Co-Applicant(s). NOTE: CV of Collaborators NOT required
Budget Module
Provide detailed justification for equipment request using Research Proposal on Page 7 (maximum 2 doublespaced pages).
Progress Report, if applicable. New funding will not be awarded without description of progress from the most
recent LRCP Catalyst Grant /Small Grant awards.
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LRCP CATALYST GRANTS FOR TRANSLATIONAL CANCER RESEARCH
APPLICATION FORM
Principal and Co-Principal Investigator(s)
Nominated Principal Investigator (to whom all
correspondence will be addressed)
Department(s)
Address(es)
Email(s)
Phone Number(s)
Date of Appointment to Western University Dept. of
Oncology
Short Title of Research
or
Equipment Required
Location of Research Study
Co-Applicant(s), Titles and Departments
Collaborator(s), Titles and Departments
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Check ONE only
1. New Research Idea
2. Supplement to successful
external research operating grant
3. Bridging
4. Research Training Stipend
5. Equipment
Grant Theme (see “Guidelines for Applicants”)
Check only if applicable, and defend in the body of the grant or a cover letter:
1. Translational Breast Cancer Research
2. Translational Ovarian Cancer Research
3. Translational Prostate Cancer Research
4. Translational Head and Neck Cancer Research
5. Translational Surgical Oncology Research (NOTE: contact Charlene Manax
for important information before applying in this category
TOTAL AMOUNT REQUESTED:
___________________________________
Do not exceed the allowable amount as
described in the Guidelines
Approvals: Check the appropriate box
Standing Committee on Human Ethics approval:
Yes 
No 
Applied for 
Not applicable 
Animal Use Subcommittee (AUS) approval:
Yes 
No 
Applied for 
Not applicable 
No 
Applied for 
Not applicable 
Biohazard approval:
Yes 
Approval letters from the relevant institution will be requested before disbursing funds to successful
applicants
___________________________________________
Signature of Principal/Nominated Principal Applicant
__________________
Date
___________________________________________
Signature of Department Head
__________________
Date
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1. Self Assessment – Note that this section must be completed for your application to be considered. For
each question, please indicate the single category (a, b, c, and d) that you believe applies. Please explain
your choice below the section.
The self-assessment is a guide to applicants to determine how well their application aligns with the intent of
their LRCP Catalyst Grants program. Applicants should indicate which statement in each category (1-5) best
describes their application, and defend their choice with an explanation in the area provided below each section.
The applicants:
a) Have the skills and expertise to achieve the goals of the Program/Project.
b) Are recognized for their accomplishments, or are new caregivers/researchers/teachers that are
promising in the areas of expertise on which the Program/Project depends.
c) Are acknowledged leaders, or have demonstrated potential for leadership in the areas of expertise on
which the Program/Project depends.
d) Are international pioneers in the required areas of expertise, or have the potential for major
breakthroughs.
Principal/co-Principal applicants should, at a minimum, be described by statements (b). Coapplicants/collaborators must, at a minimum, be described by statement (a)
2. The proposed Program/Project will lead to discovery, innovation, and knowledge-sharing that is:
a)
b)
c)
d)
High quality and useful.
Competitive at the national level and may lead to innovation.
Competitive at the international level and will lead to innovation.
Leading edge internationally, transformative, and can be expected to have major impact.
3. The proposal will:
a) Contribute indirectly to incremental improvement in quality of life, timely access, and coordination
of care for cancer patients and their families.
b) Directly and significantly improve quality of life, timely access, and coordination of care for cancer
patients and their families.
c) Yield a major benefit and set new local and provincial standards in timely access and coordination of
care and quality of life for patients and families.
d) Yield a major benefit and set transformative new international standards to improve quality of life,
timely access, and coordination of care for patients and families.
Cancer research at the LRCP must lead, or have the potential to lead, to improvement in care of cancer patients.
4. The requested funding is essential for success of this program/project and:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Enhances institutional capacity.
Establishes a unique institutional capability.
Establishes a unique regional or national capability.
Establishes an internationally competitive capability, which would not exist otherwise.
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5. The proposed Program/Project will create or strengthen:
a) Local interactions between and among cancer researchers, caregivers, and educators that lead to
better outcomes for cancer patients and their families.
b) Local and regional interactions between and among cancer researchers, educators and caregivers of
different disciplines, organizations, or health sectors, and that lead to better outcomes for cancer
patients and their families.
c) Partnerships or formal signed agreements between and among organizations or groups in the same
sector or from different sectors; that lead to better outcomes for cancer patients and their families,
and are a model for provincial and national partnering strategies.
d) International partnerships amongst organizations or sectors that lead to better outcomes for cancer
patients and their families and are a model for national and international partnering strategies.
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2.
SUMMARY OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL: (250 Word Maximum)
Summarize the objective(s), hypothesis, approach and research plan
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RESEARCH PROPOSAL: Provide a clear, concise description proposed research. Include the current state of
knowledge, relevant work done by the applicant, and a rationale for methods and approaches.
Unless otherwise indicated in the Category you are applying to, submit a maximum of 6 double-spaced pages,
not including references, with 1” margins at top, bottom and sides. Include references on a separate page. Use
only Times New Roman, 12 point font.
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6. CURRICULA VITAE OF PRINCIPAL, CO-PRINCIPAL, AND CO-APPLICANTS (CVs of
Collaborators not required):
Include a list of all current grant support and indicate any overlap. Include a list of publications in the
past 5 years. Do not exceed 5 pages per CV.
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BUDGET MODULE
Name of Principal applicant and institution
Financial Assistance Requested
RESEARCH STAFF (excluding
trainees)
Research Assistants
Technicians
Other personnel (NOTE: Summer
students are NOT eligible for support)
No.
Salary
RESEARCH TRAINEES
Postdoctoral Fellows/Clinical Research
Fellows (post PhD, MD, etc.)
Graduate Students
NOTE: Summer students are NOT
eligible for support
No.
Amount
MATERIALS, SUPPLIES AND SERVICES
Animals
Expendable materials
Services
Other (specify)
Benefits
TOTAL
TOTAL
TOTAL
TOTAL OPERATING
EQUIPMENT
TOTAL REQUESTED
Each budget item must include the applicable provincial and federal taxes. Calculate federal taxes using the
following "after rebate" percentages – universities 3.41%; hospitals 1.9%; other institutions 3.9%.
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5.
DETAILS OF BUDGET MODULE REQUESTED
a)
EXPENDABLE SUPPLIES:
b)
PERMANENT EQUIPMENT:
c)
TECHNICAL SUPPORT (NOT including research trainees):
d)
SERVICES:
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6.
PROGRESS REPORT:
 Principal/co-Principal Investigators previously funded by the Catalyst or Small Grant program must
submit a Progress Report for their most recent LRCP Catalyst/Small Grant award with this
application (maximum 2 pages). If Principal/co-Principal applicants have never received such an
award, indicate that here; a Progress Report is not required if that is the case.
 Include detailed information about submitted or published manuscripts, reports, patents or other
evidence of dissemination of results. Support from the Fund will NOT be considered unless this
Progress Report is received.
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