Health Research Funding Forum Genome Canada Program Funding

Health Research Funding Forum Genome Canada Program Funding W. L. (Bill) Crosby Department of Biological Sciences

Genome Canada - Organization n n Arms length funding agency – akin to Crown Corporation Supervisory agencies n n n Industry Canada Treasury Board Governed by an Executive and External Advisory Bodies

Genome Canada - Organization n National jurisdiction, divided into 5 administrative ‘Provinces’ n n n Genome Genome BC (Vancouver) Prairie (Calgary) Ontario (Toronto) Québec (Montréal) Atlantic (Halifax)

Genome Canada – Funding Mandate n Broadly, to catalyze the formation of world-class teams employing genomics and Systems Biology research paradigms in: n n Fundamental research of importance to Canada’s knowledge-based economy Applied research, with emphasis on capturing value from genomics investments

Genome Canada – Funding History n n n Funding initiated in 2001 A matched program Since then, ~CAD$375 M administered, not including matching funds Since 2001, two general rounds of funding, plus one specialized round Currently in a third general round, subject to funding

Genome Canada – Grant Structures n n n Grant scope and objectives must be such that other granting funding not an option Generally, $8 -10 M and up, over 3 -5 years Must employ generally defined tools of Genomics & Systems Biology

Genome Canada - Projects n In past, projects have been of two types: n n n Platform (technology development and delivery to Canadian researchers) Research/Operating (investigation of new biological paradigms and/or application of new knowledge) Platforms now considered ‘mature’

Genome Canada - Grants n Given large size and scope of many projects, particular emphasis on: n n Coordination of multidisciplinary and often geographically dispersed groups Project Management n n n Scientific/Organizational Financial Governance - Arms-length external advisory bodies

Genome Canada – Future Programs n n Currently awaiting confirmation of funding (2005 Federal Budget) Industry Canada is governing agency, therefore can expect: n n n Renewed emphasis on ‘capturing value’ Requirement to focus on issues of economic importance and applied potential Corporate reporting & governance models

Genome Canada – Pros & Cons n Matching funding n n n Sources (multiple Gov’t jurisdictions) Administration (Changing eligibility) Obtaining (50%+ in recent programs) Human cost of management & reporting Centralized platforms amid distributed project and matching funds

Genome Canada – Pros & Cons n Pros n n One of few large-dollar programs existing Opportunity to build and manage teams of international scope & stature Build synergies through multidisciplinary teams – eg. GELS integration International exposure, scrutiny, partnerships and peer review

Genome Canada – Personal History n 2001 $19. 5 M Project entitled ‘Functional Genomics of Abiotic Stress’ (in Crops) n n Co-PI Head of Platform Technology Project Leader (Aug 2003 – Present) 2002 $10 M Project entitled ‘A Bioinformatics Platform for Genome Canada’ n Co-PI

Thanks http: //www. bioinfo. uwindsor. ca bcrosby@uwindsor. ca