Grant Application Guidelines June 2016 APCF00170616
Background Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation is the only foundation exclusively dedicated to pancreatic cancer in Australia. It aims to support innovative, translational, quality research and programs within the pancreatic cancer field. 2016 Funding Round Accelerator Grants Grants of up to $500,000 per annum (GST exclusive) are being made available for two to three years duration (a maximum of $1.6M over the next 3 years) to support specific projects and/or infrastructure for research into pancreatic cancer. The objective of the Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation Accelerator Grants is to: Fund high quality projects that can clearly demonstrate support for the Foundation s vision To break through 40 years of no progress by doubling the number of people who survive pancreatic cancer by 2020. Innovation Grants Four seed funding grants of $100,000 each (GST exclusive) for one year are being made available to support innovative pancreatic cancer projects with a desire to increase interest and investment in pancreatic cancer research. The 2016 Innovation grants are in recognition of the combined efforts of the Woolworths business leaders who cycled the 2015 Woolies on Wheels charity cycle and Pancreatic Cancer survivor George Hillen who climbed Mt Kilimanjaro to raise awareness of the disease and funds for Avner s Foundation. The objectives of the Innovation grants are to: Support established scientists and/or early career researchers to develop preliminary data necessary to support pursuit of additional funding in subsequent years Encourage and retain talented skilled individuals in the field of pancreatic cancer. The scientific merit of all applications will be assessed and ranked by the Foundation s Scientific Advisory Panel according to a set of evaluation criteria which promotes funding for projects demonstrating clinical relevance and/or impact. The panel will also oversee the grant application process and ongoing monitoring of the grants. Eligibility criteria The Foundation will only fund projects where: a) The Administering institution agrees to the terms and conditions of funding as outlined in the Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation Standard Grant Terms and Conditions b) The application is clearly able to demonstrate how the project will support the foundation s vision. Page 2
c) The application has been submitted using the Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation Grant Application Form. Terms of Funding Multiple grant applications from a single institution will be considered. However: a. Research groups within the institution can only submit one grant application b. An investigator can only be first named PI on a single grant Awardees of 2015 Innovation grants are ineligible to apply for innovation grant funding in 2016. International collaborations by Australian research organisations are permitted and strongly supported by the foundation. This is conditional on: The Applicant (organisation) being an Australian organisation The PI residing in Australia No more than 25% of the funded research is conducted overseas this includes subcontracted services IP will rest with the Australian research organisation and be in accordance with the Avner Foundation standard grant terms and conditions The funding year will commence on 1 January and terminate on 31 December. Proposed funding will be reviewed by the Scientific Advisory Panel to ensure it reflects the true cost required to deliver the goals of the project. The Foundation reserves the right to: a. Offer a grant of a sum that differs from that proposed by the applicant b. Negotiate details of proposed projects with applicants so as to maximise the scientific benefit. Funding will be in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the funding offer and set out in the funding agreement. In the case of the Accelerator Grants, applicants will be required to set project milestones which will be linked to ongoing release of funding. Review of progress against agreed milestones will take place throughout the course of the project and subsequent year s funding will be contingent upon satisfactory progress against milestones. Ineligible Expenditure The Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation will not fund: Projects where the applicants are in a position to self-fund or where a more appropriate funding source is available. However, it will provide funds to add value to existing funded projects Institutional overhead costs, including ongoing operating costs of the organisation, in excess of 10% of the grant funds Attendance at events or conferences, prizes or award ceremonies Feasibility studies for the project (with the exception of Innovator grants) Page 3
Marketing and communication costs Central administrative support Travel of investigators on activities that are not inherent in the project Website development unless this is inherent in the project. Assessment All applications are considered and assessed by the Avner Pancreatic Cancer Foundation Scientific Advisory Panel group of experts. Projects will be evaluated according to the following set of criteria: Scientific quality and innovation (35%) e.g. is it novel, are the hypotheses sound, and are methodology and analyses well-reasoned and appropriate to accomplish the aims of the project? Does the application challenge and seek to shift current research or clinical paradigms by utilising novel theoretical approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions? How does the project complement work already being done in the field? Potential Clinical Impact and Significance (25%) e.g. Does the project address an important problem or a critical barrier to progress in the field? If the aims are achieved how might this impact on the survival rates of those suffering from pancreatic cancer? How will scientific knowledge, technical capability and/or clinical practice be improved? Investigator team (20%) Is the investigator team well-conceived for the project? Are collaborations involving external partners including international investigations likely to be enhanced by this project? Project management (10%) Are the proposed activities aligned with the goals? Are the milestones clearly defined and achievable within the timeframe? Budget (10%) Is the proposed budget comprehensive and realistic, noting all in kind and financial support from the applicant organisation? Page 4
Notification and Timelines Friday 17 June 2016 Friday 29 July Call for applications Closing date for submission of applications by email to grants@avnersfoundation.org.au 1 Aug - 1 Sept Grant review period* and funding recommendations to the Foundation board Monday 19 Sept Applicants advised in writing of funding outcomes 26 Sept 28 Oct Contracts finalised and executed 17 Nov 2016 Public announcement * The foundation may, at its discretion, request clarification or further detail from applicants during the review period. Further Information Enquiries All enquiries are to be in writing to grants@avnersfoundation.org.au Please review FAQs on the website prior to submitting any enquiries Page 5