CaPRI / Movement Disorders Collaborative Research Support Fund

Objectives:

The purpose of the CaPRI/Movement Disorders BMH team collaborative research support fund is to support outstanding ideas that will promote novel collaborations within the Movement Disorders BMH team and seed impactful initiatives in the field of Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. Pilot data is not required but the research themes must be aligned with one or more of the 3 main thematic areas recognized as the CaPRI global research priorities:

1. Novel strategies for the rehabilitation of motor and/or cognitive deficits in Parkinson’s disease and related disorders.

Proposals aligned with this thematic area should aim to advance the development, evaluation of efficacy, or implementation of interventions based on physical exercise, training of motor skills (including communication skills), or cognitive training or stimulation, using individual or combined research methodologic approaches. Pre-clinical studies, clinical studies, or a combination of the two are eligible.

2. Neuro-modulatory strategies for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and related disorders.

Proposals aligned with this thematic area should aim to advance the applicability, evaluation of efficacy, or implementation of either non-invasive or invasive neuro-modulatory therapeutic strategies, primarily (but not exclusively) based on electric current or magnetic stimulation. Neuromodulatory interventions may target motor, non-motor symptoms, or both. Pre-clinical studies, clinical studies, or a combination of the two are eligible.

3. Pathomechanisms and/or therapeutic strategies for non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease and related disorders.

Proposals aligned with this thematic area should aim to advance knowledge of key mechanisms of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease and related disorders, or test the concept of new treatment approaches for these manifestations. Pre-clinical studies, clinical studies, or a combination of the two are eligible.

The inclusion of trainees wherever possible is encouraged (PDF’s, graduate student, undergraduate students, residents, and clinical fellows).

Eligibility Criteria:

The PI must be a full member of the HBI and the Movement Disorders BMH Team. Application requires at least one other UCalgary faculty member as a co-applicant. Co-applicants do not need to be HBI members. An individual can only be PI on one application, but may be a co-applicant on other applications.

HBI adheres to the five principles of Open Science.  These principles guide all research conducted using HBI resources.  If funded, successful applicants agree to abide by Principles 1 to 4.  

Eligible Expenses:

Applicants may request funds for salary support (including trainee stipends), platform fees, minor equipment, material and supplies, and subject fees (including participant reimbursement).  Funds may not be used for travel to meetings or conferences. Travel outside of Calgary to learn new techniques may be acceptable with appropriate justification.

Value of Award:

Applicants may propose a total budget of up to $70,000. This award will provide a one-time payment to be spent by 31 March 2025.  Extensions will not be granted.  Awards will be conditional upon obtaining the necessary ethics approvals, as applicable.

Awardees are expected to produce an annual progress report/ end of year one, and at the end of the grant/ end of year two.

Application Process: This competition is currently closed.

Application packages must include the following:

• Project Proposal (5 pages maximum), including following sections:
  • Background and Rationale
  • Aims and Hypotheses
  • Research Plan and Methodology
  • Timeline
• Budget and Budget Justification (2 pages maximum)
• References (2 pages maximum)
• NIH or Parkinson Canada bio-sketches (5 pages maximum, per applicant)

Evaluation process:  The submitted proposal will be ranked based on the criteria below:

• Novelty (20%): How does the project differ from what is already being done at the HBI?
• Collaboration (25%): Are the applicants working in a way that they have not done before and/or that could not be achieved by one of them alone?
• Alignment with the overall goals of CaPRI (20%): Is the project aligned with the major goals of CaPRI?
• Feasibility (20%): Can the project be completed within the proposed time and budget with current infrastructure?
• Quality of the Team (15%): Are the credential of the team and their roles appropriate for the proposed work?