CaPRI Team Project Award

Objectives:

The CaPRI/Movement Disorders BMH Team collaborative research support fund supports outstanding team-based research in Parkinson's disease and related movement disorders. Each project must be led by a CaPRI team member and include at least three additional principal investigators. Projects may be new initiatives or leverage existing partnerships. Pilot data are not required. Proposals must align broadly with existing CaPRI research themes.

The inclusion of trainees wherever possible is encouraged (postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, undergraduate students, residents, and clinical fellows).

Eligibility Criteria:

The project lead must be a full member of HBI and the CaPRI/Movement Disorders BMH Team, and the team must include at least two additional principal investigators who are also full members of HBI and the CaPRI/Movement Disorders BMH Team. A principal investigator may participate on only one CaPRI Team Project Award grant or application within any three-year period.

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, small equipment (<25K), materials and supplies, subject fees (including participant reimbursement) and open access publications.  Funds may not be used for travel to meetings or conferences. 

Value of Award:

Applicants may propose a total budget of up to $350,000. The award will be paid in two tranches: the first tranche of funding cannot be released before the start date of the project, and the second tranche is 12 months after that date, contingent upon satisfactory completion of the milestones outlined in the application. Funds must be spent within 36 months, although extensions may be possible with prior approval. Awards are conditional on required ethics, animal and biosafety approvals. The start date may be postponed by up to nine months to obtain approvals or finalize collaborative agreements. Awardees must submit an annual progress report and a final report at the end of year three; all reports will be assessed by the Award Committee, who reserves the opportunity to request clarifications. 

Number of awards: Will be vary from year to year, dependent on budgetary approvals. 

Application Process: This competition is open until January 18th, 2027

Application packages must include the following:

  • Application cover letter with signatures (found at bottom of page)
  • 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 (no limit)
  • NIH or Parkinson Canada bio-sketches (5 pages maximum, per applicant)
  • Disclosure of overlapping support, where relevant, and how the proposed work is distinct from or complements that support

Evaluation process:  Applications will undergo peer review as lead by the HBI Director. Submitted proposals will be ranked based on the criteria below:

  • Innovation and Impact (40%): Does the project address an important question or unmet need in Parkinson’s disease or related movement disorders? Is the proposed work innovative and novel, and does it have the potential to meaningfully advance the field?
  • Quality of the Applicant or Team (20%): Do the applicant and team have the appropriate expertise, credentials, and complementary roles to successfully execute the proposed work?
  • Feasibility (20%): Can the proposed objectives be realistically achieved within two years, within the proposed budget of up to $350,000, and using the available expertise, resources, and infrastructure?
  • Leverage and Future Impact (20%): Is the project likely to generate compelling preliminary data, resources, partnerships, or other outcomes that position the team to secure larger external funding and/or advance the work beyond the CaPRI award?
Application Form