Health Research Funding Forum

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

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

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

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

5. Genome Canada – Funding History • Funding initiated in 2001 • A matched program • Since then, ~CAD$375M 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

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

7. Genome Canada - Projects • In past, projects have been of two types: • 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’

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

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

10. Genome Canada – Pros & Cons • Cons • Matching funding • 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

11. Genome Canada – Pros & Cons • Pros • 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

12. Genome Canada – Personal History • 2001 $19.5M Project entitled ‘Functional Genomics of Abiotic Stress’ (in Crops) • Co-PI • Head of Platform Technology • Project Leader (Aug 2003 – Present) • 2002 $10M Project entitled ‘A Bioinformatics Platform for Genome Canada’ • Co-PI

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