The TIR program aims to support a select few large-scale translational research projects in RNA-based therapeutics, which address the D2R Initiative鈥檚 strategic priorities, and have a measurable translational impact on the health of Canadians. For this funding call, the priority disease areas are oncology, rare diseases, and infectious diseases. Please visit our web page on the strategic priorities in these disease areas to learn more.

Funded projects will require expertise spanning a minimum of three of D2R鈥檚 Foundational Axes working together with partners in an inter- and multidisciplinary fashion to enable translational outcomes. TIR will thus allow multiple entry points into the D2R Initiative鈥檚 discovery/translational chain. TIR is a strategic allocation with an iterative application process consisting of an evaluated Letter of Intent (LOI), with select project teams being invited to submit a full application. The project should involve interaction with different stakeholders, including end-users/receptors such as industry and/or patient groups. The size of the awarded budget depends on the nature of the proposed project. These large projects may also leverage other D2R programs, in particular, Training Awards, Commercialization Priming, Major Partnership, and Clinical Research and Development, and serve as a potential gateway for attracting additional external funding opportunities. Of note, the TIR program cannot fund clinical trials in human patients.

This program supports projects that demonstrate:

• Alignment with D2R鈥檚 Mission and Priority Disease Areas: Projects must directly address the specific unmet needs within oncology, infectious diseases, or rare diseases. Proposals should articulate how they meet the strategic priorities for these diseases, including access to clinical resources, the suitability of RNA therapies, and the relevance to specific populations within Quebec and/or Canada.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration and Expertise: Projects should demonstrate multidisciplinary collaboration across at least three D2R Foundational Axes, with a team that has the necessary expertise and experience in the disease area, including preclinical and clinical knowledge.
• Partner Engagement: Proposals must demonstrate existing or emerging partnerships with organizations that are positioned to translate the proposed research into clinical outcomes. Evidence of partnership may include access to resources (e.g., expertise, biobank, patient cohorts), financial contributions, and should ideally show an ongoing partnership or active collaboration with an industrial partner, or ongoing discussions about the potential for such collaboration.
• Novelty and Non-Duplication: Projects should offer innovative solutions without duplicating ongoing projects. Proposals must introduce a unique approach and justify the choice of RNA-based therapies.
• Translational Impact: Active engagement of patient groups and/or other communities who might benefit from this research is essential to support meaningful impact. Proposals should highlight how the research team will engage with such groups to achieve direct short-term or medium-term impact on the selected disease area, including treatment of afflicted individuals. Incorporating 'patient partners' from the project's outset is encouraged, as it is a vital component of research design, ensuring projects are grounded in real-world needs. Indicate how this research may position McGill, Quebec, and/or Canada in the international research landscape.

1.1 Key Dates

• Competition Launch: March 14, 2024. CLOSED
• Letter of Intent deadline: April 18, 2024 at 5:00 PM CLOSED
• Notice of LOI decision: September 2024.
• Full Application due: Wednesday November 6, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
• Anticipated results announced: December 2024

1.2 Budget and Duration

• Budget: Each proposal can request separate research and training budgets. The supplemental training budget is intended to support trainees, including postdoctoral fellows, and must be clearly justified, outlining the roles and responsibilities of individual trainees and professionals involved in the project.
• Zero-Based Budgeting: Applicants need to create a budget that is directly based on the needs of the project for both research and training budgets. Instead of starting with a set amount, every expense must be explained and justified. This means that funds should be allocated according to the specific tasks of the team members and tied to the project's key milestones and outcomes.
• Project Duration: Projects may be funded for up to three years (non-renewable).

1.3 Eligible Expenses

Research Budget

• Compensation: salaries and benefits of HQP; technical services, consulting fees, honoraria
• Equipment (max $25,000), Supplies, User Fees & Consumables. $25,000 is the maximum combined cost of small equipment, across three years.
• Computers & Electronic Communications: includes hardware and software
• Travel & Subsistence: includes accommodations and reasonable out of pocket expenses for field work, conferences and research collaboration-related travel
• Dissemination of Results & Networking: costs associated with hosting events, as well as publishing fees and translation costs
• Services and other expenses

For additional information, refer to the

Training Budget

Only hourly wages, annual wages (or a portion thereof), stipends, and employment benefits are permitted in this category.

All other costs associated with students and postdoctoral fellows (e.g. training, travel) should go in the appropriate category in the Research Budget.

The full application consists of an (goes live on Thursday September 26, 2024 until Wednesday November 6, 2024 at 5PM) and specific documents to upload. Use the templates provided.

Documents to Upload

1. Proposal. Combine into 1 PDF:
   • Project Description (Template)
   • Response to Feedback from the LOI Evaluation (if applicable)
2. Biosketches (Template)
3. Updated Letter(s) of Support (if applicable)
4. Budget and Justification (Excel Template)
5. Timelines and Milestones (Excel Template)

2.1 Project Description Instructions

Use the template provided. Keep the margins (2cm all sides) and headings in the order that they appear.

Figures and images may be used, but must fit within the stated page limit. Appendices are not permitted.

Page Limits:

• Applications written in English: 12 pages, inclusive of references.
• Applications written in French: 13 pages, inclusive of references.

A. Scientific Summary

• An overview of the project鈥檚 objectives, methods and expected outcomes.

• Identify the potential benefits, and how the project could attract further funding.

B. Introduction and Background

• Situate the project within the current state of knowledge.
• Explain how the project will fill scientific gaps, provide a proof-of-concept, or introduce novel research directions for the disease area under study (Project Rationale).

C. Proposal

• Describe the project's objectives and the experimental plan, including the multidisciplinary approaches to the research question.

• Explain how the project will contribute to the development of novel genomic medicine-based RNA therapeutics and its translational impact.
• Indicate any challenges the research team expects to encounter, and mitigation plans.
• Describe the project鈥檚 potential for innovative contributions, particularly those emerging from its multidisciplinary approach and stakeholder involvement.
• Explain how Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) factors have been integrated into the research design and the intersections of these factors (including but not limited to sex, gender, physical ability, Indigeneity, race, and age). If EDI considerations are not applicable, provide an evidence-based rationale. Note: To learn more about integrating EDI and Sexual and Gender-Based Analysis + (SGBA+) into your research, refer to resources from the and , and .

D. Research Team and Collaborations

• Explain how each Investigator will contribute to the project, including the expertise provided to meet the project鈥檚 objectives.

• Describe how the team鈥檚 activities will be coordinated.
• Outline how partners, including industry and patient groups, will be engaged and how their continuous feedback will be integrated into the project. List existing or potential partnerships and funding opportunities that could enhance the project's impact.
• Describe your approach to embedding EDI principles in your team鈥檚 research practices and strategies. Include details about how these principles will be operationalized, encompassing all team members, from leadership to potential trainees.
• Identify specific measures to assess the effectiveness of these strategies.
• Describe any support you will need to implement these practices. Note: For additional information on EDI in research teams, consult EDI resources and guidance from McGill University.

E. Budget

This section supplements the Excel sheet, and should not be used to duplicate its content

• Provide a high-level, narrative summary of the budget and justifications.
• Outline the key budget items, ensuring they correspond with the values listed in the budget forms provided.

• Note any budget items that may require additional context or justification.

F. Training Plan

• Indicate which tasks or phases of the project each trainee will be involved in.
• Describe the mentoring plan, including how trainees will be supervised and supported throughout the project. Specify the key skills they are expected to gain, and how these skills will contribute to both the success of the project and their professional development.

• Describe any additional training opportunities that will be offered to trainees who are supported by funding from this project, including industry internships.
• Describe how you are integrating Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) actions into the training plan, ensuring all trainees benefit from an inclusive and supportive environment that fosters diverse perspectives and ideas.

G. References

• List only works cited in the Project Description.
• Provide a DOI for each reference, where available.

2.2 Response to Feedback from the LOI Review

Aligned with the TIR program's strategic and iterative approach, applicants must address feedback from their LOI submission, and any key points raised during follow-up discussions with D2R representatives. This step ensures that proposals are refined to align more closely with TIR鈥檚 mission and strategic goals, giving applicants the opportunity to strengthen and better position their full applications. Your response should clearly articulate any adjustments, improvements, or clarifications made to address the feedback.

• Maximum of 2 pages.
• Combine this response with the Proposal into a single PDF.

2.3 Biosketches

• Use the template provided.
• An updated biosketch is required for the Principal Investigator, each Co-Investigator, and any Postdoctoral Fellow(s). Biosketches for Collaborators are not required.
• Compile them into a single PDF prior to uploading

2.4 Budget and Justification

• Use the Excel template provided.

2.5 Timelines and Milestones

• Use the Excel template provided.
• Use clear, measurable deliverables at key intervals to track progress effectively and ensure that funding release is aligned with project milestones and achievements.

2.6 Updated Letter of Support (if applicable)

This section applies if:

• Partner contributions have changed since the LOI stage.
• Additional partners have been identified.

3.1 Administrative Review

An administrative review of each full application will be conducted for completion and eligibility of any team members who have been added since the LOI stage.

All eligible applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria.

Reviewers will be provided with the information that was submitted in the LOI stage.

3.2 Scientific Merit Review

Each sub-criterion will be assessed on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).

• Originality and Innovation: The extent to which the proposal introduces new and creative ideas that advance the boundaries of current research.
• Research Plan Quality: The proposed research plan is well-constructed and capable of achieving its stated objectives.
• Research Plan Feasibility: The probability that the stated objectives can be met within the proposed timeframe, considering available resources (including budget) and anticipated challenges. Potential challenges have been identified, and mitigation plans are in place.
• Research Team and Multidisciplinary Contributions: The team of researchers and trainees possesses the expertise and capabilities to achieve the project's objectives. There is high degree of collaboration and multidisciplinary contributions.
• Translational Impact: There is strong engagement with relevant stakeholders (e.g., patient groups, industry) and the potential for translating research into practical short and medium-term outcomes.

3.3 Alignment with Program Requirements

These elements will be assessed as either satisfactory or revisions required.

• Budget
• Milestones
• EDI in the research design
• EDI in the research team and practices

For projects deemed fundable, Principal Investigators will be notified of any issues with the components listed in Section 3.3. Applicants will have the opportunity to revise these sections. Revised sections must be satisfactorily updated and approved before the release of funds.

Applicants are required to report on the implementation of their EDI strategy over time, including in their annual progress reports.

The D2R Research Steering Committee (RSC) will consider the scientific merit review in its funding decisions.

4.1 Announcement of Results

Principal Investigators will be informed of the result by email in December 2024.

4.2 Notice of Award

Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Award (NoA), which details the terms, conditions, and reporting obligations.

Successful applicants must complete the D2R Award Acceptance Form and McGill University鈥檚 Research Funding Checklist within two weeks of receiving the NoA. In addition, awardees must obtain all necessary documentation related to ethics, biohazards, and animal care approvals before funds are disbursed.

For any questions regarding the application process or submission requirements, please feel free to reach out before the submission deadlines. We鈥檙e here to assist you throughout the process.

Email: D2R.Funding [at] mcgill.ca (subject: Translational%20Impact%20Research%20Cycle%201)