2007-2008 Request for Position Papers (RFPP) …

               2007-2008 Request for Position Papers (RFPP)


                Position Papers in Strategic Research Areas
                               Looking to the Future


Background
Last year Genome Canada launched a new initiative, as part of its fund raising activity,
by inviting the scientific community to join with stakeholders to identify Strategic
Research Themes through an initial submission of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) and
the writing of position papers. Fifty-seven EOIs were received and assigned to themes.
The involved communities then selected leaders who agreed to manage the process
leading to the submission of completed position papers in July 2007. The position
papers were subject to an international peer review and two were recommended to the
Board of Genome Canada to be included in Genome Canada's strategic research
portfolio and budget submission to Industry Canada for 2007-2008. The two
recommended to be carried forward were in the theme areas of Agriculture ­ Plants,
"Crop genomics for a healthy Canada" and, Bioproducts, "Securing Canada's future bio-
based economy through genomics".

The Board of Genome Canada has agreed that a second round of this process should
be initiated with the objective of defining the strategic research themes to be included in
its budget submission for 2008-2009.

Position Paper Process 2007-2008

The first step in the process will again be the submission of an Expression of Interest
(EOI) by a proposed theme leader who is willing to drive the process and be responsible
for delivering the position paper. It should be noted that leaders of a position paper will
have to spend a significant portion of their time over a six-month period championing
their proposed research theme and bringing together researchers to coordinate the
writing of the position paper. Only those EOIs that clearly define a strategic research
theme capable of being developed as a future funding competition, rather than a
research project, will be considered as candidates for position papers. Those position
papers that were developed in 2006-2007 (see table below) will remain in the process
for consideration in 2007-2008, unless Genome Canada is informed to the contrary. It
is allowable for position paper leaders to step down and for another leader to be
appointed.




                                                                                          1
By the end of January 2008, the analysis of all EOIs will be completed and authors will
be informed of which strategic research themes will be developed into position papers.
No more than 15 position papers in total will be taken forward.

A position paper must define the importance of the problem(s) to be tackled, and how
genomics/proteomics tools can be brought to bear to provide solutions. It must describe
the current state of the science in Canada and internationally, the infrastructure and
human resources capacity available in Canada, the estimated total funding required
over four years and the expected socio-economic outputs, outcomes and impacts on
the sector or discipline covered by the strategic research theme.

In July and August 2008, completed position papers will be prioritized by an
International Review Committee for recommendations on which position papers should
be included in the Genome Canada Strategic Research Investment Portfolio, a detailed
investment proposal intended for submission to the federal government in the fall of
2008.

Successful position papers will provide the foundation for subsequent Requests for
Applications (RFAs) in competitions for project funding.

It should be understood that researchers involved in the Position Paper Process will not
be accorded any advantage over other applicants in future competitions resulting from
the position papers.


Scope
EOIs must describe strategic research themes that are national in scope, that focus on
Canadian science & technology strengths, that address problems of major importance,
and that will lead to socio-economic outputs, outcomes and impacts on the sector or
discipline covered by the theme. They must describe how the application of genomics,
or allied `omics,' research to an identified "big biological problem" is likely to provide a
solution that could be translated into applications that will benefit Canadians (health,
wealth and wellbeing) in the near to medium term. Themes in the areas of ethical,
environmental, economic, legal and social impacts of genomics (GE3LS) research will
be welcome.

Researchers are invited to propose new Strategic Research Themes in all areas of the
life sciences, but note that since Genome Canada's Strategic Research Investment
Portfolio for 2007-08 includes position papers in the areas of agriculture ­ plants and
bioproducts, additional Expressions of Interest (EOIs) in these areas will not be
considered in this round.




                                                                                               2
Position Papers Developed in 2006-2007

Two Position Papers were recommended to be carried forward in the theme areas of
Agriculture ­ Plants, "Crop genomics for a healthy Canada" and, Bioproducts, "Securing
Canada's future bio-based economy through genomics".

The following nine position papers developed in the last cycle will automatically go
forward for review:

Theme                                         Title of Position Paper
Agriculture ­ Animals                         Aquatic and Terrestrial Animal Genomics
Diagnostics                                   Molecular Diagnostics for Canadians
Disease Mechanisms                            Disease Mechanisms Genomics
Ecosystem Health in Response to
                                              EnviroGenomics and Ecosystem Health
Change, and Environmental Monitoring
                                              Life Sciences Innovation in Canada: New
GE3LS ­ Policy and Knowledge Transfer
                                              Metrics, Methods and Models for Success
                                              Reducing Chronic Diseases in Canada by
Nutrigenomics
                                              Linking Genomics with Nutrition
Optimization of Therapies and Drug            OPTICS: Canadian Model for Optimization
Optimization                                  of Therapeutics
Predisposition to Disease                     Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Sustaining and Enhancing Productivity of      Productivity in an Era of Accelerated
Crop, Forest and Ocean Industries             Environmental Change (PEAEC)

The leaders of these position papers may choose to revise the position paper, step
down as leaders or they may choose to withdraw the position paper. Funding will be
made available for those who wish to revise their paper. Leaders who wish to restart
the entire consultation process, including a national workshop, must advise Genome
Canada by January 4, 2008.

Resources Available

It is envisaged that no more than 15 Strategic Research Themes (including those from
2006-2007) that have elected to remain in the process will move to the next stage of the
Position Paper Process at one time. By the end of January 2008, consideration of all
EOIs will be completed and the EOI authors will be informed of which strategic research
themes will go forward. More details about EOIs are available in the Guidelines and
Evaluation Criteria for Position Papers available on the web site.



                                                                                        3
Genome Canada will not provide additional help in the process other than clarification of
the guidelines and other administrative matters, since it will manage the peer review of
the final position papers. The Genome Centres, however, are able to provide valuable
advice as well as administrative support for the selected themes.

For each approved strategic research theme, funding will be made available from
Genome Canada to support the process of developing each position paper. A
maximum of $15,000 for each position paper will be made available through the lead
Genome Centre to be used at the discretion of the chosen theme leaders towards any
direct costs related to the position paper process, with the exception of salary costs for
the theme leaders. Examples of eligible costs include:
· Teleconferences
· Literature search
· Administrative support and supplies
· A writers' meeting (where there is more than one author)
· Market studies

In addition, Genome Canada will coordinate and fund a national workshop for each
strategic research theme. These thematic workshops will be scheduled in close
sequence and at the same location in Ottawa to assist those who may be participating
in more than one workshop as well as to minimize costs. More information about the
thematic workshops will be made available at a later date, but it is currently expected
that these will occur towards the end of May 2008.

Who Can Submit?

Genome Canada will accept EOIs from researchers from all Canadian academic
institutions, government laboratories, companies, and research institutes. Scientists
who may be taking up substantive positions in Canada in the near future are
encouraged to consider participation in the process, but should contact Genome
Canada in the first instance.

Timelines
November 5, 2007                          Release of RFPP and Guidelines
November 12 ­ December 14, 2007           Submission of Expressions of Interest (EOIs)
January 4, 2008                           Deadline for 2006-07 theme leaders to request
                                          workshop
End January, 2008                         Decisions on new Strategic Research Themes
                                          released
Mid February, 2008                        First Information Session in Ottawa
Mid April, 2008                           Second Information Session in Ottawa
Late May, 2008                            Workshops in Ottawa
July 4, 2008                              Deadline for submission of Position Papers
Early-September                           International Review Panel meeting
September 18, 2008                        To Board of Directors for decisions


                                                                                             4
Genome Canada may adjust the process for the identification of strategic research
themes where warranted by the volume of proposals or other relevant factors. Any
adjustment will be rapidly communicated through Genome Canada's website and
through the Genome Centres.


Process
Expression of Interest (EOI)
Genome Canada will accept EOIs between November 12 and December 14, 2007.
Each EOI must be presented on the form available at
http://positionpapers.genomecanada.ca. See the Guidelines and Evaluation Criteria for
Position Papers available on the web site for details of how to submit an EOI.

All EOIs that satisfy the eligibility criteria will be made available to the scientific
community through posting on Genome Canada's website. The web site will be an
interactive vehicle for the dissemination of information to all interested individuals.

The Position Paper Process

Fact Finding: Theme leaders should begin the process by identifying other researchers
working on the proposed strategic research theme in related sectors or disciplines to
ensure that the position paper will be informed by the most appropriate experts. Other
research, such as literature searches or market analyses, may also be required.

Consultation: It is expected that theme leaders will choose to hold a national workshop
and bring together interested stakeholders to elucidate the goals of the position paper
and to build consensus on the actions that should be undertaken to meet these goals.
Specific guidelines for the conduct of national workshops will be made available at a
later date. Leaders of position papers from 2006-2007 will be able to choose whether or
not to hold another national workshop.

Writing: The position paper should cover the same material as presented in the EOI,
but in more explicit detail with necessary citations and include the estimated total
budget over a four-year period. Papers must be submitted in English. For details on
the content and format of position papers see the Guidelines and Evaluation Criteria for
Position Papers available on the web site.

Submission: The deadline date for submission of position papers is July 4, 2008. The
prioritization process will be completed by September 2008. Acceptance of the position
paper by Genome Canada should not be construed as a guarantee of inclusion in
Genome Canada's Strategic Research Investment Portfolio which will be presented to
the federal government for future funding.




                                                                                          5
For More Information
Consult the Guidelines and Evaluation Criteria for details on the process; available at
http://positionpapers.genomecanada.ca

Queries about the scope of EOIs and Strategic Research Themes should be directed to:
Dr. Michael J. Morgan
Chief Scientific Officer
Genome Canada
150 Metcalfe Street, Suite 2100
Ottawa (ON) K2P 1P1
Tel: (613) 796-1230
mmorgan@genomecanada.ca




                                                                                          6