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Funding opportunity

Canadian Cancer Society/University Health Network Research Grants on Neurofibromatosis and Cancer: Probing the Links

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  5. 2025 Neurofibromatosis and Cancer Research Grants

Important dates

Pre-announcement:
October 10, 2024
Program Launch (EGrAMS):
November 1, 2024
Abstract due:
December 11, 2024
Full application due:
March 5, 2025
Results announcement:
End of June 2025
Anticipated funding start:
July 1, 2025

Program Launch Partners

UHN Univeristy Health Network logo     ERASEnf logo
 
The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and the University Health Network (UHN), supported by funds from the Toronto Elisabeth Raab Accelerator of Science to End Neurofibromatosis (To-ERASEnf) have committed up to $2.0M to jointly fund research grants to probe the links between neurofibromatosis type 1 and cancer. Please see the ‘Partners description’ section for more information on UHN and the Toronto Elisabeth Raab Accelerator of Science to End Neurofibromatosis (To-ERASE-nf). 

Background

Neurofibromatosis is comprised of three distinct genetic disorders caused by mutations in genes that lead to the development of tumours (neurofibromas and schwannomas) on nerve tissue in different parts of the body. Although these tumours are usually benign, they can cause significant disfigurement, neurological defects, cognitive impairment, hearing loss, cardiovascular problems, loss of vision, and severe pain. Those who are affected not only have to deal with the comorbidities and social stigma associated with the condition, but also with a predisposition to anxiety and depression.

This funding opportunity will focus on one of the three types of Neurofibromatosis, Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). 

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a hereditary, autosomal dominant disease caused by inherited changes in the NF1 gene on chromosome 17, which provides instructions for making a protein called neurofibromin. Most people with NF1 are diagnosed within their first few years of life, while others might not know they have the condition until they reach their 20s, 30s, or even later. NF1 is a relatively rare condition that affects about 1 in 3,500 people and results in the development of multiple tumours outside the skull that are called peripheral nerve sheath tumours (PNSTs). The symptoms and the course of NF1 can vary widely and cause significant lifelong morbidity. Although a large number of PNST tumours are benign, there is a malignant subtype, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNSTs) which generally carries a very poor prognosis. In addition to the risk of developing  MPNSTs, people with NF1 are at a greater risk of developing a growing number of cancers, have a genetic predisposition to developing these cancers earlier in life, and may experience poorer outcomes than those in the general population (Table 1). 

Table 1: NF1 and Cancer Prevalence 

Cancers that are more common in people with NF1

Cancers occurring at a younger age in people with NF1

Cancers that appear to have higher mortality in people with NF1

  • Gliomas (low and high grade)
  • Sarcomas
  • Breast cancer
  • Endocrine cancers
  • Melanoma
  • Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Meningioma
  • Gliomas (low and high grade)
  • Breast cancer
  • Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST)

 
  • Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma
  • Glioma (high grade)
  • MPNST
  • Melanoma

Ref: Comparative Study- JAMA Netw Open 2021 Mar 1;4(3):e210945. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.0945. Comparison of Cancer Prevalence in Patients with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 at an Academic Cancer Center vs in the General Population From 1985 to 2020 

Program description

This program is a unique opportunity for cancer researchers to combine forces with researchers in neurofibromatosis and other relevant fields and disciplines to accelerate our understanding of the genomic and molecular drivers of cancer in NF1. The ultimate goal is to discover interventions to prevent cancer developing, or to enable diagnosis at the earliest possible time when treatments are likely to be more effective. In addition, projects focused on disease management and appropriate patient care, including the integration of clinical, translational, and technological innovations are strongly encouraged.  

The goals of this funding opportunity are:
  • To build new, or expand existing, collaborations between the neurofibromatosis community and the cancer community that span research pillars (biomedical, clinical, health services, population health) to focus complementary resources and expertise on improving the short and long-term health outcomes for people living with NF1 by reducing cancer incidence or ameliorating its impact.   
  • To include experts from other fields and disciplines where appropriate (e.g., genetics, technology development, and social sciences) to bring in new ideas, resources, and perspectives to accelerate progress. 
  • To build sustainable capacity for future research by including early career researchers (within 10 years of their first appointment), trainees, clinicians, and allied health professionals as an integral part of research teams.  
  • To facilitate the adaptation and repurposing of existing methods and technologies from other health fields and research disciplines with the potential to change the status quo in cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and care for people with NF1.  
  • To engage people with lived experience of cancer and NF1 to bring clinical relevance and perspective to grant applications.  
Funding can be applied to:

  • Developing interventions to improve quality of life and models of care for people with NF-related cancers.  

  • Enhancing cancer screening and early detection for people living with NF1. 

  • Developing pre-clinical models of NF and therapeutic strategies as they relate to cancer. 

  • Undertaking genomic and molecular biology studies on NF-related cancers. 

  • Studying signalling pathways involved in tumour progression in NF-related cancers. 

  • Other novel approaches to advance our understanding and management of cancer in people with NF1.  

Team eligibility

  • The funding opportunity is open to both small and large multidisciplinary teams, as appropriate for the work proposed.
  • For this competition, there is a limit of one application per Principal Investigator or co-Principal Investigator. Applications from early- and mid-career researchers (within 15 years of their first academic appointment) are strongly encouraged.
  • Engagement of researchers from non-traditional disciplines, outside the cancer and neurofibromatosis field, is strongly encouraged.
  • To build sustainable capacity for future research, each team is encouraged to include early career researchers (within 5 years of their first appointment), trainees, clinicians, and allied health professionals as an integral part of research teams.
  • Applications are strongly encouraged to demonstrate meaningful involvement of people with lived experience of NF1 in the development, implementation, and dissemination of research findings.
  • Applications are welcomed from across Canada, from any eligible institution or centre.

Involvement of People with Lived Experience

  • Engagement can mean many things, and all types of research can benefit from the inclusion of diverse perspectives. We have compiled resources on our website to help inform and guide the engagement process. These include a wide range of resources developed and offered by the CIHR Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) support units, but also articles on engagement in different types of research. We recognize that patient or stakeholder engagement will look different for different types of research and encourage both broader forms of engagement (as part of an overall research or learning program/strategy) as well as creativity in devising engagement strategies.

Funds available

  • The total funding envelope for this initiative is $2M over three years.  

  • Applicants are asked to request only the funds required to do the proposed work. Smaller grants will be as competitive as larger ones. Applications will be judged on their research excellence and promise to deliver short- or long-term impact rather than on the size and scope of the proposed study.  

  • There is no minimum requested amount.  

  • Only applications that meet accepted standards of excellence will be funded in this competition. In the event that no such applications come forward, no funding will be allocated.  

  • Funding will be provided to support the direct costs of research, including supplies, salaries, and equipment associated with the proposed work. Equipment requests cannot exceed 10% of the requested budget. Indirect costs are not eligible. Please review CCS finance policies for additional information. 

Total budget 
$2M
Maximum 3 years

Maximum $200K/year or $400K in total

Special Funding Call

As a result of designated donations this funding envelope includes up to $500K earmarked for breast cancer research.

Additional Information

An expert review committee will be assembled to review the full applications. The committee will be comprised of diverse (gender, geography, career stage, race) scientists and patient/survivor/caregiver (PSC) reviewers who collectively possess relevant expertise and experience to review the submitted applications (see review criteria below for more information).

The mandatory abstract registration will inform the composition of the panel.
  • Registration is mandatory and noncompetitive, however a relevance review will be conducted to ensure alignment with the funding opportunity. Specific guidelines for the abstract registration will be available here and should be closely consulted during preparation of the application.

Abstract registration includes:

  • Applicant and team details (team members may be added at the full application stage)
  • A public summary of the proposed research (in plain language understandable to a non-scientist), including why this work is important (rationale); the goal or purpose of the project (objectives/aims); the research plan (methodology); and the anticipated results and potential impact of the project. (2000 characters, spaces included)
  • A scientific abstract that describes the rationale, objectives/aims, methods, and anticipated results and potential impact of the project, including how the proposed project could, if successful, either reduce the risk of cancer in people living with NF1, or facilitate earlier detection to improve patient outcomes (4500 characters, spaces included)
  • Keywords
  • Suggested reviewers
  • Research tracking information (for administrative purposes)

Any significant changes to the proposed project or research team after the abstract deadline should be communicated to CCS (research@cancer.ca) as soon as they are known. Substantive changes that significantly alter the overall goals and aims of the proposal relative to the abstract are not permitted.

Please review the application guide prior to submitting your application. When preparing the full application, the following additional information is required:  

  1. Team member CVs or letters of support 

  1. A detailed scientific proposal (21,000 characters, spaces included) including:
    • Goal(s)/hypothesis and aims of the project, supporting evidence/rationale
    • Experimental/research design, methods, analysis (including alternative approaches and mitigation of risks)
    • Anticipated results and potential impact of the research
    • Data management plan (how data will be collected, documented, protected, and shared)
    • While sex, gender, and other dimensions of diversity, as well as patient or stakeholder engagement are called out below, these should be integrated within the research plan where relevant
    • An additional 2 pages of figures/tables/charts and associated legends are permitted (and may be embedded in the proposal as images without affecting character count)

  1. Key milestones and timeline (1 page)

  1. A description of how sex and/or gender and/or other dimensions of diversity and their intersectionalities have been factored into the research plan through to dissemination of results/next steps (4200 characters spaces included) 

  1. A detailed knowledge translation and mobilization strategy that chronicles potential next steps, including collaborations and partnerships with other research institutions, networks and/or sectors, as appropriate.  

  1. A draft terms of reference (ToR) (word/pdf). 

  1. A detailed budget and justification for supplies, expenses, personnel (including team members, where eligible), and equipment to conduct the proposed research. This must include the number of personnel required to complete the work. Consult SPOR guidance, CCS policy, or contact us at research@cancer.ca for additional information on remuneration eligibility. 

Detailed instructions for each section can be found in the application guide. 

The review criteria for the applications will include but not necessarily be restricted to the following:

  • the relevance of the research proposed to the goals of the funding opportunity
  • the originality and potential impact of the proposed work
  • the novelty and value of any new collaborations across different fields and disciplines
  • the appropriateness of the methods for the research project
  • the appropriateness of the qualifications and experience of the investigators leading and participating in the project
  • the appropriate incorporation of sex as a biological variable and/or gender as a social determinant of health, where applicable
  • the engagement of patient partners, as an integral part of the team, including in the development of the proposal

Applicants are reminded to review the eligibility and requirements page for details on scientific and financial reporting, funder acknowledgement, and CCS policies. In addition, research applications may be related but cannot be identical to any other currently funded projects. It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify the funding partners immediately should substantial overlap arise from new funding awards during the application and review process of this competition.
CCS is committed to equity, diversity, inclusivity, and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples rights. We strive to build inclusive and diverse capacity in the cancer research ecosystem through both policies and practices, and aim to equitably support applicants with diverse experience and narratives.

We recognize the structural racism and discrimination that exists in the research ecosystem, and as we move to examine and dismantle these practices, we seek to learn from the resilience, wisdom, and diversity of other perspectives. We commit to examining biases, seeking inclusive solutions, and welcoming discomfort that comes with systemic and structural change. We commit to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusive practices and principles. We welcome and encourage eligible applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply for our funding opportunities.

Partner Description

The Canadian Cancer Society works tirelessly to save and improve lives. We fund the brightest minds in cancer research. We provide a compassionate support system for all those affected by cancer, across Canada and for all types of cancer. As the voice for people who care about cancer, we work with governments to shape a healthier society. No other organization does all that we do to make lives better today and transform the future of cancer forever. Help us make a difference. Call 1-888-939-3333 or visit cancer.ca today.
University Health Network is Canada's No. 1 hospital and the world's No. 1 publicly funded hospital. It is affiliated with the University of Toronto and a member of the Toronto Academic Health Science Network. With 10 sites and more than 20,000 members of TeamUHN, UHN comprises five academic hospitals, an education institute, a technology accelerator and six research institutes. As Canada's top research hospital, the scope of research and complexity of cases at UHN have made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care.
ERASEnf, the Elisabeth Raab Accelerator of Science to End Neurofibromatosis, is dedicated to building collaborative teams focusing on biological, psychological and sociological well-being of patients with neurofibromatosis. Mindful of the critical gaps in care and research that are limiting the development of innovative care models to improve the overall quality-of-life inneurofibromatosis patient population, ERASEnf takes a holistic approach to the neurofibromatosis condition and serves as a catalyst for innovation in neurofibromatosis management. ERASEnf, hastwo main goals to 1) advance understanding of the biology of neurofibromatosis related tumors and develop novel treatment options and 2) advance research into innovative care models that take into consideration the psychological and sociological domains of well-being in neurofibromatosis patients.

How to apply

Review eligibility and requirements

Consult CCS eligibility and requirements. Review CCS requirements for Principal Investigators, their teams, and Host Institutions. 
Review application guide
For the abstract submission stage and Full Application Stage, review the above program description and download our application guide for step-by-step instructions on how to apply for this grant as well as other important information that you need to know.
Apply
Click here to submit an abstract for this funding opportunity.