CCS Workplace Cancer Research Grants: Preventing occupational cancers

There will be a two-stage review process:

1. An initial administrative review will be completed by CCS staff on all applications. Applications that are incomplete, do not follow the formatting guidelines, do not meet eligibility criteria or are outside of the area of study (i.e., applications that do not relate to workplace cancer research) will be withdrawn from the competition and the applicant notified.
2. An expert review committee will be assembled to review eligible full applications. The committee will be comprised of diverse (gender, geography, career stage, race) scientists,and patient/survivor/caregiver 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. Specific guidelines for the abstract registration will be available here. Note that submitted abstracts will be shared with the CCS LAC to advise the committee of potential application topics, as well as provide an opportunity for general feedback to applicants. Where relevant, LAC members may provide feedback, as potential ‘end-users’ of the research results, that will be collated and shared back to all applicants for consideration.

Any significant changes to the proposed project or applicant team after the Abstract Registration deadline should be communicated to the CCS (research@cancer.ca) as soon as they are known. 

Abstract registration includes:

1. Applicant and (known) team details (Principal Investigator (PI), Co-PIs, Co-Applicants, Additional Authors, People affected by or at risk of (workplace-related) cancer, Implementers/Decision-makers, Collaborators etc.) (team members may be added at the full application stage).
2. A Scientific Abstract that describes the rationale, objectives/aims, methods, and anticipated results and potential impact of the project (4200 characters, spaces included).
3. A Public Summary that describes (in plain language understandable to a non-scientist) why this work is important (rationale); the goal or purpose of the project (objectives/aims); the research plan (methods); and the anticipated results and potential impact of the project (2000 characters, spaces included).
4. A Relevance Statement that clearly articulates how the project is relevant to workplace cancer risk and how workplace cancer risk will be affected if the project is successful (2500 characters, spaces included).
5. Keywords.
6. Suggested reviewers.
7. Research tracking information.

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.
2. A detailed scientific proposal (21,000 characters, spaces included). 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).
3. 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 towards implementation (where relevant).
4. A timeline and key milestones (1 page).
5. A data management plan (DMP) that outlines the processes for data handling during and after the research process.
6. A description of knowledge translation/mobilization activities. Public and/or patient engagement strategies (including co-design where appropriate) are encouraged. Equitable access to results should be considered (as relevant).
7. A draft Terms of Reference (ToR) (word/pdf) inclusive of all team members. It is expected that all team members will have reviewed, contributed to, and agreed to the ToR as submitted, however it is expected that the ToR will change throughout the lifetime of the project.
8. A detailed budget and justification providing rationale for the requested consumables, personnel, and equipment associated with the research project. Details must include the number of personnel required to complete the work, a description of their experience and/or education level, and their time commitment to the project. Consult SPOR guidance, CCS policy or contact CCS for additional information on remuneration eligibility.

Two scores – Merit and Relevance and Potential Impact – are averaged together to create a final score upon which applications are ranked. Merit includes an assessment of the Research Strategy, Team Composition, and Environment where the research will take place. The Relevance and Potential Impact score considers relevance of the project to the funding opportunity, meaningful patient or stakeholder engagement, commitment to equity, diversity and inclusivity, knowledge translation and mobilization, and the potential for the research, if successful (and used/applied), to have an impact on workplace cancer incidence.

Evaluation scales can be viewed here.

All grant recipients must:

• Submit annual progress reports and statements of account throughout the grant (and 2 years post-grant for progress reports). Principal Investigators will be emailed instructions about completing the report in our online system (EGrAMS). Submission of these reports is mandatory. Failure to submit the required reports will result in the future installments of a grant being withheld.

• Periodically report on research progress and results/outcomes to the CCS Labour Advisory Committee (LAC) (virtually or in writing).
• Receive feedback and/or questions about their research from LAC members (virtually or in writing).
• Engage with CCS staff, where relevant, to identify potential program, policy, and/or advocacy opportunities related to workplace cancer risk.
• Participate in an end-of-grant workshop/symposium to share and discuss research results with relevant interested parties.

Failure to comply with any of the listed expectations during the duration of the award will result in future installments of a grant being withheld.

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 expertise, experiences and narratives.

We recognize that structural racism and discrimination 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 acknowledging the discomfort that comes with systemic and structural change. We commit to advancing equity, diversity and inclusive practices and principles, including learning about and applying decolonizing and anti-racist approaches. We welcome and encourage eligible applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply for our funding opportunities and commit to diversity on our review panels.

It is understood that applications may also be made to other agencies to provide support for grants/programs similar to those submitted to the Canadian Cancer Society. There must not be any overlap with any pending application (including those at the abstract or Letter of Intent submission stage) to any other CCS program as of this competition due date. Budgetary overlap will not be permitted at the funding stage.

Applicants are reminded to review the Eligibility and requirements section for details on scientific and financial reporting, funder acknowledgement, Canadian Cancer Society policies on open access and tobacco related funding.

Scientific misconduct including, but not limited to, fabrication, falsification, plagiarism or misrepresentation of data will not be tolerated and may result in the rejection of proposals in the current program and possibly from future CCS programs. Misconduct, including but not limited to, racism, discrimination, bullying, harassment of any form (i.e: sexual) will be treated with the same severity.

CCS reserves the right to cancel the support provided through its program(s) were any of this conduct proven to (have) happen(ed).

All submitted applications are considered final. No alterations or changes will be accepted after the full application deadline.