RDAR | One Health Targeted Call

Description

Purpose The funding call aims to support research initiatives leveraging genomic-enabled technology to provide solutions to Alberta producers through a One Health lens. Specifically, the call for proposals targeting: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), African Swine Fever (ASF) and feral pigs, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

DAR and Genome Alberta are partnering on a targeted call for proposals for One Health Solutions.

This call seeks to address the priority issues of Chronic Wasting Disease, Feral Pigs, African Swine Fever, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Livestock through a One Health approach, which recognizes the intrinsic link between people, animals, and the environment, and how the health of one is dependent on the others.

A One Health approach is essential for progress in anticipating, preventing, detecting, and controlling diseases that spread between plants, animals, and humans, tackling AMR, ensuring food safety, preventing environment-related animal health threats, and combatting many other challenges.

Funding for this call is provided by the governments of Canada and Alberta. RDAR will determine whether the project is eligible for Sustainable CAP funds during project review and/or approval.

One Health

Purpose

The funding call aims to support research initiatives leveraging genomic-enabled technology to provide solutions to Alberta producers through a One Health lens. Specifically, the call for proposals targeting: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), African Swine Fever (ASF) and feral pigs, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

 

THE FOCUS

Priorities

This call invites eligible applicants to submit Statement of Intent (SOI) for projects that address these priorities. If the SOI is accepted, applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. Projects funded through this competition must have an omics focus addressing a One Health approach to the targeted priority research areas and demonstrate a tangible impact on end-users in Alberta. Projects must demonstrate that their deliverables have the potential to benefit Alberta and that necessary individuals and resources are in place to enable this, such as inclusion of an Albertan end-user, lead, co-lead, or key co-applicant in the Project. Projects are solicited in the areas of:

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

Including but not limited to genomics-based monitoring & surveillance, genetic CWD resistance/resilience, vaccine development, and interspecies transmission of CWD.

Feral Pigs and African Swine Fever (ASF)

Including but not limited to population genetics, control of reproduction, detection, monitoring, and characterization of pathogens carried by feral pigs.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Including but not limited to genomic surveillance, molecular diagnostics, genomics-informed antimicrobial treatment, and host resilience as it pertains to livestock.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

Including, but not limited to virus identification and surveillance, understanding cross-species transmission, vaccine development and evaluation, and environmental surveillance and management.

Urgent & Emergent Concerns

Other urgent and emergent areas of one-health importance may be considered if accompanied by a strong case and ability to deliver solutions to Alberta’s producers.

The Details

Before you apply

Please review the content below before you apply for answers around eligibility, funding considerations, project timelines, proposal evaluations and reporting requirements.

Eligibility

Funding will be available to qualified applicants from, or under contract with, organizations that directly and/or indirectly participate in the service and development of the Alberta livestock or crop industry, provided that such organizations are in good standing and not in default under any other agreements or programs with RDAR. 

Eligible applicants include but are not limited to: 

Marketing boards and commissions established under the Marketing of Agriculture Products Act; 

Educational institutions, including universities, colleges, and technical schools;  

Government organizations and agencies; 

Incorporated not-for-profit agricultural associations representing Alberta's agriculture producers; and 

For-profit companies operating in Alberta and contributing to research benefitting Alberta's crop and livestock producers.  

The research may occur within or outside Alberta as long as at least one team member is in Alberta, and benefits will be returned to Alberta's producers. 

Ineligible activities include commercialization of new technologies beyond pilot studies; marketing activities; and private research and development activities.  

 

Funding Considerations

RDAR will contribute up to 60% of total project costs, with a maximum contribution of $600,000 per project.

The remaining 40% can be contributed either in cash or in-kind from other sources.

The project duration will be capped at three (3) years without the possibility of extension.

Important Dates

Submission of Intent open: June 12, 2024 (submit SOIs to Genome Alberta)

SOI close: July 12, 2024

Invitation to Full Proposals: August 9, 2024

September 7, 2024: Full Proposals Due (through ARGO)

December 2024: Notice of Award

Term

Priority will be given to projects with a two-to-three-year completion timeline.

Each project must have a clear research extension component and show how the results of the projects are shared with those who will benefit from the study.  

Proposal Evaluation

If proponents are invited to submit a full Proposal after the LOI stage, the proposals will be evaluated based on the following: 

Alignment to priorities and benefits outlined in the priorities.

Projects demonstrate measurable, reportable and verifiable impact on the target producer group.

The uniqueness of the project relative to other projects.

Project timelines are achievable and appropriate 

Adoption / commercialization potential of the project's result.

Budget items are clear and justified.