RMNI - November 2010 Update

Funding News

The RMNI Emerging Team Grant (2009-2010) has recently undergone peer review. Funding decisions are pending, and applicants will be notified shortly.

Funding Opportunities

Current CIHR Funding Opportunities can be accessed from CIHR Funding Opportunity Database. There are currently no open RMNI Funding Opportunities. Please check the site regularly for updates.

Café Scientifiques started in the late-20th century as an informal discussion about scientific subjects. They provide insight into health-related issues of popular interest to the general public, and in turn provoke questions and provide answers. CIHR has sponsored over 240 cafés in total to date.

RMNI and the Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA) hosted a successful Café Scientifique entitled "Adult Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine - Separating Hope from Hype" on November 3rd, 2010 in Toronto at the College Street Bar , 574 College Street. This informative Café enjoyed a wide-ranging discussion of the potential use of adult stem cells to treat a variety of conditions. RMNI would like to thank all who participated in making the Café a success.

In the News

International Review of CIHR

As CIHR reaches its tenth anniversary, a second review of CIHR and its thirteen research Institutes is underway. The review provides an opportunity to assess the accomplishments of CIHR over the past five years with the ultimate goal of ensuring continued excellence of health research in Canada.

The 2011 review, beginning with the Institute Reviews, which will be conducted by 13 expert review teams, in early February, 2011. During the Institute reviews, expert review teams will meet with researchers and stakeholders from that Institute's community. RMNI funded research will be included as part of the Institute reviews.

The full CIHR International Review Panel meeting will be conducted by an international panel of health research leaders and will be chaired by Dr. Elias Zerhouni, former Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The International Review Panel will meet with senior officials, researchers, knowledge users, and stakeholders from across the Canadian Health research landscape. Following the Panel's deliberations, Dr. Zerhouni will report the findings and recommendations to the CIHR Governing Council. Following this CIHR will share the results of the review with the broader health research community.

If you have any comments or questions about the International Review, please do not hesitate to send them to the International Review Team at InternationalReview@cihr-irsc.gc.ca. You can also consult the International Review website.

Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine Initiative Bibliometric Report - Update

As part of the CIHR International Review process, RMNI commissioned a bibliometric analysis of Canadian research funding in the areas of Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine. The report is currently being finalized, and full results will be released later this year. Please check the RMNI website for updates.

Epigenetics, Environment and Health Initiative - Update

In late June 2010, a coalition of CIHR Institutes led by INMHA received enthusiastic support from the CIHR Scientific Council for their Concept Paper outlining a potential "Canadian Epigenetics, Environment and Health Research Network" (CEEHRN) Initiative. This initiative is one of a select group of pan-CIHR strategic proposals approved to move forward to the next stage of development, a formal 'Business Case.' This is the final stage in the new and rigorous approval process for all strategic initiatives at CIHR.

The INMHA team is developing the Business Case and look forward to potential approval for a 5 year/ $30 million program by the end of the current fiscal year. Regular updates on this new pan-CIHR strategic initiative will be provided in the RMNI and INMHA newsletters.

Upcoming Events/Activities of Interest to the RMNI Community

Please submit any potential events/activities which may be of interest to the RMNI Community for inclusion in this Newsletter. CIHR is not affiliated with nor is it sponsoring any of these meetings or workshops.

  • Free full text monograph - Artificial cell: biotechnology, nanomedicine, regenerative medicine, blood substitutes, bioencapsulation, cell/stem cell therapy, by Thomas Ming Swi Chang (2007). Free access and downloading of this book is available at the Artificial Cells, Blood Substitutes and Nanomedicine Website.
  • CARS Microscopy Workshop, November 29-30, 2010, National Research Council of Canada, 100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Canada. Register now. Limited Space - Deadline November 13th, 2010

Funding Opportunities from Other Organizations

The Stem Cell Network is inviting proposals from Canadian researchers to address its "Public Policy & ELSI research in the stem cell field" core program.

SCN expects to fund up to four Core Research Projects in a total amount of up to $350,000 per project for the period Oct 2011 to March 2015. Competition details are available at Public Policy & ELSI core research program. Application form must be requested by December 3, 2010 and deadline for full application is January 13, 2011.

For further information on SCN's research program, contact Dr. Michael Rudnicki, SCN's Scientific Director at mrudnicki@stemcellnetwork.ca or Dr. Sophie Chargé, SCN Director of Research and Training Programs at scharge@stemcellnetwork.ca.

CMC Resource Competitions

Each month CMC offers our research community opportunities to participate in resource competitions for access to tools, fabrication, and customized engineering services. Open and upcoming competitions are available on our website along with information on the peer-reviewed resource allocation processes. Check back often for updates. View Open and Upcoming Competitions and apply.

RMNI Contacts:

Associate Director
Eric Marcotte
eric.marcotte@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

Project Officer
Susan Lalumière
susan.lalumiere@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

General E-mail Address
RMNI-IRMRN@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

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