Background

The mission of the Mitochondrial Innovation Initiative (MITO2i) is to transform our understanding of the role of mitochondria in human health and disease. MITO2i aims to deliver supporting technologies, integrative platforms, and interdisciplinary knowledge that will lead to a paradigm shift in the way clinicians approach the diagnosis and treatment of disease and consider the potential role of mitochondrial dysfunction in multiple and prevalent medical conditions.

 

The Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research (Ted Rogers Centre) focuses on transforming prevention and management of heart disease – in particular, heart failure. The Ted Rogers Centre’s focus includes children and adults, with an over-arching goal of addressing heart failure across its lifespan. The Ted Rogers Centre blends basic, translational, and clinical research, prioritizing collaborative research projects with strong potential for impact.

 

The objective of these Innovation Seed Grants is to generate new knowledge, promote innovation, and support interdisciplinary research and collaboration. In so doing, MITO2i and the Ted Rogers Centre supports impactful projects that possess the most promise in transforming how we prevent, diagnose, and treat mitochondrial disease, heart failure, and associated conditions. 

 

Award

• This MITO2i/Ted Rogers Centre Joint Seed Grant for 2023/24 provides an award of up to $100,000 for one year, and may be renewed once (dependent on progress) for a second year. The grant is jointly funded by MITO2i and the Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research. 

• This joint grant is in addition to a concurrent grant opportunity, the Ted Rogers Centre Innovation Fund Seed Grant for 2023/24 with three (3) awards available. 

• In total, the Ted Rogers Centre will fund up to four (4) Innovation Seed Grants in 2023/24, at least one of which will encompass mitochondrial research.

 

The number of awards funded is dependent on the quality and scientific merit of applications received. The funding period runs March 1, 2023 – February 28, 2024. 

 

Eligibility

• Co-applicants must include: 

1. A principal investigator of MITO2i at the University of Toronto (U of T) and/or one of the affiliated hospital partners; 

2. A principal investigator that holds: a) a full-time appointment at SickKids or UHN; or b) a primary appointment at U of T.

• The proposed project:

  • Focuses on MITO2i and the Ted Rogers Centre’s stated objectives of making an impact on heart failure and mitochondrial disease/dysfunction

  • Consider translation/commercialization potential of the associated research.

  • Engage patients/caregivers – considered integral to the design of the proposed research (see MITO2i video and the Ted Rogers Centre Transform HF video for further context and information)

• Current recipients of a Ted Rogers Centre Innovation Fund are not eligible to be principal applicants on a Seed grant application

• Only one application per principal applicant is permitted.

• Applications that represent a new unfunded initiative for the applicant are preferred

 

Application Process

The Seed Grant application process begins with a Letter of Intent (approximately 1550 words or 3 pages). Select applicants will be invited to submit a full application (approximately 7 pages).

• August 12, 2022 – Application form posted at https://tedrogersresearch.ca/innovation-fund 

• October 14, 2022, 5pm EST – Deadline for Letter of Intent (LOI)

• Late-November 2022 – Notification of LOI outcome 

• December 23, 2022, 5pm EST – Full application due

• Early-February 2023 – Notification of final decision 

• March 1, 2023 – Funding period begins

 

Please direct questions to Purva Mehta, Coordinator, Planning & Operations at purva.mehta@uhnresearch.ca, or Sonya Brijbassi, Associate Director, Strategy & Partnerships

Sonya.brijbassi@mito2i.ca

 

LOI Application Outline & Evaluation

 

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Eligible Expenses

• Funds for trainee support (post-doctoral, graduate, undergraduate) 

• All supplies and services relating to the research project 

• Purchase or lease of equipment up to $25,000 (if clearly justified)

 

Note: Funds for investigator salaries are not eligible

 

Funding Terms and Requirements

• Applicants are required to disclose any related support currently held or applied for from other funding sources and to what extent such support overlaps with their LOI

• Funds will be released after all appropriate ethical, biosafety and regulatory approvals have been obtained. This includes but is not limited to approval by the Stem Cell Oversight Committee for use of human pluripotent stem cells as per CIHR guidelines.

• Support from MITO2i and Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research must be acknowledged in all publications, presentations, or other communications connected to work funded through this award.

• Awardees are required to provide:

  1. Financial statements from the institution’s finance department summarizing expenses and current balance every six months

  2. A written progress report as part of the renewal application (if applicable)

  3. A written final report within three months of the end of the final funding period, including: 

     1. a summary of project results to date; 

     2. a list of publications resulting from the funded research; 

     3. a list of personnel involved, level of involvement and their roles, and nature of associated collaborations; and

     4. a letter to the Rogers family describing results and impact.

  4. Presentations on the project and progress at select MITO2i and Ted Rogers Centre events