Hope for Tomorrow Research Competition

Eligibility

Applicants:

The Principal Applicant is responsible for the direction of the research project and the coordination of proposed research activities, in conjunction with the co-applicant(s) (if applicable). The Principal Applicant must complete and submit the Notice of Intent (NOI) and Full Application, assume administrative and financial responsibility for the award, and receive all related correspondence from CAN and AB AS/NT.

The Principal Applicant must:

• Be an independent researcher (defined below) in the fields of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

• Be affiliated with a graduate degree-granting research institution in Alberta.

• Have their substantiative academic position be in Alberta for the duration of the requested funding

• Be a member of CAN

• Be able to comply with the Terms and Conditions of the award (outlined below).

The application may include one or more co-applicants, which can be any of:

• Independent researchers from inside or outside of Alberta.

• Knowledge Users.

• Trainees.

All applicants must not:

• Be in a Conflict of Interest with regard to this funding opportunity due to extensive and direct involvement in the development of this funding opportunity.

• Have interests and intent towards the proposed research that intersect with any personal, commercial, or financial interest or benefit pertaining to the individual, their employment, or partnerships and former or prospective professional associations.

• Have funding-decision Authority for this funding opportunity.

Applicants can only submit one application to this competition as Principal Applicant. Multiple submissions from the same Principal Applicant are not permitted. Co-applicants may participate in multiple projects. Principle Applicants and/or co-applicants who currently have active funding provided by the Alzheimer's Society may apply for this funding competition only if:

• The proposed projects are distinctly different.

• Applicants are not delinquent in their reporting or deliverables requirements for the active funding.

• The active funding is not from the Alberta and Northwest Territories provincial society of the Alzheimer’s Society.

For the purpose of this research competition, an independent researcher is an individual who engages in research-related activities that are not under the direction of another individual, and has an academic or research appointment that:

• Commences by the Full Application deadline.

• Allows the individual to pursue the proposed research project, engage in independent research

  activities for the entire duration of the funding, supervise trainees (as applicable per the

  affiliated institution’s policy), and publish the research results.

• Obliges the individual to comply with institutional policies on the conduct of research,

  supervision of trainees (as applicable), and employment conditions of staff.

• Individuals who are full- or part-time students, postdoctoral fellows or research associates are

  not eligible to apply as Principal Applicants, regardless of whether they also meet the definition of an independent researcher.

Summary

Campus Alberta Neuroscience (CAN), in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories (AS AB/NT), is pleased to announce the launch of the second annual Hope for Tomorrow Research Competition, focused on research that has the potential to make a significant impact on the quality of life of patients, families, and caregivers through exploration into the causes, prevention, treatment, and cure of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

What is currently known about the causes, prevention, treatment, and cure for dementia is limited. Research into Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is critical to advance our understanding of any of these facets that have the potential to significantly improve the lives of the more than 52,000 Albertans living with dementia. Without the critical knowledge development that research provides, dementia will continue to disrupt the lives of many more Albertans - estimated at more than 200,000 by 2050. Research that pushes the boundaries of what is currently understood as having a positive impact on improving and maintaining quality of life for those affected by these diseases is encouraged - researchers should think “outside of the box” and bring disciplines together in unexpected ways to form bold, innovative perspectives.

Area of Focus

The Area of Focus for this research competition is a high-priority research area in which the AS AB/NT and CAN seek proposals. The current Area of Focus was developed in partnership with academic and community stakeholders through the collection and consideration of diverse perspectives on the highest priority areas for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia research in Alberta.

Innovative and novel Quality of Life research that has the potential to make a significant impact on the quality of life of patients, families, and caregivers is this year’s Area of Focus. This area is defined broadly, and the examples cited are not intended to preclude or constrain other projects or proposals. Potential applicants are encouraged to submit proposals in their own areas of interest or formulate questions different from those presented in these Guidelines but aligning with the Area of Focus (Quality of Life).

Quality of Life

Quality of life embodies the overall physical and mental health and wellbeing of a person in relation to the cultural, environmental, and social context in which they live.

In order to maintain quality of life as we age, we must find ways to foster healthy brain aging and reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Once diagnosed, the maintenance and improvement of quality of life is often a key goal in the treatment process. Everyone can experience improved quality of life when Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are prevented, effectively treated, and better understood.

This research competition aims to accelerate and focus the knowledge gained from innovative scientific findings, in the short or long term, into outcomes that will result in the reduced burden or enhanced quality of life for patients, families, and caregivers in Alberta and elsewhere.

Research focused on improving quality of life may include but is not limited to:

• Research looking for and assessing potential causes and risks for developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, including gender-specific risks, factors that lead to resiliency and cognitive/brain reserve, and social and environmental attributes, to inform early diagnosis and intervention strategies over the life course.
• Research developing and testing interventions to prevent or delay disease onset, including lifestyle/behavioral and health tech supported prevention strategies, to maintain optimal quality of life for as long as possible throughout the aging process.

• Innovative diagnostic and treatment tools, including novel imaging techniques, biomarker identification, and evidence-informed and culturally appropriate diagnostic resources and tools, that support better understanding of disease progression, improve quality of life and care of persons living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, and identify who may be most likely to benefit.