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Research Update
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Expressions of Interest - The Ontario Centres of Excellence - Photonics and NCR-IRAP (Ontario)
Deadline: April 12, 2009
The Ontario Centres of Excellence, Centre for Photonics and NRC-IRAP (Ontario) are working together in an effort to find and develop technologies to address food-borne pathogens, an issue that has attracted a great deal of attention in the media recently. This is a critical issue that not only affects all consumers but many Ontario companies.
Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are required in the following areas:
1. Fast detection technologies
2. First pass/screening technologies that can quickly highlight areas with high infection probability
3. Photonics-based technologies for prevention and elimination of food-borne pathogens
You are invited to team up with a company in these sectors (OCE and NRC-IRAP would be happy to assist you in finding the right partners) and submit an Expression of Interest to Ran Manor at ran.manor@oce-ontario.org.
All EOIs will be reviewed and those with most potential will be invited to a workshop on June 2nd (tentative date). The workshop is designed to help develop the ideas and collaborations, and will include researchers, participants from industry, food inspection agencies, Health Canada and other relevant organizations.
The goal is to fund up to 5 feasibility studies of the ideas that show most promise. Eventually the result of these feasibility studies should be a high profile project that has the potential for development of a beta product that will be installed in a production facility within a year to 18 months. This project could be co-funded by the different organizations involved for up to $500K for the said period of time.
This initiative is also supported by Ontario Genomics Institute (OGI) and the Health Technology Exchange (HTX).
You may contact Melissa Kwong (melissa.kwong@utoronto.ca) in the U of T, ILO office, for more information or for an e-copy of the LOI form.
Call for Nutrition Research LOIs - Dairy Farmers of Canada
Deadline: April 13, 2009
The Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) has issued a call for proposals in Nutrition Research.
The objective of the funding program is to gain a better understanding of the specific role of dairy products in attaining and maintaining optimum health. DFC will consider funding applications that have nutritional and health implications for Canadian dairy products, and are relevant to Canadian dairy farmers. In addition, DFC has a special interest in encouraging research that will help bring innovative and competitive dairy products with health benefits to the market.
Of specific interest to DFC are funding applications, which feature dairy products in their entirety, demonstrate technological innovation and utilize a multidisciplinary approach, whenever possible, to address fundamental and applied research questions. Applied human randomized, controlled trials and in vivo mechanistic studies are of particular interest.
DFC Research Priorities are as follows:
- The role of dairy products in prevention and management of obesity
- The role of dairy products in bone health in children and adults
- The role of dairy products in prevention and management of hypertension and other cardiovascular disease risk factors
- The role of dairy products in prevention and management of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes
- The role of dairy products in prevention of cancer
- The role of ruminant trans fats, including cis-9, trans-11 CLA
- The role of dairy products/constituents in maintaining optimal physical and cognitive functions with age
- The role of dairy products in sports nutrition and physical activity
- The role of dairy products in academic performance in children/youth
- The development/application of novel technologies that will enhance the health benefits and use of dairy products
- The role of dairy products containing probiotics in health
For new funding applications, a letter of intent must be received by the Administrative Assistant, Research Funding Program of DFC (the "Letter of Intent"), by the deadline date for consideration of a grant beginning January 1, 2010. Applicants, whose Letter of Intent are considered to have research merit and are within the current research priorities and funding capabilities of DFC, will be asked to complete a detailed funding application, due no later than July 31, 2009.
Note that a researcher cannot hold two grants for studies simultaneously at the DFC for which he/she is the Principal Investigator.
More information about this program and the LOI form are located at: http://www.dairygoodness.ca/en/health-professionals/research-funding-and-awards/research-funding.htm
Call for Applications – Matching Grants for Post Doctoral Fellowships- Sponsored in part by the Ministry of Research and Innovation
Deadline: April 15, 2009
The Award
In the 2006 Budget, the Province announced a new Post Doctoral Fellowship Program. The Ministry of Research and Innovation released further information on this new matching program, the purpose of which is to recruit and retain outstanding young scientists to spend two years as PDFs in Ontario research institutions and to support them through a provincial network.
A number of awards are allocated to each Ontario university. The allocation to the University of Toronto is 14 Fellowships. Each institution is responsible for selecting and appointing its PDFs through an annual competitive process that is consistent with MRI program guidelines (attached). At the U of T, the competition is an open call for applications in the following key priority sectors:
- Environmental science and technologies
- Health and related technologies
- Digital media and information and communication technologies
(The economic, social and cultural aspects of the above categories are eligible)
The PDF awards are two year awards valued at least $50,000/annually, of which MRI will provide $25,000. Eligible expenses are limited to salary, benefits and a research allowance of up to $5,000/year. Matching funding can come from any source (excluding other provincial funding), including research grants. Matching funds must be secured at the time of the PDF application.
The Application Process
Individuals interested in applying for one of these Fellowships should submit the following documentation by the deadline date to the Institutional Initiatives Office, McMurrich Building, 3rd Floor, 12 Queen's Park Crescent West, attention Elaine Footman:
- A curriculum vitae of the post doctoral fellow
- An Ontario PDF Application Form, duly completed and signed
- A lay summary of no more than 500 words describing the research activity to be undertaken
- A letter from the proposed faculty supervisor in support of the candidate, detailing the source and secured status of the required matching funding
All applications received by the deadline will be adjudicated by a committee established by the Vice- President, Research in accordance with the program guidelines. This is a highly competitive program with over 100 applications received last year for 15 awards. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Notification of Results Applicants and their supervisors will be notified of the outcome of the competition in early June. Fellowships must begin on or before December 31, 2009. Please contact Elaine Footman (elaine.footman@utoronto.ca, 416-946-0447) if you have any questions.
NSERC Strategic Project Grants – 2009 Competition
Internal Deadline: April 6, 2009 (This is a firm deadline due to the Easter long weekend)
NSERC Deadline: April 15, 2009
2009 Competition Budget
- Expected to be approximately $18 million per annum with each target area allocated a minimum of $1.7 million. The remaining funds will be allocated according to priorities of the Government of Canada. These priorities are identified within each target area description
- Priority will be given to applications that address the research topics identified in each target area. Projects that make a compelling case for research within the general target area, but are outside the research topics, will be considered “exceptional” and may be funded subject to the availability of funds
- No more than 20% of the budget will be allocated to “exceptional opportunities.” “Exceptional opportunities” that respond to the priorities of the Science, Technology and Innovation Council (STIC) will not be subject to this limitation
As a result, NSERC has increased earmarked funding in the following areas:
- Proposals addressing the sub-priorities identified by the Science, Technology and Innovation Council (STIC) within the previously identified priorities of environmental science and technologies, natural resources and energy, and information and communications technologies. The applicable sub-priorities are identified in the target area descriptions
- Competitive Manufacturing target area, which has been revised and broadened to better reflect the current challenges facing the manufacturing industrial sector
- Advanced Communications and Management of Information: for proposals addressing the following STIC sub-priorities: new media, animation and games, wireless networks and services, broadband networks and telecom equipment
- Healthy Environment and Ecosystems: for proposals addressing the following STIC sub-priorities: water (health, security), Arctic climate change adaptation
- Safety and Security: for proposals addressing the STIC sub-priority of water security
- Sustainable Energy Systems (Production, Distribution and Utilization): for proposals addressing the following STIC sub-priorities: energy production in the oilsands, Arctic resource production, biofuels, fuel cells, nuclear energy, water energy, cleaner methods of extracting, processing and using hydrocarbon fuels
Co-applicants from outside the natural sciences and engineering may be incorporated into the proposals.
Applicants are encouraged to incorporate international collaborations into their proposals. In particular, researchers are invited to respond to a call for collaborative proposals under a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between NSERC and the Agence Nationale de la Recherche in France.
Useful Links and Documents
Instructions to Applicants and Co-applicants for Review of Applications
Please bring the following documents to the Office of Research Services, Room 133S, Simcoe Hall, 27 King’s College Circle:
- RIS form signed by applicant and Chair/Dean/Director/Vice-Principal as applicable
- Complete, signed original application forms (Forms 101 and 100), which should include the budget and the budget justification pages. Research Services will accept a draft proposal to expedite the review but budgets must be final for the application to be signed
- Form 100 for each of UofT co-applicant (if any)
- Include any letters of support from the industrial partner(s) and/or Form 183A, IP agreement(s) and disclosure (if any)
The application will be retained by Research Services. Comments will be provided by email.
For U of T co-applicants (whether on-campus or hospital-based) on an application led by other universities:
- RIS form (if funds are anticipated to flow through UofT). Hospital-based researchers should process their application through their UofT department where they hold an appointment and should obtain their chair’s signature
- Copy of Form 101, especially budget and budget justification pages. Original signature page (page 2) will be returned to co-applicant
- Copy of Form 100
Office of Research Services
Angie Agulto, Interim Research Funding Manager
Tel: 416-946-7517 | E-mail: angie.agulto@utoronto.ca
Christine Kwan, Research Funding Administrator
Tel: 416-946-0246 | E-mail: c.kwan@utoronto.ca
Mailing address:
Office of Research Services
University of Toronto
Simcoe Hall, Room 133S
27 King's College Circle
Toronto, ON M5S 1A1
Fax: 416-971-2010
NSERC Technical Assistance
On-line help is normally available from NSERC between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (EST), five days a week. For questions regarding the on-line system, contact the NSERC helpdesk at 613-995-4273 or http://www.nserc.ca/staff/helpdesk_e.asp.
Mailing address:
NSERC
350 Albert Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 1H5
Method to Measure the Amount of Total Dietary Fiber (TDF) in Food
UTEK Corporation is a broker for technology solutions for private companies looking for technology solutions. They are currently looking for someone with an existing technology or who is actively performing research in the field relating to:
Method to measure the amount of Total Dietary Fiber (TDF) in Food Matrices
The fiber material is diverse and is made of both insoluble and soluble fibers. The main features of the measurement tool are as follows:
- Must measure TDF or measurement be strongly correlated to TDF
- Interested in tools that can handle at least one of the many states of food matrices from soft and highly plasticized dough to dry products with ~25% fat
- Able to rapidly (<30 min) and accurately measure total fiber or total dietary fiber (TDF)
- Should have minimal sample preparation steps (e.g. grinding is acceptable)
- Should not be based on cumbersome AOAC enzymatic-gravimetric or other similar wet methods
- Should not require frequent recalibrations
- Must be robust enough to operate in plant environments
- Easy and intuitive to use for plant QC
The guidelines are as follows:
- If based on NIR, then it should be demonstrated to be more precise and accurate than current NIR tools available in the industry
- - Must perform better than the following: “the 95% confidence interval for current NIR prediction of TDF is about 0.5% fiber. This translates to a maximum error of 8%"
For more information on this opportunity you may contact GlobalLicensing@UTEKCorp.com and refer to eTechnology Request #: eTR0003 and include your contact information.
University of Toronto – NineSigma
NineSigma is a clearinghouse for private sector companies seeking research solutions and collaborations on specific topics. Below is a listing of the latest opportunities. More information on each RFP along with application details are located at: https://www.myninesigma.com.
- Analysis and Measurement of Airway Congestion - A global healthcare company invites proposals for instruments, methods, or technologies to measure markers of nasal airway congestion.
- Chemistry or Technology to Stabilize Fat-soluble Vitamins - A global consumer healthcare company invites proposals for technologies that will stabilize fat- soluble vitamins within complex matrices.
- Controlled Variable Viscosity Water - Shell International Exploration and Production B.V. invites proposals for controlling the viscosity of water used to displace oil in tertiary oil recovery.
- Delayed Activation Adhesive for Polypropylene - JSP invites proposals to bond or glue expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam beads together with an adhesive that is activated by heat, moisture or other methods.
- Improving Load Efficiency for Bulk Lightweight Material - JSP invites proposals for methods to improve the load efficiency of bulk shipments of ARPRO® expanded polypropylene beads.
- Seeking Human Clinical Models for End Benefit Claims of Improved Energy and/or Reduced Fatigue - A global healthcare company invites proposals for human clinical models that can accurately assess small changes in energy levels.
- Smaller Tablet Technologies - A global company invites proposals for compaction of solid particulates into the smallest possible volume that allows subsequent break up of the compacted material into the original components.
- The Herculean Surfactant for EOR - Shell International Exploration and Production B.V. invites proposals for game-changing surfactant technology for Enhanced Oil Recovery.
- Abrasion Resistant White Coating on Stainless Steel - A Global 500 Diversified Company invites proposals for highly adherent, abrasion-resistant white, opaque coating technologies for stainless steel surfaces.
- Chocolate and Caramel Sauces - Kraft Foods invites proposals for development of a chocolate sauce and a caramel sauce that meets specific nutritional guidelines. Development Partners for Breakthrough Advance in Fast 3D Registration - A multi-billion dollar major manufacturer invites proposals for joint development partners who have technical know-how or technology to develop effective algorithms for fast 3D registration.
- Development Partners for Cooling Devices for High Power LED Illuminator - A multi-billion dollar electronic component manufacturer invites proposals for development partners for cooling devices for high power LED illuminator of less than or equal to 20W.
- Extracting Rare Earth Oxides from Silica/Alumina Clays - A major manufacturing company invites proposals for extracting rare earth metals from clays.
- Hyper pigmentation Control - A Fortune 500 Consumer Healthcare Company seeks technologies and/or expertise which can provide controlled skin lightening to sensitive areas, such as underarms.
- Improving Gas Barrier Properties of Polylactic Acid - A multi-billion dollar global manufacturer invites proposals for joint development partners for technology to improve the gas barrier properties of polylactic acid.
- Low Friction Solid Material - A Global Consumer Products Company invites proposals for a dry lubricant to promote gliding between a consumer product and skin without leaving residue. The desired reduced friction effect can be described as skating on ice.
- Manufacturing Functional Textile-like Components to a Net Perimeter Shape without Cutting – A wearable consumer products company invites proposals for technology to permit the manufacturing of functional textile-like components to a net perimeter shape without cutting.
- Protective Technologies for Tooth Surfaces - A Fortune 500 Company invites proposals for novel protective technologies which can adhere to tooth surfaces.
- Rapid Cleaning of Tenacious Soils from Hard Surfaces - A Global Consumer Products Company invites proposals for technologies that will provide quick release of tenacious organic soils from hard surfaces.
- Rapid Tooth Whitening Technology - A Fortune 500 consumer healthcare company invites proposals for a rapid tooth-whitening technology that surpasses traditional peroxide technologies and delivers visible whitening in 3 days or less.
- Seeking Value Added Applications of Pork By-products - A global sausage manufacturer invites proposals for development of enabling technologies for new, high value-added applications of pork by-products.
- Sensory Cues for Body Wash - A Global Consumer Products Company invites proposals for technologies which can provide a unique tactile sensory experience when formulated into shower liquid applications.
- Small Clog-Free Liquid Dispensing and Spreading System - A Global 500 Consumer Products Company invites proposals for the design, development and/or supply of a small liquid dispensing system.
- Software Technology to Improve Signal to Noise Ratio for High Dynamic Range Images - A multi-billion dollar precision equipment manufacturer invites proposals for software technology to reconstruct HDR (high dynamic range) image with high SNR (signal to noise ratio) from several low-quality images.
- Thermal Energy Storage Materials for Cryogenic Temperatures - A Fortune 500 Company seeks materials to enable storage of large amounts of energy at cryogenic temperatures (i.e., cycling from 77 K to 273 K). The material will be a component of thermal energy storage (TES) system and ultimately packaged into a heat exchanger.
- Vibration Isolation Resistant to External Loads - A Global 500 Corporation invites proposals for a technology that does not require external power to isolate vibrations in consumer products subject to external loads.