Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for Health & Life Sciences Data and Sample Mining

Publication date: August 2, 2019

Application deadline: September 27, 2019

1. Introduction

In the future, human exploration of space is expected to extend beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to cis-lunar space, the surface of the Moon, and ultimately to distant targets such as Mars. The resulting expeditions will require extended periods of exposure to weightlessness and space radiation, with confinement and isolation in the extreme environment of space, all of which are linked to substantial health and performance risks.

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is interested in human spaceflight and maintaining a healthy and highly qualified Canadian astronaut corps capable of participating in space exploration missions. Also, in line with the vision and priorities of the new Space Strategy for Canada, the CSA aims to enable scientific opportunities and global partnerships, and to harness space to solve everyday challenges for Canadians.

To achieve this, the CSA's Health and Life Sciences (HLS) group conducts activities generating knowledge in fields that sustain human space flights, mitigate health risks and develop countermeasures for those missions. Since time and resources on the International Space Station (ISS) are limited, CSA aims to broaden science opportunities in order to enhance and supplement flight investigations on the ISS and to optimize utilization of CSA ISS resource allocation.

The intent of this AO is to provide financial support to researchers in Canadian Universities and post-secondary institutions to conduct science investigations that will lead to a better understanding of human spaceflight risks while contributing to improve remote medicine and health benefits here on Earth. More specifically, the aim of the present AO is to solicit proposals for scientific analysis, using databases or samples derived from existing collections for improving the understanding of the risks of spaceflight or for initial validation of new countermeasures. The studies selected for this AO are expected to be precursors of Canadian investigations on the ISS or other space research platforms.

In the past decades, several agencies and institutions have supported the establishment of dedicated databases and sample repositories collecting the results from space related studies on human subjects and non-human model organisms (see Table 1 for examples of databases and repositories). These studies include investigations in space and on Earth using analogue populations. In addition to the use of publically-available datasets and repositories, researchers can also use datasets from previous flight or analogue experiments, either archived by the original investigator at his/her institution, or with an intent to obtain data or samples from the original investigator. Applicants must provide in their proposal justification of the intended use of datasets or samples, to test or generate new hypotheses regarding the effects of spaceflight on human health, or to enhance the value of existing data, through development of new insights in regard to the original datasets or samples.

This AO is consistent with the terms and conditions of the CSA Class Grant and Contribution (G&C) Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology – Research Component.

Applicants are asked to read the following AO thoroughly before submitting their applications. This AO was prepared to help applicants complete the application process, and outlines key elements, including mandatory criteria for eligibility, details on eligible projects and the selection process. In the event of any discrepancies between this AO and the individual funding agreements governing a project, the latter document(s) will take precedence.

Table 1: Examples of databases and sample repositories that could be used to respond to this AO. The AO is not confined to these databases or sample repositories, nor will proposals using these specific databases or sample repositories be favored. Inclusion of database or sample repository here does not constitute an endorsement or provide a guarantee access. All data and sample use implies attribution requirements (i.e. acknowledgement of the root source(s) of the data or samples).

2. AO objectives

Projects selected from this CSA competition will have as their objective to increase scientific knowledge that will contribute to the efforts toward the understanding, mitigation or elimination of health risks associated with human space exploration and generate scientific insights that will also contribute to applications on Earth.

More specifically, through this AO, the CSA seeks to:

• Create an opportunity for new space life science experiments to generate new knowledge and insight into the risks of human space flight, with ultimate objective to keep astronauts healthy in space. Each proposed study is expected to be a direct precursor of future Canadian investigations on the ISS or other space research platform;
• Advance understanding of similar health issues or applications on Earth, that could contribute to improving health care for Canadians;
• Foster the development of highly qualified personnel (HQP), and inclusion of diversity of HQP in space HLS.

3. Eligibility criteria

3.1 Eligible recipients

Eligible recipients (beneficiaries) for grants are:

• Canadian universities and post-secondary institutions.

3.2 Eligible projects

Projects eligible for funding under this AO are those wherein eligible recipients submit projects for which Canadian researchers are Principal Investigator (PI) in new research projects. As described in section 1, eligible projects will perform scientific analysis, using datasets or samples derived from existing collections to improve the understanding of the risks of spaceflight on human health or for initial validation of new countermeasures to these risks.

All development phases necessary for a project are eligible. Any logical breakdown or combination of these phases can constitute a funded project. However, breaking down a project into numerous phases to obtain more than the maximum grant or contribution is not allowed. Furthermore, even if the maximum funding for one project is not reached, the completion of a funded phase does not automatically guarantee funding of the remaining phases.

3.3 Links to CSA priorities

To be eligible, projects supported under this AO must be aligned with CSA priority outcomes, as stated in the 2018-2019 Departmental Plan: Space research and development advances science and technology. The HLS group of the CSA is sponsoring this AO and will only consider relevant those activities that are aligned with its mandate to "identify, understand, mitigate or eliminate health risks associated with human space flights, and to understand and address the needs of humans during those missions." The activities selected must "generate new knowledge and insight into the risks of human space flight to keep astronauts healthy in space" (Space Strategy for Canada, 2019), and they must clearly be recognizable as direct precursors of future Canadian investigations on the ISS or other space research platforms. The most important health risks associated with human space flights (i.e. future long-duration human spaceflight missions) have been identified and are listed in Table 2. Proposals that address one or more of the risks listed in this table will be given higher priority for CSA support.

The following table presents the human space flight risks targeted by the CSA for this AO.

Benefits on Earth: In addition to the risks listed above, the CSA will also consider how the activities would contribute to advance understanding of similar health issues or translate to applications on Earth, or that could contribute to improving health care for Canadians.

3.4 Links to the Class G&C Program objectives

To be eligible, projects supported under this AO must contribute to the achievement of at least one of the following objectives:

• To support the development of science and technology relevant to the priorities of the CSA;
• To foster the continuing development of a critical mass of researchers and HQP in Canada in areas relevant to the priorities of the CSA.

4. Applications

4.1 Required documentation

The application must include the following:

• A completed original application form signed by the duly authorized representative;
• Two (2) copies of the full proposal;
• A copy of the document(s) confirming the legal name of the applicant (must be confirmed by the organization's Office of Research);
• Hospitals and research institutes affiliated with universities shall provide official documents establishing this affiliation.
• A copy of the application (identical to the signed paper copy) in a standard electronic media format (USB flash drive, CD or DVD). If there is any discrepancy between the hard and the soft copies, the hard copy takes precedence;
• Letters from other funding contributors confirming their contributions, if applicable;
• Letter of support from Co-Investigators, confirming their intent to participate to the study, including information on the potential source of funds, if applicable.
• The applicant will ensure that ethical certification requirements have been met before fund transfer. A letter signed by the chairperson of the local Institutional Review Board (IRB) regarding approval of the experimental protocol will be required for funding.
• Declaration on Confidentiality, Access to Information Act and Privacy Act form signed by the duly authorized representative (refer to the Applicant Declaration on Confidentiality, Access to Information Act and Privacy Act section included in the application form); and
• For organizations in Quebec, M-30 Supporting Documentation form completed and signed by the duly authorized representative (refer to the M-30 form for organizations in Quebec included in the application form).

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the application complies with all relevant federal, provincial and territorial legislation and municipal bylaws (federal, provincial/territorial and municipal).

Applications must be mailed to the CSA at the following address:

• Proposals must be received at the CSA no later than Friday, September 27, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. (ET).
• Applications sent by email will not be accepted.
• Incomplete applications shall not be considered.

Questions and answers related to this AO will be posted on the CSA website in the Frequently Asked Questions (Section 9).

4.2 Service standards – Complete applications

Applicants will be notified in writing of decisions regarding their application. Selected applications will be announced on the CSA website. The CSA has set the following service standards for processing times, acknowledgement of receipt, funding decisions and payment procedures.

Acknowledgement: The CSA's goal is to acknowledge receipt of proposals within 2 weeks of receiving the completed application package.

Decision: The CSA's goal is to respond to the proposal within 26 weeks of the AO's closing date and to send a grant agreement for signature within 18 weeks after formal approval of the proposal.

Payment:
Grant: The CSA's goal is to issue payment within 4 weeks of the successful fulfillment of the requirements outlined in the grant agreement.

Compliance with these service standards is a shared responsibility. Applicants must submit all required documentation in a timely fashion. Service standards may vary by AO.

5. Evaluation

5.1 Eligibility criteria

• Represents an eligible recipient as defined in Section 3.1;
• Represents an eligible project as defined in Sections 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4;
• Meets program funding provisions in Section 6.1.

An evaluation committee will assess screened-in applications according to the eligibility criteria described in Table 3.

5.2 Evaluation criteria

5.2.1 Graded evaluation criteria

Once the eligibility is confirmed according to section 5.1, submissions will be evaluated using the following graded criteria. These criteria and ratings are listed in Table 4 and a detailed description of these graded criteria follows. Through this graded evaluation criteria, a scientific merit review will be conducted based on a peer-review criteria described in Section 5.2.2. To be considered eligible for funding, the total score received for these graded criteria most be greater than 125/200.

Description of evaluation criteria

1. Benefits to Canada

1.1 Alignment with the priorities of the CSA and its Space HLS Program, and link to future space studies

Description: This criterion evaluates whether the proposed research objectives are aligned with the priorities of the CSA and its Space Health & Life science program, and whether they are direct precursors of future Canadian investigations on the ISS or other space platform.

• Do the research objectives address health risks associated with human space flights (per Table 2) to keep astronauts healthy in space?
• Can the research proposed clearly lead to a future investigation on the ISS or other space platform?

Minimum score required = 20

1.2 Benefits on Earth

Description: This criterion evaluates whether the proposal demonstrates that the acquired knowledge of human health spaceflight risks may contribute to advance understanding of similar health issues or applications on Earth, or that could contribute to improving health care for Canadians.

Minimum score required = 15

1.3 HQP development

Description: This criterion evaluates how the project will foster the development of HQPs, through recruitment of qualified students/postdoctoral fellows/trainees and provide them with an integrated and meaningful role in the project research team.

Minimum score required = 1

1.4 EDI

Description: The research project must meaningfully engage members of underrepresented groups within the research team through the engagement of students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty and partners. Underrepresented groups include, but are not limited to, the four designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, members of visible minorities, and persons with disabilities). Applicants can consult the Employment equity website for definitions of each group.

This criterion evaluates whether the proposal includes a meaningful plan to foster recruitment and engagement of members from these underrepresented groups within the research team.

Minimum score required = 1

2. Project feasibility, resources and risk assessment

2.1 Risk management

Description: This criterion evaluates the knowledge of potential pitfalls and obstacles that may occur during project course and adequacy of proposed preventive/remedial measures. The proposal shall address key risks associated with the project and the mitigation strategies for each. Information should be provided on resources availability, risks associated with their non-availability and, the risk and mitigation strategies associated with those risks. The following points are particularly important:

• Has the applicant identified and described in detail the risks associated with the project, including, but not limited to, financial, technical, and managerial?
• Are the resources available to the research team, or was an agreement made to ensure implementation of the project?
• Are the mitigation strategies for each risk correctly addressed and realistic? What is the probability that such risks would occur?

Minimum score required = 10

2.2 Budget, resources allocation and schedule

Description: This criterion evaluates the adequacy of the budget, resource allocation to tasks, level of effort and material resources as well as project schedule Applicants need to present in their application an itemized budget that clearly describes project expenditures and sources of funding. The application must also show resource (human & funds) allocation to tasks, and level of efforts as well as project schedule. Applicants are encouraged to seek co-funding and should clearly indicate co-funding in their budget.

Minimum score required = 10

3. Results

3.1 Results of scientific merit review

For results of scientific merit review, refer to section 5.2.2.

3.2 Science dissemination plan

Description: This criterion evaluates whether the proposal includes a science dissemination plan describing how results from the investigations will be disseminated (e.g.: conferences, publications, etc). Per Section 7.7, the CSA promotes the use of open access publication and archiving by recipients, and applicants are encouraged to use open access publications in order to facilitate dissemination of results from the investigation.

Minimum score required = 0

5.2.2 Evaluation criteria for scientific merit review

The scientific merit review will be conducted by a panel of scientific experts according to the language ladder listed in Table 5 and defined below. For any given criterion, a score within the associated range will be assigned by reviewers. The scientific merit review panel will assign a score from 0 to 100 or a designation "not recommended for further consideration" based on the intrinsic scientific merit of the proposal. Passing proposals must receive at least a minimal score for each criterion and also obtain a total score of at least 70, which is higher than the sum of all the minimal scores.

Description of evaluation criteria for scientific merit

1. Science quality

- Significance of the research question

Description: This criterion evaluates whether the proposal addresses a significant gap in health research related to spaceflight. The significance of the proposed research in terms of the hypotheses/research questions addressed as well as novelty will be assessed. Potential increase of our understanding of the risks associated with human spaceflight or proposed mitigation strategies will be evaluated.

• Does this study address an important gap in identifying, characterizing and mitigating health risk for spaceflight?
• If the objectives are achieved, how will scientific knowledge related to spaceflight health risks be advanced?
• What are the expected outcomes of the proposed research in the context of understanding health risk problems related to spaceflight and/or mitigation strategies?

Minimum score required : 15

2. Research approach

- Validity of research

Description: This criterion evaluates how the research approach builds upon a successful foundation of relevant researches. It evaluates the completeness of the literature review and its relevance to the study design and research plan.

Minimum score required: 11

- Methodology

Description: This criterion evaluates the appropriateness of the proposed research design, research methods, data analysis methods of the research approach to achieve the objectives.

• Is the selected set of data or samples appropriate for the proposed research objectives?
• Are the research design, methods and analysis proposed appropriate to achieve the objectives?

Minimum score required: 13

3. Research team

- Research team expertise, experience and productivity

Description: This criterion evaluates the availability of all the required expertise in the team and experience in the proposed field of HLS research in order to successfully accomplish the proposed work. This criterion will also evaluate the scientific productivity and past achievements in the proposed field of research and methodology.

• Does the research team have sufficient experience in HLS?
• Is the research team composed of members that have the required expertise? Is there sufficient personnel dedicated to the project?
• Has the research team demonstrated high level of productivity?

Minimum score required: 8

5.3 Evaluation process

Only applications that have passed the eligibility assessment listed in Section 5.1 will be given further consideration.

Once the eligibility criteria are confirmed, evaluators will assess the screened applications according to the criteria listed in Section 5.2. Evaluators shall be experts in the fields relevant to the applications and may include representatives of Canada and other countries, and representatives of other government and non-government agencies and organizations. If applicable, a multidisciplinary evaluation committee will be formed when applications from several different disciplines are competing in order to provide a uniform final score and ranking of proposals.

Before a final decision is made, the CSA's Program Manager responsible for this AO may seek input and advice from other organizations, including (but not limited to) federal, provincial, territorial and municipal government agencies and organizations. Grant agreements will be offered to the applicants in the rank order of the proposals while allowing considerations to maximize the use of available funding.

The results obtained in this AO could take into account certain factors in the final decision to grant funding, such as, but not limited to, the representativeness of the four designated groups (woman, Aboriginal person, disabled person or member of a visible minority), regional distribution, academic level, distribution between universities and post-secondary educational institutions, etc.

6. Funding

6.1 Available funding and duration

The total maximum funding amount given in grant for each project will be $70,000 over a maximum period of up to one (1) year.

The number of projects funded under this AO will depend on funding availability.

There is no limit on the number of proposals presented per investigator. However, considering the limited funding in this AO, the CSA will only fund one project for a researcher as a PI in this AO. It is possible for an investigator to be selected for funding as a PI in one project submitted in response to this call and be selected as a Co-Investigator for funding on other proposals.

The CSA reserves the right to reject any proposals or reduce the amount of the grants at its entire discretion.

Approved proposals will be eligible for a total amount of government assistance (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal) of up to 100% of total project costs.

To determine the amount of funding to be allocated, consideration will be given to the availability of CSA funds, the total cost of the project, and the other confirmed sources of funds provided by other stakeholders and the applicant.

Applicants must identify all sources of funding in their applications and confirm this information in a funding agreement if the project is selected for funding. Upon completion of a project, the recipient must also disclose all sources of funding.

6.2 Eligible costs

Eligible costs are direct expenses that are associated with the delivery of the approved project and that are required to achieve the expected results of the project. Expenses will be covered subject to the applicant signing a funding agreement, in the form of a grant, with the CSA.

Applicants to this CSA AO cannot include as eligible costs any costs related to non-Canadian Co-Investigators or non-Canadian PIs or their work within the proposal. These costs should be submitted to the appropriate national agency for funding.

Grants

Eligible costs for grant under this AO are the following:

• Access fees;
• Accommodation and meal allowances;
• Acquisition, development and printing of materials;
• Acquisition or rental of equipment;
• Bursaries, such as stipends for students involved in the project;
• Consultant services;
• Costs related to obtaining security clearance;
• Data/sample acquisition;
• Data management;
• Laboratory analysis services;
• License and permit fees;
• Marketing and printing services;
• Materials and supplies;
• Overhead (administrative) costs (not to exceed 20% of eligible costs for universities and 15% for other eligible recipients);
• Participation fees at conferences, committees and events;
• PST, HST and GST net of any rebate to which the recipient is entitled and the reimbursement of any taxes for goods and services acquired in a foreign country net of any rebate or reimbursement received in the foreign country;
• Publication and communication services;
• Registration fees;
• Salaries and benefits;
• Training;
• Translation services;
• Travel; and
• Tuition fees.

7. Funding agreements

7.1 Payments

The CSA and each successful applicant (the recipient) will sign a funding agreement. This is a condition for any payment made by the CSA with respect to the approved project.

Payments will be made in a lump sum or instalments as described in the signed agreement. Grant funding agreements will include a clause stipulating the recipient's obligation to confirm—once a year in the case of multi-year agreements—their eligibility for the G&C Program – Research Component and inform the CSA in writing of any changes to the conditions used in determining their eligibility for this component.

7.2 Audit

The recipient of a funding agreement shall keep proper records of all documentation related to the funded project, for the duration of the project and for six (6) years after the completion date of the project, in the event of an audit. This documentation shall be available upon request.

7.3 Conflict of interest

In the funding agreement, the recipient will certify that any current or former public office holder or public servant it employs complies with the provisions of the relevant Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Code for Public Office Holders and the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector respectively.

7.4 Intellectual property

All intellectual property developed by the recipient in the course of the project shall vest in the recipient.

7.5 Organizations in Quebec

An organization in Quebec whose operations are partially or fully funded by the province of Quebec may be subject to the Act Respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif, R.S.Q., Chapter M-30.

Under Sections 3.11 and 3.12 of this Act, certain entities/organizations, as defined in the meaning of the Act, such as municipal bodies, school bodies, or public agencies, must obtain authorization from the Secrétariat du Québec aux affaires canadiennes (SQRC), as indicated by the Act, before signing any funding agreement with the Government of Canada, its departments or agencies, or a federal public agency.

Consequently, any entity that is subject to the Act is responsible for obtaining such authorization before signing any funding agreement with the Government of Canada.

Quebec applicants must complete, sign and include the M-30 Supporting Documentation form with their application.

7.6 Performance measurement

The CSA will ask the recipients to report on certain aspects of their projects such as:

• Knowledge creation
  • Knowledge production (including publications)
  • Presentations
  • Intellectual property (including patents)
• Capacity building
  • Project's research team (including HQP supported)
• Collaboration
  • Partners' contributions
  • Partnerships
  • Multidisciplinarity

7.7 Open science

The CSA wishes to promote the dissemination of findings that results from the projects it funds as quickly and to the greatest number of people as possible. Improved access to scientific results not only allows scientists to use a broader range of resources and knowledge, but also improves research collaboration and coordination, strengthens citizen engagement and supports the economy.

Thus, the CSA promotes the use of open access publication and archiving by recipients in order to facilitate the widest dissemination of findings that results from its funded projects. Thus, recipients are invited to publish, in a timely matter, their articles by using one of the following methods:

1. Accessible online repository (institutional or disciplinary) so that the publication is freely accessible.
2. Journal offering open access to articles.

The publication costs are eligible expenses as defined in section 6.2. It should be noted that these two methods are not mutually exclusive and that recipients are encouraged to use both.

Finally, the CSA wishes to receive, as a courtesy, a copy of the funded publications (if not freely accessible) or the hyperlink (if freely accessible) and its digital object identifier (DOI). These will be use to improve accessibility by including them in the CSA funded publications directory.

8. Privacy Notice Statement

The CSA manages and protects the information provided by the applicant under the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act. By submitting your personal information, you consent to its collection, use and disclosure in accordance with the following Privacy Statement, which explains how the information about the applicant will be processed.

The information is collected under the CSA Class Grants and Contributions Program in Support of Awareness, Research and Learning - Research Component (ASC PPU 045) and Awareness and Learning Component (ASC PPU 040) . This information will be used for administration and application evaluation purposes. Personal information (such as name, contact information and biographical information) will be kept for 6 years and destroyed. According to the Privacy Act, any individual may, upon request,

1. have access to his or her personal data and
2. request correction of the incorrect information.

Applicants should also note that information relating to the Funding Agreement could be disclosed publicly in accordance with the laws, policies and directives of the Government of Canada.

For additional information regarding this statement, please contact:

9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

It is the responsibility of the applicants to obtain clarification of the requirements contained herein, if necessary, before submitting an application.

For any questions related to the AO, applicants shall use the following generic email address lecedessetc-thegandccoe@asc-csa.gc.ca. Questions and answers related to this AO will be posted on the CSA website in the Frequently Asked Questions section of this AO. The CSA will respond to questions received before 2 p.m. (ET), Friday, September 20, 2019.

At any point, applicants are welcome to share with the CSA their comments or suggestions regarding the AO, the program or the process. Applicants may either use the generic email address or the generic web-based Comments and suggestions box.