About PCMM

What is the process of establishing a collaboration that will be considered for funding?

Briefly, the researcher will submit an Application Form through info@pcmmnetwork.ca. The GSOC and Persons with Lived Experience (PWLE) will evaluate the submitted research question for positive alignment with the vision of the network. Approved research will be passed to the Bioinformatic core (BIC), which will attempt to match the research question to as many researchers as possible, based on the researcher’s self-declared expertise. The GSOC will invite the clinician scientist to establish a connection with the corresponding researcher(s).

What is the timing of the competitions?

Following the anticipated launch of the network in May 2024, applications can be submitted through the PCMM network email at info@pcmmnetwork.ca. Other notable dates include:

  • Summer 2024 – fund up to 4 applications. Projected closing date for applications: July 1, 2024.
  • Fall 2024 – midterm GSOC review.
  • Winter 2024 – fund up to an additional 3 applications. Projected closing date for applications: to be posted.
  • Spring 2025 – fund up to an additional 3 applications. Projected closing date for applications: to be posted.

The specific objectives of the PCMM network are to:

  • Develop insights into potential rationale for treatment and/or early phase trials (e.g., testing of candidate developmental therapeutics).
  • Identify candidate biomarkers and/or study or diagnose disease through the examination of molecules within organs, tissues or bodily fluids.
  • Provide functional validation of human genetic variants that cause or are associated with pediatric cancer or blood disorders.
  • Establish longer term collaborations between basic scientists and clinicians that will lead to subsequent grant funding in support of outstanding basic and/or applied research.

FAQ – PCMM Network

What is the process of establishing a collaboration that will be considered for funding?

Briefly, the GSOC and Persons with Lived Experience (PWLE) will evaluate a submitted research question for positive alignment with the vision of the network. Approved questions will be passed to the Bioinformatic core (BIC), which will attempt to match the research question to as many researchers as possible, based on the researcher’s self-declared expertise. The GSOC will invite the clinician scientist to establish a connection with the corresponding researcher(s).

What is the timing of the competitions?

Following the anticipated launch of the network in May 2024, applications can be submitted through the PCMM network email at info@pcmmnetwork.ca . Other notable dates:

  • Summer 2024 – fund up to 4 applications
  • Fall 2024 – midterm GSOC review
  • Winter 2024 – fund up to an additional 3 applications
  • Spring 2025 – fund up to an additional 3 applications
It is not clear how the match works. Will it be based exclusively on a registry match?

The GSOC will collaborate with the bioinformatics core to scan the registry for potential matches. Invitations to collaborate on the project will be extended to researchers deemed suitable. If an applicant identifies a potential collaborator, that collaborator will also be invited to submit for collaboration on the project. This approach encourages a flexible and inclusive process, allowing for the inclusion of suggested collaborators in the collaborative efforts.

With regards to the match, does this mean that individual labs, if they chose to, will compete against each other to address the “question” submitted by the clinical or preclinical investigator by writing a full application?
  • If there are multiple labs in the registry that are equally qualified and express their interest to participate, these labs will be invited to submit a 2-page application.
  • Please also refer to the terms of reference for the GSOC, which states that "The GSOC will select laboratory groups and invite candidate pediatric cancer investigators to submit an application consisting of a one-page summary of the project with references (not part of the one page), 1/3 page of deliverables, and 1/3 page of biography, and 1/3 page of budget. Invitees will have one week to respond to an invitation, and then must apply within four weeks."
Does the investigator that submitted the question have any input on who they are matched with or is the fate of the collaboration in the hands of the GSOC or reviewers? Also, at what stage would these applications compete with other applications being submitted? If they do not compete, would the decision to potentially fund be at the initial scientific/clinical question?
  • The submitting investigator can name one lab, but the GSOC is independent in their determination of the match.
  • Competition with other applications – this will occur at the GSOC level, prior to submission to the BIC. The determination to move an application to the match phase will be determined by the GSOC and PWLE at the level of alignment with the vision of ACCESS and the vision of the PCMM network.
    • The final decision on whether to fund will be at the GSOC level.
With the application submission being clinical or preclinical this would mean that preclinical researchers can both submit an application and be the recipient of a match. Is this the intention? Will there be some guidelines/rules around this? For example, once a person is matched in the system will they be removed from the system while they hold funding?
  • The intention of the network is to fund new collaborations. Therefore, it is not likely that one investigator will be both the applicant and the recipient of a match.
  • The PCMM network will prioritize matches based on the merits of the matched labs. At this time, we do not anticipate that the number of awards will be restricted per individual lab (e.g. only 1 award to an individual lab).
In the flow chart, it looks like every proposal can continually be submitted, revised and resubmitted. There are no steps where there is a yes, maybe, or no (meaning it is not suitable for this funding opportunity).
  • Each application will be able to apply once and resubmit (if not initially accepted) once.
  • In the flow chart, there are four yes/no decision points (filters). A “no” decision will result in the submitting investigator receiving feedback on the basis for the “no” decision.  The declined application can then only be resubmitted once.

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