The aim of the AICC scheme is to support innovative, dynamic, and collaborative cross-border and trans-Atlantic cancer research and innovation within the 3 key AICC priority areas, to benefit all-island cancer patients.
Scheme summary
The AICC scheme is intended as a pilot scheme with a dedicated funding stream to prime cancer research activity across the 3 key AICC priority areas:
- Cancer Care Delivery and Survivorship
- Clinical Research and Trials
- Genomic and Precision Medicine
Applications must focus their activities to align with one of the three priority areas. The aim, to enhance, extend, strengthen and support research and innovation capabilities, across the island of Ireland with support of trans-Atlantic partnerships.
Applications must also be aligned to the HRB’s strategic remit and one or both jurisdictions’ cancer strategies.
The AICC award is intended as a strategic and focused investment and must demonstrate added-value above and beyond any research activities, collaboration or networking that is currently taking place.
AICC 2024 is a two-tier scheme.
Tier one of the scheme is designed to allow for smaller scale applications which involve pilot projects or mapping activities due to occur over a maximum duration of 2 years to apply for funding, exclusive of overheads, up to a maximum of €100,000.
Tier two is for specific, targeted projects or potential training initiatives which may occur over a maximum 3-year duration to apply for funding awards, exclusive of overheads, up to a maximum of €330,000.
The total funding envelope for the AICC scheme including overhead contribution is €1,200,000.
Details of this scheme
The objectives of this scheme are:
- To stimulate, engage, develop and improve all-island and trans-Atlantic multi-disciplinary cancer research collaborations, networking, and engagement.
- Prime cancer research activity within the three key AICC priority areas:
Cancer Care Delivery and Survivorship
Clinical Research and Trials
Genomic and Precision Medicine
- Support high quality, innovative cancer research pilots, mapping activities, projects and/or training initiatives.
- The overall goal of the consortium awards is to increase the level of collaboration and innovation amongst cancer researchers and experts across the three jurisdictions of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the United States.
We expect collaboration across the three jurisdictions to form a key component of the research proposal.
All applicants will be required to have cross border collaborators as co-applicants to be deemed eligible to apply e.g., a Lead Applicant from the Republic of Ireland requires a Co-Applicant from Northern Ireland and vice versa. Additionally, applicants will be required to have an NCI researcher/research group as a collaborator or other as appropriate.
However, research proposals which are solely focused on strengthening and, or improving North-South cancer research and innovation collaborations may apply with sufficient justification for exclusion of NCI partners in the proposal.
Applications can be submitted for pilot projects, mapping activities, standalone research projects, or the establishment of a training scheme/programme, or similar.
A on-hour scheme information webinar will take place on Tuesday 12 March 3:30 pm.
To join please follow this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87006772058?pwd=VFJIV2tQa0t2TDBrajN3RHdQMG1MZz09
Meeting ID: 870 0677 2058
Passcode: 473731
Length of award
Tier one projects can have a maximum duration of two years.
Tier two projects can have a maximum duration of three years.
Funding available
Tier one projects can apply for up to a maximum of €100,000, exclusive of overheads.
Tier two projects can apply for up to a maximum of €330,000, exclusive of overheads.
The total funding envelope for the AICC scheme including overhead contribution is €1,200,000.
Who can apply?
This call is open to Host Institutions from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Applications should be made on behalf of a team made up of researchers, knowledge user(s) and PPI contributors.
All applicants will be required to have cross border collaborators as co-applicants to be deemed eligible to apply e.g., a Lead Applicant from the Republic of Ireland requires a co-applicant from Northern Ireland and vice versa.
Additionally, applicants will be required to have an NCI researcher/research group as a collaborator or other as appropriate. However, research proposals which are solely focused on strengthening and, or improving North-South cancer research and innovation collaborations may apply with sufficient justification for exclusion of NCI partners in the proposal.
The Lead Applicant must:
Hold a post (permanent or a contract that covers the duration of the award) in a HRB recognised Host Institution in the island of Ireland (the “Host Institution”) as an independent investigator. For clinicians, an adjunct position in a HRB recognised Host Institution is acceptable.
OR
Be an individual who will be recognised by the Host Institution upon receipt of an award as an independent investigator who will have a dedicated office and research space for the duration of award, for which they will be fully responsible. The Lead Applicant does not necessarily need to be employed by the Host Institution at the time of the application submission.
They must show evidence of achievement as an independent researcher in their chosen research field by:
Demonstrating a record of research output, with at least three publications of original research in peer reviewed journals. Where appropriate, they should also provide evidence of other outputs (e.g., published book chapters, reports to government, research data and datasets, research materials, databases, audio/video products, national and/or international reports, patents, models and protocols, software production, evidence of influence on health policy and practice, outreach and/or knowledge translation activities, media coverage or other relevant activities) and/or any other relevant outputs that have resulted in a significant impact in their field.
Demonstrating record of independence by showing that they have secured at least one peer-reviewed research grant for a research project/s, as either the Lead Applicant or a Co-Applicant. Funding received for travel to seminars/conferences and/or small personal bursaries will not be considered in this regard.
Show evidence that they possess the capability and authority to manage and supervise the research team.
Applicants may apply to one, or both tiers.
How to apply
Applications must be completed and submitted through the HRB online Grant E-Management System (GEMS) (https://grants.hrb.ie/).
The AICC 2024 will use a two-stage application process consisting of:
Stage 1: Open call for Expressions of Interest submitted as Pre-Applications from both tiers.
Pre-applications will be reviewed by the HRB and HSC R&D +/- NCI to review alignment with cancer consortium research areas, cancer strategies and proposed collaborations. Applicants will be shortlisted based on these criteria.
GEMS will close the Pre-Application form for this scheme automatically at 13:00 on 26 April 2024.
Stage 2: Full Application (by invitation only).
This will be followed by an international panel review process.
GEMS will close the full application form for this scheme automatically at 13:00 on 02 August 2024.
The application must have been reviewed and approved by the signatory approver at the research office (or equivalent) in the Host Institution before it is submitted to the HRB. Therefore, applicants should ensure that they give the signatory approver sufficient time before the scheme closing date to review the application and approve it on GEMS. Please note that many host institutions specify internal deadlines for this procedure.
Contact us
Dr Chiara Mizzoni
email: cmizzoni@hrb.ie
Research and Innovation Infrastructures
Research Strategy and Funding