1.1 Program Streams

Stream 1: Foundational Projects

• Supports high-risk, high-potential impact research in all aspects of genomic medicine and RNA therapeutics, focusing on discovery and development without requiring preliminary data.
• Projects must be aligned with priorities of at least one of the D2R Foundational Axes. This stream is suitable for projects not yet eligible for funding from traditional granting agencies, such as the Tri-Agencies, but successful applications to such traditional agencies.

• Aims to establish proof-of-concept research that can lead to interdisciplinary collaboration in the future, with a trajectory toward commercialization or clinical application.

Stream 2: Research in Motion

• Supports high-risk, high-potential impact research in all aspects of genomic medicine and RNA therapeutics, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration to drive discovery and development without requiring preliminary data. This stream is suitable for projects not yet eligible for funding from traditional agencies, such as the Tri-Agencies, but successful applications to such traditional agencies.

• Designed for projects that require interdisciplinary expertise to accelerate progress, and necessitate collaboration across at least two different D2R Foundational Axes to meet objectives.
• Strengthens cross-disciplinary partnerships to address complex research challenges and may lead toward commercialization or clinical applications within the D2R ecosystem.

1.2 Key Dates

• Competition Launch: Early April 2025
• Application Deadline: May 15, 2025, 5:00 PM Eastern Time
• Anticipated Results Announcement: August 2025
• Anticipated Funding Start: September 1, 2025

1.3 Award Duration and Value

• Grant Term: Up to two years (non-renewable).
• Maximum Award per Project:
  • Research Budget: Up to $200,000.
  • Training Budget (Optional): Up to $150,000.
  • Total Maximum Award: $350,000 over two years.

1.4 Eligible Expenses

Budgeting Principles: Budgets should be zero-based and aligned with project milestones. Requests should reflect actual project needs, not the maximum allowable amount. Provide a clear justification for each budgeted expense item.

Research Budget

• Salaries for research personnel (HQP, including research technicians, research assistants and associates)
• Small equipment for a combined total cost up to $10,000, inclusive of all taxes, duties, shipping, and similar expenses
• Materials and supplies
• Travel for field work, training, meetings, and conferences
• Services and contracts
• Other relevant direct costs that comply with the

Training Budget

• This optional, supplementary budget supports graduate students and/or postdoctoral fellows who are directly involved in the research full-time, ensuring meaningful contributions to the project. For Stream 2: Research in Motion (RIM) projects, it is expected that trainees from each collaborating team will be involved. As such, a higher training budget may be warranted (up to $150,000 maximum), provided the roles of trainees from each team are clearly justified.
• Given typical hiring lead times, it is strongly recommended that Year 1 training funds be allocated only for trainees who are already identified or can be realistically hired within that period. If Year 1 funding is requested for yet-to-be-hired graduate students or postdoctoral fellows, please provide a brief justification, including your anticipated recruitment timeline.

1.5 Applicant Eligibility and Application Limitation

Principal Investigator (PI) Eligibility

• ɬÀï·¬ faculty members.
• Faculty members from D2R partner institutions (McMaster University, University of British Columbia, University of Ottawa, Université de Sherbrooke, and IRCM) who are included in the list of approved researchers provided by the partners and approved by D2R.
  • Must include at least one ɬÀï·¬ researcher as a Co-Investigator (Co-I) in their D2R application.

Co-Investigator (Co-I) Eligibility

• ɬÀï·¬ faculty members.
• Faculty members from D2R partner institutions (McMaster University, University of British Columbia, University of Ottawa, Université de Sherbrooke, and IRCM) who are included in the list of approved researchers provided by the partners and approved by D2R.

Collaborators

• Can include individuals from academia, industry, government, or community organizations.
• Collaborators are not eligible to receive direct funding from D2R.

Application Limitation

• ɬÀï·¬ Researchers may hold or apply for an aggregateÌýof three Foundational and RIM or Clinical Research and Development (CRD) projects as a PI or a Co-I. Note: For ɬÀï·¬ Researchers who were awarded a Translational Impact Research project as a PI, that award will count to their aggregate total of threeÌýheld or applied for awards.
• Researchers from Partner Institutions (including IRCM) may hold (from Cycle 1) or apply for an aggregate of two Foundational or RIM or CRD projects as a PI or Co-I.

Ìý

The full application consists of an online form and specific documents to upload.

2.1 Online Application Form

• Link to the Application Form

Includes the following sections:

• Selection of either Foundational Projects or Research in Motion stream
• PI, Co-I and collaborator details
• Full Project Title, lay title and keywords
• Lay Abstract (up to 100 words)
• Primary D2R Foundational Axis
• Additional relevant D2R Foundational Axes
• Project duration and requested budget
• Description of research data that will be generated
• Research ethics review requirements
• Confirmation of completion of the

2.2 Documents to Upload

Use the templates provided.

• Project Description (Template)
• Biosketches (Template)
  • A biosketch is required for the PI, any Co-Is and named Postdoctoral Fellows. Not required forÌýCollaborators
  • Combine all biosketches into one PDF.Ìý
• Budget and JustificationÌý(Template)
• Milestones and TimelinesÌý(Template)
• Reviewer SuggestionsÌý(Template)

2.3 Project Description Instruction

• Page limits: 10 pages (in English) or 11 pages (in French), inclusive of the EDI section and references.
• Figures and images may be used but must fit within the stated page limit.
• Appendices are not permitted.
• Submissions that exceed the maximum page limit will have the extra pages removed prior to review.

A. Scientific Summary

• Provide an overview of the project’s objectives, methods and expected outcomes.
• Identify the project’s potential benefits, and how it could attract further funding.

B. D2R Alignment

• Describe how the project aligns with at least one of D2R Foundational Axes and how it will contribute to achieving D2R’s mission.

C. Introduction and Background

• Situate the project within the current landscape of knowledge.
• Explain how the project will fill scientific gaps, provide a proof-of-concept, or introduce novel research directions.

D. Proposal

• Describe the project's objectives and the experimental plan.
• Describe how the project is high-risk and has high potential impact, with the capacity to be a game-changer in the field, introducing a novel direction in existing research.
• Explain how the project aligns with D2R objectives and will contribute to the development of RNA therapeutics and its translational impact.
• Stream justification: Clearly explain why the project aligns with the selected stream:
  • Stream 1 (Foundational Projects): Describe how the project represents a high-risk, high-potential impact idea that could establish a proof-of-concept and potentially lead to interdisciplinary collaboration in the future.
  • Stream 2 (Research in Motion): Justify how the project necessitates interdisciplinary collaboration across at least two different D2R Foundational Axes to achieve its objectives and how this collaboration will enhance its translational and commercial potential.

E. Research Team and Collaborations

• List the team members and describe their roles in the project. Explain how their expertise supports project’s objectives.
• Describe how the team’s activities will be coordinated, especially if members are housed at different institutions.
• List existing or potential partnerships and future funding opportunities that could enhance the project's impact.

F. Training Plan

• Indicate which specific tasks or project phases each trainee will be involved in and the specific research training they will receive.
• Funded trainees will be considered as D2R Training Award holders (D2R Fellows) and will be expected to fully participate in the D2R Training Program consisting of workshops focused on the development of scientific, career, and professional skills, in addition to community-building events and a Trainee Symposium.
  • Describe how trainees will be actively supported to engage in D2R Training Program activities outside of their research work
• Describe any additional training opportunities for trainees supported by this project.

Note: D2R recognizes that Early Career Researchers (ECRs) may have had fewer opportunities to establish a training record or build large interdisciplinary teams. ECR applicants are encouraged to briefly contextualize these circumstances in their application. All applicants should present a clear and feasible plan for mentoring and training, aligned with the project’s scope and objectives.

G. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan

Provide a description of your EDI Plan specific to your project that covers:

EDI in Research Design

Thoughtful EDI in research design should include EDI considerations embedded throughout all research stages to enhance rigor and impact. Applicants should address:

• Research Questions & Study Design: Explain how research questions consider the needs of diverse populations or specific equity-deserving groups. Describe how potential biases are identified and mitigated, whose perspectives are informing the project, and whether any inherent EDI biases impact the research question. If so, explain how the study design aims to address and mitigate these biases.
• Data Collection & Analysis: Outline how data will be collected and analyzed, ensuring disaggregation where applicable (e.g., by age, gender, disability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status) to capture meaningful differences. Describe strategies to mitigate biases.
• Knowledge Mobilization & Dissemination: Explain how research findings will be shared inclusively, ensuring accessibility for all groups, especially equity-deserving communities. If applicable, describe how therapies developed will be made accessible to diverse populations.

EDI in Research Practice

Thoughtful EDI in research practice should include EDI considerations concerning:

• Team Composition and Recruitment: Describe efforts to assemble a diverse research team, including measures to mitigate systemic barriers in recruitment and enhance diversity. Outline existing strategies and planned improvements.
• Training and Development: Explain how equitable access to training opportunities will be ensured for all team members (faculty, staff, trainees, and partners).
• Inclusion and Accessibility: Describe current and planned measures to create an inclusive and accessible research environment where all members feel valued and integrated.
• Mentorship and Institutional Support: Highlight available mentorship programs and how team members will support each other's professional development beyond research activities. Identify institutional policies and resources that promote EDI within the research setting.

If EDI considerations are not applicable, provide an evidence-based rationale.

H. Budget

• Provide a high-level summary of the budget and justifications, focusing on expenses that require additional context beyond what is outlined in the Excel budget sheets.

I. References

• List all works cited in the Project Description. Include the DOI where available.

3.1 Administrative Review

Applications will be screened for completeness, as well as applicant and subject matter eligibility.

3.2 Scientific Merit Review

External experts will evaluate applications based on the criteria below, using a 1–25 scale (higher scores indicate higher quality) for each category. Scores will then be weighted differently depending on the selected program stream. The final score will be out of 100 after weighting.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Originality & Innovation: The extent to which the project introduces novel ideas, concepts, or methodologies that push the boundaries of RNA therapeutics research.
• Scientific Methodology & Approach: The capacity of the research plan to test the central hypothesis or concept using well-defined, appropriate, and methodologically sound approaches.
• Feasibility & Execution: The likelihood of successfully completing the project and achieving specific aims within the proposed timeframe, considering available resources, risk mitigation strategies, and project management.
• Team Expertise & Training Quality: The qualifications and contributions of the researchers and trainees, including how well the research team’s expertise aligns with the project goals and the quality of the training plan for students.

Scoring by Stream:

Final scores are derived by summing individual reviewer scores (out of 100) and applying the weightings below, ensuring fair evaluation while reflecting the priorities of each stream.

3.3. Strategic Alignment Review Committee (SARC) Review

The SARC will review top-ranking applications from the scientific merit review, to assess alignment with D2R’s mission and strategic goals, in order to make funding recommendations.

3.4. EDI Review

For projects deemed fundable, EDI in research design and research practice will be evaluated separately. Principal Investigators will be informed of any issues that have been identified, and given the opportunity to revise these sections. Funding will only be disbursed once the revised sections are reviewed and approved for compliance with EDI expectations.

4.1 Funding Decision

The D2R Research Steering Committee (RSC) will consider both the scientific merit review and the project's relevance to D2R's strategic goals in its funding decisions.

In cases where multiple highly aligned projects have similar scientific merit scores, and funds are limited, the RSC may use a balanced distribution approach, considering factors such as EDI principles, the diversity of research axes, applications from partner institutes, support for early career researchers and applications written in French.

In keeping with the D2R Initiative’s commitment to promoting equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenous reconciliation, 10% of the D2R Initiative’s funding is reserved for promoting research funding equalization among equity-deserving groups.

4.2 Announcement of Results

All PIs will be informed of the results in August 2025.

4.3 Notice of Award

Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Award, which details the terms, conditions, and reporting obligations.

As part of the award conditions, the Principal Investigator (PI) and relevant team members must schedule a mandatory one-on-one meeting with D2R staff within one month of receiving the award to discuss:

1. Potential commercial applications of their work, such as Reports of Invention (ROIs) (with a member of D2R’s Industry Liaison team).
2. Integration of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) principles in their research design and team composition, along with implementation strategies (with D2R Senior Advisor, EDI).
3. Integration of data science strategies and methodologies, including possible contributions to the data catalogue (with a member of D2R’s Data Science team).

Compliance with the above requirement is mandatory, and failure to complete the meetings within one month of award notification may result in funding delays.