We invite research grant applications to be submitted for funding for the years 2023 to 2024. The Foundation wishes to support basic, clinical, laboratory, and psycho-social research related to thalassemia. Research fellowships and operating grants will both be considered. The research must be carried out in a recognized Canadian institution, and the primary investigator applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada and granted funds cannot go towards any institutional overhead.

Annual Fellowship Research Grant Competition

The Thalassemia Foundation began 38 years ago in the Greater Toronto Area as a group of patients, their families and friends that came together for support and encouragement. Over the last four decades, this group has grown nationally and become proactive in supporting patient care, research, and education throughout the country. With the hard work of many dedicated volunteers and supporters in fundraising, the Thalassemia Foundation of Canada has awarded approximately $1,500,000 to support research, and another $300,000 to direct patient care.

Call for Research Grant Applications: The Foundation invites research grant applications to be submitted for funding for the years 2023 to 2024. The Foundation wishes to support basic, clinical, laboratory, and psycho-social research related to thalassemia. Research fellowships and operating grants will both be considered.

Research Fellowships: The priority of the Foundation’s research support program is the Research Fellowship, under the mentorship of an established investigator who have received their MD degree since 2012 or PhD degree since 2017.

Operating Grants: The Foundation will also consider Operating Grant applications, applications to supplement partial funding from other agencies, or applications for seed money to support studies on sound proposals. The Foundation encourages young faculty investigators to apply.

Funds: The amount funded for each grant is $30,000 to $40,000 per annum. In the case of Fellowships, it is expected that most of the awarded sum will go towards the Fellow’s salary, with most direct costs of the research available to the supervisor from other sources. Two-year grants are the norm, although in exceptional cases, renewal application for a third year support may be considered.

Constraints: The research must be carried out in a recognized Canadian institution, and the primary investigator applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada and granted funds cannot go towards any institutional overhead.

Peer Review of Applications: The grant applications will receive scientific peer review by a five-member Medical Advisory Board, chaired by Jacob Pendergrast BA, BSc (Med), MD., Associate Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto. When necessary, outside experts will be enlisted to help the peer review process.

Application Process and Timetable
• September 30, 2022 – Invitations for full application submissions sent to medical schools and research institutions
• November 21, 2022 – Application submissions must be received at the Foundation’s office electronically
• December 19, 2022 – Grants are announced, applicants are notified of the Board’s decision
• January 31, 2023 – Funding commences for successful applicants

Guidelines for Grant Proposal Submission
A brief curriculum vitae for principal investigator is required. (CIHR common CV will be accepted) If applicable, a brief curriculum vitae for fellow applicant is required (CIHR common CV will be accepted).

Please send the application form along with supporting documents as one single pdf to TFC grant coordinator by email to nagina.parmar@thalassemia.ca by November 21, 2022.

For more information, please contact:

Nagina Parmar Ph.D., CCRP, MEd(c)
Grants Coordinator 
Thalassemia Foundation of Canada
nagina.parmar@thalassemia.ca