The CCMA is excited to officially launch and open applications for our new “CCMA Emerging Priorities Grant”. The CCMA Emerging Priorities Project Grants are designed to advance initiatives that support core facilities in Canada. Up to 5 awards with a maximum value of $2000 will be awarded biennially, alternately with the CCMA meetings. These projects should be highly focused, with specific goals that are achievable within a 1 year period. Preference will be given to applications that foster collaborations between facilities, institutes, or vendor partners. Projects must be applicable to one of the following CCMA workgroup categories: New and Emerging Technologies, Education and Career Development.

Eligibility
– Any staff member of a shared resource lab is eligible to apply
– Application must have the support of the facility management or oversight committee
– Awards are not restricted to Canadian core facilities but project must directly benefit Canadian facilities

Conditions of award
All successful applicants must commit to attending and presenting their project at the next CCMA meeting

Timeline
June 6, 2023 – Applications open
Oct 31, 2023 – Applications close
Dec 1, 2023 – Successful applicants notified
Jan 1, 2024 – Projects commence
Early 2025 – CCMA meeting and project presentations

Application will include:
– Form indicating project members
– 1-page description of project and impact (12pt font, single spaced, standard 1in. margin)
– Letter of support from facility management or oversight committee
– Proposed budget
– CV of applicant and project members

There are no restrictions on the number of project members. Vendor partners are welcome to be project members; primary project applicant must be from a shared resource lab.

The application form can be found here.

2022 Winner – Michael E. Wong

High Content Analysis Core Coordinator, University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry

Chris was a passionate and driven cytometry specialist who made a national impact in his field.  After completing his MSc at McMaster University, he moved to Toronto where he began his career as a flow cytometry core facility specialist (2010-2019). In this role, Chris made an enormous impact as a dedicated educator, assisting countless students to complete their degrees. 

 The Christopher Spring Leadership Award is designed to engage Canadian core facility leaders with the broader cytometry community. The successful applicant will have a demonstrated commitment to leadership, education, collaboration, and innovation in the field of cytometry. The recipient of this award will receive support for travel, accommodation, and registration for the CCMA CoLD Summit 2023 in Ottawa, and is expected to host a workshop at this meeting. Eligibility for this award extends to Canadian core facility staff at any career stage or title.