RDAR — One Health Targeted Call

This grant offers structured funding with a clear co-funding requirement to support innovative projects in the One Health area. The modalities specify the proportion of funding covered by RDAR and provide guidelines for project costs.

• RDAR will contribute up to 60% of total project costs, with a maximum contribution of $600,000 per project.
• The remaining 40% of funding must be contributed either in cash or in-kind from other sources.
• Project funding will be capped at a duration of three years with no extensions permitted.

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the applicant's profile and their contribution to Alberta's agriculture industry.

• Applicants must be directly or indirectly involved in the service and development of the Alberta livestock or crop industry.
• Eligible applicants include marketing boards and commissions under the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act.
• Educational institutions such as universities, colleges, and technical schools are eligible.
• Government organizations and agencies can apply for this grant.
• Incorporated not-for-profit agricultural associations representing Alberta's agriculture producers are eligible.
• For-profit companies operating in Alberta and contributing to research benefiting Alberta's crop and livestock producers can apply.
• At least one team member must be located in Alberta, and the project must benefit Alberta's producers.

Who is eligible?

The grant is open to a range of applicants involved in the service and development of the Alberta livestock or crop industry, as long as they meet specific criteria. These applicants are expected to contribute to research benefiting Alberta's producers and operate within or under contract with qualifying organizations in good standing.

• Marketing boards and commissions established under the Marketing of Agriculture Products Act.
• Educational institutions, including universities, colleges, and technical schools.
• Government organizations and agencies.
• Incorporated not-for-profit agricultural associations representing Alberta's agriculture producers.
• For-profit companies operating in Alberta and contributing to research benefitting Alberta's crop and livestock producers.

Who is not eligible

This grant has specific restrictions on the activities that are not eligible for funding, particularly related to commercial activities. The aim is to ensure the research remains focused on public good and industry advancement rather than private gain.

• Commercialization of new technologies beyond pilot studies.
• Marketing activities.
• Private research and development activities.

Eligible expenses

This grant opportunity supports projects that leverage genomic-enabled technology to address priority issues through a One Health approach. Eligible projects aim to have a significant impact on Alberta producers by addressing specific challenges in livestock health and disease prevention.

• Projects on Chronic Wasting Disease, including genomics-based monitoring and surveillance, genetic resistance/resilience, vaccine development, and understanding interspecies transmission.
• Initiatives addressing issues related to feral pigs and African Swine Fever, including population genetics, reproduction control, pathogen detection and monitoring.
• Research targeting Antimicrobial Resistance through genomic surveillance, molecular diagnostics, genomics-informed antimicrobial treatments, and livestock resilience.
• Studies focused on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, including virus identification and surveillance, cross-species transmission, vaccine development, and environmental management.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is open to applicants from organizations that are directly or indirectly involved in the service and development of the Alberta livestock or crop industry. The geographical eligibility is centered around benefiting Alberta producers.

• Organizations located in Alberta, Canada.
• Applicants outside Alberta with at least one team member or project collaboration based in Alberta.

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives and priorities.

• Alignment to priorities and benefits outlined in the grant priorities.
• Projects demonstrate measurable, reportable, and verifiable impact on the target producer group.
• The uniqueness of the project relative to other projects.
• Achievability and appropriateness of project timelines.
• Adoption / commercialization potential of the project's result.
• Clarity and justification of budget items.

The grant aims to support research initiatives in Alberta targeting specific health issues related to livestock through a One Health approach. The funding is provided up to a maximum of $600,000 per project with specific eligibility criteria and reporting requirements.

• Priority will be given to projects with a clear research extension component.
• The use of RDAR's name and logo must comply with RDAR's Grant Communications Guide.
• Each project must demonstrate measurable impact on the target producer group in Alberta.
• Funding will be available to a variety of eligible applicants, including educational institutions, government organizations, and for-profit companies.
• Projects must have an omics focus addressing Chronic Wasting Disease, African Swine Fever, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in livestock.
• The project duration is capped at three years without extensions.
• 60% of the total project costs can be contributed by RDAR with a maximum contribution of $600,000 per project.
• Detailed interim and final reports along with financial statements must be submitted online through ARGO.
• The project should include an Albertan as an end-user, lead, co-lead, or key co-applicant.
• Ineligible activities include commercialization beyond pilot studies, marketing activities, and private R&D actions.
• The remaining 40% of the funding must come from other sources, either in cash or in-kind.