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Name of Horizontal Initiative: Genomics R&D Initiative (GRDI)
Name of lead department: National Research Council
Lead department program activity: Health and Life Science Technologies
Start date of the Horizontal Initiative: 1999-2000
End date of the Horizontal Initiative: 2013-14 (renewed in 2011-12)
Total federal funding allocation (start to end date): $ 293,800,000
Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement): The Genomics R&D Initiative (GRDI) was established for the purpose of building and maintaining capacity inside government departments to do genomics research. As an enabling technology,
genomics provides powerful tools and precise information to support operational mandates and upon which policy and regulatory decisions can be based. Federal science-based departments and agencies interact with partners, stakeholders and clients and link these enabling tools and technologies to value-added applications that enable Canada to respond to national priorities, deliver on
government mandates and support the development of wealth for Canadians.
These applications range from international requirements for genomics enabled testing to support access of exported products; the ability to interpret and assess genomics information submitted with product information for regulatory oversight; the development of assays and products using genomics approaches for enhancing the health of Canadians, the environment and sustainability of human
activities; socio-economic and ethical considerations related to the use and integration of genomics in health care, environmental sustainability activities, and consumer and industrial products and applications; as well as facilitating Canadians' access to accurate and understandable information concerning genome sciences. Focusing specifically on issues that involve living organisms, the
GRDI's overarching goal is thus to contribute solutions to issues that are important to Canadians, with particular attention to the role that federal government research plays in finding these solutions. Additional information may be found on the GRDI web site.
Shared outcomes: A Performance Measurement Strategy was developed for the Initiative in 2011. It presents two intermediate outcomes:
Governance structure: An interdepartmental ADM Coordinating Committee (CC) has been established to oversee collective management and coordination of the federal GRDI. It is chaired by the lead agency (NRC) with membership at the ADM-level from each of the organizations receiving funding, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and guest representatives from Industry Canada and Genome Canada. It is responsible for the overall strategic direction for the GRDI and approval of investment priorities. It ensures that effective priority setting mechanisms are established within departments and agencies, and that government objectives and priorities are addressed. The Committee also ensures that common management principles are implemented and collaborations between organizations are pursued wherever relevant and possible. It typically meets three times a year at the call of the Chair, more often when warranted by specific needs for decision-making.
An Interdepartmental Working Group (WG) supports the work of the committee. It is chaired by the lead agency (NRC) with membership at the Director level from all participating departments/agencies, the CFIA, and Industry Canada. The mandate of the WG is to provide recommendations and strategic advice to the ADM CC regarding strategic priority setting and overall management of the GRDI. The WG is responsible for providing direction to GRDI program activities related to operational delivery, implementation planning and investment priority setting. The WG also supports evaluation and reporting requirements related to the Initiative. It meets about every two months, more often when warranted by specific needs for recommendations and advice, as well as to develop and approve the GRDI Annual Performance Report.
A Coordination Function, housed at NRC, provides GRDI-wide program coordination, communication, networking and outreach support. This includes support to the ADM CC and the GRDI WG, transparent and effective communication to departments of the planning cycle, process requirements, financial administration and other project management requirements, and support for interdepartmental shared project planning and implementation. This function is also responsible for conducting studies and analyses to serve as input to determination of GRDI-wide research priorities, and providing management and administration support, as well as support for performance management, reporting, evaluation, and communications.
Planning Highlights: Fiscal year 2012-13 is the second year of GRDI Phase V. Phase V seeks to:
The development of interdepartmental projects, while continuing to invest in mandated research, represents an important transition for the Initiative that will ensure continued relevance and impact of the R&D for Canadians. The overall risk related to the funding and delivery of the GRDI program was evaluated during the planning stages of the 2010 GRDI evaluation, and was found to be medium-low.
Federal Partners: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Environment Canada (EC), Health Canada (HC), National Research Council (NRC), Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
Federal Partner: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
Federal Partner Program Activity (PA) | Names of Programs for Federal Partners | ($ millions) | |
---|---|---|---|
Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2012-13 |
||
Science, Innovation and Adoption | Canadian Crop Genomics Initiative (CCGI) | 86.3 | 4.8 |
Total | 86.3 | 4.8 |
Expected Results: Investment in genomics research will be focused in three broad categories:
Biodiversity, gene mining and functional analysis focus on the identification and extraction of genes for desirable traits. Bioinformatics and physical tools are required to enhance the efficiency of this process. Improved access to both biological materials and data sets will assist and accelerate the adoption of new technologies and the pace of commercialization. The new knowledge generated by these program areas will lay the scientific foundation for major advances in the genetic improvement of crops which will be critical in the next decade. To take full advantage of these new opportunities, Canada must have a responsive regulatory system that has the most effective and efficient testing and inspection tools at its disposal. In Phase V, AAFC will increase its commitment to work more closely with its portfolio partner, the CFIA, on genomics research projects that support mutual needs.
Federal Partner: Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
Federal Partner Program Activity (PA) | Names of Programs for Federal Partners | ($ millions) | |
---|---|---|---|
Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2012-13 |
||
Biotechnology and Genomics | National Aquatic Biotechnology and Genomics R&D Strategy | 12.9 | 0.7 |
Total | 12.9 | 0.7 |
Expected Results: Genomics-enabled research within DFO will continue to be aligned within the following themes:
Federal Partner: Environment Canada (EC)
Federal Partner Program Activity (PA) | Names of Programs for Federal Partners | ($ millions) | |
---|---|---|---|
Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2012-13 |
||
Climate Change and Clean Air | Strategic Technology Applications of Genomics in the Environment (STAGE) | 14.6 | 0.8 |
Total | 14.6 | 0.8 |
Expected Results: The Strategic Technology Applications of Genomics in the Environment program aims at enhancing EC's applications of genomics-based tools and technologies for responsible decision-making. EC will continue to show leadership in environmental genomics and foster collaboration in other departments and external institutions. Genomics research supports EC's Science Plan in crucial areas such as understanding cumulative risks and managing risks, optimizing opportunities, and building resilience. This will assist the delivery of EC's obligations as a signatory of, and regulator for, major environmental legislation and agreements such as the Fisheries Act, the Toxic Substance Management Policy, the Chemical Management Plan, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, and the Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network.
Federal Partner: Health Canada (HC)
Federal Partner Program Activity (PA) | Names of Programs for Federal Partners | ($ millions) | |
---|---|---|---|
Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2012-13 |
||
Emergent Health Issues | GRDI | 51.1 | 1.6 |
Total | 51.1 | 1.6 |
Expected Results: Genomics research will continue to focus on four priority areas of investment for strengthening the department's regulatory role:
Federal Partner: Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
Federal Partner Program Activity (PA) | Names of Programs for Federal Partners | ($ millions) | |
---|---|---|---|
Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2012-13 |
||
Science and Technology for Public Health | GRDI | 5.1 | 1.6 |
Total | 5.1 | 1.6 |
Expected Results: Two themes guide research activities of the GRDI for PHAC:
Federal Partner: Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
Federal Partner Program Activity (PA) | Names of Programs for Federal Partners | ($ millions) | |
---|---|---|---|
Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2012-13 |
||
Economic Opportunities for Natural Resources | GRDI | 28.1 | 1.6 |
Total | 28.1 | 1.6 |
Expected Results: Genomics research will address the challenges faced by Canada's forest sector by using that knowledge for commercial innovation. Canada's capacity and expertise in forest genomics will address the needs of the forest sector by:
Federal Partner: National Research Council Canada (NRC)
Federal Partner Program Activity (PA) | Names of Programs for Federal Partners | ($ millions) | |
---|---|---|---|
Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2012-13 |
||
Health and Life Science Technologies | GRDI | 86.3 | 5.7 |
Shared Priorities | 9.0 | 4.0 | |
Total | 95.3 | 9.7 |
Expected Results: NRC investments using GRDI funding are focused on the application of genomic technologies – key enabling technologies that support federal priorities in health, energy and environment. A program-based management approach provides a mechanism to bring to bear NRC multi-disciplinary competencies and converging technologies, while ensuring that research projects are linked to market needs and opportunities for Canadian companies. Program/project funding decisions will support the NRC Strategy in critical research areas related to environmental degradation and climate change (e.g. adapting Canadian crops), as well as in response to growing health care pressures (e.g. developing and advancing technologies for diagnosing, treating and preventing human disease that help reduce health care costs). Shared priorities research will focus on two areas:
Because of the usefulness of genomic-based tools for detection and diagnosis in regulatory programs, the CFIA will also have the opportunity to participate in interdepartmental projects addressing the shared priority areas. NRC will administer the shared priorities funds and redistribute them to departments and agencies based on their contribution to the selected shared priority projects, based on a collaborative approach.
Federal Partner: Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR)
Federal Partner Program Activity (PA) | Names of Programs for Federal Partners | ($ millions) | |
---|---|---|---|
Total Allocation (from Start to End Date) | Planned Spending for 2012-13 |
||
N/A | N/A | 0.5 | 0 |
Total | 0.5 | 0 |
Expected Results: N/A – one time allocation in 1999-00 to assist in creation of Genome Canada Secretariat
Total Allocation For All Federal Partners (from Start to End Date) ($ millions) |
Total Planned Spending for All Federal Partners for 2012-13 ($ millions) |
---|---|
293.8 | 19.9 |
Results to be achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable): N/A
Contact information: Gary Fudge, P. Eng.
Director, Program and Project Services
National Research Council Canada
613-949-0542
Gary.Fudge@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca