SPARK Program 2015

Disruptive Innovations

OGI is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the SPARK 2015 program which will provide investigators with catalytic funding to enable them to initiate novel, high-impact, highly innovative and early-stage projects in the genomics sciences with a focus on disruptive innovations. The intent of SPARK 2015 Disruptive Innovations is to instigate novel genomics research which can be eventually translated and used in various fields and disciplines. SPARK 2015 is intended to encourage collaboration between different fields and disciplines and will likely appeal to those who embrace the inter-disciplinary approach.

The SPARK program will provide up to four awards of $25,000 each to be used for Ontario academic research projects of 3-6 months. Disruptive innovations can come in the form of a new technology or the use of an existing technology to: displace a currently-used technology or to transform or create a new market. The SPARK grants are intended for projects where funding would otherwise be difficult to obtain due to the early-stage nature of the proposed research. Outcomes of such projects should enable the applicant the opportunity to achieve follow-on investment or funding for further research or development which in the long term has potential benefits for Ontario.

Applications are due to OGI no later than 4pm on Thursday, May 28th, 2015. For more information, including the program guidelines and application forms, please visit:
www.ontariogenomics.ca/SPARK