Public Health Community Programming Component of the Cancer Program

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is pleased to invite eligible organizations to submit a proposal for funding under the Public Health Community Programming Component of the Cancer Program. PHAC is seeking proposals that support the Agency's objective to identify effective community-based models, programs, policies and public health interventions that contribute to cancer prevention and reduce the impact of cancer on Canadians.

This solicitation requests applications for community-based cancer projects on the topics of (i) breast and women's cancers, and (ii) increasing awareness of risks and early detection for all cancers.

PHAC has a distinct national public health role to anticipate and respond to the health needs of Canadians and within the context of chronic disease, it supports health promotion, disease prevention, early detection and chronic disease management as key mechanisms to reduce the chronic disease burden for Canadians.

Public health action in cancer includes concerted efforts that address the conditions and risk factors for cancer, including those shared with other chronic diseases. Enhanced capacity for action at various levels is expected to contribute to stronger public health policies and a more integrated, evidence-based response to cancer prevention and control.

In collaboration with the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, PHAC supports national cancer control objectives which move information to knowledge and ultimately result in action.

Cancer will continue to rise as Canada's population ages. It is important to develop and share best practices, identify community innovations, and evaluate models and approaches to raise awareness of cancer risk factors and promote informed decision making on cancer screening and early detection.

PHAC's Breast Cancer Program derives from federal investments beginning in 1993 that support activities in prevention, early detection and quality screening, surveillance and monitoring, enhancing quality approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and care, and community capacity building, which aims to help community organizations support women with breast cancer.

Focus for the Solicitation

The focus for this solicitation was established through consultations in 2007 and 2008, including with the Canadian breast cancer community and National Aboriginal Organizations who identified particular gaps which could be addressed through community interventions.

1. Breast and Women's Cancers
   Develop, apply and evaluate tools, mechanisms and treatment guidelines to improve cancer management and health outcomes for breast and other women's cancers, including increasing breast cancer screening rates in organized screening programs, issues related to long term effects of treatment, recurrence, complications such as lymphedema and the onset of other chronic or mental health issues.
   
   
2. Increasing awareness of risks and early detection for all cancers
   Develop and share best practices, identify community-based innovations, or evaluate models and approaches to communicate knowledge and raise awareness of cancer risk factors, promote informed decision-making on cancer screening and early detection. This includes Aboriginal-specific strategies as well as approaches that address underserved and rural populations.

The Agency is interested in projects that:

• identify population-based best practices, programs, or models and evaluate their cost-effectiveness (i.e., what works, for whom, under what conditions, and at what cost);
• develop new tools/programs to support early detection and measure impact;
• synthesize research evidence and practice-based evidence as the basis for community program and policy development; or
• develop standards and guidelines for designing, implementing and evaluating effective community-based programs.

Submission Instructions

Please refer to the Cancer Program Public Health Community Programming Guidelines for Applicants and the Application for Funding form to ensure your package is complete. The Guidelines for Applicants provides you with detailed information on what the application should include and the required format for your proposal.

• Guidelines for Applicants (252 kb)
• Application for Funding form (1462 kb)
• Instructions for Application for Funding form (Instruction for downloading for electronic completion) (118 kb)

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: Date: Solicitation Closed The Cancer Coordination Unit, Chronic Disease Management Division will not accept applications that are sent electronically or by facsimile, or received after the deadline. Please send 1 (one) original plus 5 (five) copies and a virus-free disk of your complete application package postmarked by the deadline date of September 25, 2008 by courier to the following address: Public Health Agency of Canada Chronic Disease Management Division Cancer Coordination Unit c/o Dawne Rennie Room 818B2 - 785 Carling Avenue Address Locator 6808B Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9

Application and Review Process

The types of projects that can be funded are to be national in scope or have national implications. Funding will be in the form of one-time, non-renewable grants up to a maximum value of $300,000 for any one project and funding duration will be limited to twelve (12) months. Funding may also be in the form of contributions with possibility of funding to March 31, 2010. The Cancer Program will determine if successful applicants will be offered a grant agreement or a contribution agreement based on an assessment of the proposed project and the funding available.

Following receipt of your application for funding, an acknowledgement will be sent by email to the address provided in the Application for Funding Form. The review process is described in detail in the Cancer Program Guidelines for Applicants. The review and approval process will take a minimum of twelve (12) weeks. All proposals will be screened for eligibility and completeness. During the review process you may be contacted to provide additional information. You will be notified of the results once a final decision has been reached regarding your project.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is under no obligation to provide funding, or enter into an agreement as a result of this invitation to submit an application. PHAC ALSO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO: reject any or all proposals received in response to this invitation; accept any proposal in whole or in part; and, cancel and/or re-issue this invitation to submit a proposal at any time. Please note that PHAC will not reimburse an Applicant for costs incurred in the preparation and/or submission of an application in response to this invitation.

Contacts

Questions about this Invitation to Submit an Application should be directed to:

Cancer Program Public Health Community Programs
Cancer Coordination Section
Chronic Disease Management Division
Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
Public Health Agency of Canada
785 Carling Avenue, A.L. 6808
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9

Brigitte Belanger
(613) 946-4892

Lorraine Deland
(613) 957-3062

Courtney Mulvihill
(613) 952-7399