Describe and evaluate the conservation of this lipid regulation of transport in both yeast and mammalian cells.

Topic 1. Endosomal sorting and trafficking of cargo is regulated in part by specific lipids, including
phosphoinositides. Write a research proposal on how phosphoinositides and other
specific lipids control vesicular transport events during endosomal trafficking. Describe and
evaluate the conservation of this lipid regulation of transport in both yeast and mammalian cells.

Topic 2. Tunneling nanotubules (TNTs), cytonemes, and filiapodia all represent membranous cellular
projections that permit factor exchange between cells, sometimes even if the connected cells are
fairly distant. Write a research proposal on the molecular mechanisms of these membrane
projections, comparing and contrasting the differences and similarities between them. What are
their specialized activities and how does their mechanism allow them to accomplish their
functions?

Topic 3. Misfolded secretory proteins accumulate in the ER and induce an ER-specific stress response
system called the “unfolded protein response” (UPR). It has been shown that some of the UPR
signaling regulators are also induced by membrane and lipid defects. Write a research proposal on the molecular mechanisms of this response pathway and new avenues of UPR research as
pertains to lipids. Compare the similarities and differences observed in yeast versus mammalian
cells, and compare the different mechanisms that respond to protein versus lipid stress.

Guideline for writing
Write an NSERC-LIKE research proposal, following the NSERC
guidelines reproduced below.

PROPOSAL
Use the guidelines outlined in the General Presentation section to provide the requested
information in a document to be attached to the application.
Follow the instructions and address the selection criteria for the Discovery Grants program.
Using the headings below and in a maximum of five (5) single-sided pages, describe the
research to be supported. Provide details on (heading #1 and #6 not relevant):
1. your recent progress in research activities related to the proposal and, in addition for
renewals, the progress attributable to your previous Discovery Grant;
2. the objectives of your research program – both short- and long-term;
3. literature pertinent to the proposal;
4. methods and proposed approach;
5. anticipated significance of the work; and
6. training to take place through the proposal (if none, explain why).
Images and graphics are included in the above-mentioned page limitation

How to Prepare a Winning Proposal
No amount of care and effort in preparing a grant proposal will compensate for a weak
research program. However, a poorly prepared proposal can prevent a strong research
program from being supported. The following items are important in preparing a Discovery
Grant application for NSERC. Engineering or applied sciences applicants should also refer to
the “Guidelines for the Preparation and Review of Applications in Engineering and the
Applied Sciences.”

The research proposal
Remember that the intent of the NSERC Discovery Grants program is to fund a research
program (with long-term goals) rather than a single short-term project or a collection of
projects. Thus, a good research proposal will:
1. place the research within the context of what is currently happening in the field;
2. summarize relevant prior work in the field;
3. articulate the goals;
4. describe a research plan and methodology;
5. indicate why the research is useful or important; and
6. provide a progress report on work accomplished with previous funding.

You need to convince the selection committee that:
1. your research program promises a notable advancement or innovation in the discipline or
results of importance to a broad range of applications;
2. you have identified well-formulated short- and long-term goals;
3. attaining these goals would be a significant contribution to the discipline;
4. you have a good chance of attaining the goals with the resources available.

A major portion of the proposal should be devoted to a careful description of the research
objectives and of the methodology that will be used. For the research plan, you should at
least know how you are going to start out and have some ideas for future options.

Applications are judged according to the following criteria. The onus is on the applicants to
address these explicitly in their proposal:
1. scientific or engineering excellence of the researcher(s);
2. merit of the proposal;
3. contribution to the training of highly qualified personnel;
4. need for funds.

Describing your ideas
Your proposal will be evaluated by experienced researchers. It is up to you to provide the
information necessary for a positive decision.
Acknowledge difficulties honestly. If there are potential problems, say so. It is reasonable to
assume that you have thought through your proposal more thoroughly than the reviewers
have; consequently, if they see problems that you do not seem to have noticed then they
may view your proposal negatively.

In writing a research proposal, you have to address two audiences: 1) the internal and
external reviewers, who are likely to be knowledgeable in your field of interest, and 2) the
remainder of the committee, who are in your discipline but may have limited knowledge of
the area in which you are working. Your proposal must have something for both audiences;
there should be enough depth and detail to satisfy the expert, but you must also convince
the non-expert of the importance and impact of your proposed research.

Graduate students: for NSERC grant guidelines, and information on format go to
http://www.nserc.ca/programs/winprop_e.htm and http://www.queensu.ca/vpr/keepnserc.htm and
http://www.hfsp.org/how/ArtOfGrants.htm

Last Completed Projects