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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:

1. Government policy makers and regulators have used research results for evidence-based regulatory, policy, and resource management decisions, and
2. Private and public stakeholders involved in the innovation continuum in Canada have adopted innovative or improved tools and processes using research results; as well as three long-term outcomes: 1) Improved human health in Canada, 2) Enhanced sustainability and management of Canada's environment, agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors, and
3. Improved food safety and security in Canada.

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:

1. address shared priorities through horizontal integration and effective collaborations around two interdepartmental projects; and
2. support the priorities, policies and mandates of government through concerted high calibre genomics research in areas where federal laboratories have distinct roles and competencies.

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:

1. biodiversity, gene mining and functional analysis;
2. delivery of genomics discoveries through bioinformatics and physical tools; and
3. enhancing the efficiency of plant breeding.

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:

1. Genetic Profiling of Aquatic Resources: DFO has responsibility for providing scientific advice and research for over 650 fish, invertebrate, and mammal species. There is enormous potential for the development of genomic tools relevant to those species under management, and particularly those that are of management concern;
2. Research and Development of Genomic Approaches for Aquatic Animal Health Diagnostic Tools to Protect Aquatic Ecosystems: Aquatic animal health research under this theme includes the genomics research concerning the health of aquatic animals that fall under DFO legislative authority. Further research incorporating genomics approaches to aquatic animal health will better position Canada to respond and manage aquatic animal resources, particularly under changing environmental conditions;
3. Aquatic Ecosystem Health: Genomics approaches offer opportunities for increasing our understanding of the aquatic ecosystem, and are anticipated to be an important tool for applying an ecosystem approach to managing aquatic resources and healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems.

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:

1. Regulatory knowledge on therapeutics and biologics: studies will be conducted for the identification of biomarkers associated with the safety evaluation of health products;
2. Regulatory knowledge on food safety and nutrition: genomics research will be undertaken to detect food-borne contaminants; to characterize the health effects of food contaminants, nutrients, novel foods/food ingredients, and pre- and pro-biotics for enhanced regulatory decisions; and to develop biomarkers to monitor cellular and physiological responses in the context of nutrition and disease susceptibility of defined populations;
3. Regulatory knowledge to protect human health from potential adverse effects of environmental contaminants, consumer products, and pesticides: research will focus on effectively and efficiently assessing the hazards of environmental contaminants, occupational health hazards, pesticides, and consumer products; and
4. Research on socio-ethical impacts of genomics technologies and products: bioethics and benefit-sharing best practices will be developed for genetic research, with studies pertaining to ethical, legal, and social issues of genomics to address the use of DNA samples for research purposes.

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:

1. Public Health Pathogenomics: generating, synthesizing, and moving new knowledge on pathogen genomics and related sciences into enhanced infectious disease surveillance, prevention and control programs. New applications to be targeted will take the form of novel diagnostics, molecular risk assessment tools, vaccines, intervention strategies, and methods for mitigating antimicrobial resistance.
2. Public Health Genomics: generating, synthesizing, and translating new knowledge in human genomics and related sciences with the aim of enhancing diagnostic, health promotion and preventative efforts, such as modulation of risk factors for chronic and infectious diseases and/or predictive genetic screening.

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:

1. identifying genes of commercially important traits such as wood quality, growth and resistance, giving tree breeders the ability to select superior trees in seedlings as young as a year;
2. the production of innovative molecular technologies that will allow the identification or diagnosis of potentially invasive pests;
3. furthering our understanding of the interactions between hosts and pests or hosts and beneficial microorganisms for the development of environmentally friendly forest management approaches, including, biological control methods; and
4. investigating bioenergy solutions via improved feedstock and/or novel enzymatic processes and associated value-added bioproducts.

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:

1. Improved ability to detect, diagnose and monitor organisms to ensure a sustainable supply of safe and healthy food and water for human consumption;
2. Improved ability to detect, identify and understand Canadian biological diversity to prepare Canadian natural and managed resources and markets for global change.

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