Dairy Research Cluster 3 ( ) Call for Research Proposals

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1 Dairy Research Cluster 3 ( ) Call for Research Proposals NOTE: All this information can also be found at Please contact competition@dairyresearch.ca with any questions regarding this call for proposals. Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is the national policy, lobby and promotion organization representing Canada s 11,700 dairy farms. Our organization plays a leadership role on behalf of the industry in several important areas, including funding and support of research in human nutrition and dairy production. We have long recognized that science and innovation are key to improving our farm businesses and their profitability. Since 2010, DFC has been a partner of the Canadian Agri-Science Clusters Initiative of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) as part of the strategic framework Growing Forward 1 ( ) and Growing Forward 2 ( ). This Initiative allowed us to take a more coordinated and strategic approach to address our national research priorities. Therefore, DFC supports the renewal of this program as part of the next agricultural strategic framework. DFC is of the opinion that AAFC places a high priority on innovation and that circumstances are favorable to make a case for beginning the planning process of a third Dairy Research Cluster. In preparation for the next Dairy Research Cluster application, DFC, in collaboration with its partners the Canadian Dairy Network (CDN) and Novalait Inc., is launching a Call for Research Proposals. DFC invites all Canadian scientists to respond to this call. Please note that DFC does not fund research conducted by private companies. This call for proposals is launched within the Canadian scientific community for the submission of innovative and structured research proposals for the dairy sector on the basis of the targeted outcomes and investment priorities identified in the new national dairy research strategy and the priorities of our partners. Research proposals will be selected through an evaluation process based on the relevance for the industry and on the scientific quality. The selected proposals will be integrated in the scientific program of the next Dairy Research Cluster. DFC is forging ahead with the development of a proposal aimed at this AAFC program, even though the program has not yet been officially announced by AAFC. Dairy Research Cluster 3 ( ) Call for Research Proposals 1

2 Dairy Research Cluster 3 PROGRAM Dairy Research for a Healthy World Expected period covered by the program: April 1, 2018 to December 31, Streams: A) Sustainable Milk Production B) Human Nutrition and Health C) Dairy Genetics Dairy Research Cluster 3 RESEARCH PRIORITIES Please refer to Appendices A (Sustainable Milk Production), B (Human Nutrition and Health) and C (Dairy Genetics) for details regarding DFC s and our partners research priorities. In all cases, the research proposals must clearly contribute to at least one of the priorities outlined in the aforementioned appendices. Dairy Research Cluster 3 SELECTION CRITERIA That research proposals in dairy production describe how research results can improve farm profitability and sustainability; That research proposals in human nutrition and health outline how the research results can expand the understanding of the role of dairy products in human nutrition and health; That research proposals contain a Return on Investment calculation, where applicable, to demonstrate the potential economic benefit of the research to farmer investors; That research proposals are national in scope (benefit to all Canadian dairy farmers) and preferably submitted by a multidisciplinary research team, whenever possible, that will address research initiatives in an innovative, multifaceted way; That proposals consider ongoing research in the area of interest and confirm that no unnecessary duplication exists (recognizing that replication, especially in human nutrition and health research, is necessary); That provisions be made to communicate and transfer research outcomes targeting relevant users (including Canadian dairy farmers, human health professionals, dairy farm professionals, and the scientific community). Dairy Research Cluster 3 ( ) Call for Research Proposals 2

3 Dairy Research Cluster 3 APPLICATION The Dairy Research Cluster 3 will encourage and favour a comprehensive, multidisciplinary team approach to address multiple, relevant objectives contributing to innovation over a 3-5 year period using a programmatic framework. The multidisciplinary teams have to consist of one principal investigator who is responsible for the entire proposal and who will be responsible for the coordination of several coinvestigators/collaborators from AAFC and/or Universities. A coordination budget can be allocated for proposals involving three or more institutions receiving funds. Please note that only one proposal for funding may be submitted by a principal investigator. The research proposals must have a strong focus on knowledge translation and transfer, and lead to innovative means of supporting the sustainable development of the Canadian dairy industry and of expanding the understanding of the role of milk and milk products in human nutrition and health. Dairy Research Cluster 3 MAXIMUM BUDGET ALLOCATION PER PROPOSAL The anticipated total research budget for Cluster 3 is $19.5 million. It is important to note that funding is pending the approval of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri- Food Canada. Therefore, there is no guarantee of funds at this point. SUSTAINABLE MILK PRODUCTION STREAM Research Proposal Categories Maximum budget allocated for the duration 1 of the proposal Sustainable Milk Production Stream Proposals involving 1 or 2 institutions 2, 3 Up to a maximum of $300,000 Proposals involving 3 to 5 institutions 2 Up to a maximum of $800,000 A coordination budget can be included. Up to a maximum of $1,250,000 A coordination budget can be included. Proposals involving 6 or more institutions 2 1 Project duration is set at 3 to 5 years. 2 Institution means a university or a federal research centre that will receive funds for conducting research. 3 However, multi-institutional proposals will be favoured within the Cluster. HUMAN NUTRITION AND HEALTH STREAM Research Proposal Categories Maximum budget allocated for the duration 1 of the proposal Human Nutrition and Health Stream Proposals involving 1 or 2 institutions 2 Up to a maximum of $300,000 Proposals involving 3 or more institutions 2 Up to a maximum of $800,000 A coordination budget can be included. Dairy Research Cluster 3 ( ) Call for Research Proposals 3

4 Programs including human clinical trials 3 Up to a maximum of $1,250,000 A coordination budget can be included. 1 Project duration is set at 3 to 5 years. Note that shorter proposals could be considered if of particular interest. 2 Institution means a university or a federal research centre that will receive funds for conducting research. 3 Regardless of the number of institutions. DAIRY GENETICS STREAM The maximum budget allocated is an average amount of $200,000 per year. The duration of the research proposals should be between 4 and 5 years. Dairy Research Cluster 3 SELECTION PROCESS The submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) is the first step of the application process. If your LOI is approved, you will be invited to submit a full Funding Application (FA). Specifications for LOIs: Use the appropriate Dairy Research Cluster 3 PDF form. The French template of the LOI form is available on request. However, LOIs submitted in French will be translated for English reviewers without possibility for the principal investigator and/or his team to review the translation. This form is available at LOIs must be submitted to competition@dairyresearch.ca by February 1 st, 2017 (11:59 p.m.). LOI Review LOIs will first be reviewed by committees of scientific and technical experts based on the relevance and merit of each proposal in relation to research priorities and outcomes identified in appendices A, B and C, its benefits for the Canadian dairy sector, the quality of the team, and the opportunities for knowledge translation and transfer of research results. From then on, the partners will make the final decisions regarding the selection of LOIs in order to proceed with the next phase. Specifications for full Funding Applications (FAs): The Dairy Research Cluster 3 full funding application template form and required details will be provided to LOI applicants that have been selected. FA Review Four reviewers (two external reviewers and two internal reviewers amongst expert committee members) will review and score each proposal based on the scientific merit of Dairy Research Cluster 3 ( ) Call for Research Proposals 4

5 the research and its technical feasibility, the expertise and quality of the research team, the potential financial benefits, the training opportunities created as well as the opportunities for transfer of the research results to the dairy sector. The expert committees will discuss each proposal based on the reviews and scores. Committee members in conflict of interest with a given investigator will abstain from the evaluation process of proposals for which there is an actual conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest. The committee s assessments will be forwarded to DFC s Canadian Dairy Research Council, which will then submit its recommendations to the Boards of Directors from DFC, Novalait inc. and CDN for a final decision. Proposals selected to be integrated in the Dairy Research Cluster 3 scientific program will be announced in the fall of Important Dates: November 18, 2016 February 1 st, 2017 End of March 2017 June 23, 2017 November 2017 Launch of the call for research proposals Letters of intent submission deadline (11:59 p.m. local time zone of principal investigator) Decision communicated to principal investigators Funding Applications submission deadline (for invited principal investigators) Decision communicated to principal investigators Dairy Research Cluster 3 ( ) Call for Research Proposals 5

6 APPENDIX A SUSTAINABLE MILK PRODUCTION STREAM DAIRY FARMERS OF CANADA NATIONAL RESEARCH PRIORITIES (Approximately 35% of the total research budget will be allocated to the following priorities.) Dairy farm efficiency and sustainability Targeted Outcomes: New technologies and practices have been developed to optimize farm productivity and longevity of dairy cows. Best management practices have been developed to minimize the environmental impact of milk production and enable adaptation to climate change. Best farm management practices have been developed to support on-farm programs (i.e. proaction). Research Priorities: Dairy cattle genetic improvement (fertility, productivity, feed efficiency) Dairy cow reproduction (including alternative tools and practices to reproductive hormones use) Dairy cattle nutrition Forage breeding and management for improved yield, resistance, conservation, quality and digestibility Reduced environmental footprint including GHG (enteric methane), energy and water Animal health and welfare Targeted Outcomes: Best management practices and tools have been developed to reduce on-farm economic losses from production limiting diseases with zoonotic potential. Best management practices have been identified to improve the health and welfare of cows, optimize productivity and longevity. Simple and effective welfare measurements have been developed and used to assess the impact of the evolving milk production environment on cows. Dairy Research Cluster 3 ( ) Call for Research Proposals 6

7 Research Priorities: Strategies to mitigate targeted infectious diseases: mastitis, paratuberculosis, salmonellosis, leucosis, bovine viral diarrhea Dairy cows genetic improvement (disease resistance) Lameness prevention, management and treatment Dairy cow transition period related health and welfare issues Pain mitigation and euthanasia BMPs and science-based decision making tools Sustainable barn design for conventional and alternative dairy cattle housing systems Barriers to adoption of BMPs Social aspects of dairy cattle health and welfare (such as consumers perception) Milk composition, quality and safety Targeted Outcomes: Methods have been identified to naturally modulate the composition of milk and improve its quality and value, potentially enabling new dairy product development. Strategies have been developed to sustainably reduce the use of antimicrobials while maintaining farm biosecurity, dairy cattle health and welfare. Research Priorities: Microbiology better understanding of the impact of microbes on milk and dairy products composition and quality Assessment of antimicrobials use in Canadian dairy herds Development of alternative tools and practices to antimicrobials use and management (Please use this link to access the National Dairy Research Strategy.) NOVALAIT INC. RESEARCH PRIORITY (Approximately 8% of the total research budget will be allocated to this priority.) NOVALAIT, A STRONG VISION, A UNIQUE BUSINESS MODEL Created by Quebec dairy farmers and processors to invest in research, Novalait develops solutions and competencies to produce and process milk of the future. Novalait combines all businesses that produce or process milk in Quebec; from smallscale cheese factories to family farms to multinational companies. They are represented within Novalait by three groups of shareholders. Les Producteurs de lait du Québec holds Dairy Research Cluster 3 ( ) Call for Research Proposals 7

8 50% of Novalait's shares. Agropur cooperative, which represents dairy cooperatives, and the Conseil des industriels laitiers du Québec, which brings together private dairy processors, split the other half of Novalait's shares. Through Novalait, Quebec s dairy farmers and processors share the costs and risks of research. They make annual contributions to the research investment fund equivalent to 1.27/100 L of managed milk. As part of Dairy Research Cluster 3 and the Sustainable Milk Production Stream, Canadian research scientists are invited to submit research proposals on Milk Quality. Milk Quality ISSUES AND CHALLENGES: Milk quality is an issue shared by dairy producers and processors. Milk is a complex raw material. Its composition and flora modulate the possibilities for its industrial and artisanal processing and give it unique organoleptic properties. The cow, its environment and the management of the herd all influence milk composition and processing possibilities in terms of desirable or undesirable flavours and positive or negative native flora, among other things. The industry has developed stringent standards, which it has to maintain to meet the requirements concerning milk quality and safety. RESEARCH DIRECTIONS: Researchers must develop comprehensive, innovative and interdisciplinary approaches that combine expertise in milk production and in milk processing in order to: Develop strategies to control the somatic cell count in cows as well as spoilage or pathogenic flora; Determine and control the factors (genetics, diet, management) that modulate milk composition, protein quality, the fatty acid profile and organoleptic properties; Understand the interactions between farm management and milk flora (bacteria, yeast, mould, viruses), and modulate them to increase beneficial flora; Study the biochemical and metabolic activity of secondary flora affecting milk properties, in particular thermoresistant flora; Understand and control the organoleptic properties of milk; Characterize the physicochemical and technological properties of milk and dairy matrices, their synergistic or antagonistic relationships and the factors that influence them, and develop approaches to control them; Better understand the dynamics in microbial communities and get a deeper understanding of the impacts of native flora. Dairy Research Cluster 3 ( ) Call for Research Proposals 8

9 APPENDIX B HUMAN NUTRITION AND HEALTH STREAM DAIRY FARMERS OF CANADA NATIONAL RESEARCH PRIORITIES (Approximately 44% of the total research budget will be allocated to this stream.) Role of dairy products, especially full-fat and specific dairy food matrices (milk, yogurt and cheese), on cardiometabolic health and healthy aging including: Prevention of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, cardiovascular disease Weight and body composition, satiety Risk factors: blood lipids, blood pressure, glycemic control, inflammatory markers Age-related chronic diseases Topics of interest: o Prospective observational studies re higher fat dairy products (including butter) and cardiometabolic outcomes (eg. type 2 diabetes MetS, hypertension, CVD). o Prospective observational studies re higher fat dairy foods and obesity risk/weight and body composition in all age groups. o RCTs and prospective observational studies involving specific dairy fatty acid biomarkers (esp. 15:0, 17:0, Transpalmitoleic acid) and cardiometabolic outcomes and risk factors. o RCTs re full-fat dairy and specific dairy products (milk, yogurt and cheese) within healthy dietary patterns (eg. DASH, Mediterranean Diet, Canada s Food Guide, etc.) on cardiometabolic risk factors (eg. blood lipids, blood pressure, glycemic control, inflammatory markers, body composition). o RCTs re impact of higher fat dairy products on food intake in all age groups under freeliving conditions and on satiety. o RCTs re regular fat cheese consumption in healthy and vulnerable individuals, especially in reasonable amounts (eg. 50g/day), on cardiometabolic risk factors. o Role of dairy products (including higher fat dairy products) in healthy aging and agerelated conditions/diseases. Role of sugar-sweetened milk and yogurt on diet quality and cardiometabolic health including: Nutrient adequacy Weight and body composition Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease Dairy Research Cluster 3 ( ) Call for Research Proposals 9

10 Topics of interest: o Prospective studies re sugar-sweetened dairy products (yogurt and chocolate milk) and cardiometabolic outcomes including: CVD, MetS, T2D, Hypertension, obesity/weight gain. o RCTs re sugar-sweetened dairy (yogurt and chocolate milk) and cardiometabolic risk factors including blood lipids, blood pressure, blood glucose. o RCTs re sugar-sweetened dairy (yogurt and chocolate milk) on nutrient adequacy in children and adolescents. o RCTs re sugar-sweetened dairy products within healthy dietary patterns (e.g. DASH diets, Mediterranean Diet, vegetarian diet, Canada s Food Guide, etc.) on cardiometabolic risk factors. o Research to compare different food sources of added sugars including sweetened dairy products on cardiometabolic outcomes and risk factors. Role of dairy products, particularly milk, in musculoskeletal health including: Muscle and bone quality Prevention of sarcopenia, osteoporosis, falls and osteoporosis related fractures Topics of interest: o RCTs and prospective observational studies re role of dairy products on body composition in the elderly (esp. muscle and bone), functional outcomes and prevention of falls. o Prospective observational studies re dairy (esp. total dairy intake and specific dairy products) in prevention of osteoporosis. o Prospective observational studies re total dairy intake and specific dairy products (esp. milk, yogurt, cheese) and fractures in older adults. o Mechanistic studies re dairy and bone (including muscle-bone interactions). NB: All studies looking at bone-related outcomes should also ideally have assessments of muscle within the same study population in order to get a better picture of musculoskeletal health whenever possible. Role of dairy products in a healthy sustainable diet (including plant-based diets): Nutrient adequacy and healthy dietary patterns Connection between nutrition and health with environmental and social aspects Topics of interest: o Comparative contribution of food groups and foods not in line with recommendations (including other foods) in the average Canadian diet vs. recommended dietary guidelines with respect to environmental impact (GHGEs, land, water) and nutrient adequacy. o Impact of different healthy dietary patterns that include dairy products (eg. DASH, Mediterranean Diet, Lacto-ovo vegetarian diet) on environmental impact (GHGEs, land, water) and nutrient adequacy. o Role of dairy products on health-related socio-economic aspects of sustainability (eg. chronic disease risk, healthcare costs). o Diet-Modelling scenarios with various amounts of dairy product intake on environmental impact (GHGEs, land, water) taking into account nutrient adequacy. Dairy Research Cluster 3 ( ) Call for Research Proposals 10

11 APPENDIX C DAIRY GENETICS STREAM CANADIAN DAIRY NETWORK RESEARCH PRIORITIES (Approximately 13% of the total research budget will be allocated to this stream.) The Canadian Dairy Network (CDN) regroups all dairy cattle improvement organizations including AI, breeds, milk recording and Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC). The DairyGen Council of Canadian Dairy Network invites researchers in the areas of quantitative genetics, genomics, economics, food science, as well as other areas related to the genetic improvement of dairy cattle, to submit research proposals, in the context of the Dairy Research Cluster 3, that coincide with at least one of the priority topics below. Reproduction Poor female fertility still remains a major cause of cow culling. Female fertility evaluations are currently based on phenotypes that have low accuracy and heritability. Additionally, epigenetics may play an important role in both female and male fertility. There is, therefore, interest in looking at traits in this area from a genetic and epigenetics perspective including genetic variation and relationships with other traits, as well as the identifications of new fertility phenotypes close to the reproductive physiology of the animal. Such new phenotypes, albeit more expensive to collect, may have significantly higher heritabilities than current conception ratios and interval traits. Animal Health and Disease Resistance Health related problems at the farm level are of high producer and industry priority. While good herd management practices are imperative for proper animal health and disease control, genetic aspects play an important role in the longer term. Improving animal health is also expected to have a positive impact on human health through increased product safety, reduced human exposure to pathogens, decreased microbial resistance to antibiotics and drugs, etc. There is, therefore, interest in looking at traits in this area from a genetic and genomic perspective including genetic variation and relationships with other traits and disciplines. Production Efficiency and Sustainability Sustainably improving production efficiency is a major priority, as producers strive to stay in business in a cost-effective manner. While good management can alleviate some of the stresses associated with high production, producers are looking for genetic means to build a more efficient and robust cow for both current and future production environments. Genetic parameters for traits of economic importance need to be identified and validated, thus permitting the development of improved genetic evaluation systems for traits associated with cow profitability. Studies involving the economic analysis of the various components related to cow profitability are continuously needed. Cost effective data collection methods are required to channel relevant data into these systems. Dairy Research Cluster 3 ( ) Call for Research Proposals 11

12 Milk Components Previous research globally has identified compounds in milk that have human health benefits such as nutraceutical properties. Satisfying the needs of consumers that are increasingly health conscious may provide economic benefits for producers. Further research should focus on the possibility of genetically optimizing levels of fine milk components (i.e.: fatty acids, cholesterol, lactoferrin, etc.) based on processor requirements. Furthermore, using genetics to enhance milk properties for cheese production can provide opportunities for the dairy industry and processors. Projects would likely include participants across the milk value chain including dairy processors. Epigenetics and Gene Expression While the research focus in the past has concentrated on the transmission of genes for genetic improvement, there is a growing need to examine the impact of epigenetics and gene expression on economically important traits under selection in dairy cattle. Additionally, gene expression, functional information, and other omics technologies may be used to increase the accuracy of genomic evaluations. Breeding Strategies Since the implementation of genomics, the accuracy of genetic evaluations for young bulls, heifers and cows, has significantly increased. Genetic and genomic evaluations are now underway for a series of novel and economically important traits. Furthermore, new tools may be soon adopted (i.e. gene editing and genotype by sequencing), and variation in recombination rate may be exploited for genetic selection. Thus, research is needed to compare the benefits of various strategies and tools for breed improvement and selection. This includes the estimation of economic weights for new and existing traits, and the development of genetic selection strategies aimed at controlling the current reduction in genetic variation due to increased inbreeding levels in dairy cattle populations. Advancements in Methodologies Research in this area should focus on new advancements in genetic evaluation methods, and on ways to maximize the use of on-farm data systems in order to increase the accuracy of genetic evaluations. This may apply to genomic as well as phenotypic data. Dairy Research Cluster 3 ( ) Call for Research Proposals 12