SPARC Ignite Grants
SPARC Ignite Grants, previously know as Clinician-Scientist Seed Grants, were developed to support projects or generate pilot data that develop or strengthen collaborations between clinicians and researchers from the McCaig Institute.
Launched in 2016, this initiative has significantly amplified scientific research and discovery, despite the temporary halt in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID. Overall, 33 projects have been enriched through a total funding of $460,000. A testament to the effectiveness of our seed grants, an examination of the first 10 funded projects revealed a remarkable fivefold increase in external funding, contributing to numerous publications and larger research studies.
SPARC receives significant support from the McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health and the Section of Orthopaedics. We're pleased to announce that, with the generous contributions from our additional supporters, a total of $175,000 will be available for 9 SPARC Ignite Grants in 2024.
2024 Grant Supporters
- Arthur J.E. Child Chair in Rheumatology Research
- Celltrion Healthcare Canada Ltd
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Calgary
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Calgary
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Calgary
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary
- Workers’ Compensation Board - Alberta
2023 Seed Grant Recipients
Dr. Ejaife Agbani & Dr. May Choi
Project: Role of Platelets in the Thromboembolism Associated with Janus kinase Inhibitors in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Dr. Michael Monument & Dr. Brent Edwards
Quantifying the Response of Bone Metastases to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Using Clinical CT
Dr. Ranita Manocha & Dr. David Hart
Menstrual cycle effects on knee laxity and structure in females with Hypermobile Spectrum Disorders and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Dr. May Choi & Dr. Jeff Biernaskie
Anti-KIF20B Antibodies in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Peripheral Nervous System Disease
Dr. Leigh Gabel & Dr. Emma Billington
Strength Training for Osteoporosis Prevention During Early Menopause (STOP-EM): a Pilot Study
Dr. Koren Roach & Dr. Andrew Dodd
Longitudinal dual fluoroscopy analysis of altered ankle and hindfoot kinematics following ankle arthrodesis and total ankle arthroplasty
Dr. Prism Schneider & Dr. Sarah Manske
WBCT for Syndesmosis Injuries
2023 Grant Supporters
- Arthur J.E. Child Chair in Rheumatology Research
- AstraZeneca Canada
- Celltrion Healthcare Canada Ltd
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Calgary
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health
- Section of Orthopaedics, University of Calgary
- Workers’ Compensation Board - Alberta