The Genomics Research and Development Initiative (GRDI) was first implemented in 1999 and is now in its sixth funding cycle. At the beginning of each funding phase, departments and agencies strategically review their research priorities and hold peer-reviewed competitions for the allocation of funds to new projects.
The Government of Canada's renewal of the GRDI funding for another five years is a measure of the scientific successes of the initiative to date, which range from the identification of tumour-specific antibodies for use in cancer treatment to genomics-based diagnosis of invasive and damaging species such as the fungus causing sudden oak death.
Genomics research seeks to support increasingly complex federal evidence-based regulatory, policy and technology development decisions required by the respective mandates of participating departments and agencies, as well as the development of new policies and standards. It also seeks to support the ability to anticipate and respond to the needs of Canadians in relation to areas of government responsibility for public health, the economy and the environment.
Two projects that were launched in 2012 will receive two years of additional funding:
- The Quarantine and Invasive Species project aims at developing diagnostic tools based on DNA barcoding for the early detection, surveillance and management of hundreds of species, focusing on those that are of quarantine concern. (Project name: Protection of Canadian biodiversity and trade from the impacts of global change through improved ability to monitor invasive alien and quarantine species)
- The Food and Water Safety project aims at developing increased speed and reduced cost of genomics‐based methods for pathogen isolation, detection and characterization. It also intends to develop a federally integrated database to manage, store and provide access to genomic data and related information from food and water‐borne pathogens, focusing on Escherichia coli and Salmonella Enteritidis. (Project name: Strengthening Food and Water Safety in Canada through an Integrated Federal Genomics Initiative)
The Genomics Research and Development Initiative website offers information about the initiative, genomics research and its applications, success stories, performance reports and collaborators.
