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Genome Canada would like to thank the Government of Canada for its support. © Genome Canada 2009 Corporate Plan 2009–10 TABLE OF CONTENTS i Executive Summary 1 GENOME CANADA — Corporate Plan 2009–10 Section I – About Genome Canada 4 Section II – Pursuing our Objectives: Performance for 2008–09 8 Section III – Grant Management for 2008–09 23 Section IV – Plans for 2009–10 26 Section V – Performance, Audit and Evaluation Strategy 31 SECTION V – Performance, Audit and Evaluation Strategy EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The PAES can be viewed in full on Genome Canada’s website (www.genomecanada.ca). In 2008–09, activities related to ensuring completion of the performance audit and the evaluation that were called for both in the PAES and in the funding agreement with Genome Canada’s Corporate Plan 2009–10 summarizes the activities and results achieved in fiscal year 2008–09 and Industry Canada were undertaken. Final reports on these two significant undertakings are planned for submission to the Board of outlines the planned activities and expected results for fiscal year 2009–10. While the proposed activities fall within Directors in March 2009. the fiscal framework of funding allocated to Genome Canada for the achievement of its five objectives, the initiation of any new large-scale research activities in 2009–10 will be contingent upon a number of factors, including the successful In fiscal year 2009–10, Genome Canada will concentrate on completing the process for assessing final project reports, and on final- outcomes of international peer reviews, assessments of scientific merit and relevance, assessments of the potential for izing a national system for capturing performance information from across all projects in a consolidated manner. national and global scientific and socio-economic impact, and receipt by Genome Canada of new funding support. The Position Paper Process (an approach for allocating of the on-going implementation of Genome Canada’s funding to targeted strategic research themes in nationally Performance, Audit and Evaluation Strategy activities. AUDIT AND recognized areas of interest and of socio-economic A comprehensive assessment of these projects will, not PERFORMANCE importance to Canadians) continued to play a pivotal only determine the accomplishments relative to the GENOME CANADA — Corporate Plan 2009–10 EVALUATION AUDIT STRATEGY role in the overall strategic activities of Genome Canada. project objectives, but also the socio-economic benefits 32 In 2008–09, Genome Canada launched a competition to offered, including the potential applications arising from FINANCIAL AUDITS AND ANNUAL REPORTS address the strategic research themes of agriculture– these projects. EVALUATION plants and bioproducts. These two research themes had been recommended in the first Position Paper cycle as Genome Canada’s presence in the international arena areas which merit funding support. In the fall of 2008, of genomics and proteomics research was specifically two more strategic research themes—child health and targeted in 2008–09. The strategy involved engagement agriculture-animals—were identified in the second and assumption of leadership in select international 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 cycle of the Position Paper Process as areas which merit research projects, workshops, consortia and partnerships. funding support. Genome Canada’s ongoing support and interest in several Genome Genome Genome Canada Canada Canada international consortium initiatives—the Structural Retreat Retreat Retreat (Quebec City) (Winnipeg) (Ottawa) Genome Canada is committed to ensuring that cutting- Genomics Consortium, the Public Population Project in edge technology is available for Canadian genomics and Genomics, the International Knockout Mouse Consortium, proteomics researchers. The thirteen innovative research and the Cancer Stem Cell Consortium—strengthens EVALUATION COMPLIANCE AUDIT projects funded under the aegis of the Technology Devel- and enhances the international status of Canada and 1 (RMAF) GENOME CANADA — Corporate Plan 2009–10 opment Competition will produce results in 2010. These Canadian scientists. Other initiatives included the results will widen and update the menu of technologies organization of the second annual International Funders’ available to the entire Canadian scientific community. Forum, as well as involvement in future opportunities The Science and Technology Platform Leaders meeting such as the International Regulome Consortium, the which took place in January 2009 was an opportunity for International Barcode of Life, the International Cancer the leaders of the six Genome Canada-funded platforms, Genome Consortium, the Canada–Italy partnership and leaders of other platforms to meet and share details (focused on collaboration of large-scale genomics of advances in technologies, as well as best methods and research projects related to human health), and the practices in delivering high quality technology services. Canada–Chile partnership (focused on collaboration of large-scale genomics research projects related to In fiscal year 2008–09, the final reports of Genome the aquaculture industry). Genome Canada’s third Canada’s first strategic competition, Applied Genomics international conference—2020 Vision: The Impact of and Proteomics Research in Human Health, and Genome Science on Society—offered an exciting platform for Canada’s first bilateral international competition with researchers, decision- and policy-makers in academia, Genome España in the areas of Human Health, Plants and government, the media and industry to hear the latest Aquaculture, were received. The process for the review of scientific advances and their potential impact on society the final reports will be developed in 2009–10 as part and the economy. Also in 2008–09, Genome Canada's EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SECTION V – Performance, Audit and Evaluation Strategy Genome Canada has a wide array of policies, systems and processes that have been developed over time to address issues of performance, audit involvement in the project related to protein ligands came will facilitate workshops and conferences for Canadian and evaluation. In 2007–08, the Board of Genome Canada approved a new Performance, Audit and Evaluation Strategy (PAES) to respond to to an end. and international genomics researchers to gain the specific requirements of the latest funding agreement with Industry Canada, and to ensure that a comprehensive and integrated approach to latest knowledge with respect to data release, polar these functions is maintained. Implementation of the Strategy began in 2008-09. During 2007–08, Genome Canada demonstrated its genomics, platform technology, and rapidly changing application of rigorous principles and standards for project new developments in genomics research. It will mine The PAES comprises three key elements and two supporting elements, each of which are integral to the strategy. management, selection and support of excellent science, and the results of the five-year performance audit for best significant co-funding by undertaking of an interim review practices and suggestions in order to ensure Genome The three key elements are: The two supporting elements are: of 33 projects funded through Competition III, as well as an Canada’s operations and programs are “best-in-class” • Performance Monitoring and Measurement Framework • Performance Reporting interim review of six Genome Canada-funded Science and in terms of economy, efficiency and cost effectiveness; • Audit Framework • Risk Management Technology platforms. In 2008–09, all remaining issues and, will review the evaluation assessment in order to • Evaluation Framework GENOME CANADA — Corporate Plan 2009–10 identified by the international review committees for each make any necessary “course corrections” for Genome Each of the elements and their underlying components is displayed in the figure below. 2 of these interim reviews were successfully resolved. Ongoing Canada to fulfil its five objectives. monitoring is in place to ensure continued progress towards the meeting of each project’s objectives. Since its establishment as the primary funding and information resource for genomics and proteomics In 2008–09, Genome Canada continued to advance and research in Canada, Genome Canada has become a PERFORMANCE REPORTING refine its national GE3LS (ethical, environmental, economic, national force for discovery, development and knowl- • Corporate Plan • Annual Report • Web Site • Special Publications legal and social issues associated with genomics research) edge in these fields. Additional and appropriate federal framework with the following initiatives: organization funding will enable Genome Canada to keep pace with PERFORMANCE AUDITS EVALUATION of an international GE3LS symposium—Navigating the the research momentum it has created and ensure that MONITORING Changing Landscape; recruitment of a Chief GE3LS Officer, Canada and Canadians continue to benefit from the • Project Selection ** • Financial