Call for Proposals: Cancer Care Projects

Note: As of October 18, 2024, applications for this call for proposals has closed. EOI decisions will be shared with applicants in late November 2024.

About

The Shared Care Committee (SCC) is providing funding to support physicians to lead innovative projects that help advance BC’s 10-Year Cancer Action Plan and SCC’s priority to advance cancer care. The SCC, Ministry of Health, Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), and BC Cancer have partnered to develop the priorities and implementation of the call for proposals initiative.

Projects can focus on any area of cancer care; however, the following priorities have been identified as areas for project teams to focus on:

  1. Improve diagnostic pathways. 

  2. Recruitment and retention of medical staff (both primary care and specialist) in oncology. 

  3. Transitions in care, including unattached patients and Community Oncology Networks.  

  4. Pain and symptom management. 

  5. Screening.  

All projects must include a focus on management of both attached and unattached patients.

Note: Until further notice, funding for cancer care-related projects through the Partners in Care/Transitions in Care initiative will be paused. Shared Care has put out a Call for Proposals focused on cancer care and has allocated funding for both expressions of interest and full proposals resulting from this process. The SCC would like to direct any cancer care-related projects through the Call for Proposals process in order to best assess, connect, align, and make decisions on the proposals to maximize coordination and support from health system partners. 

Funding

SCC has allocated $2 million over the 2024/25 and 2025/26 fiscal years for this initiative. Approximately $1.5 million is available directly for projects, while $500,000 will be used to provide project management and evaluation services. Projects can apply for up to $25,000 in expression of interest (EOI) funding and up to an additional $75,000 for full project funding. The funding available for projects is subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Any physician (family physician, general practice oncologist, or specialist such as surgeon or oncologist) within BC who provides cancer care is eligible to apply for funding. There is no requirement that projects be co-led by a family physician and specialist, however, there is an expectation that it addresses aspects of team-based care.  

It is a requirement for physician lead(s) to complete Physician Quality Improvement (PQI) Level 1 training or equivalent prior to submission of the full proposal. Information on the program and how to access training can be found on the PQI webpage. 

Application Process

Step 1: Develop and submit EOI application by October 18, 2024 to Shared Care.

Step 2: If EOI is approved, begin working on full project proposal and ensure physician lead(s) meet quality improvement education requirements.

Step 3: Submit full project proposal by March 3, 2025, to Shared Care.

Step 4: If proposal is approved, complete project.

Application Forms & Funding Guidelines

Deadlines

  1. October 18, 2024 – deadline to submit an EOI. 
  2. November 30, 2024 – decision on approved EOIs to be communicated to teams. 
  3. March 3, 2025 – deadline to submit a proposal.  
  4. April 30, 2025 – decision on approved proposals to be communicated to teams.  
  5. July 31, 2026 – deadline to complete project and submit final reports. 

Contact

For questions or inquiries, please contact Shared Care via email.