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Description
Fellowships provide support for highly qualified candidates at the post-PhD or post-health professional degree stages to add to their experience by engaging in health research either in Canada or abroad.
Funds Available (Updated: 2009-12-17)
CIHR’s contribution to the amount available for this initiative is subject to availability of funds voted annually to CIHR by parliamentary appropriations. Should CIHR funding levels be decreased by Parliament, CIHR reserves the right to defer or suspend payments to grants received as a result of this funding opportunity.
Applications are invited in all areas of health research.
For this competition, applications will be accepted in all areas of health research.
- It is anticipated that approximately $15.5 million over five years will be available for this competition.
- The maximum amount awarded for a single award is $60,000 for up to 5 years. The value and duration of each fellowship is related to the major degree held, licensure (where applicable), location of tenure and experience of the applicant.
Research allowance: $5,000 per annum.
Stipend
The annual stipend level for those with a PhD degree (or equivalent) is $40,000 per annum.
The following stipend levels apply to health professionals who hold licensure (full or educational) in Canada at the time of taking up the award. The stipend level is dependent upon the number of years of research or clinical training completed since obtaining the health professional degree. Upon completion of two years of postgraduate research training, the awardees may be eligible to receive a stipend increase to the higher level.
- Less than 2 years of research or clinical training experience: $40,000
- Two or more years of research or clinical training experience: $50,000
The stipend for health professionals who do not hold licensure in Canada is $21,000 per annum (i.e., equivalent to a Doctoral Research Award). Upon completion of two years of postgraduate research training the stipend may increase to $40,000 per annum.
For awards held outside Canada $5,000 is added to the annual stipend.
Stipends are valued in Canadian dollars and are taxable.
This award is non-renewable.
Duration of Support
The duration of support will depend on the degree(s) and licensure (where applicable) held by the applicant:
- For those with a PhD degree (or equivalent), or PhD and health professional degrees, the maximum period of support is three years (from all federal funding sources), and candidates will only be eligible for support until the end of their fifth year of post-PhD training.
- For those with a health professional degree who do not intend to proceed to a PhD degree, the maximum period of support is four years (from all federal funding sources).
- For those with a health professional degree who intend to proceed to a PhD degree, the maximum period of support to complete the PhD degree is five years (from all federal funding sources) and includes funding received to complete a Master's degree or non-degree research training.
The total duration of funding provided by CIHR through this program may not exceed the maximum periods of support described above. Note that Health Professionals receiving funding through this program to complete a PhD degree may also be eligible to apply for post-PhD funding through this program.
Effective Dates
- For post-PhD and health professional awardees not enrolled in a degree program: Awards must be taken up within 12 months of the date of offer, and may commence on the first day of any month.
- For graduate student awardees: Awards must be taken up within 12 months of the date of offer and must start January 1, May 1 or September 1 following the offer of award.
Funding Opportunities in Specific Research Areas
Funds are available for this competition to support Fellowship award applications in specific research areas:
Partner/Collaborator Participation
CIHR is dedicated to identifying and developing collaborations with other funding organizations and stakeholders to enhance the availability of funding for this strategic initiative, and to create, where appropriate, opportunities for knowledge exchange and translation related to the scope of this particular initiative. Applicants are invited to visit the Partner/Collaborator Description section to find a list of partners/collaborators and their respective mandates and/or strategic interests. This list will continue to evolve as new partners/collaborators join in this initiative. The specific research foci and requirements for each partner/collaborator are outlined in the "Objectives" section.
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Objectives
The specific objectives of this funding opportunity are:
- To provide recognition and funding to academic researchers early in their career.
- To provide a reliable supply of highly skilled and qualified researchers.
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Eligibility
(Updated: 2009-12-17)
Eligibility criteria for all CIHR research funding programs apply. The business office of the institution of an eligible Nominated Principal Applicant generally administers CIHR funds. Please refer to the Individual Eligibility Requirements regarding the eligibility requirements for individuals and institutions
Specific to CIHR training awards, please refer to the General Guidelines for Training Programs.
Eligibility to Apply:
In order for your application to be accepted:
- The Nominated Principal Applicant must be a Trainee
- At least one project participant must be a Primary Supervisor (Updated: 2010-01-06)
- Individuals eligible to apply to the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program may submit an application to both programs. This is the only exception where an individual may submit two applications in the same year (i.e. September through August). (Updated: 2009-09-21)
- Applicants to the October competition are not eligible to apply to the following February competition.
- The program is open to both Canadians and citizens of other countries.
- At the time of application, a candidate must hold, or be completing a PhD or a health professional degree (or equivalent). You must expect to complete all of your doctorate or Health Professional requirements by the latest possible date on which you can take up your award (see Effective Dates). (Updated: 2010-01-25) Please note that the health professional degree must be in a regulated health profession such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, nursing or rehabilitative science which requires at least a Bachelor's degree to be eligible for licensure in Canada. To determine if a particular health profession is eligible, please consult the list of Eligible Health Professions.
- For individuals that do not hold a health professional degree, awards will take effect only after the recipient has completed all requirements of the PhD program, including the oral examination.
- Candidates with more than three years of post-PhD cumulative experience and/or (Updated: 2010-01-06) research training by the competition deadline are not eligible to apply for this award (this calculation is based on the first PhD degree obtained, regardless of discipline, either course-based or research-based). (Updated: 2010-01-25) Any interruption in a candidate's post-PhD research training will be taken into account in determining eligibility if information on the interruption is provided by attaching the relevant document to the CIHR Common CV. (Updated: 2010-01-06) CIHR uses the date of degree completion to determine applicant eligibility. This is the date on which all requirements of your degree have been met, including successful defense and submission of the corrected copy of your thesis. (Updated: 2010-01-25)
- A candidate may not hold more than three years of federal award funding (in total from SSHRC, NSERC or CIHR, or a combination thereof) to undertake post-PhD studies. Recipients already holding a post-PhD award from a federal source for a term of three years are not eligible to apply.
- Individuals wishing to undertake post-PhD research training in the same research environment (e.g., same department, supervisor or co-supervisor) in which they received their PhD are NOT eligible for an award.
- Candidates with a health professional degree may propose a program of research leading to a Master's or PhD degree; however, registration in a graduate degree program is not a requirement.
- These awards are normally held at Canadian institutions; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents may apply for awards to be held outside Canada. Candidates who are neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents may apply for awards to be held in Canada only.
- A recipient of a Doctoral Research Award ( DRA ) with a health professional degree may apply to the Fellowship program no earlier than the beginning of the last year of their DRA . If a recipient of a DRA with a health professional degree applies to the Fellowship program for PhD support before the last year of the DRA , funding for the currently-held DRA will be cancelled as of the first potential effective date of the Fellowship award, even if the application is not successful through the Fellowship program. (Updated: 2010-01-06)
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Guidelines
(Updated: 2009-12-17)
General CIHR Guidelines
This funding opportunity will comply fully with the policies and guidelines outlined in the CIHR Grants and Awards Guide. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate the use of Gender and Sex-Based Analysis in applications.
Allowable Costs
The awards consist of a stipend and a research allowance.
For the research allowance, awardees should review the Use of Grant Funds section of the Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC) Financial Administration Guide for a complete listing and description of allowable costs and activities.
Global Health Research and International Collaborations
As outlined in the CIHR Grants and Awards Guide Global Health Research Section and International Collaborations Section, applicants who are eligible for CIHR funding may apply to CIHR's funding opportunities for funds to support research to be carried out in, or in direct collaboration with researchers and/or decision-makers based in, other countries. CIHR contributes to, and supports international research projects and international collaborations to address a range of research areas, including but not limited to established priorities in global health research and contributes to the development of health-research capacity both internationally and at home.
Conditions of Funding
Successful applicants funded through this funding opportunity and any other persons working on the project must comply fully with the "policies and guidelines in the conduct of research". Policies and guidelines cover areas such as Applicant Responsibilities, Official languages policy, Access to Information and Privacy Acts, and Acknowledgement of CIHR's Support. Successful applicants will be informed of any special financial requirements prior to the release of funds or when they receive CIHR's Authorization for Funding (AFF) document.
Access to Information Act and Privacy Act, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
All personal information collected by CIHR about applicants is used to review applications, to recruit reviewers, to administer and monitor grants and awards, to compile statistics, and to promote and support health research in Canada. Consistent with these purposes, applicants should also expect that information collected by CIHR may be shared as described in CIHR's Policy on Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality in the context of Merit, Relevance and Peer Review (CCIP).
CIHR as a federal entity is subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, therefore the requirements of these two statutes will apply to all information located in CIHR's premises including, without limitation, cost-sharing agreements related to this funding opportunity and all matters pertaining thereto.
While respecting the application of the Privacy Act to federal entities, all signing parties involved in a collaborative agreement will also be bound by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). All personal information (as identified by the PIPEDA) collected, used or disclosed in the course of any commercial activity under collaborative agreements related to the Funding opportunity will be collected, used and disclosed in compliance with the PIPEDA.
CIHR Guidelines for Health Research Involving Aboriginal People
The CIHR Guidelines for Health Research Involving Aboriginal People came into effect as policy for CIHR-funded research on July 1, 2008. Applicants whose proposed research will involve Aboriginal People are strongly encouraged to familiarise themselves with these guidelines and in particular with the section "Application of the Guidelines," which outlines the situations in which these guidelines apply.
Communication Requirements
Grant recipients are required to acknowledge CIHR, its institutes and partners in any communication or publication related to the project. See Communication of Competition Results for details on CIHR's communication requirements. The contributing institutes/partners will be identified on the Authorization for Funding and decision letter.
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Performance Measurement
(Updated: 2009-12-17)
CIHR is committed to collecting and disseminating information on the outputs and impacts of the research it funds. This information is an important part of CIHR accountability within the Federal Government and to Canadians.
- The funding recipient must contribute to the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR’s programs, policies and processes by participating in evaluation studies, surveys, workshops, audits and providing data or reports as required for the purpose of collecting information to assess progress and results;
- The Nominated Principal Applicant must also encourage their associates, trainees and administration to participate in the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR’s programs, policies and processes as required.
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Review Process and Evaluation
Peer Review
A CIHR peer review committee will evaluate the full applications. The committee may be drawn from one of CIHR's pre-existing committees or may be created specifically for this funding opportunity. Committee members are selected based on suggestions from many sources including the institute(s) / portfolio(s) and partner(s), following CIHR's Policy on Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality in the context of Merit, Relevance and Peer Review (CCIP). For information on CIHR's peer review process in general, see the Understand Peer Review section of CIHR's website.
Evaluation Criteria
Fellowship Awards are reviewed in accordance with the Guide for Reviewers – CIHR Fellowships.
The following general criteria for evaluating training award applications will be used:
- Achievements and Activities of the Candidate
- Characteristics and Abilities of the Candidate
- Research Training Environment
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How to Apply
- The application process for this funding opportunity is comprised of one step: and Application.
- To complete your Application, follow the instructions identified in the Fellowship Award - ResearchNet "Application" Phase Instructions
- An overview of CIHR's application processes can be found under Apply for Funding.
- Reminder to applicants: Please ensure that your application is complete (including all required signatures) and submitted on time to CIHR. Effective September 1, 2008, CIHR will assume no responsibility in following-up with applicants who submit an incomplete application. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted into the competition.
Submission Requirements (Updated: 2009-12-17)
- Your Application will be submitted using ResearchNet. Scan and upload the signed signature pages including the routing slip in the Print/Upload Signature Pages task in ResearchNet prior to submitting your application.
- The required official transcripts must be sent (courier stamped no later than the application deadline date) to:
RE: "CIHR Fellowships"
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Room 97, 160 Elgin Street
Address locator: 4809A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0W9
Specific Requirements: (Updated: 2010-01-06)
- A complete application consists of:
- Common CV Modules (validated for CIHR) for both the candidate and the proposed supervisor(s). Draft and registration copies of the CV modules will not be accepted;
- All up to date official transcripts of all of the candidate's graduate studies (i.e., Master's and Doctorate levels) and/or health professional training regardless of the Country where studies have been performed. This includes proof of any degrees completed. Certified true copies will only be accepted from institutions outside North America (translated in either English or French). A certified true copy is defined as a copy of the original document that has been certified to be a true copy of the original document by a commissioner of oath such as a notary or lawyer. The copy must bear the original signature and stamp of the official authority.
- If a transcript is not available for the degree in progress, then an official letter from the institution stating that the candidate is currently registered is required.
- Proof of a current and valid Canadian licensure for applicants with a health professional degree with an expiry date (if available)
- Completed Sponsor's Assessment of a Candidate for a Fellowship Form from three people under whom the candidate has trained and who have had a good opportunity to assess the candidate's potential for research. Assessments should be provided by the candidate's PhD supervisor and postdoctoral supervisor(s) (if applicable);
- Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency for candidates is required; and
- Candidates who are neither citizens nor permanent residents of Canada are required to have their proposed supervisor write a separate supporting letter ensuring that the required research space and resources will be provided. This letter of support does not replace one of the required Assessments for a CIHR Fellowship Candidate.
- A letter from the Dean or other appropriate authority from the candidate’s faculty, if the fellowship applicant currently holds a faculty appointment. (To be attached under "Other" in the "Attach Other Application Materials" task. This document must be named: "Letter for Faculty Appointment"). This letter (maximum one page) must confirm that:
- the candidate’s current duties do not include a research component (i.e. no supervision of students, cannot apply as a Principal Investigator for Operating Grants, cannot be performing independent research); and
- while performing his/her current faculty appointment duties, the candidate will still be able to meet the minimum commitment of 75% of his/her time (minimum of 30hrs per week) in the new research fellowship role if successful in securing the award; and (Updated: 2010-01-13)
- the candidate will not be teaching more than 200 hrs per year (as per Grants and Awards guide).
- In order to ensure fairness in the evaluation of Fellowship applications, equivalent time must be guaranteed for each reviewer to assess each complete application. As a result, CIHR will accept updates to applications (notices of acceptance of publications, letters confirming academic appointment, and notices of any other funding requested or received only) until November 15, 2009 for the Fall competition and March 15, 2010 for the Spring competition.
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Contact Information
For questions on CIHR funding guidelines, how to apply, and the peer review process contact:
Fellowships, Program Delivery Coordinator
Research Capacity Development
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Email: fellowships@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your ResearchNet account or the e-Submission process contact:
CIHR ResearchNet Support
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-941-9080
Email: support@researchnet-recherchenet.ca
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Partner/Collaborator Description
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
CIHR is the Government of Canada's agency for health research. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health-care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to nearly 12,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada.
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Additional Information
Appendix: List of CIHR-Eligible Health Professions
- Audiologist/Speech-language Pathologist
- Chiropodist/Podiatrist
- Chiropractor
- Dentist/Dental Surgeon
- Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist
- Medical Laboratory Technologist
- Medical Radiation Technologist
- Midwifery
- Naturopath
- Occupational Therapist
- Optometrist
- Pharmacist
- Physician/Surgeon
- Physiotherapist
- Psychologist
- Registered Nurse
- Registered Psychiatric Nurse
- Respiratory Therapy
- Social Worker
- Veterinarian
Notes:
- To be considered eligible for CIHR programs, the health profession must require at least a Bachelor's degree for licensure in Canada and be regulated by provincial legislation.
- The provincial legislation regarding licensing requirements for the above professions will vary from province to province.
- All health professionals in one of the disciplines listed above and licensed to practice in Canada are eligible to be considered for the higher stipend level under the CIHR Fellowships program and when being paid from a CIHR grant.
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