Description
This award is directed at candidates with a health professional degree who wish to engage in or enhance their research training. Examples include a MD or a nurse with a MSc, both of whom lack prior extensive research training. Individuals applying to train in laboratory-based (biomedical) sciences will be expected to engage in a PhD program that includes doctoral level research. Registration in a doctoral program is a requirement. A 90% time commitment to the research program is expected.
National Funding: Candidates for this stream cannot hold a stipend award that has been adjudicated at the national level. Such candidates may apply to the Career Enhancement Program
Location of Tenure: The award must be held at one of the 17 CCHCSP Institutions, and/or child health research institutes affiliated with these universities. ALL applicants from Quebec Universities (U Montreal, McGill U, U Sherbroke, U Laval) must also apply to FRSQ. Please speak to your Centre Leader for more details. Centre Leaders are not eligible to apply.
Talk to your Centre Leader 1st: You must contact your Centre Leader well in advance of the application deadline (we suggest 45-60 days) to ensure you meet local criteria before submitting your application to the National competition. Some CCHCSP Centres have internal peer review deadlines prior to the CCHCSP Competition deadlines. Speaking to your Centre Leader is a prerequisite.
Timing: Applicants for doctoral awards may have completed as much as eighteen (18) months of training within a doctoral or equivalent level program by the date of application. Any interruption in a candidate's post-clinical or post-research training will be taken into account in determining eligibility.
Candidates who are more than 7 years cumulative post-clinical training by the competition deadline are usually not eligible to apply. However if you have continued research involvement and productivity while working in a clinical position since receiving an M.Sc., you may be taken into account as a special consideration for the doctoral award only. Kindly submit a letter that describes their circumstances and provides an account of why they have chosen to change careers to be a clinician scientist. The letter should also provide evidence of
- capability to conduct scientific research
- commitment to a career as a clinical scientist
- record of leadership in their field
- capacity to become an independent researcher
Research Environment: Individuals wishing to undertake research training in the same research environment in which they received their MSc are NOT eligible for an award. That is, while they may train in the same department they may not be supervised by the same team of individuals as during the MSc.
Citizenship: This program is open to Canadians and permanent residents of Canada.
Licensure: Applicants must be licensed to practice their clinical specialty in Canada and/or within the Province of the CCHCSP Centre to which they are applying from. Psychology candidates may apply before full licensure. Please see details below for further information.
Degrees: Candidates must hold an appropriate health professional degree in one of the below disciplines and must have completed the appropriate education and clinical training to meet the requirements of an appropriate licensing body to practice as a child health professional in Canada. Professional degrees that are eligible include:
Medicine and Surgery: Physicians or surgeons who have completed or completing a fellowship in Paediatrics or a Paediatric subspecialty in a Royal College accredited training program. For candidates who are completing training, awards will take effect only after the recipient has completed all requirements of the training program, including the oral examination.
Pharmacy:Pharmacists who have achieved an MScPharm or MSc degree and who have completed a residency Program and/or have at least 2 years of clinical experience in Paediatric Clinical Pharmacy and wish to pursue research training at the doctorate level.
Nursing: Nurses who are trained at the Masters level (not necessarily in nursing) who have been working (licensed) with children or youth, or interested to work with children and youth, and wish to pursue research training at the doctorate level. Clinical nurse specialists or nurse practitioners (with Masters degree in nursing), who have been working with children or youth, and wish to pursue research training at the doctorate level.
Psychology: Psychology applicants can apply for a doctoral award prior to attaining a license if they:
- Have completed their MSc
- Are in the final stages of completing their Clinical training/Supervised practice/Candidate Register/Temporary Register with proof of a completion end date prior to the award activity date.
- Attain full licensing by the time the award becomes active (i.e. apply April and licensed by September 1st ; apply November and licensed by April 1st)
Nutrition, Rehabilitative Sciences and Communication Disorders: Nutritionists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, audiologists and speech pathologists who have completed a Masters degree and have been working with children and youth, and who wish to pursue a doctorate degree.
Chiropractic & Midwifery: Chiropractic and Midwifery applicants who have completed a Masters degree and have been working with children and youth and who wish to pursue research training at the doctoral level.
Stipend: The annual award for a doctoral is $50,000 per annum without benefits. Successful awardees are expected to organize their own benefits with the host institution. Stipends are valued in Canadian dollars and are not subject to income tax. It is expected that 50% of the award ($25,000) will be contributed by the CCHCSP and 50% ($25,000) by the host institution.
Duration: Maximum of 4 years. For trainees that defend their thesis before the 4 year term ends, the last day of the month that the revised thesis is accepted will act as the new end date. It is the supervisor’s responsibility to inform CCHCSP of this change. Any funds paid out beyond this point will be refunded to CCHCSP by the Host Institution.
Research Allowance: No research or travel allowance will be provided. However, the Award recipients and their supervisors will be supported to attend the Annual National Symposia and Mini Symposia. A written commitment from the supervisor/mentor stating his/her agreement to attend National Symposia is required with the application.
Parental leave: Trainees for the doctoral award are eligible to receive paid parental leave up to a maximum of 6 months if (a) interrupting the CCHCSP award within six months of child birth or adoption (b) the trainee will be the primary caregiver for the child (c) the trainee is not eligible for and will not be receiving employment insurance or other parental benefits from any other sources. The leave must be requested at least 30 days in advance. The maximum benefit payable by CCHCSP is $12,500 for 6 months. This is equivalent to $2083.33 per month of the requested leave. Host institutions are not required to match parental leave funds. Any additional benefit-matching amounts are payable at the discretion of the trainee’s host university/training center. For further information regarding your eligibility and requirements, please contact the CCHCSP Program Manager and/or your Center Leader.
Talk to your Centre Leader 1st: You must contact your Centre Leader well in advance of the application deadline (we suggest 45-60 days) to ensure you meet local criteria before submitting your application to the National competition. Some CCHCSP Centres have internal peer review deadlines prior to the CCHCSP Competition deadlines. Speaking to your Centre Leader is a prerequisite.
Deadline to apply: The competition deadline is April 1st and November 1st of each year. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. If the application competition date falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, applications will be due on the first business day following. I.e. If April 1 falls on a Saturday, applications will be due on the Monday, April 3.
How to Apply: When your application is complete and you are ready to submit, click on the “apply now” button above. You will be asked to upload each of the required documents below.
A complete application consists of:
- The training module: See the "related documents" section below for download. Name it "1 CandidateLastname _TM".
- Proof of Canadian licensure: Documentation of general or academic license by an appropriate licensing body. Must be valid within the province you are studying. Please include expiration date on uploaded document. Please name it "1a CandidateLastname _License"
- Proof of citizenship: A pdf of your passport is preferred when applicable. Please name it “1b CandidateLastname_Citizenship”
- Proof of FRSQ application for Quebec applicants: A pdf of FRSQ auto generated email accepting the application. Please name it "1c CandidateLastname_FRSQ"
- Common CVs: CIHR Academic Common CVs for yourself and all your Supervisors and Mentors should be ready for upload. Please name them as follows: 2 CandidateLastname_CV, 2a CandidateLastname_CVSup1, 2b CandidateLastname_CVSup2, 2c CandidateLastname_CVMentor or 2c CandidateLastname_CVSup3
- Letter from supervisor: For doctoral research awards, a maximum 1 page letter from the supervisor(s) is to be uploaded describing the following: (a) The space, facilities and personnel support for the candidate. (b) The interdisciplinary nature of the training. (c) The commitment of the supervisor and the advisory committee towards the candidate’s research training. (d) The commitment of the trainee to participate in the core curriculum. (e) The commitment of the supervisor and trainee to participate in regional and national symposia of the CCHCSP. (f) For individuals with multiple supervisors, one letter signed by all supervisors will suffice. (g) Kindly name the file “3 CandidateLastName_SuperLtr”
- Letter from host institution: For doctoral research awards, a maximum 1 page letter from the host institution is to be uploaded describing the following: (a) Commitment of the host institution to contribute 50% of the training award for the duration of the award. (b) Commitment to 90% of protected time for a doctoral award. (c) Kindly name it "4 CandidateLastName_HostLtr"
- Centre Leader support: Kindly attach a maximum 1 page letter from your Centre Leader, supporting your application. Please name it "5 CandidateLastName_CLLtr"
- Memorandum of training: This letter should be 1 page maximum, written and signed by your supervisor(s), mentor(s) and Centre Leader. Prior to your application, kindly meet with your mentorship team to obtain a clear explanation of expectations and develop a path for your training. This letter will describe the plans of your mentorship discussed in that meeting. Kindly name it "6 CandidateLastName_MOT"
- Official transcripts: Official transcripts of the candidate's graduate and/or health professional training, including proof of any degrees completed in original sealed envelope from the institution(s). These should be snail mailed directly from the Intuitions of their origin. Mail your transcripts to: Program Manager. . The Hospital for Sick Children. 555 University Avenue, Room 7291. . If this a reapplication, copies are accepted. Kindly upload copies online and name it "1d Candidate Lastname_transcripts"
- Sponsor Assessments: Candidates must have three (3) individuals provide assessments on their behalf. Additional assessments will not be considered. These should include (if applicable) assessment from each of the candidate’s two most recent research supervisors. For Postdoctoral candidates, one of these assessments should be from the PhD supervisor (if applicable). You will be asked to list the names of your sponsors in the online application. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure that their sponsors complete the appropriate assessment form (CDA Sponsor form) attached here. Sponsors should email their assessments directly to [email protected] . Assessments are confidential and should NOT be seen by the candidate.
French applications: Applications may be submitted in French. Please note, you are requested to advise the CCHCSP National Office of your intent to submit in French 4 weeks prior to the application deadline. However, if you are successful in the written portion, all interviews are conducted in English. We will do our best to accommodate where we can.
Issues/Questions? Email [email protected] CCHCSP Program Manager
Review and evaluation of the application will be conducted by the multidisciplinary Selection Committee of the CCHCSP based on the qualification of the applicant, the research training proposal and the research training environment. Highly qualified candidates will be invited for an interview with the Selection Committee. For further information on the adjudication process, please see the adjudication tab under training paths.
