Fellowships

- The aim of this program is to increase the number of clinician scientists in Canada in the realm of oral health research, with a view to augment the research capacity in this field and in training the next generation of academics for Faculties of Dentistry. Thus, the majority of fellows in this program will be healthcare professionals, as defined by CIHR. Particular emphasis will be given to the recruitment of dentists into combined PhD/ advanced clinical training programs.

- While this program is chiefly aimed at training healthcare professionals in clinical/human studies, individuals engaged in basic research may be supported provided that they can demonstrate that their research is clearly linked to important clinical issues and that this research is readily translatable into clinical applications.

- At least initially, applications will only be considered from trainees who are under the supervision of either a program PI or co-PI. Initial calls for applications will only be distributed to members of these groups.

- Awards in this program will normally be given for a maximum of 2 years. During this period, fellows are expected to apply for external awards in order to maintain their funding, and must provide proof of having done so on an annual basis. In exceptional cases (e.g. high quality individuals who are not eligible for other agency funding due to their citizenship status), funding for a maximum of 3 years may be considered.

- An annual review of each trainee’s progress will be required by the program, including an evaluation of how they are tracking against their submitted training plan and how they are progressing in the research.

Application Procedures:

As the program wishes to encourage its fellows to apply to outside agencies, it will facilitate the process by making the core of the program’s application procedures surround the agencies own applications. Thus, the CIHR Training and CV Modules, or their FRSQ equivalents, will form the backbone of the program’s application process.

In addition to these documents, applications will consist of the following:

- Official transcripts from the applicant’s graduate and/or health professional training. Copies are acceptable if they meet the normal CIHR guidelines.

- Proof of licensure. Canadian licensure is necessary to qualify for funding at the health professional level, but those who hold foreign licenses are encouraged to include proof thereof in their applications. Individuals need not be licensed to apply to the program.

- Letters of assessment from 3 persons who know the applicant and have had a good opportunity to assess their potential for research. One of these letters must be from the applicant’s supervisor. This letter must contain a clear statement from the supervisor that funds are available to support the research proposed by the applicant. The supervisor must also indicate that funds are available locally to pay the differential on the applicant’s stipend support not covered by program funds.

- A completed “training plan” which outlines the trainee’s short term career development intentions (courses, research plan, etc).

- A covering letter which contains a clear statement by the applicant on the significance of the proposed research to improvements in oral health.

- Proof that the applicant has submitted applications to at least one major external fellowship competition (e.g. CIHR, FRSQ). This proof will consist of a copy of the “acknowledgement of receipt” sent to the application by the funding agency. If due to the applicant’s citizenship status they are not eligible for these major funding competitions, this needs to be clearly explained in the covering letter from the applicant.

Evaluation and vetting of applications:

- Priority will be given to high quality licensed professionals pursuing PhD level training programs. Exceptional post-doctoral fellows, licensed professionals pursuing Master’s level training programs, and non-licensed professional or non-professional PhD applicants will also be considered.

- The transdisciplinarity and clinical applicability of the research project proposed

- The quality of the training and research plans submitted by the applicant

- The high academic standing of the applicant

- The quality of the research environment to support the proposed research

- The publications and other scholarly activities or contributions of the applicant, if any.

- Evidence of support from partners (e.g. Faculty or Hospital in which the applicant is working, Professional or Consumer Societies, etc) to this trainee.

Funding levels and partnerships

- $50,000/year for licensed health professionals with more than 2 years experience in either a research or clinical training environment

- $40,000/year for licensed health professionals with less than 2 years experience in either a research or clinical training environment and for post doctoral fellows; and

- $21,000 for regular graduate students (includes professionals who do not hold a valid Canadian license).

- Supervisors should be aware that only 50% of the above amounts will be provided by the program, with the rest having to come from either partner contributions or locally available sources of money.