Request for Applications

Institute of Genetics

Summary

The Walter and Jessie Boyd & Charles Scriver MD/PhD Studentship Award will provide support for students enrolled in the MD/PhD training program whose research focus is in the areas of genetics and genetic-related diseases, including medical genetics, bioinformatics, bioethics of medical genetics, population genetics, translational genetics and fundamental biochemical research in healthy and disease states.

Timeline

Value and Duration

Table of Contents

Summary
Objectives and Eligible Research Areas
Funding Information
Eligibility
Evaluation Criteria and Process
General CIHR Guidelines and Conditions of Funding
Communications Requirements
Monitoring, Performance Measurement and Evaluation
How to Apply
Contact Information

Objectives and Eligible Research Areas

The objective of this award is to build capacity of clinician scientists in the areas of genetics and genetic-related diseases.

Eligible research areas include: genetics and genetic-related diseases, including medical genetics, bioinformatics, bioethics of medical genetics, population genetics, translational genetics and fundamental biochemical research in healthy and disease states.

Funding Information

Mechanism of Support

This Request for Applications will follow the General Guidelines for All Research Training Awards.

Allowable Costs

The awards consist of a stipend and a research allowance. For the research allowance, applicants should review General Guidelines for All Research Training Awards for a complete listing and description of allowable costs and activities.

Funds Available

The maximum amount awarded for a single award is $ 22,000 for up to six years:

• Research allowance: $ 1,000 per annum.
  and
• Trainee stipend: $ 21,000 per annum.
• Up to three awards will be made available in this competition.
• The total amount available for this initiative is up to $66,000 per annum for six years.
• This award is non-renewable.

Eligibility

Eligibility Criteria

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 Eligibility Requirements for CIHR Grants and Awards regarding the eligibility requirements for individuals and institutions.

Specific Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for this award, an individual must:

• be a student registered in a combined MD/PhD training program at a Canadian University. MD/PhD students can apply for this award at any stage of their MD/PhD training program; and
• be accepted in a research training program in one of the following areas: medical genetics, bioinformatics, bioethics of medical genetics, population genetics, translational genetics and fundamental biochemical research in healthy and disease states

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• excellence of the applicant;
• excellence of the research training environment; and
• alignment with the research area(s) as described under eligibility criteria.

Each nominating institution is eligible to receive one award for the top ranked nominee. In the case where more awards are available, the second ranked candidates will be considered, based on the criteria described above. Comparing applicants from different Institutions, priority will be given to the applicants from Institutions that haven't received awards from this program in the past, or Institutions that have received fewer awards.

Evaluation Process

All personal information collected by CIHR about applicants is used to review applications, 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 Use and Disclosure of Personal Information Provided to CIHR for Peer Review.

Applications will be evaluated by a merit review panel selected by CIHR. It is anticipated that the results will be released within three months of the application deadline.

In the event that the number of applications outnumbers the awards available, and the ranking criteria listed can not be used to establish a clear ranking order, a peer review will be used instead of a merit review. In this case, established researchers working in the areas of medical genetics, bioinformatics, bioethics of medical genetics, population genetics, translational genetics and fundamental biochemical research in healthy and disease states will evaluate the applications submitted to determine a rank order for funding. The peer review evaluators will be selected by CIHR staff based on suggestions made by CIHR-IG and its partners. The evaluation criteria stated above will be used in this process.

Access to Information Act and Privacy Act, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)

CIHR, as a federal entity, is subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. As such, 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 Request for Applications and all matters pertaining thereto.

The Parties, while respecting the application of the Privacy Act to federal entities, will also be bound by the PIPEDA. All personal information (as identified by the PIPEDA) collected, used or disclosed in the course of any commercial activity under cost-sharing agreements related to the Request for Applications will be collected, used and disclosed in compliance with the PIPEDA.

General CIHR Guidelines and Conditions of Funding

All conditions specified in CIHR General Grants and Awards Policies shall apply to applications funded through this Request for Applications. Conditions cover areas such as Applicant and Institutional Responsibilities, Ethics, Official Language Policy, Access to Information and Privacy Acts, and Acknowledgement of CIHR Support. Successful applicants will be informed of any special financial conditions prior to the release of funds or when they receive CIHR's Authorization for Funding (AFF) document.

Communications Requirements

Award recipients are required to acknowledge the CIHR Institute of Genetics in any communication or publication related to the project. See CIHR General Grants and Awards Policies, Acknowledgement of CIHR's Support for details on CIHR's communication requirements.

Monitoring, Performance Measurement and Evaluation

CIHR is committed to demonstrating results to Canadians for the money invested in health research. Therefore, processes for monitoring progress and appropriate use of funds, as well as for performance measurement and program evaluation are in place. As a result, funding recipients must:

• adhere to CIHR's reporting requirements and provide required information in a timely fashion;
• 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;
• encourage their associates, trainees and administration to participate in the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR's programs, policies and processes as required.

How to Apply

Read the application instructions provided in How to Apply for a Grant or Award.

A request for the Walter and Jessie Boyd & Charles Scriver MD/PhD Studentship award must be submitted to CIHR by the Director of the MD/PhD Program. The Director of the MD/PhD Program must provide a letter nominating eligible student(s) in rank order.

In addition to the Director's letter, the full application must contain:

• MD/PhD Studentship - Nomination Form Complete as indicated (including transcripts)
  • Under the heading "Short title of the project proposed for the nominee", please include the title of this RFA, as listed on the first page, followed by the project title.
• One page letter from the Supervisor, outlining the research project of the candidate; and
• Canadian Common CV Module of the proposed supervisor(s).

Only the original application is required.

Send Application by Courier to:

RE: "Walter and Jessie Boyd & Charles Scriver MD/PhD Studentship "
Award Programs Branch
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Room 97, 160 Elgin Street
Address locator: 4809A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0W9

Contact Information

For questions on CIHR funding guidelines, how to apply, and the peer review process contact:

Jennifer Ralph
Program Delivery Coordinator
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: (613) 957-0296
Fax: (613) 954-1800
E-mail: jralph@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

For questions about this initiative and research objectives contact:

Milka Popov
Assistant Director
123 Edward St., Suite 1211
Toronto, ON M5G 1E2
Telephone: (416) 813-7670
Fax: (416) 813-7673
E-mail: milkaig@sickkids.ca