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Program details
Application deadline: October 3, 2011
Cystic Fibrosis Canada Grants & Awards Guide
Recent award competition results: In 2011/2012, nine initial fellowships were awarded (35% success rate) and three renewal fellowships (75% success rate). In 2010/2011, seven initial fellowships were awarded (27% success rate) and two renewal fellowships (50% success rate).
Purpose
A limited number of competitive Fellowships are offered by Cystic Fibrosis Canada each year for basic or clinical research training, in areas of the biomedical or behavioural sciences pertinent to cystic fibrosis.
Eligibility
Individuals who hold M.D. or Ph.D. degrees are eligible to apply.
Medical graduates should have already completed basic residency training, and must be eligible for Canadian licensure.
(NEW!) Applicants who have already completed four or more years of study or training since receiving their M.D. or Ph.D., as of the July 1st award start date, are not eligible for Cystic Fibrosis Canada Fellowships.
Fellowships are tenable at approved universities, hospitals and research institutes in Canada. Canadian Fellowship applicants of exceptional quality requesting funding to study abroad will be considered. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate that comparable training is not available in Canada. In addition, applications will be strengthened by indication of an intention to return to Canada upon the completion of training.
Equitable consideration will be given to Fellowship applicants from outside of Canada, who intend to return to their own country on completion of a Fellowship.
Term
Initial Fellowships will be awarded for a period of two years. Fellows may apply for a one-year renewal. No one may receive more than three years of support under a Cystic Fibrosis Canada Fellowship.
Applications for renewal will compete on equal terms with initial applications, and if a renewal application fails to indicate that satisfactory progress has been made, Cystic Fibrosis Canada reserves the right to terminate support.
Applications must be submitted to the October 1 competition.
Tenure of a Fellowship will commence on July 1 with subsequent installments following quarterly. Subject to the approval of Cystic Fibrosis Canada, the start of a Fellowship may be delayed up to twelve months upon written request. Routine notification will be required from the supervisor by the following February 1 that the Fellow plans to proceed through the second year.
Value
The value of a Cystic Fibrosis Canada Fellowship is dependent upon academic qualifications, and research experience. Award levels are reviewed on an annual basis, and will correspond with prevailing Canadian rates.
Criteria
Fellowships will be awarded on the basis of the demonstrated merit and potential of the applicant, taking into account the applicant's academic record, research ability, and references. The suitability and excellence of the proposed research environment, along with the intrinsic value and feasibility of the proposed research program, will be important criteria in the evaluation process. In addition, proposed supervisors will be expected to hold an academic appointment.
One supervisor cannot submit more than two initial fellowship applications to any one competition. The supervisor should not rank the applications submitted.
Application requirements
Cystic Fibrosis Canada sponsors a Fellowships competition in October. Like all Cystic Fibrosis Canada grants, Fellowships are subject to the availability of funds.
Applications must be received by Cystic Fibrosis Canada no later than October 1. Incomplete and/or late applications will be returned to the applicant.
Applications are considered to be a joint effort of the applicant and the supervisor with whom he or she intends to study.
Applicants must arrange to have three letters of recommendation submitted to Cystic Fibrosis Canada, one of which should be from the applicant's current or most recent supervisor. These one to two page letters should indicate the period of time and in what capacity you have known the applicant, elaborate on academic capabilities, competence and research potential and address the following: background preparation, motivation, organizational ability, demonstrated skill at research, etc. Also required, in the application form, are a description of the proposed research and training program, and official transcripts of the applicant's complete academic record. Applications that do not include these documents will be rejected.
Use of funds
Cystic Fibrosis Canada Fellowships are salary awards, and the payment, in addition, of benefits to Cystic Fibrosis Canada fellows is a matter of host institutional policy.
Terms and conditions
Payment of grants
Grant payments will be made at the beginning of each fiscal quarter through the institution at which the award is being held.
Institutional affiliation
Fellows are normally expected to remain with the same supervisor for the period of the award. If the Fellow leaves the university, he or she is expected to relinquish the Fellowship.
If the Fellow transfers to another supervisor and/or university, and is continuing the same type of research, the award may be continued, at the discretion of the Medical/Scientific Advisory Committee. The authorization of the Medical/Scientific Advisory Committee must be sought in advance of such a transfer.
Increases
Fellowship awards are subject to scale increases, in order that they remain in step with prevailing Canadian rates. In addition, subject to the availability of funds, the Medical/Scientific Advisory Committee may recommend that a cost-of-living allowance be added to the value of a Fellowship.
Allocation of time
During the tenure of the award, the Fellow must devote his or her full-time attention to the research training and Fellowship program.
Earnings from other sources
Fellows may not be remunerated for other work and may not hold a second major award. With the approval of the supervisor, Fellows may accept payment for limited activities within their department that contribute to their career development.
Kin Canada Research Fellowship
On the recommendation of Cystic Fibrosis Canada's Medical/Scientific Advisory Committee, an applicant for an initial Fellowship in the October competition receiving high standing will be named the Kin Canada Research Fellow. This award does not carry any supplementary monetary value. Only applicants to the October competition are eligible.
Progress reports
Fellows should be prepared to submit reports on their activities at intervals, on request from Cystic Fibrosis Canada. A final progress report must be submitted following the conclusion of the award, whether an application for renewal is submitted or not.
Leaves of absence, maternity/paternity and sickness
Cystic Fibrosis Canada must be contacted regarding leaves (leave of absence, maternity/paternity, sickness, etc...).
Reviewed/updated: 2011-08-18
