Studentships

Program details

Application deadline: October 3, 2011

Application forms

Review process

Cystic Fibrosis Canada Grants & Awards Guide

Recent award competition results:  In 2011/2012, four initial studentships were awarded (20% success rate) and two renewal studentships (100% success rate). In 2010/2011, ten initial studentships were awarded (33% success rate) and three renewal studentships (75% success rate).

Progress reports

Purpose

A limited number of competitive Studentships are offered by Cystic Fibrosis Canada each year to 1) highly qualified graduate students who are registered for a higher degree, and who are undertaking full-time research training in areas of the biomedical or behavioural sciences relevant to cystic fibrosis or 2) highly qualified students who are registered in a joint MD/MSc or MD/PhD program.

Eligibility

Studentships are awarded for studies at the master's or doctoral level. If a Student receiving support for studies leading to a master's degree elects to continue to a doctorate degree, he or she must reapply for an initial Cystic Fibrosis Canada Studentship at the doctoral level.

Students are expected to spend at least 75% of their time on the research training described in their application. It is recognized that for joint MD/MSc or MD/PhD programs the percentage of time spent on research training may vary.

Awards are tenable only at Canadian universities.

Equitable consideration will be given to Studentship applicants from outside of Canada, who intend to return to their own country on completion of a Studentship.

Term

Initial Studentships are awarded for a term of two years. Routine notification will be required from the supervisor by October 1 indicating that the Student has taken up the award and that he or she plans to proceed through the second year.

A renewal application at the master's level will not be permitted. A renewal application at the doctorate level may be approved for one or two years, up to a maximum of five years. No one may receive more than six years of support under a Cystic Fibrosis Canada Studentship. Further, a Cystic Fibrosis Canada Student who has not yet received the maximum six years of funding will be deemed ineligible for further support if that applicant has already been enrolled in a post-graduate program for six or more years.

Applications for renewal will compete 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 competition.

Studentship funding will commence on April 1 with subsequent installments following quarterly.

Value

The value of a Cystic Fibrosis Canada Studentship is reviewed on an annual basis, and will correspond with prevailing Canadian rates. Studentships awarded for joint MD/MSc or MD/PhD programs will be prorated based on the time available for research in each year of the program.

Criteria

Studentships will be awarded on the basis of the demonstrated merit and potential of the applicant, taking into account the applicant's academic record and references. The suitability and excellence of the proposed research environment, along with the intrinsic value and feasibility of the proposed research, will also be considered. In addition, proposed supervisors will be expected to hold an academic appointment.

One supervisor cannot submit more than two initial studentship applications to any one competition. The supervisor should not rank the applications submitted.

Application requirements

Cystic Fibrosis Canada sponsors a Studentship competition in October. Like all Cystic Fibrosis Canada grants, Studentships 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.

Applicants must arrange to have official transcripts and two letters of recommendation forwarded directly to Cystic Fibrosis Canada. One of the letters of recommendation 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. Applications that do not include these documents will be rejected.

Use of funds

Cystic Fibrosis Canada Studentships are salary awards, and the payment, in addition, of benefits to Cystic Fibrosis Canada students is a matter of host institutional policy.

Terms and conditions

1. 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. In addition, funding through the joint MD/MSc or MD/PhD programs may be carried over a maximum of seven years, including all renewals.

2. Institutional affiliation

   Students are normally expected to remain with the same supervisor for the period of the award. If the Student leaves the university, he or she is expected to relinquish the Studentship. Students wishing to transfer to a different supervisor must seek the approval of the Medical/Scientific Advisory Committee in advance of the transfer.

3. Increases

   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 Studentship.

4. Earnings from other sources

   Studentships may not be held in conjunction with any other award that exceeds 35% of the value of the Studentship.

5. Progress reports

   Students 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.

6. Leaves of absence, maternity/paternity and sickness

   Cystic Fibrosis Canada must be contacted regarding leaves (leave of absence, maternity/paternity, sickness, etc.).

Reviewed/updated: 2011-08-12