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The number of people with cystic fibrosis in Canada continues to grow each year and there are inadequate numbers of CF clinicians to provide patient care. In order to address this physician shortage, Cystic Fibrosis Canada has created Cystic Fibrosis Canada Clinical Fellowship.
Cystic Fibrosis Canada Clinical Fellowships are intended for those physicians who have already obtained their residency training and who wish to pursue additional clinical training in CF care. The purpose is to train physicians to become CF specialists, so that they can provide ongoing clinical care to individuals with CF in Canada. This training would include developing competence to allow them to participate in clinical trials. This fellowship is not intended to train individuals from other countries who will not stay in Canada. Up to two highly-ranked competitive Clinical Fellowships will be offered by Cystic Fibrosis Canada each year.
Canadian citizens or permanent residents who have an M.D. degree, have recently completed their clinical training, are exam eligible, and have obtained medical licensure in Canada, are eligible to apply.
Clinical Fellowships will not be awarded to individuals who have not completed residency training.
Clinical Fellowships are tenable in Canada or abroad and it is intended that this experience will directly benefit the Canadian CF community.
Initial Clinical Fellowships will be awarded for a period of one year. Clinical Fellows may apply for a subsequent Research Fellowship through the regular Cystic Fibrosis Canada Fellowship Program. No one may receive more than three years of support under a Cystic Fibrosis Canada Fellowship.
Applications must be submitted to the 1 October competition.
Tenure of a Clinical Fellowship will commence on 1 July. Subject to the approval of Cystic Fibrosis Canada, the start of a Clinical Fellowship may be delayed up to twelve months upon written request.
The value of a Cystic Fibrosis Canada Clinical Fellowship is dependent upon academic qualifications, and/or research experience. Award levels are reviewed on an annual basis, and will correspond with prevailing Canadian rates.
Clinical Fellowships will be awarded on the basis of the demonstrated merit and potential of the applicant, taking into account the applicant's academic record, clinical experience, and references. The suitability and excellence of the proposed institutional environment, along with the intrinsic value and feasibility of the proposed clinical/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 Clinical Fellowship applications to any one competition. The supervisor should not rank the applications submitted.
Cystic Fibrosis Canada sponsors a Clinical Fellowships competition in October. Like all Cystic Fibrosis Canada grants, Clinical Fellowships are subject to the availability of funds.
Applications must be received by Cystic Fibrosis Canada no later than 1 October. Incomplete and/or late applications will be returned to the applicant.
An application is considered to be a joint effort of the applicant and the supervisor with whom he or she intends to study.
It is essential that the application describes the clinical training program. A clinical research component to the fellowship is optional, but if included, should be described. In addition, an intention to spend time in a CF lung transplant centre is encouraged.
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 the supervisor has known the applicant, and should elaborate on academic and clinical capabilities and competence, and should address the following: background preparation, motivation, organizational ability, demonstrated skill in clinical activity, and communication and interaction within multidisciplinary teams, etc. Also required, in the application form, is a description of the proposed clinical training program, including clinical research component if applicable, and official transcripts of the applicant's complete academic record. Applications that do not include these documents will be rejected.
Cystic Fibrosis Canada Clinical Fellowships are salary awards, and the payment, in addition of benefits to Cystic Fibrosis Canada Clinical Fellows, is a matter of host institutional policy.
(a) 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.
(b) Institutional affiliation
Clinical Fellows are normally expected to remain with the same supervisor for the period of the award. If the Clinical Fellow leaves the university, he or she is expected to relinquish the Clinical Fellowship.
If the Clinical Fellow transfers to another supervisor and/or university, and is continuing the same type of research and clinical activity, 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.
(c) Increases
Clinical 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 Clinical Fellowship.
(d) Earnings from other sources
Fellows may be remunerated for other work but may not hold a second major award.
(e) Progress reports
Clinical 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.
(f) Leaves of absence, maternity/paternity and sickness
Cystic Fibrosis Canada must be contacted regarding leaves (leave of absence, maternity/paternity, sickness, etc.).
Reviewed/updated: 2011-01-31
