2017 Summer Studentship Program Grant Application

Program Information

Application Deadline February 2, 2017 at 4:00 pm

Research GrantsAdministration,4-081Edmonton ClinicHealth Academy(ECHA)

11405–87Avenue,Universityof Alberta,Edmonton,T6G

The Women and Children's Health Research Institute (WCHRI) Summer Studentship Award Program offers students the opportunity to carry out health and/or medical research under the supervision of a WCHRI member over the summer months (May to August). This program seeks to encourage students’ consideration of a research career in fields relevant to women and/or children's health. Students and supervisors from all departments and disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Eligibility

  • Undergraduate students (including medical education students) registered in a recognized degreeprogram from any Canadian university may apply.Students must complete WCHRI trainee membership requirements prior to submission of the application.
  • Projects must be related to women and/or children's health research, supervised by a WCHRI member and carried out at the University of Alberta.
  • Supervisors may put forward only one applicant per year.
  • Students must commit to the proposed research for a minimum of three months from May to August. (Undergraduate medical education applicants with 11 weeks available for summer research are eligible).

Supervisor Requirements

The supervisor must be prepared to provide direct and continuous supervision during the term of the award. Co-supervision will not be considered. Supervisors must have a primaryfaculty appointment at the University of Alberta, and must demonstrate a relevant track record and sufficient funding to support the proposed research. No changes to supervision or the research project will be considered during the term of the award.

Application Relevance to WCHRI’s Vision, Mission and Strategic Roadmap

All applications submitted through WCHRI Grants must align with WCHRI's vision, mission and strategic roadmap as well as to our relevance criteria. Applications that do not present with clear alignment and relevance will not be eligible to hold WCHRI funds (other eligibility criteria must also be met).

WCHRI's stated vision, mission and strategic roadmap are included below and can be found on our website.

Vision:To harness the power of research innovation for a healthy future for children and women

Mission:WCHRI will foster the brightest minds to discover, innovate and ultimately transform the health of children and women through supporting research excellence.

WCHRI’s Strategic Roadmap:WCHRI has developed a five-year (2015-2020) strategic roadmap to focus our support for women and children's health research for maximum impact. The roadmap was created after extensive consultation with our members, partners and funders, and builds upon our past successes. The plan focuses on four strategic areas:

1. Research-integrated hospitals and communities

Improve health outcomes for children and women through research embedded at the point of care.

2. Children's health and well-being

Identify effective treatments to address the unique health needs of children; improve our understanding of rare and complex childhood diseases.

3. Healthy development

Optimize maternal and infant health outcomes; develop early intervention and prevention strategies to reduce the risk for lifelong chronic disease.

4. Lifelong women's health

Support research that addresses mechanisms related to the unique health needs of women; improve reproductive health outcomes.

To establish relevance, all applications must clearly address the following:

  • The primary research question must be directly relevant to women and/or children’s health;
  • The research question should specifically target improving outcomes for women and/or children through health research (i.e. context);If applicable, the animal model must be clearly justified and provide specific details that include rationale for the chosen model, animal age and sex, and relevance/applicability to the research question;
  • Methodology, including details of study design sufficient to demonstrate benefit, impact, and/or potential for improved women and/ or children’s health outcomes.

Applicants should note that the above are some common considerations; alternative or additional factors may need to be included depending upon the proposed research.

All applications will be screened for relevance and alignment with our vision, mission and strategic roadmap using the following rating system. Applications with low relevance and alignment will not be considered fundable, regardless of scientific merit.

Project Relevance and alignment with WCHRI Vision, Mission
and Strategic Roadmap
High relevance to WCHRI
Moderate relevance to WCHRI
Low relevance to WCHRI

Relevance to Biomedical Global Health Research Network Incentive Program

We are very pleased to launch the Biomedical Global Health Research Network (BGHRN) incentive program through the 2017 WCHRI Summer Studentship. This incentive program supports biomedical research into issues of Women and Children's Health, the effects of which are not limited by geographic borders and that disproportionately affect populations experiencing health inequities. The incentive will provide two prizes of $250 each for successful applicants whose work relates to global health issues. Further information on this program is available on the FoMD Division of Community Engagement website at:( All WCHRI Summer Studentship program criteria applies; applicants must self-identify global health research on the application form. Eligibility will be determined by WCHRI.

Application Workshop

WCHRI will host a Lunch & Learn workshop for summer studentship applicants on January 12, 2017. Please refer to our website for further information.

Instructions for Completion of Application Form

  • Read the entire application and guidelines before you start filling out the application form.
  • Complete the application form. Do not exceed the space provided. Additional pages may be included only where indicated and must be provided in Arial 10 pt. font size. All margins are restricted to no less than 2 cm.
  • Additional pages or information may be appended only where indicated and must include the applicant’s name in the header and the page number in the footer (page 7a, 7b, 7c, etc…).
  • Do not submit photo-reduced, double-sided or stapled application material.
  • Do not forward or send transcripts, letters of reference or other supporting documentation directly to WCHRI. All supporting documentation must accompany the application.
  • The complete application package must be received by WCHRI on, or before, the deadline with all of the information below:
  • The signed, current and completed application form;
  • One up-to date transcript (transcripts do not have to be in a sealed envelope);
  • One letter of reference, received in a sealed envelope from the referee (see below for details);
  • Supervisor's current research funding (operating grants only);
  • Supervisor’s publication listing for the last 3 years (with trainees underlined);

Reference letters should be from a person who has worked with or supervised you and is able to address the qualities outlined in the Grading Grid below. Candidate qualities such as motivation, intellectual ability, maturity, future prospects within a research environment and any previous research experiences should be detailed.

No photocopies of the grant application are required. All applications submitted for the competition must use the current application form. Applications with missing information or documentation will be submitted to the Committee as is. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the application is accurate and complete. Information not requested in the application formwill not be sent to committee.

Application Deadline

Applications must be received by the WCHRI Grants Administration Office, located at 4-081 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (ECHA), 11405 – 87 Avenue, not later than February 2, 2017 at 4:00 pm. Late applications will not be accepted.

Evaluation Procedure

WCHRI uses a grading grid to help in the evaluation and assessment of applicants. The grading grid is located in the following section of this document. Every application is reviewed by two committee members.

Application Results

Application results will be posted to the website in late April, with the formal outcome letter and application feedback following shortly thereafter by email. In the event that there is a discrepancy between the website announcement and the formal outcome letter, the formal outcome letter constitutes our notification of outcome.

Questions

If you have any questions regarding the WCHRI Summer Studentship Grant Program or application process, please contact WCHRI Grants Administration at .
WCHRI Summer Studentship Grant Grading Grid

All applications will be reviewed by the WCHRI Summer Studentship Advisory Committee and ranked according to merit. Awards will be adjudicated based on the following criteria:

  • Student Factors
  • Academic Record: GPA (calculated using (up to) the last 60 credits, 2 point maximum);
  • Academic Record: Awards and Prizes (3 point maximum);
  • Academic Record: Research Outputs and Activities (3 point maximum);
  • Reference Letter (3 point maximum).

A maximum of 11 points may be awarded in this section.

  • Supervisor Factors
  • Supervisor's Research and Publication Record (3 point maximum);
  • Evaluation of the Proposed Training Environment (3 point maximum);
  • Student’s Role and Skill Development (2 point maximum).

A maximum of 8 points may be awarded in this section.

  • Research Project Factors
  • Feasibility and overall quality of the research project (3 point maximum);

A maximum of 3 points may be awarded in this section.

  • Research Relevance withWCHRI
  • Research Relevance.

A maximum total of 22 points are available.

Application Relevance to WCHRI Mandate

All applications submitted through WCHRI Grants must align with WCHRI's relevance requirements. Applications that do not present with clear relevance to WCHRI will not be eligible to hold WCHRI funds (other eligibility criteria must also be met). WCHRI's stated vision is to improve outcomes for women and children through health research.

To establish relevance, all applications must clearly address the following:

  • The primary research question must be directly relevant to women and/or children’s health;
  • The research question should specifically target improving outcomes for women and/or children through

health research (i.e. context);

  • If applicable, the animal model must be clearly justified and provide specific details that include rationale

for the chosen model, animal age and sex, and relevance/applicability to the research question;

  • Methodology, including details of study design sufficient to demonstrate benefit, impact, and/or potential for improved women and/ or children’s health outcomes.

Applicants should note that the above are some common considerations; alternative or additional factors may need to be included depending upon the proposed research. All applications will be screened for relevance as follows:

Project Relevance with WCHRI Mandate
Somewhat relevant to WCHRI mandate
Moderately relevant to WCHRI mandate
Highly relevant to WCHRI mandate

STUDENT FACTORS

Academic Record (Score of 0 to 2)
Calculation of the GPA is based on (up to) the last 60 credits reported in submitted transcript / Point Allocation
(maximum)
GPA of less than or equal to 3.59 / 0
GPA between 3.60 and 3.85 / 1
GPA between 3.86 and above / 2

A maximum of 2 points may be allocated for Applicant's GPA

Academic Record: Awards and Prizes (Score of 0 to 3) / Point Allocation
(maximum)
No previously obtained awards and/or prizes / 0
Some awards and/or prizes (1 or 2) / 1
Solid track record of obtaining awards and/or prizes (2-5) / 2
Excellent track record of obtaining awards and/or prizes (more than 5) / 3

A maximum of 3 points may be allocated to Applicant’s Awards and Prizes

Academic Record: Publications (Score of 0 to 3)
Assessment of Research Outputs and Activities (include refereed papers, conference abstracts, Research Day participation, etc.).Reviewers are encouraged to consider quantity and overall quality in theirassessment. / Point Allocation
(maximum)
No previously obtained publications / 0
Some publications (typically 1 or 2) / 1
Solid track record of publications (typically 3-4) / 2
Excellent track record of publications (typically 5 or more) / 3

A maximum of 3 points may be allocated to Applicant’s Publications

Letter of Reference (Score of 0 to 3)
Quality of Candidate Letter of Reference / Point Allocation
(maximum)
Letter provides general information about the candidate's personal characteristics and/or academic strengths. / 0
Letter is generally supportive of the candidate, and speaks in broad terms of his/her personal characteristics (motivation, intellectual capacity, maturity, etc.) and academic strengths. / 1
Letter is very positive and provides considerable details about the candidate's relative strengths. Candidate has accumulated some research experience and the letter comments on the candidate's competence/abilities in this area. / 2
Letter is very positive and strongly supportive of the candidate and communicates an element of excitement about his/her future prospects in conducting research. The letter clearly details the candidate's research successes and accomplishments and highlights, giving examples, the candidate's strengths, competencies and abilities. The candidate will have had significant experience in research which may have resulted in publication. / 3

A maximum of 3 points may be allocated for the quality of the Applicant's Letter of Reference

SUPERVISOR FACTORS

Supervisor's Research and Publication Record (Score of 0 to 3)
The supervisor’s research track record will be evaluated with reference to faculty level, research productivity and impact, and publication history. / Point Allocation
(maximum)
The supervisor’s level of productivity in the recent past is modest. / 0
The supervisor has a good/solid record of publications including publications with trainees. / 1
The supervisor has a very good/strong and consistent track record of publications including publications with trainees. / 2
The supervisor’s publication record is excellent in terms of research publications (including publications with trainees), and may have received national/international recognition. / 3
A maximum of 3 points may be allocated for the Supervisor Publications Track Record
Evaluation of the Training Environment (Score of 0 to 3)
Assess the facilities, databases and/or other personnel available to foster the applicant's development; previous summer/graduate students supervised or other supervisory experience, as well as history of publications with trainees and evaluation of the collaborative environment. / Point Allocation
(maximum)
It is not clear that adequate resources or supports are available to support the candidate’s work.
The supervisor has a poor history of supervising and publishing with trainees. / 0
The proposed research project will enable the trainee to obtain new methodological expertise; appropriate operating funds appear to exist to support the project. The supervisor has an adequate history of supervising and publishing with trainees. / 1
The proposed research project and the candidate's role are clearly defined. The trainee is expected to make intellectual and methodological contributions. Research resources are clearly available to support the project. The supervisor has a strong history of supervising and publishing with trainees. / 2
The proposed research has been developed to capitalize on the trainee's abilities and interests.
The research 'fit' will clearly result in an excellent trainee experience. Research resources arenot a concern. The supervisor has an excellent history of supervising and publishing with trainees. / 3

A maximum of 3 points may be allocated for the Overall Impression of the Training Environment

Student’s Role and Skill Development (Score of 0 to 2)
Assess the student's role in the proposed project; how the student’s involvement in the proposed research will contribute to their personal and professional skill development and how the student will be mentored through the proposed project. / Point Allocation
(maximum)
The student’s role in the proposed research is not clear. Very little rationale provided as to how the student’s skills will be enhanced or how the student will be mentored. / 0
The proposed research project will enable the trainee to obtain new methodological expertise; the role of the student is clearly articulated and adequate mentoring is in place. / 1
The proposed research project and the candidate's role are clearly defined and the project provides a strong opportunity for personal and professional development. The trainee is expected to make intellectual and methodological contributions. The supervisor has a detailed and impactful mentoring plan in place. / 2

A maximum of 2 points may be allocated for the Overall Impression of the Role of the Trainee

RESEARCH PROJECT FACTORS

Feasibility and overall quality of the Proposed Research Project (Score of 0 to 3) / Point Allocation
(maximum)
The project appears to be commensurate with the level of the candidate's training. / 0
The project is relevant to health and is well written, providing sufficient rationalization and methodological details. / 1
The project is relevant to health and is well written, providing sufficient rationalization and methodological details. In addition, this work will potentially produce an original contribution to existing knowledge in this field. / 2
The project is clearly defined and is well written. The description provides enough methodological details to evoke confidence that the goals of the project will, in all likelihood, be achieved. The project is related to an important area of health research and has the potential to contribute substantially to the knowledge in this field. / 3

A maximum of 3 points may be allocated for the Proposed Research Project

WCHRI 1

2017 WCHRI Summer Studentship Program Application Form

Application Deadline February 2, 2017 at 4:00pm

Research Grants Administration, 4-081 ECHA, University of Alberta, Edmonton, T6G 1C9

Candidate Name: / Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial(s)

WCHRI SUPPORT OF RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP PRACTICE AND BEHAVIOR

WCHRI supports the University of Alberta's efforts to ensure the highest standards of research and scholarship practice and behavior. By signing below, each candidate and their supervisor(s) asserts that this application adheres to all research policies and procedures in place at the University of Alberta.

WCHRI reserves the right to request institutional confirmation of assertions contained within this application.