Institute of Genetics
Application deadline: November 1, 2001
Summary
The Institute of Genetics wishes to support career transition of faculty members who are planning to undertake rigorous training in identified areas of need outside of their primary research training and expertise. Career Transition Awards will support 100% release time from teaching and administrative responsibilities.
Objectives and Overview
Rapid development of new research frontiers, especially in genetics-related areas, requires new research capacity and highly trained faculty. The goal of this award is to allow Canadian scientists to undertake training in another area of research that is complementary to their own background. This award can be used to facilitate training related to the Institute of Genetics mandate, in other words, any area of biochemistry or genetics, or related to the ethical, legal and social issues of genetics research. For example, a geneticist trained in plant population genetics may wish to study human populations and apply for training with a human population geneticist.
Because there is a shortage of scientists in Canada in several important areas of biomedical or health research, the Institute of Genetics is particularly interested in scientists who wish to train in the following disciplines:
population genetics of complex diseases
clinical genetics
proteomics and bioinformatics
psychosocial, legal and ethical impacts of genetics.
It is expected that applicants will have demonstrated excellent research productivity and training capabilities and will be able to show that the proposed career transition is realistic. Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:
research and training record of the applicant
the career transition plan
quality of the host environment and the mentor/supervisor
the need for researchers in the proposed area of training
evidence that the investigator's home institution is supportive of this transition. In particular, will the investigator have an appropriate environment in her/his institution at the end of training period, in which to utilise her/his new expertise. Preference will be given to applications that also demonstrate a long-term commitment from the home institution to the candidate's new area of research.
Training must be undertaken in a centre that is renowned for the quality of research and training in the particular area of study and need not be in Canada. The program of study should be developed in consultation with and executed under the guidance of a qualified mentor/supervisor.
Eligibility
Any full-time faculty member currently employed by a Canadian University or Canada-based research institution is eligible to apply. Applicants who have worked as an independent researcher for at least three years will be given strong preference.
Total Funds Available
The value of the award is up to $70,000 per year for a maximum of 12 months. For shorter periods the award will be prorated. In addition, the awardee will receive a research allowance of $10,000, to a total of up to $80,000 per award. The Institute of Genetics has committed funds to support at least two awards, but if a larger number of strong applicants come forward, this commitment could be increased.
Duration of Funding
Applicants may request funds for periods of from 9 to 12 months. Career Transition Awards are non-renewable.
Allowable Costs and Activities
Up to $70,000 will be provided as a contribution to salaries (including fringe benefits) to release the awardee from teaching and administrative responsibilities. The research allowance of $10,000 can be used towards equipment, materials and supplies, relocation to and from the host research facility (where applicable), travel to research meetings held either inside or outside Canada, and other costs directly related to the research. These funds cannot be used to pay for course fees or health insurance. At the end of the award period, unspent funds must be returned to CIHR.
How to Apply
A full application must include:
CV of the supervisor/mentor at the host institution (preferably a CIHR CV module)
A letter of support from the Dean, Research Director, or equivalent at the home institution granting the candidate 100% release time from teaching and/or administrative duties for the duration of the award. This letter must describe and justify the contribution to salaries (including fringe benefits) required to release the awardee from teaching and administrative responsibilities. If applicable, this letter must also indicate whether a Research and Travel Allowance is requested, and the amount.
Only the original application is required to be submitted to CIHR.
Deadline for Application
Applications must be submitted by November 1, 2001.
Applications will be reviewed by an appropriate CIHR review panel. It is anticipated that the results will be released by March, 2002. The funding for successful applicants may commence up to one year from the date they are notified of their success.
Conditions of Funding
The recipient of a grant is required to acknowledge the CIHR Institute of Genetics in any communication or publication related to the grant. Normal financial conditions, as specified in CIHR's Grants and Awards Guide, shall apply for this initiative. Upon written confirmation by the recipient of the start date of the exchange, CIHR will issue an Authorization for Funding Form (AFF) as per standard practice. Any other special financial conditions and/or reporting requirements will be included with the AFF.
Ethics
Researchers are required to follow CIHR's policies on the ethical conduct of research, as outlined on the General Guidelines for All CIHR Programs.
Submission
Courier/Mailing address:
RE: Career Transition Award
Programs Branch
410 Laurier Avenue W., 9th Floor
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Address Locator 4209A
Ottawa ON K1A 0W9
Contact
For further information, please contact:
Stephanie Robertson
Program Officer
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
410 Laurier Avenue W., 9th Floor
Address Locator 4209A
Ottawa ON K1A 0W9
Phone: (613) 957-8671; Fax: (613) 954-1800; Email: srobertson@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Milka Popov
Assistant Director
Institute of Genetics, CIHR
123 Edward Street, Suite 1211
Toronto, ON M5G 1E2
Phone: (416) 813-7670; Fax: (416) 813-7673; Email: milkaig@sickkids.on.ca
