CCS Research Training Awards - Masters

NEW - Full Application Guide

Full application deadline extended: March 20, 2024 by 5:00 pm EDT/EST

In Partnership With

Terry Fox Research Institute Logo  Cancer Research Society

  Cancer Care Manitoba  Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation Logo

Program Summary

The purpose of this funding program is to support growth and innovation in the next generation of diverse cancer researchers across Canada at the Master’s, Doctoral and Post-Doctoral levels. The Research Training Awards seek to build inclusive capacity in cancer research, and will support individuals conducting cancer related research, while fostering long term connections with Canada’s cancer research ecosystem through a combination of exposures to other disciplines, knowledge translation, engagement, and mentorship opportunities.  

To address structural and systemic barriers to inclusion, and increase diverse representation in our cancer research ecosystem, we welcome Black and Indigenous students (only) to apply for the 2024 Master’s competition. Recognizing that Black and Indigenous trainees are not the only under-represented groups in the cancer research ecosystem, future opportunities for these awards will expand to other under-represented communities.

*Note: The term "Black" refers to people of Black African descent, which includes those who identify as Black Africans, and those found worldwide who identify as descendants of Black African peoples in the Diaspora (1, 2, 3). The term “Indigenous” refers to people who identify as First Nations, Inuit, Innu or Métis in Canada (4, 5). 

Please review the eligibility and requirements, the application guide, and the rating scales sections prior to creating an application.

Application guides can be found on the EGrAMS documentation for applicants page.

Important Dates

Submission opens:
December 15, 2023
Abstract due (non-competitive but mandatory):
January 17, 2024 (5:00 pm ET)
Full Application due date:
March 20, 2024 by 5:00 pm EDT/EST
Results announcement:
End of August 2024
Anticipated start date:
September 1, 2024

Background and context

The next generation of cancer researchers is a critical component for growth and innovation in cancer research. One call to action from the Canadian Cancer Research Alliance is to develop initiatives to build a diverse cancer researcher workforce and to look for ways to improve supports offered to trainees. We are implementing  a new, holistic system of funding and support for trainees at the Master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral levels. This opportunity will support cancer research training and foster innovation in cancer research through a comprehensive approach including mentorship, training, and knowledge-sharing.

Specific Objectives
  1. To support the next generation of cancer researchers across Canada and foster diverse, long-term connections within the cancer research ecosystem
  2. To build capacity in the cancer research system through an equity seeking lens and to foster a more inclusive research environment
  3. To fund a diverse group of trainees across a range of training levels and cancer research areas
  4. To enhance the training experience and innovation in cancer research through exposure to other disciplines, knowledge translation, engagement, and mentorship opportunities

Program description

The Research Training Awards are available to individuals pursuing Master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral level training at an eligible Canadian academic institution. We seek to support capacity in cancer research in all research pillars (i.e., biomedical; clinical; health services; and social, cultural, environmental and population health). This broad investment in the next generation is aimed at seeding the potential for future solutions and innovations in cancer research and cancer care. The Research Training Awards will support competitive, scientifically excellent applications for training in all areas of cancer research.

Funds available

Funding will be available according to the following funding table (maximum amounts described:

Masters available funding

  • Approximately $3M may be awarded in this competition***. This amount may be increased if additional funds become available from CCS or through partnerships.
  • For multiple sources of funding, please see the relevant section below.
  • Research Training Awards comprise two amounts: a salary (stipend) amount, which must be paid to the awardee (and will not exceed the maximum amount and duration listed above), and a separate training budget (expensed to CCS) to support cross-disciplinary training (and travel, as stipulated) of the awardee. The Training Budget requested should be pro-rated to the duration of the award selected. If the budget does not satisfy CCS guidelines described, CCS reserves the right to change/decrease its amount.
Notes:
* Awards may be pro-rated for part-time students and those holding other eligible research awards.
** If Master’s candidates qualify for a PhD program in the same lab with the same project before the end of the award, they can contact CCS to transfer up to 1 year of their stipend and training budget to their PhD. The stipend and training budget amounts will remain unchanged (master's levels).
***Successful applications must fall within the fundable range for CCS grants (>3.5). 

Additional Information

Applications from all four pillars of health research (i.e., biomedical; clinical; health services; and social, cultural, environmental and population health) are eligible.

Applicants may choose to engage in any type of research, including community-based research.

Please read carefully to ensure eligibility.

  • For the 2024 iteration, we welcome Black and Indigenous student only to apply for the Master’s competition.
  • Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis). International trainees are not eligible to apply currently.
  • Applicants must be enrolled in or have applied to a graduate program with a significant research component** at the master’s level at a Canadian institution.
  • Joint programs with a professional degree (for example, MD/PhD, Master’s/RN) as well as clinically oriented programs of study are eligible, if they have a significant autonomous research component. Please contact research@cancer.ca for more information.
  • The years of support requested must not exceed the estimated years remaining within the programs.
  • A maximum of one application per trainee is permitted in the Research Training Awards.
**Note: An eligible graduate program must include a significant research component such as: a thesis, major research project, dissertation, scholarly publication, performance, major essay, recital and/or exhibit that is merit/expert-reviewed at the institutional level as a requirement for completion of the program. 

There will be a two-stage review process:

  1. An initial administrative review will be completed on all applications. Applications that are incomplete, do not follow the formatting guidelines, do not meet eligibility criteria (i.e., applicants must be from eligible graduate programs and institutions) or are outside of the area of study (i.e., applications that do not relate to cancer research), will be withdrawn from the competition. Applicants will be notified if their application does not pass administrative review. The decision will be irrevocable.
  2. The expert review committee will be composed of a diverse group of scientific reviewers and patient/survivor/caregiver reviewers, who will collectively evaluate applications to this research training award competition (see review criteria below for more information). The review committee will be comprised of individuals with the expertise necessary to evaluate the full applications submitted.

Applicants are asked to submit an abstract by January 17, 2024 at 5pm ET. Please, refer to the guide and submit your abstract in EGrAMS.

The abstract submission will require the following:

  1. Applicant details
  2. Supervisor(s) information
  3. Public summary of the research project, to be written in lay language (i.e., Grade 8 reading level) describing why this work is important (rationale); the goal or purpose of the project (objectives/aims); the research plan (methods); and the anticipated results and potential impact of the project (2150 characters spaces included)
  4. Scientific Abstract that describes the rationale, objectives/aims, methods, and anticipated results and potential impact of the project (4200 characters spaces included)
  5. Keywords (maximum 10).
  6. List of reviewers’ exclusion and recommendation (this should be discussed with the trainee’s supervisor(s). 

Please review the application guideeligibility and requirements section, and rating scales prior to submitting your application. Applications that do not follow requirements (including character/page limits) will be withdrawn from the competition.

When preparing the full application, the following additional information is required: 

  1. An experience statement to evaluate potential impact on cancer answering 2 questions: [1] Why am I the right candidate for this award? [2] What do I envision as my (long-term) contribution to cancer research? (6000 characters spaces included).
  2. Transcripts from at least the previous degree obtained
  3. Education and career interruptions/obstacles (2500 characters including spaces).

    If applicable, please describe any special circumstances including education and/or career obstacles, delays, or interruptions that may have impacted your academic career and research productivity. This includes but is not limited to parental leave, family or caregiving responsibilities, part-time studies related to paid work requirements, etc.

  4. CVs (templates provided in the guide are mandatory).
    • Applicant CV (2 pages maximum)
    • Supervisor(s) CV (5 pages maximum)

    CVs that do not follow the guidelines will be removed from the application.

  5. A detailed proposal (7,500 characters, spaces included) including:
    • Overall goal and aims of their research project, supporting evidence / rationale, guiding theoretical framework (if applicable),
    • Study design, methods, evaluation / analysis (including assessment and mitigation of any potential barriers or risks),
    • Meaningful, integrated involvement of relevant stakeholders (i.e., patients, public, at-risk, underserved populations): briefly describe how patient/survivor/caregiver or other relevant stakeholders will be engaged in the research as partners and if applicable, as participants.
    • Applicants are encouraged to engage relevant stakeholders in their proposed research including individual and community-level partners such as First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous communities and organizations, Black communities, racialized communities, and people with lived experience.
    • References (not counted towards the character limit).
    • One additional page for figures, tables, visuals and is permitted (not counted towards the character limit).
  6. Sex, gender and diversity considerations (4200 characters spaces included). Include a description of how sex and/or gender and/or dimensions of diversity/determinants of health and their intersectionalities have been factored into the study design.
  7. Knowledge sharing plan (2150 characters spaces included). Note that traditional academic conferences or publications alone will not be considered sufficient for knowledge sharing. Please refer to the guide and rating scales for more information.
  8. A professional development plan including both cross-disciplinary training to be undertaken and a proposed mentorship plan.

     

    • A description of the cross-disciplinary training to be undertaken, expected knowledge/expertise gained or outcomes, and potential barriers to learning (3000 characters spaces included).
    • Mentorship plan (3000 characters spaces included). Mentorship refers to mentoring that the trainee would participate in as mentee.
    • Short statement of commitment / support from maximum 2 mentors is encouraged.

    Please refer to the guide and rating scales for more information.

  9. Letters of support:

     

    • Letter of commitment / support from the trainee’s direct supervisor(s) (maximum 2 pages)

    The letter of support from the supervisor should detail responsibilities (i.e., how the supervisor will foster growth), how the training environment is supportive of learning and success including equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles and practices applied by the supervisor and in the training environment, and any perceived barriers and mitigating strategies, as well as their overall assessment of the applicant’s suitability for the award. Only one letter will be accepted. In the case of co-supervision, the letter of support can be co-signed by both supervisors, but the page limit is the same. Letters that do not follow the page limit will be cut or removed from the application.

     

    • Statement of support (letter or video) from someone who has been affected by cancer (for example a patient, survivor, or caregiver) is required.

    The statement from the person affected by cancer should be from an individual with insight into the trainee’s research or clinical focus, and/or their connection with the cancer community. This is not a formal reference letter but an opportunity for someone outside of academia with an experience of cancer to support the applicant’s application (see instructions below).

    For Indigenous applicants (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis), a letter from a community member (e.g. an Elder) is eligible.

    The person affected by cancer will be sent a secure link to submit their letter/video of support. Below are some examples of what can be addressed  (3000 characters each, spaces included or a 3min video):

    • What is your experience with cancer or connection to the applicant’s research?
    • What is the applicant’s role in or connection to your (cancer) community?
    • From your experience with the applicant, what potential impact do you think their research may have on patients, caregivers, or community?  
    • If directly involved with the trainee's research, what does your role entail?
    • Is there anything else you would like to add?

    Please contact research@cancer.ca for more information.

  10. Detailed budget highlighting the use of the training budget over the course of the award. Note that a maximum of 50% of the budget may be directed towards attending traditional academic conferences. Consider setting aside the equivalent of 1 flight every other year to Vancouver or Toronto for a CCS in-person event gathering all ongoing RTA cohorts. Additional guidance is available here.

We welcome inquiries about research projects, training, mentorship and other aspects of the training award application. CCS and partners may be able to support contact with mentors, cross-disciplinary training, and knowledge sharing. Please contact research@cancer.ca

There are three areas being evaluated in this competition by scientific and patient/survivor/caregiver reviewers. Applications will be evaluated against the review criteria detailed below using two scores - Research Rating and Relevance and Potential Impact. Please refer to the application guide (to be released after Abstract deadline) and rating scales when preparing an application. 

  • Individuals may not concurrently hold an award similar to the Research Training Award (RTA). This includes CIHR, CGS, Vanier, Banting, FRQS awards or all other awards where the prorated monthly stipend amount is worth at least 40% of the RTA amount.
  • Applicants that do not declare new or existing awards to CCS that are found to hold such awards will be withdrawn from the competition.
  • Similar applications may be submitted to other agencies concurrently, but awardees cannot hold multiple awards as listed above.
  • Other partial stipends may be held (equal to less than 40% of the RTA stipend), subject to agreement from each funder, and the RTA stipend will be reduced by the partial amount. 
  • Please contact research@cancer.ca for more information. 
  • All award recipients must submit annual progress reports and statements of account throughout the grant (and a final report 2 years post-grant). Awardees will be emailed instructions about completing the report in our online system (EGrAMS). Submission of these reports is mandatory. Failure to submit the required reports will result in the future installments of the award being withheld.
  • As a condition of funding, successful applicants will participate in annual meetings to share knowledge and network with each other and relevant stakeholders, including CCS staff. The meetings may be designed as in-person or virtual events, to be determined. Awardees are also expected to participate in CCS-led workshops and opportunities which will facilitate networking and learning opportunities such as in knowledge translation or patient / stakeholder engagement.

Scientific misconduct including, but not limited to, fabrication, falsification, plagiarism or misrepresentation of data will not be tolerated and may result in the rejection of proposals in the current program and possibly from all future CCS programs. Misconduct, including but not limited to, racism, discrimination, bullying, harassment of any form (i.e: sexual) will be treated with the same severity.

CCS reserves the right to cancel the support provided through its program were any of this conduct proven to (have) happen(ed).

Our partners

CCMB is interested in supporting applications where both the trainee and supervisor are based in Manitoba and where the research activities will be undertaken in Manitoba. Awards at the PhD and Postdoctoral Fellow level are of primary interest.

Cancer Care Manitoba

SHRF is interested in supporting applications where both the trainee and supervisor are based in Saskatchewan. Awards at the PhD and Postdoctoral Fellow level are of primary interest.

Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation Logo

CRS is a national not-for-profit organization whose sole mission is to fund research on all types of cancer, thereby contributing to the advancement of science aimed at preventing, detecting, and treating the disease. We have a specific interest in supporting trainees, at the Master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral level, in underrepresented groups to help reduce discrimination and inequity and support the full participation of talented individuals in building the next generation of cancer researchers.

Cancer Research Society

TFRI is interested in supporting applications at any award level and on any aspect of the cancer continuum and type of research.

Terry Fox Research Institute Logo