Application Instructions

TIMELINE

• Call for Applications: February 6, 2020
• Deadline for Applications: September 25, 2020
• Decision to be announced: November 2020
   

FORMAT

Research proposals must be single-spaced. Fonts should be 12-point for all the components of the application. All four margins should be at least 2.5 cm (1 inch). Number pages on the upper right corners.

The application is now open! To start your application, please click here.

PAGE 1: Research Summary

The Research Summary provides reviewers with an overview of your research program. It will not be scored. Please provide the following information:

• The title of the proposal.
• The broad goal(s) of the proposed research.
• A brief statement of relevant background information and/or rationale for the proposed research.
• The specific research aims with a brief overview of the methodology that will be used to address each of the aims.
• The nature of the core expertise being brought together to address the proposed research. Information may include your important collaborations, within or outside of the research community that will be accessed to achieve the outlined research goals.
• Expected outcomes of the proposed research that highlight the significance or potential impact of the proposed research. Explain how the research will advance knowledge and/or improve health care, health systems and/or health outcomes.

PAGES 2-4: Research Proposal (3 pages only)

Provide a clear and concise description of your research concepts and plans. Describe your 2-year program (preferred) or projects. Any figure(s) and table(s) should be included in the 3-page proposal. The optimum division of space is determined by you but should include the following sections:

Research Concept (20%)
Describe your research concept by outlining the goal, objective(s) and, at a high level, the components of the program of research and potential short-term and long-term impact(s) of the proposed program.

Applicants are encouraged to consider the questions that reviewers will be asked to address when scoring this subsection. These include:

• Are the goal and objectives of the proposed program well-defined and well-articulated?
• Is there conceptual coherence within the program of research?
• Are the potential short-term and long-term program outputs significant or simply incremental? Are they likely to significantly advance health-related knowledge and/or its translation into improved health care, health systems and/or health outcomes?

Research Approach (40%)
Please articulate the research approach or methods (i.e., How will you deliver on the objectives of the program of research?).

You are not expected to provide extensive details on established methodologies; however, you may wish to appropriately describe novel or innovative approaches.

A detailed research design and project-by-project plan for smaller thematically-linked projects in the research program is not expected. Provide references to support your approach.

Applicants are encouraged to reflect upon the questions being asked of reviewers when completing this subsection. These include:

• Is the research approach appropriate to deliver on the proposed program objectives?
• Does the approach allow for flexibility in direction as the program evolves?
• Does the approach include a high-level description of how progress and success will be measured?

Mentorship and Training (10-30%)
Articulate a mentorship and/or training plan for trainees (e.g. undergraduate, postgraduate, residents, and fellows) including:

• An outline of training goals, learning opportunities, and key activities.
• Appropriate mentoring/training approaches in relation to the proposed program of research and research field.
• The rationale for the proposed training approach.
• How progress and success of trainees will be measured.

Research Environment and Resources (10-30%)
Outline the resources that you currently have in place to ensure the successful delivery of the research program objectives, such as:

• Ability to match or leverage Merit Award Funds (e.g. matching non-clinical time, additional support from matching peer-review grants)
• Physical infrastructure (and/or other types of infrastructure such as consortia, professional networks, etc.)
• Support personnel
• Equipment
• Availability of mentors, collaborators
• Access to specialized facilities (e.g. Research or Education Institutes)

PAGE 5: References

References should be included on a single page.

Curriculum Vitae (5-15%)
This section includes two parts:

1. A structured abstract of your CV that focuses on productivity over the last two years
2. A complete CV.  (The complete CV can be formatted using any presentation style but the standard University of Toronto CV format is recommended).
   The complete CV can be appended as a PDF file to the application. Reviewers will focus primarily on the structured Abstract of the CV.