SPOR Graduate Studentship in Patient-Oriented Research

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Alberta Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) Support Unit - 2015 Fall Studentship Competition Announcement

The Career Development in Methods and Health Services Research Platform is pleased to announce the first competition for the SPOR Graduate Studentship in Patient-Oriented Research. The program will fund up to eight (8) awards. The application deadline is October 1, 2015.

Alberta Innovates- Health Solutions (AIHS) will host the studentship competition for the Alberta's Strategy for Patient Oriented Research (SPOR) SUPPORT Unit.

What is Patient-Oriented Research (POR)?

Canada's Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) is about ensuring that the right patient receives the right intervention at the right time. The objective of SPOR is to foster evidence-informed health care by bringing innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to the point of care, so as to ensure greater quality, accountability, and accessibility of care [http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/41204.html].

Patient engagement in SPOR: An important goal of SPOR is for patients (an overarching term inclusive of individuals with personal experience of a health issue and informal caregivers, including family and friends), researchers, health care providers and decision-makers to actively collaborate to build a sustainable, accessible and equitable health care system and bring about positive changes in the health of people living in Canada. Engaging patients is thus an integral component in the development and implementation of all elements of SPOR [http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/45851.html].

What is the SPOR Graduate Studentship in Patient-Oriented Research?

This studentship supports individuals in pursuit of a Master’s or PhD at an Alberta university to undertake health-related research with a patient-oriented approach. POR activities may include students engaging with patients and community partners to address contemporary research questions.

Objectives

The SPOR Graduate Studentship in Patient-Oriented Research is designed to:

1) Support and train first year MSc or PhD graduate students in the practice of POR;

2) Provide POR activities to develop capacity through a multi-disciplinary approach for all stakeholders including applicants, thesis supervisors, patients, and community team members;

3) Create opportunities for stakeholder groups to work closely together from conceptualization of research question to dissemination and implementation of results at the practice and community levels; and,

4) Demonstrate the impact of this POR studentship through completion of a Research Impact Narrative at the end of each year of the scholarship.

Opportunities

Successful applicants must participate in a 12-month training program that includes a combination of virtual webinars and face-to-face sessions that culminate in an annual Alberta SPOR Summer Institute. The training program curriculum is being developed with input from current graduate students, faculty members and community partners to ensure the program meets the unique needs of Alberta students as well as specific capacity development objectives. All research team members (student, research supervisor, patient and community sponsor) will be invited to participate in the POR training program.

Value

Eight (8) SPOR Graduate Studentships in Patient-Oriented Research are available for first-year Master’s or PhD students. The scholarships are valued at $30,000 each for one year, and are potentially renewable for one year, with a maximum funding period of two years.

Eligibility

For the October 2015 competition, applicants must be enrolled in their first year of a full-time thesis-based graduate program at an Alberta university and undertaking health-related, POR training leading to a MSc or doctoral degree. Applicants also require a letter of support from their supervisor that should include information regarding the eligibility of the proposed research project. Up to one additional letter of support from a patient or community partner may also be included, as appropriate.

Application Process

The Graduate Studentship in POR competition is administered in partnership with the AIHS. Applicants for the SPOR Graduate Studentship in Patient-Oriented Research will complete the Application form and a one-page supplement outlining the proposed project as well as demonstrate how the research embodies the principles of POR. A description of patient and community partnerships established should be described as well as how the research question answers a need in the community.

Important: Please read the Graduate Studentship in POR Application Instructions before applying. Check the AIHS website for up-to-date documents and information.

What is the review process?

All applications undergo a rigorous review process by a committee whose membership is both interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral. Applicants for the SPOR Graduate Studentships in Patient-Oriented Research will be assessed with a focus on the graduate trainee, their research proposal and relevance to POR and the anticipated benefits they would gain from the opportunities provided by the SPOR Graduate Studentships in Patient-Oriented Research program as measured by the following criteria:

 Academic track record

 Relevant work and/or research experience

 Career development plans

 Supervisory team, the research and the training environment

 Research proposal and relevance to POR

For more information:


Contact:

Penny D'Agnone | penny.dagnone@uleth.ca | (403) 382-7198