iCARE Study – Summer Student Scholarship

Purpose

The purpose of this scholarship is to facilitate international collaboration and mentorship of trainees working on iCARE study data. During the 2024 summer, up to five scholarships will be awarded to eligible trainees working with iCARE collaborators. All scholarships will be sponsored by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the FRQS Research Co-Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health for Health Behaviour Change, and the Canada Research Chair in Behavioural Medicine.

The proposed mentorship collaboration aims to conduct a specific research project that exploits available iCARE study data. The research project should begin starting June 3, 2024 and be feasibly completed within 10 to 12 weeks (i.e. no later than August 26, 2024).

Eligibility

Applicants must be undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate trainees (including professional students – e.g., residents and interns) currently registered in a degree program. Postdoctoral students must be within five years of their last/highest degree program. There are no restrictions as to the applicant’s age.
Applicants from the following countries listed by the World Bank will be given special consideration.
Applicants must apply to work with a mentor. Mentors must be iCARE collaborators at the time of application. (Visit the “Study Team” section for a list of iCARE collaborators).

Terms of the Scholarship

The applicant will receive a $4,000 CAD stipend to work on the proposed research project.
The term of the scholarship is 10-12 weeks full-time and may begin as early as June 3, 2024, and end no later than August 26, 2024.
The mentor must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to work with the applicant to complete the project described in the proposal.
Six months after receiving the award (i.e., three months after the end of the scholarship term), the trainee must complete a 2- to 3-page online form (to be submitted to the iCARE Executive Committee) describing the progress and outcomes of the project. Successful applicants will receive a link to this form six months following receipt of the award.
There is an expectation that the proposed project will lead to a conference abstract or presentation and/or scientific publication.
The trainee must acknowledge the iCARE Study and its sponsors (Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the FRQS Artificial Intelligence and Health co-chair, and the Canada Research Chair in Behavioural Medicine) in publications and other products arising from work achieved as a result of this award. View sample acknowledgement

Application Requirements

The Applicant must:

Complete the online application form* which will ask applicants to upload the following:
1. A letter of intent no longer than 2 pages (11 pt. font, ½ inch (1.27 cm) margins) outlining:
  - Description and justification of the purpose and anticipated benefit of the scholarship;
  - Overview of the rationale and methodology for the proposed iCARE research project;
  - A clear plan for executing the above objectives, including a preliminary timetable of activities for the studentship with specific emphasis on the feasibility of the project within the proposed timeline. This must include a clear outline of any virtual/distance collaborative activities and how they will be managed;
  - A description of the research mentor, their academic affiliation, and the research environment. Applicants should also include details relating to available infrastructure, computing, and statistical analysis support.
Applicant’s curriculum vitae (maximum of 2 pages)
A one-page letter of support from the mentor who will be supervising the work. This letter must:
- Attest that the mentor is an iCARE collaborator (visit the “Study Team” section for a list of iCARE collaborators)
- Confirm that the mentor agrees to be the trainee’s supervisor for the proposed project;
- Describe the applicant’s qualifications for the proposed project;
- Confirm that the mentor has sufficient time and resources (including analytical**) to support planned activities during the specified time period;
- Confirm support for the applicant’s plans to produce scholarly work (conference presentation, peer-reviewed article) as a result of the award.
Applicant’s proof of status
- Proof of registration in undergraduate or graduate degree program, or, for post-graduate trainee, resident or interns, proof that they are within five years of their last/highest degree program.

* Please note that the application form is hosted on the International Behavioural Trial Network website.

**Analytical support may be provided upon request and must comply with iCARE guidelines

Award Selection Process

Applicants will be competitively considered for funding by the iCARE Research Award Committee. Two executive committee members will use a standardized scoring system to rank their choice of applicants.

The scoring system will be developed by the iCARE awards committee with special attention to:

scientific merit (i.e., background and methodology) of the proposed project;
clarity and feasibility of the proposed objectives and plans of the project;
qualification of applicant;
support of the hosting institution/mentor;
potential for ongoing scientific collaboration.

The iCARE Research Award Committee will collaboratively determine the final awardees.

Deadline

The deadline to apply for the 2024 competition is May 1, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Eastern time.

Successful applicants and their mentors will be notified by email by May 10, 2024. Payments will be made directly to successful applicants in a single lump sum ($4,000 CAD).

Progress Reports

Six months after receiving the award (i.e., three months after the end of the scholarship term), trainees must submit a 2- to 3-page progress report (to the intention of the iCARE Research Award Committee) describing the progress and outcomes of the project.

View all progress report requirements and submit the report using the online progress report form*

REMINDER: Trainees must acknowledge the iCARE Study and its sponsors (Canadian Institutes of Health Research, FRQS Research Co-Chair in Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health for Health Behaviour Change, and the Canada Research Chair in Behavioural Medicine) in publications and other products arising from work achieved as a result of this award. View sample acknowledgement

* Please note that the application form is hosted on the International Behavioural Trial Network

Additional Information

Please contact the iCARE staff at covid19study@mbmc-cmcm.ca.

Lower and Middle Income Countries for the purposes of the 2024 iCARE Summer Scholarship competition

View the most recent World Bank classifications