Description

The goal of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario (HSFO) Clinician Scientist award is to build capacity in Ontario for individuals who have clearly demonstrated excellence during their doctoral and post-doctoral training in cardiovascular or cerebrovascular research. Health care clinicians, such as nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists respiratory therapists, and physicians, whose focus is cardiovascular or cerebrovascular and a) have demonstrated an ability to engage in research, and b) are pursuing a career in clinical research will be considered for this award. A HSFO Clinician Scientist is an individual who has clearly demonstrated the potential to become an independent investigator. The purpose of this award is to assist such an individual in becoming a fully independent clinical investigator in the fields of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular research.

The program has two phases. Phase I provides stipend support for up to three years for junior Clinician Scientists who have completed a MD, PhD, DDS or equivalent degree. In addition, no more than 3 years must have elapsed since the date of the Phase I applicant's first academic appointment and the proposed start date of the award. Phase II provides a contribution to stipend support for up to three years for Clinician Scientists where no more than seven years have elapsed since their first academic appointment. Applications for Phase II are not restricted to holders of Phase I awards. For details on application and re-application, please see the Application and Tenure sections in the competition guidelines .

Eligibility

1. HSFO Clinician Scientist awards are normally tenable in Ontario universities but may, under exceptional circumstances, be awarded to Canadian applicants for research training in other Canadian universities or abroad.
2. This award is intended for individuals who have completed a MD, PhD, DDS or equivalent degree. In addition, Phase I applicants must be in the process of completing their post-doctoral training program or have completed their post-doctoral training. No more than 3 years must have elapsed since the date of the Phase I applicant's first           academic appointment and the proposed start date of the award. For Phase II applicants, no more than 7 years must have elapsed since the date of the applicant's first academic appointment and the proposed start date of the award.
3. Applicants must have access to adequate research funding to carry out the proposed research at the time of application and for the duration of the award.
4. Refer to the program guidelines for further details on specific eligibility requirements for Phases I and II.
5. Note, in order to assess eligibility, applicants must supply a completed Common CV form to HSFO. This is a web-based form, which allows CV information to be entered online. Please refer to the website http://www.commoncv.net/ for further instructions.

Tenure

Each award will be for a period of 3 years. Awardees may apply for one additional term for a maximum of 6 years, as follows:

• Awardees who have completed Phase I, and intend to apply again, must apply to Phase II.
• Provided they have not previously held a Phase I award, upon completion of an initial 3 year term in Phase II, individuals can apply for one additional 3 year term in Phase II for a maximum of 6 years of funding.

Note, applications are based on merit at each submission.

Stipend and Allowances

  For Phase I, the stipend level is $50,000 per annum plus applicable benefits.

1. For Phase II, HSFO's contribution to the investigator's salary is $55,000 per annum plus applicable benefits. The university or sponsoring institution is responsible for contributing to the salary and benefits equal to 50% of the HSFO contribution, bringing the value of the partnered award to $82,500 per annum plus applicable benefits. Please contact HSFO for details.
2. An amount of $1,500 per annum for travel for scientific purposes is available and will be reimbursed by the Foundation.

Review Process

The Heart and Stroke Foundation peer review process will be utilized to assess the scientific excellence of applications      to this initiative. Applications will be assessed using the following review criteria:

• Quality of the Applicant
• Quality of the Proposed Research Program
• How the execution of the research plan will contribute to the candidate's development as an independent researcher

How to Apply

Completed applications must be received at the HSFO office by 4:00 p.m. on March 31, 2009. Note, if the deadline falls on a weekend or statutory holiday, the HSFO must receive the application by 4:00pm on the previous Friday. Please forward the complete application and six collated copies (total 7) to:

Research Advocacy and Health Promotion
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario
Yonge Eglinton Centre, 2300 Yonge Street
Suite 1300, P.O. Box 2414
Toronto, ON M4P 1E4