Funding Opportunities & Awards

Dr. Ray Rooted Graduate Award

Endowed by the University of Alberta:
Named for Dr. Ray Rooted, a devoted researcher and educator who is respected for his pioneering work in islet transplantation and his leadership in mentoring students.

 

Eligibility

Awarded annually to full-time, non-resident, basic science students entering their second or third year of study in the coming fall term or have successfully completed their 3rd year by the coming fall term with the Department of Surgery Graduate Program. Awarded on the basis of superior academic achievement and publications. The candidate must demonstrate a passion for surgical research.

 

Application

An application form, including three letters of reference must be submitted to the Research and Graduate Education Administrator at surggrad@ualberta.ca. The Department of Surgery Graduate Research Advisory Committee will review applications and choose the appropriate candidate.

 

Edmonton Civic Employees' Charitable Assistance Fund

Since 1952, the Edmonton Civic Employees' Charitable Assistance Fund has provided financial support to the Department of Surgery.

Over the past five decades the fund has provided important support at early stages of the department's research initiatives, allowing hundreds of new projects to start and new ideas to develop.

Funding has been provided to researchers for projects studying in the areas of hepatitis C virus, diabetes, tissue and organ transplantation, infections in transplant patients and wound healing.

Much of the success of the Department of Surgery is because of its ability to attract surgical researchers. The Edmonton Civic Employees' Charitable Assistance Fund has played a significant role in helping young researchers establish themselves and successfully compete for funding from other sources.

 

Eligibility

Applicants must be staff members of the Department of Surgery and demonstrate a significant commitment to research. Research activities may be in the area of basic science, clinical studies, outcomes research or surgical education. Research Associates, Surgical Residents and Graduate Students within the Department of Surgery are encouraged to apply as Co-Investigators with a surgeon or scientist in the department as Principal Investigator.

 

Criteria

Grants must fall into at least one of the following criteria, with priority given to new investigators:
  • The application is for seed money in support of a new Investigator;
  • The subject of research is a new avenue or pilot project in an established lab;
  • The results of the study will be used in a major grant application;
  • The field is an emerging area adding to the department's research diversity.

Application Process

Applications must consist of the following:

  • A cover letter clearly justifying application, identifying if alternate funding is possible or if the research is following a new direction for an established investigator;
  • Using the application form: A 200 word abstract and a 1000 word research proposal. The proposal proper should include an introduction, rationale, experimental protocol and statement of significance;
  • Must be written in an non-expert format;
  • A detailed operating budget;
  • Curriculum vitae must be provided for each applicant;
Applications for this year must be submitted in a single PDF document via email to surgrsch@ualberta.ca. Applications consisting of multiple files will NOT be accepted. Deadline for submission of complete grant applications (including signatures) is March 17, 2023.

Late applications will not be accepted.

 

George R Graham Bursary

The George R Graham Postgraduate Memorial Bursary in Surgery is awarded annually to trainees in the postgraduate program in surgery based on a combination of academic achievement and financial need.

The candidate for the George R Graham Bursary is:
  • A postgraduate trainee enrolled in the final three years of their program who is engaged in basic, clinical or educational research in a division of the Department of Surgery.
  • Has successfully completed or has demonstrated a commitment to complete studies in a PhD or MSc program during their residency.
  • Demonstrates exemplary all-around performance in these domains, as manifested by:
    • Clinical care during the residency
    • Assistance with the supervision and teaching of undergraduate students
    • In-training, course and examination scores
    • Dissemination of original research in local, national or international competitions and/or via publications

Clinical Research Grant

The Northern Alberta Clinical Trials and Research Center and the Edmonton Civic Employees Charitable Assistance Fund are jointly providing funds towards an initiative to boost clinical research output in the Department of Surgery. The main aim will be to fund as many small and medium sized clinical projects spearheaded by the surgical trainees (Residents and Fellows), which particularly require one off epidemiological consultations and administrative support.

Administration

  1. A holding account will be created to receive the funds under the jurisdiction of the department Chair. The successful projects will be assigned a speed code for dispensing of the amounts awarded.
  2. The awarded investigators shall report on a biannual basis, to the Clinical Research Director on the current state of funds, their use and on the progress of the project. The funds will be awarded for one year only (non-renewable). Funds not used for the first 6 months will be returned to the account within the Department.
  3. NACTRC will receive copies of the progress reports submitted.

Eligibility and Terms

  1. Clinical research projects where the principle investigator is a surgical trainee supervised by a primary member of the Department of Surgery, and supported by the respective research director. Preference will be given to projects that could be executed within a period of 12 months.
  2. A commitment to submit the project for presentation at the Tom Williams Surgical Research Day and as a manuscript for publication.
  3. The main to venues for utilization of funds will be for epidemiological consultation and administrative support. Use of funds as seed money will also be considered.
  4. Funding will not be used for salaries of the applicant, co-applicants or travel. Funds are unlikely to be granted for major and computer equipment unless significant justification is provided.
  5. Maximum funding per project is $5,000.
  6. A commitment to provide a final report within three months from the completion of the project.

Application Process

  • A full research protocol is required (refer to application form). A clear estimate of the use of funds in a budget section is mandatory.
  • Supporting letters from the Research Director and the Divisional Director of the respective division is required
  • Copy of Ethics approval if available
  • A cover letter justifying the research project outlining the plans for presentation at national and international conferences
  • Curriculum vitae (CIHR Common format) of the principle investigator(s) and all co-investigators

Applications must be submitted in a SINGLE Portable Document Format (filename.pdf) document via email surgrsch@ualberta.ca. Applications consisting of multiple files will NOT be accepted.

Adjudication Process

  • The Clinical Research Director will administer the process and adjudicate in cases of disagreement in consultation with the Research Committee.
  • Members of the division who are non-applicants will be preferential reviewers. Conflict of interest statement will be required. Each grant will be assessed by at least three reviewers.
  • Grants may be reviewed by faculty members of the Department of Surgery in addition to external peers.
  • The application process will normally be open during the summer, closing by the end of September for awards to be announced by the end of November.
  • There will be no expectation to dispense of the whole budget nor to fund a certain number of projects

Selection Process

The Clinical Research Director will review all eligible applications. All applicants will be notified in December  regarding the status of their application. Notification will included a blinded review of the application as given by the reviewers.

The award is available on January of the following year for a period of 12 months. The successful applicant(s) will be expected to submit a progress report in May and November of the following year.

Please address any questions and completed applications electronically to:

Dr Hamdy El-Hakim
Clinical Research Director
Department of Surgery
c/o surgrsch@ualberta.ca
Phone: (780) 492-9790

Deadline for submission of complete grant applications (including signatures) is in September.

Late applications will not be accepted.

Download the application (pdf)

More Information

For more information about the above awards please contact surgrsch@ualberta.ca or 780.492.9790.

Additional funding opportunities can be found at: