2024 SMART Training Platform Funding

Eligibility

• No more than 2 applications from the same supervisor.  
• Students must be deemed admissible to their home institution’s, undergraduate, Master’s, PhD or PDF program. Confirmation of enrolment will be required prior to start of funding. 
• Students must have plans for thesis related or project/publication focused on a ‘healthy cities topic and relevance to implementation.
• Students must have a committed advisor to supervise a healthy cities-focused research paper as part of the Methods Café course. 
• Students may apply for one or both award categories. 
• Graduate and postdoctoral students must commit to completing the following: 
  • Methods Café course (mandatory, offered in Fall semester) 
  • Attend annual Healthy Cities conference (travel supports available to defray costs) 
  • Commitment to experiential learning placement 

Summary

The SMART Healthy Cities Training Platform addresses an urgent need to build capacity in implementation science to support the development of healthy cities from a systems and equity perspective, utilizing state-of-the-art methods that range from effective community engagement to computational science.

The SMART Healthy Cities Training Platform was established in 2021 through a Healthy Cities Training Grant from CIHR-NSERC-SSHRC. The original team included faculty from 10 post-secondary institutions from across Canada, 11 non-governmental agencies/community partners and the Public Health Agency of Canada.  Since 2023, the SMART Training Platform trainee awards program has expanded eligibility to support trainees at all Canadian post-secondary institutions. Also, all perspectives of healthy cities and implementation science are eligible for consideration.

The SMART Training Platform funding aims to provide competitive awards to support trainees in their pursuit of training and research within the realm of healthy cities. Our program offers foundational courses that equip trainees with a foundational understanding of implementation science. Furthermore, we offer a variety of opportunities such as annual conferences, summer schools, webinars, experiential learning, and more, fostering a diverse and immersive environment where trainees can apply their knowledge and research to effect real-world transformation!

Funding Availability

Two streams of awards are available to support students at different stages of their program. Some limitations are in place to help support as many students as possible through the training program. The same application can be used to apply for either or both streams.

The SMART Training Platform is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

Awards

1 Year Bursary Award

These awards are not renewable but students may apply subsequently for the 2 year major award

• Undergraduate: 3 available awards of $5,000 for a funding term of 2024-2025
  • May be used as research assistantships or summer support. Must clearly define a healthy cities and implementation project.
• Postdoctoral: 5 available awards of $15,000 for a funding term of 2024-2025

2 year Major Award

These awards are not renewable & not eligible for further funding.

• Undergraduate: n/a
• Postdoctoral:  2 available awards of $50,000/year for 2 years for a funding term of 2024-2026

Optional Offerings

• Team Implementation Lab course
• Agent Based Modelling Course
• Summer School 
• Webinars

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

Application Procedure

Please complete the SMART application package and submit along with supporting documents through the online portal. Questions to be directed to admin@smart-training.ca

Apply Now!

Funding Call Posters:

2024 Funding Call (English)

2024 Funding Call (French)