2026-2028 KBHN-CanNRT ADVANCE Network Policy Fellowship

Eligibility

The 2026-2028 KBHN-CanNRT ADVANCE Policy Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for trainees (graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, or research associates) to contribute to the work of the ADVANCE Network under the mentorship of ADVANCE leadership and with the support of ADVANCE Network members across Canada (including KBHN, TACC and CanNRT).

We will select four ADVANCE Fellows who will support the work of the ADVANCE Network by completing a project aligned with one of our four core areas of focus:

1. Program Types & Governmental Efficiency: Identify opportunities to improve coordination and efficiency across fragmented disability program landscapes.
2. Access Trajectory: Define and address barriers along access pathways from early childhood through young adulthood.
3. Eligibility & Design: Improve alignment between eligibility criteria, assessment processes, and functional needs.
4. Access and Exclusion: Address inequities in program uptake and design targeted outreach strategies.

Summary

Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN), Canadian Neurodevelopmental Research Training (CanNRT) Platform, and the Alliance for Disability Voices, Advocacy, and National Community Empowerment (ADVANCE) Network are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2026¿2028 KBHN-CanNRT ADVANCE Network Policy Fellowship.

Researchers and trainees passionate about shaping disability policy for children and youth are invited to apply and join the next cohort of ADVANCE Network Fellows.

This round is made possible through the generous support of KBHN and CanNRT. This partnership will bring expanded learning opportunities that will enrich the fellowship experience for this cohort and beyond¿including access to the CanNRT Summer School, a dedicated policy curriculum, and an annual training passport to support career development.

Application deadlines

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

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

Graduates Students (Masters / PhD): Contact gsaward@ucalgary.ca 

Postdocs and Research Associates: 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 fellowships@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.

RESOURCES

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be!

Contact the following Research Service units for support with:

Projects Involving Indigenous Research:

Support with incorporating wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management is available through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST).

Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

Knowledge Mobilization, Research Impact Assessment, DORA:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, research impact, responsible research assessment (DORA), and open science, is available through the Knowledge to Impact team.

Applicants can reach out by email to the KI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca.

For more information and access to resource archives, please visit the KI team webpage.

Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca.

EDI in Research:

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice.

Contact edi.rso@ucalgary.ca for more information.

Research Security:

The Research Security Division is available to ensure researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC).

Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.

Pre-Award Submissions:

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI
RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application