Multiple Sclerosis Scientific Research Foundation
The Multiple Sclerosis Scientific Research Foundation (Canada) has established a fund to
stimulate innovation and collaborative research which will lead to a major advance in
understanding the cause of MS or to the development or improvement of therapy for the disease.
This fund is separate from the regular research program sponsored by the Multiple Sclerosis
Society of Canada and is meant to support large, multi-centre, collaborative studies that are
beyond the scope of the regular grants competition.
A total amount of up to approximately $1.5 million a year per project for a term up to 3 years is
available to support selected outstanding proposals. There is no preconceived notion of the
number or size of individual awards to be made. However, the Foundation is prepared to commit
a significant portion of the funds available to a single initiative in a compelling case.
The research should be collaborative and involve several centres preferably dispersed across
Canada. In the case of clinical studies, a number of MS clinics should be involved. The leader
of the group making a proposal must be centered at a Canadian institution. However, scientists
outside Canada can be involved in the research if their involvement in the group is important to
the success of the proposal. The principal investigators involved must all hold the rank of
Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor or equivalent.
A letter of intent (2 pages maximum) must be submitted describing the research project and the
scientists who will be involved. The novelty and relevance of the project to the goals above must
be clearly explained. The letter should indicate the approximate level of funding sought and the
period of time over which the total amount requested will be spent.
Letters of intent may be submitted at any time before September 1, 2000 to the Chair of the
Medical Advisory Committee of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and will be reviewed
by that Committee. Applicants selected will be invited to submit a complete proposal for
competitive review by a committee of experts. If proposals received do not meet the objectives
of the Foundation and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, no award will be made.
Please send letters of intent to:
Dr. Samuel K. Ludwin
Chair, Medical Advisory Committee
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
250 Bloor St. East, Suite 1000
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3P9 Canada
For further information and an application form, please contact Debbie Estabrooks in the Dean's
Office.
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Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
Research Studentships
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada sponsors a limited number of Research Studentships.
The Research Studentships are for qualified persons working toward a Masters degree, Ph.D. or
related degrees pertaining to research in multiple sclerosis and allied diseases. The maximum
period of a studentship will be four years but under exceptional circumstances may be extended.
The candidate's supervisor must submit a one-page summary of the proposed research and the
facilities available. Renewal of funding requires a letter of support from the supervisor and a
progress report from the student. The salary scales will follow those suggested by the MRC for
Studentships. Applicants with a direct relevance to MS will receive priority.
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Postdoctoral Fellowships
The fellowships are for qualified persons holding an M.D. or a Ph.D. degree intending to pursue
research work relevant to multiple sclerosis and allied diseases. The maximum period for a
fellowship will be three years but under exceptional circumstances may be extended for one
additional year. Each candidate must arrange to have assessments submitted directly to the
Society by at least three individuals under whom he/she has studied or who, in some other way,
have had a good opportunity to assess his/her potential. New applications require a letter of
reference from the intended supervisor. The fellowships must be held in a recognized institution
which deals with problems relevant to multiple sclerosis, and the applicant must be responsible
to an appropriate authority in the field he wishes to study. Applicants proposing to go abroad are
encouraged to seek the advice of the panel members regarding suitable labs for advanced
training. The salary scale will follow those suggested by MRC for fellowships, plus $1,000. A
transportation allowance is not provided. The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada strongly
discourages post-doctoral training in the same laboratory under the same supervisor where a
Ph.D. was obtained. If there is no other choice for the applicant, written documentation outlining
the extenuating circumstances is required.
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Career Development Awards
A limited number of Career Development Awards are sponsored by the Society for individuals
holding a doctorate degree. Applicants will have recently completed their training in research
and should be capable of carrying out independent research relevant to multiple sclerosis on a
full-time basis in a Canadian school of medicine.
The initial award will be made for three years with the opportunity for renewal two times of three
years each. Renewal will be on the basis of a progress report with copies of publications and
plans for the next three years. Also required is a letter of support from a person familiar with the
work and a letter from the head of the university department concerned confirming that the
original conditions of the award will be met. The salary scale, conditions of remuneration and
allowable involvement in non-research activities will be similar to MRC Scholarships.
Each application should be accompanied by official transcripts of the candidate's complete
academic record as well as a letter from the head of the university department concerned,
confirming that at least 75% of the applicant's time will be protected for research and that
adequate accommodation and research facilities will be made available.
Applicants must submit a summary of the research proposal and a copy of the operating grant to
be used during the first year of the three-year term of the Career Development Award. If an
operating grant has not been awarded by another agency, the applicant should submit an
application to the MS Society for a Research Grant. Applicants must have an operating grant in
order to be eligible for a Career Development Award.
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Research Grants
- Biomedical research grants are available to encourage studies into the biomedical aspects of
multiple sclerosis, its cause, prevention and cure.
- Health research grants are available to encourage research into health issues relevant to MS that
fall within the areas of health services research (such as health economics, effectiveness and
health policy), population health (such as epidemiology, determinants of health and environment)
and psychosocial and behavioral research (such as health education, health promotion, sociology
and communications).
Research grants are provided for projects that will be conducted in or under the auspices of an
approved institution. The request for funding can be made for a period of one, two or three
years. If further funding is requested, re-application in full must be made. A report of work
accomplished and relevant published papers must be submitted on termination of the grant, on
application for renewal or if specifically requested by the Society. A lay summary of 200 words
or less must be submitted at the end of each year of funding and on termination of the grant.
(The Research Grant agreement is on page 5 of the Grant Application.) Post-doctoral
fellowships and studentship cannot be applied for as part of an operating grant; they must be
applied for separately. All research grantees are asked to provide a brief, one paragraph
summary of what they have accomplished and its significance during the period of their existing
grant. This summary will be reviewed by either the Grants Review Committee or Health
Research Committee, and Medical Advisory Committee and is in addition to the usual progress
reports required by the Society. This summary should be submitted prior to the final instalment
for each year of the grant. Final instalments will be withheld until the summary is received.
For further information and an application form for all of the above, please contact Debbie
Estabrooks in the Deans's Office. Submission deadline is October 1st of each year.
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Canadian Blood Services Graduate Fellowship Program
Canadian Blood Services announces a Graduate Fellowship Program to attract and support young
investigators to initiate or continue training in the field of blood transfusion science. This
program is offered to graduate students who are undertaking full-time research training leading to
a Ph.D. degree.
The fellowship is awarded directly to the student, with a value of $19,030 per annum. A yearly
research and travel allowance of $1,000 per annum is provided with each fellowship. Students
may be supported for a maximum of 4 years. The initial term of the fellowship is 2 years with
possible renewal for an additional 2 years upon reapplication.
Blood transfusion science focuses on aspects of the collection and preparation of blood from
volunteer donors, as well as on the biological materials derived from blood or their substitutes
obtained through biotechnology. Such research may be basic, clinical or applied and encompass
a broad variety of disciplines including, but not restricted to, epidemiology, surveillance, social
sciences, blood banking, immunohematology, hematology, infectious diseases, immunology,
genetics, protein chemistry, molecular and cell biology, clinical medicine, laboratory sciences,
virology, bioengineering, process engineering, and biotechnology.
Application Process: Candidates are required to submit a completed application form (GFP-01)
that is available either at www.bloodservices.ca (click on 'R&D') or by contacting Cilla Perry,
Manager, R&D, Canadian Blood Services, 1800 Alta Vista Drive, Ottawa, ON K1G 4J5,
telephone 613-739-2408, fax 613-739-2201, e-mail: cilla.perry@bloodservices.ca.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted twice annually. Completed applications must
be received no later than July 31, 2000 for funding September 1, 2000. Applications will also be
accepted for a November 15, 2000 deadline for funding January 1, 2001. Applications to the
July competition that are received late will be held for the November competition.
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The Parkinson Foundation of Canada Research Grants
Funds are available on a yearly basis for support of projects with budgets of $45,000 or less, per
year, for up to two years. Grants will be awarded to meet operating expenses and equipment
costs essential to the conduct of projects with well defined objectives relevant to Parkinsons.
Funds for trainees will not be awarded. A fellowship to support trainees at the post-doctoral
level or at the level of clinical specialty training is available through the Parkinson Foundation of
Canada Fellowship Program. Funds for travel will be awarded only for travel considered
essential to the conduct of a project.
The following categories of research grants will be solicited in our program commencing January
1, 2001: 1) biomedical research in Parkinsons and related subjects, and 2) research to improve
the quality of life of Parkinsonians.
Investigators holding an appointment in a Canadian University Faculty of Medicine or related
health science faculty including Veterinary Medicine are eligible to submit applications.
The deadline for the receipt of applications is September 1, 2000 at 5 pm, EST. Late and
incomplete applications will not be considered under any circumstances, nor will postmarks be
taken into account if application arrives after deadline date. Grantees are expected to submit a
final report of the project by June 30th following the final year of their grant.
For further information and/or an application form, please contact Debbie Estabrooks in the
Dean's Office.
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The Canadian Vocational Association and Smart 2000
The Canadian Vocational Association (CVA) is partnering with Smart 2000 to offer more value
for your conference dollars. The first two days of the conference, October 21 and 22, are for
CVA members only. The second two conference days, October 23 and 24, are partnership in
action as the CVA conference combines with the SMART 2000 International Exposition at
Calgary's state-of-the-art Telus Convention Centre. The SMART conference explores the world
of digital connectedness and its influence on the way we learn, work, play and interact with
others.
The SMART 2000 conference themes include: October 23rd, Prosperity and Wealth Creation: an
in-depth discussion of the skills and competencies that business and industry need for prosperity,
global markets, e-Business and e-Commerce, and October 24th, Learning: an exploration of
alternate ways to learn, virtual learning in the world's greatest learning environment, connecting
Canadians to learn, and a look into the future of learning.
For further information and/or an application form, please contact Debbie Estabrooks in the
Dean's Office.
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The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada invites research applications in heart disease and
stroke for the following programs: grants-in-aid, research scholarships, visiting scientists,
research fellowships, nursing research fellowships and research traineeships.
The deadline for grant-in-aid and research scholarship applications is September 1, 2000. The
deadline for visiting scientist applications is December 15, 2000. The deadline for research
fellowship and research traineeship applications is November 1, 2000. The deadline for nursing
fellowship applications is March 15, 2001. Funding for successful applicants will commence on
July 1, 2001.
Applications are available from their web site (www.hsf.ca/research ) or the Heart and Stroke
Foundation of New Brunswick.
For further information please contact:
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of New Brunswick
110 Crown Street
Saint John, New Brunswick E2L 2X7
Tel.: (506) 534-1620
or
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
222 Queen Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5V9
Tel.: (613) 569-4361 Ext. 327
Internet: www.hsf.ca/research
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The Canada-US Fulbright Program
The Canada-US Fulbright Program offers Canadian and American graduate students and faculty
a unique opportunity to venture across the border for study, teaching and research. In the current
environment of North America regional integration, mutual understanding of each nation's
social, political and economic contexts is a prerequisite for a positive relationship. Based on a
need for a greater understanding, the Fulbright Program offers a rapidly growing number of
opportunities.
The deadline for the 2001-2002 competiton is November 15, 2000. Further information can be
found on their web site at www.usembassycanada.gov/fulbright.htm.
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Publications
Rural and Small Town Programme
David Bruce, Differential IT Access and Use Patterns in Rural and Small Town Atlantic Canada,
in Community Informatics: Enabling Communities with Information and Communications
Technologies. Edited by Michael Gurstein. Hershy PA: Idea Group Publishing, 2000. 136-150.
Paul Jordan, Shediac Bay Watershed Education Program. Shediac Bay Drainage Basin
Community Action Project, 2000.
Paul Jordan, Shediac Bay Watershed Asset Management Plan. Shediac Bay Drainage Basin
Community Action Project, 2000.
Ben Black and Paul Jordan, Development Options for the Community of Pointe du Chene,
Shediac Bay Drainage Basin Community Action Project. 2000.
David Bruce, Paul Jordan and Greg Halseth, The Role of Voluntary Organizations in Rural
Canada: Impacts of Changing Availability of Operational and Program Funding, in Voluntary
Organizations in Rural Canada. The New Rural Economy: A Project of the Canadian Rural
Restructuring Foundation. October 1999.
David Bruce, Where's Home? An Increasingly Difficult Question to Answer. Canadian
Housing Volume 16 #2, 1999 p. 1. Editorial.
David Bruce, Changing Perceptions about Quality of Life in Rural and Small Town Atlantic
Canada: Evidence from a Longitudinal Survey. In Rural Research Centre 6th Annual
Colloquium. Edited by Ken Beesley and Doug Ramsey. Truro: Rural Research Centre, Nova
Scotia Agricultural College. 1999. 45-58.
David Bruce and Patricia Gadsden, Quality of Life in Rural and Small Town Nova Scotia.
Sackville, NB: Rural and Small Town Programme. 1999.
David Bruce and Patricia Gadsden, Quality of Life in Rural and Small Town Prince Edward
Island. Sackville, NB: Rural and Small Town Programme. 1999.
David Bruce and Patricia Gadsden, Quality of Life in Rural and Small Town Newfoundland.
Sackville, NB: Rural and Small Town Programme. 1999.
David Bruce and Patricia Gadsden, Quality of Life in Rural and Small Town New Brunswick.
Sackville, NB: Rural and Small Town Programme. 1999.
David Bruce, Andrew Taillon and Jaime Orser, Population Change in Atlantic Canada: An
Analysis of 1991 - 1996 Population Change and Implications for Rural Communities. Sackville,
NB: Rural and Small Town Programme. 1999.
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