Summer Program in Aging (SPA 2013) - Call for Applications

May 5th to the 10th 2013
University of Toronto's Hart House located in downtown Toronto, Ontario.

We invite applications from research trainees at the Masters, Doctoral and Postdoctoral levels, who are studying aging or have a particular interest in big science as it relates to human aging. Also invited to apply are those doing post-graduate clinical training that includes a program of research in aging.

Aim

The aim of the Summer Program in Aging (SPA), offered by the CIHR Institute of Aging, is to provide a program of advanced research training that crosses disciplines, sectors, institutions, and geography.

SPA 2013 Objectives

Through plenary and practical sessions, to offer participants from different disciplines an opportunity to:

  1. Gain an understanding of processes critical to career success, in the context of applied multidisciplinary research on big science in aging as an example, including:
    • coordination of research teams across academic disciplines and sectors
    • data sharing processes and security protocols
    • grant preparation and peer review
    • academic publication, including authorship rights and responsibilities
    • communication and knowledge transfer
    • professionalism and ethics
  2. Through cutting-edge research presentations and group work focused on big science, learn about changes associated with aging, including:
    • the use of population-level studies to reveal the journey of aging
    • policy application for aging-related healthcare issues
    • implementation of novel techniques and analysis tools to answer questions relevant to cognitive and social changes in aging.
  3. Learn and collaborate with peers from different disciplines, forming a network of visionary, scientists prepared to address the complex cognitive and health related social issues associated with aging.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • be enrolled full time in a Master's program; full or part time in a PhD program or be in the first two years of a postdoctoral fellowship a`t a Canadian University; or be doing post-graduate clinical training that includes a program of research;
  • be Canadian citizens or have landed immigrant status. (A few positions will be open to trainees at Canadian institutions who do not meet either criterion.);
  • have research interests, a thesis subject or a post-doctoral project in the field of aging, or with an aging component, and an explicit interest in Big Science in Research on Aging;
  • be committed to attending the entire Summer Program in Aging (May 6th to 10th 2013);
  • not have attended any of the previous Summer Programs funded by CIHR or the Institute of Aging. The curricula of CIHR-sponsored summer institutes vary. If you have previously attended such a program, please contact us with program information so we can determine your eligibility for SPA;
  • have a commitment from the applicant's academic supervisor to provide a $300 registration fee from his/her research funds if the application is accepted.

Application Procedure

Applicants must complete and submit the on-line application form by March 15, 2013. In addition to the on-line form, the on-line application requests an attached CV (maximum 3 pages; full CIHR CVs, or Common CV forms will also be accepted).

Letter of Recommendation

A letter of recommendation is also required from your thesis supervisor or post-doctoral mentor/supervisor, including his/her assessment of your potential to continue with research in aging, and with a commitment to provide the $300 registration fee from his/her research funds if the application is accepted. This must be e-mailed from the supervisor's own Internet account, by March 15, 2013, to Tanya Brown at tbrown@research.baycrest.org.

Supervisors may write letters of recommendation for up to two students, on the understanding that only one trainee per supervisor is likely to be selected to participate in SPA 2013.

Selection Procedure

An application review committee will select a limited number of students, based on eligibility criteria, research interests, range of disciplinary backgrounds, letters of support, and institutional distribution. All applicants will be notified of the committee's decisions by March 30, 2013.

Expenses

The Summer Program in Aging will cover the following costs:

  • Travel - lowest price economy return airline ticket or bus transportation from the applicant's home town or academic institution to the SPA 2013 location, including ground transfers. Local participants who prefer to drive will be reimbursed for mileage provided the cost does not exceed that of lowest economy airfare or bus transportation.
  • Accommodation - Accommodation for 5 nights will be arranged and paid for by the organizers of the 2013 Summer Program in Aging for the duration of the Program (Arrival on May 5th and departure on May 10th).
  • Meals - three meals per day will be provided for the full duration of the Program.
  • Participants will be responsible for any additional meals/transportation/hotel and incidental expenses.

Deadline for submission of applications including CV and letter of recommendation: March 15, 2013.

For more information contact:

Tanya Brown
Program Manager - The Virtual Brain
Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest
Toronto, ON, Canada
Telephone: 416-785-2500 x 2782
Email: tbrown@research.baycrest.org

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