1. MSFHR Research Competitions Team
2017 Scholar Competition
MSFHR Research Competitions Team
Rashmita Salvi, Manager, Research Competitions

2. Overview About MSFHR Purpose of the Scholar Program
Eligibility Criteria to Apply
Application Process
Evaluation Criteria
What do Reviewers Look for?
Important Dates
Q&A

3. About MSFHR
MSFHR empowers BC’s best and brightest health researchers to pursue world-class innovation.
Discover solutions to health challenges
Connect knowledge and action on provincial priorities
Engage partners to improve the research enterprise
MSFHR
Updated “Vision” with current Strategic Plan statement.

4. each MSFHR Scholar trains
Trends we are Proud of
1,216 Trainees
1/4
were recruited
from
outside BC
Since
2001,
we have given
1,586
awards +
370 Scholars
Updated “Vision” with current Strategic Plan statement.
Scholar
90%
of Scholars
remain
in BC
as research
leaders
on average
each MSFHR Scholar trains 10
next generation
innovators
Postdoc
Doctorate
Masters

5. Comparison of Scholar & HPI Programs

6. Purpose of the Scholar Program
To attract and foster development of outstanding health researchers in BC
To allow early career researchers to:
Establish an independent research career
Build a leading research program
Expand their potential to make significant contributions to their field
The Scholar Program achieves this through contributing a portion of the MSFHR Scholar’s salaries.
Update figures

7. Program Highlights Up to 5 years $90,000/year (incl. benefits) 30% 70%
Research
Themes
Each Scholar Award:
Up to 5 years
Biomedical
Clinical
Health
Services
Population
$90,000/year
(incl. benefits)
Total Program Funding
Applicant
allocated* to the clinical, health services, and population health research themes
30%
allocated to all 4 research themes
70%
*to encourage applications from these research areas

8. Eligibility Criteria to Apply
Must have a PhD or equivalent
Commit to a minimum of 75 percent time conducting research.
Hold an appointment currently or have a commitment of an appointment to begin by the award start date of July 1, 2017 at an institution that holds a memorandum of understanding with MSFHR as a host institution. The appointment must allow the applicant to:
a. Apply for and hold peer-reviewed funds as a principal investigator
b. Be the primary research supervisor for graduate and post-graduate trainees
c. Publish their research results
Be within five years from the start of their first university appointment (at an assistant professor level, or equivalent) as of the Full Application deadline, December 16, 2016
Edited to maintain consistency with guidelines

9. Eligibility Criteria to Apply
Conduct research in one of the four research themes: biomedical, clinical, health services, and population health
Clear link to human health in the program of research
Have a written commitment from the department head (or equivalent) protecting a minimum of 75 percent of the applicant’s time for health research activities or no less than 30 hours per week.
Provide three reference letters, one from each category below:
Supervisor (PhD or post-doctoral fellowship supervisor)
Expert in the area proposed in the applicant’s program of research
Mentor from outside the host institution (within BC, national or international)

10. Communicate! Communicate!
Be aware of the internal deadlines of your host institution and communicate with your Department Head, Dean and Referees well in advance of the internal deadline.
Notes
Department Head, Dean and Referees must have an MSFHR ApplyNet account to complete their tasks.
Contact collaborators if you plan to attach letters of collaboration to the program of research.

11. Application Process
Updated table with deadline.

12. Letter of Intent Deadline: November 7, 2016
A simple web form that requires the applicant to provide:
Contact information
Project Information
Theme and Keywords
Third Party information
Suggested External Readers

13. Letter of Intent Deadline: November 7, 2016
MSFHR reviews Letters of Intent within two business days
Approval gives access to the Full Application
Final approval is at the Full Application deadline when we have access to the Canadian Common CV

14. Full Application Deadline: December 16, 2016
Full application requires more in-depth information:
Third parties: Confirm Department Head, Dean and Referees
Response to previous reviews: if applicable
Most significant contributions
Activities and contributions
Uploads:
Canadian Common CV – MSFHR full version
Publications (entire career)
Program of research and appendices

15. Evaluation Criteria
Scholar applications will be assessed against the following criteria:
Criterion
Weighting
Track Record 50
Program of Research 30
Environment and support 20

16. Evaluation Criteria
Program of research Description of a single project and a set of coordinated projects undertaking related research for the five-year term. KT related activities must be embedded with the program of research.
Single Research Project
Set of coordinated projects
5-year program of research

17. Evaluation Criteria Environment and support
Support for the Scholar from their host institution is evaluated via the Department Head and Dean (if applicable) forms.
Commitment to provide an appointment that:
Will allow the Scholar to apply for and hold peer reviewed funds as PI
To be the primary research supervisor for graduate and post-graduate trainees
To publish research results
Commitment of 75% protected time for research activities

18. What do Reviewers Look for?
Lay summary that is written for members of the public, rather than for researchers — no jargon and technical terms explained
CCV that provides information about your academic and research training, mentorship activities, KT plans, and non-academic activities e.g. community work
Reference letters that provide specific details of intellectual curiosity, recognized or potential research experience, academic strength and scientific training

19. What do Reviewers Look for?
Publication list of all published and accepted publications throughout your career:
Categorized under separate headings
Role and percent contribution to team effort in multi-authored publications
Underline names of trainees whose work your have supervised
Important:
Reviewers want to see that the applicant has followed the instructions of the funding agency — page limits, formatting, etc.

20. Keep the Guesswork Out!
Reviewers do not have the time to look up information on your behalf — if it is important, make it explicit within the program of research
If you have pilot data, mention it
Make sure references, tables, charts, figures and photographs are tagged correctly within the program of research
If you were not able to capture important information about your activities and contributions in the CCV, add it to the publication list
Pay attention to grantsmanship — cohesive flow of information allows reviewers to read the application without having to flip back and forth between pages

21. Partnership Awards
MSFHR partners with leading organizations to build capacity and fill strategic gaps in health research in BC. 
Process:
Applicants interested in partnered awards are encouraged to for instructions on how to register your interest and indicate how your research aligns with partner areas of interest.
MSFHR uses keywords provided by partners to identify applications that may be relevant to and align with partners’ area of interest.

22. 2017 Scholar Award – Important Dates
Stages in Competition Cycle
Deadline
Letter of Intent
November 7, :59 p.m.
Pacific Standard Time
Full Application
December 16, :59 p.m.
Peer Review Panel Meetings
February – March 2017
Funding Announcement
May – June 2017
Scholar Award Start Date
July 1, 2017

23. Questions/Contact Info
For program-related enquiries: Rashmita Salvi Manager, Research Programs For technical enquiries: Help Desk

24. Questions?