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What are the Sepsis Canada & Life-Threatening Illness National Group (LifTING) Research Training Programs?

  • FREE health research training programs for participating trainees
  • Funded by CIHR
  • Focus on sepsis and life-threatening illnesses
  • Virtual interactive sessions & online content accessible via a unique user-friendly platform
  • Training in a wide range of research skills, including anti-oppressive practices & interdisciplinary teamwork
  • Mentorship and networking opportunities, training awards & hands-on experiences, & annual in-person symposium

 

Applications Open: February 19th, 2024

Applications Close: April 19th, 2024

 

Sepsis Canada & LifTING Research Training Programs

 

In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified sepsis as a global health priority, urging “specific actions to reduce the burden of sepsis through improved prevention, diagnosis, and management”. Understanding the importance of this recommendation, the Sepsis Canada Research Network, funded by the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR), has created the Sepsis Canada Interdisciplinary Research Training Program. This program aims to help future sepsis researchers develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to perform high-quality sepsis research, which will improve the care and outcomes of Canadian sepsis patients.

Who Should Apply?

Sepsis research is complex and requires input from many stakeholders. The Sepsis Canada Interdisciplinary Research Training Program wants to attract different trainee candidates, including patient and family partners, early-career researchers, healthcare professionals, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research staff, knowledge translators, and community members interested in engaging in sepsis research.

Curriculum Overview

The program is delivered virtually over two years. Each academic year starts in September and ends in June. In terms of workload, we expect trainees to dedicate approximately 3 hours per week to meet program requirements. Trainees will learn through preselected learning materials that can be reviewed individually (e.g., readings, podcasts), live interactive virtual sessions and workshops, and short individual or group practice exercises. Interactive virtual sessions are scheduled on different days and times of the week to promote equal attendance of trainees, regardless of location and work schedule. All live sessions will also be recorded and available for subsequent individual review.

In Year 1, all trainees follow the same core curriculum to gain a broad understanding of sepsis research. Personal and professional development topics in this curriculum include, for example, anti-oppressive practices, social justice, Indigenous ways of knowing, research ethics, study designs, and multidisciplinary teamwork.

In Year 2, trainees complete more advanced online modules based on their choice of one of three specialization streams(1) Research Collaborator or Investigator as a Patient and Family Partner(2) Research Investigator in Biomedical Research, or (3) Research Investigator in Clinical, Population Health, and Health Services Research. Based on individual learning needs, trainees may also register for elective modules in any stream.

Mentorship, Networking, and Professional Development

Central to the program are mentorship, networking, and professional development opportunities. Trainees will be enrolled in a group mentorship program, called mentorship pods including a pair of mentors & 4-5 of peer trainees. The program will also support trainees in identifying a mentor within Sepsis Canada or another partner organization to receive longitudinal one-on-one mentorship. To further promote networking with different sepsis research stakeholders, an in-person Sepsis Canada and LifTING Annual Symposium will be held at the end of each academic year, and include professional (keynote speakers, presentations, workshops, round tables) and social activities. Trainees will be sponsored by the Sepsis Canada Network to attend this activity free of charge. Finally, we offer training awards and experiential learning opportunities to help trainees consolidate and apply the many skills they learned throughout the program.

To learn more about the Sepsis Canada Research Project associated with this program, click here.

 

 

Canadian research on life-threatening illnesses has been incredibly productive, and yet the care and outcomes of patients suffering from life-threatening illnesses have not progressed as rapidly. Acutely ill Canadian patients also continue to experience important health inequalities related to socioeconomic status, racial or cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, and location. To overcome these barriers, the Life-Threatening Illness National Group (LifTINGHealth Research Training Program was funded by the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR) to train future researchers on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to engage in interdisciplinary, interprofessional, and inclusive research, thus improving the care and outcomes of patients with life-threatening illnesses.

The program tackles the above issues through four core principles: (i) breaking silos between different research domains and researchers by encouraging these various groups to train together and collaborate, (ii) providing a safe learning environment where trainees can speak and be heard, (iii) integrating EDI principles, including anti-oppressive practices and social justice, throughout the program; and (iv) ensuring rigour based on best educational practices, innovative strategies, and continuous improvement of the program.

Who Should Apply?

Research on life-threatening illnesses is complex and requires input from many stakeholders. The LifTING Health Research Training Program wants to attract various trainee candidates, including patient and family partners, early-career researchers, healthcare professionals, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research staff, knowledge translators, and community members interested in engaging in research in various institutions and communities.

Curriculum Overview

The program is delivered virtually over two years. Each academic year starts in September and ends in June. In terms of workload, we expect trainees to dedicate approximately 3 hours per week to meet program requirements. Trainees will learn through preselected learning materials that can be reviewed individually (e.g., readings, podcasts), live interactive virtual sessions and workshops, and short individual or group exercises. Interactive virtual sessions are scheduled on different days and times of the week to promote equal attendance of trainees, regardless of location and work schedule. All live sessions will also be recorded and available for subsequent review.

In Year 1 all trainees follow a core curriculum to gain a broad understanding of research on life-threatening illnesses. Personal and professional development topics in this curriculum include anti-oppressive practices, social justice, Indigenous ways of knowing, research ethics, study designs, and multidisciplinary teamwork.

In Year 2 trainees complete more advanced online modules based on their selection of one of three specialization streams: the (1) Investigator stream; (2) Collaborator stream, or (3) Research Coordinator stream. Based on individual learning needs, trainees may also register for elective modules that belong to any stream.

Mentorship, Networking, and Professional Development

Central to the program are mentorship, networking, and professional development opportunities. Over the first few months of Year 1, trainees will be encouraged to identify a mentor within the or another partner organization to receive longitudinal mentorship. Our program will provide multiple opportunities for trainees to find a mentor with whom they have affinities. To further promote networking with different research stakeholders, an in-person Annual Symposium will be held with presentations and workshops. Trainees will be sponsored to attend this activity. Finally, we offer training awards and experiential learning opportunities to help trainees consolidate and apply the many skills they learned throughout the program.

To read the full press release on this grant, click here.

The instructions below apply to both the Sepsis Canada and LifTING Research Training Programs. Note there is also an option to join both programs simultaneously because many of the program requirements overlap. This increases the total time commitment from about 70–80 hours per year to about 90–100 hours per year. Upon completion of program requirements for both programs, you will be awarded two separate certificates.

Please prepare the 4 elements listed below and merge them into a single Microsoft Word or PDF document. After, complete the following online application form.

 

Application submission deadline: April 19th, 2024

 

  1. Personal Statement

Write a 1-page personal statement (maximum 500 words) speaking to the following:

  1. a) Explain your reasons and sources of motivations for applying to this training program, and how you see this training benefit your career and/or your community / institution / organization.
  2. b) Describe your research experience (e.g., as a user, collaborator, investigator, study participant, etc.), if any, and/or your interests and life experiences with respect to the Canadian healthcare system and with life-threatening illness or sepsis. Tell us what you will bring to the program.
  3. c) Describe any previous experiences working within teams and collaborating with colleagues with different professional backgrounds, priorities, or values?
  4. d) What potential challenges do you foresee participating in the Program(s) and what mitigation strategies would you use to overcome any of the challenges you identified.
  5. e) Describe your 3 to 5-year career plan and goals, and tell us how this training will help you achieve your objectives.
  6. Anti-Oppression & Social Justice Statement

Please describe your experience collaborating with diverse or under-represented groups(maximum 150 words). What was rewarding? What was challenging? In addition, tell us the knowledge, skills, or attitudes you would like to further develop regarding equity, diversity, and inclusion in research.

  1. Curriculum Vitae or Resume

Include your curriculum vitae or resume (maximum 5 pages) and include any element that support the points made in your personal statement. Where applicable, include your education, training, professional activities, volunteer work, organization memberships, community engagement activities, research experience (if any), publications and grants (if any), awards, special recognitions, etc. 

  1. Letter of Support (optional)

Lastly, include a letter of support written by someone who knows you professionally (such as a mentor, co-worker, employer, champion/lead from an organization or group to which you have belonged) that speaks to your interests, abilities, and/or experiences in alignment with your personal statement. If applicable, the letter should explain how this person and/or organization plans to support you if you are accepted into the program.

Please note that the inclusion of a letter of support is optional.

 

Submit your application in English here.

Submit your application in French here.

 

Links to application forms open on February 19th, 2024.

For any inquiries about the program or application process, please contact Amanda Choi, Project Manager, LifTING & Sepsis Canada Research Training Platform amanda.choi@sri.utoronto.ca.