Grants and Awards

General Policies and Conditions for Independent Investigator Awards

All AIHS programs are open to well-qualified Independent Investigators who have the potential to contribute to AIHS's goals of supporting health or medical research, regardless of their areas of research.

General Policies:

• Recruitment and Related Expenses
• Sabbatical Leaves and Related Expenses
• Terminal Awards
• Retirement
• Initiation and Duration
• Annual Reports

General Conditions:

• The candidate and the sponsoring institution should indicate the program of choice (i.e. Clinical Investigator, Scholar, etc.) on page 1 of the application form. However, AIHS reserves the right to make the final selection based on the academic background of the applicant as well as his/her proposed area of research.


• Funding is contingent upon
  • an appointment in a full-time position at the host institution/organization in Alberta
  • acquisition or continuation of outside funding to maintain research activity
  • the prompt submission of annual progress reports
  • the host institution/organization ensuring that
  • the care of animals meets the standards of the Canadian Council on Animal Care
  • the local Ethics committee reviews and approves all studies involving human subjects
  • any use of biological materials satisfies the MRC "Guidelines for the Handling of Recombinant DNA Molecules and Animal Viruses and Cells".
  • any use of biological materials satisfies the MRC "Guidelines for the Handling of Recombinant DNA Molecules and Animal Viruses and Cells".


• The candidate and the sponsoring institution agree to accept the terms and conditions set out by AIHS for each category of grant or award.


• All applications received by AIHS will undergo an internal and/or external review.


• AIHS reserves the right to reject applications or to declare them ineligible. This decision is final.


• The institution agrees to notify the Foundation of any change in the employment status of the candidate as this may affect the eligibility for the award.


• All awards are made through the host institution/organization and no individual becomes an employee of AIHS upon receiving an award.


• All equipment purchased with AIHS funds belongs to the host/sponsoring institution/organization. The institution is responsible for:
  • the maintenance of the equipment
  • obtaining adequate and appropriate insurance coverage
  • ensuring that the equipment is used for the purposes outlined in the application
  • notifying AIHS of any changes to the usage of the equipment
  • notifying AIHS of the sale of the equipment
  • ensuring that all equipment, or proceeds from its sale, will be used to support research.


• AIHS investigators must seek patent protection for intellectual property likely to result in a commercial product. Furthermore, any resulting business arrangements should benefit Alberta.


• All publications, including public messages, arising from research supported by AIHS grants or awards must acknowledge the support of AIHS.


• AIHS reserves the right to publish and/or disseminate information regarding its grants and awards.


• AIHS reserves the right to terminate any award if the conditions of the award are not met, or if there is evidence of unsatisfactory progress.


• AIHS will withdraw support if the awardee assumes significant administrative responsibilities such as the following:
  • Chair/Head of an academic department
  • Head of a Division
  • Associate Dean
  • Assistant Dean
  • Dean