Grants and Awards
Independent Investigator Awards
To support the strategic direction of Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions, the organization's Board of Directors made the decision to close the AHFMR Independent Investigator Awards programs to new entry. Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions will support and honour funding commitments made to individuals currently holding Independent Investigator awards, the newest of which will continue for seven years. The organization is engaged in strategic planning with the goal to implement new strategies to support health research and innovation before the end of 2011. In this way, Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions will build upon the research excellence that has been achieved by so many people in our provincial research community.
The following information provides historical information about the Independent Investigator Awards program:
The Clinical Investigator award allows highly qualified clinicians in the early stages of their careers in health-related research to commit the majority of their time (at least 75%) to research. In all cases, the relevance of the applicant's proposed research to human health should be apparent. Each applicant must name a mentor or group of mentors who will foster their early career development.
In order to have been eligible for a Clinical Investigator award candidates must:
- possess a M.D. or D.D.S degree;
- have successfully completed all the requirements for clinical specialty recognition;
- be eligible to hold full-time faculty appointments within clinical departments at the sponsoring institutions;
- actively participate in clinical teaching and patient care;
- demonstrate keen interest in research as evidenced by previous clinical and research training.
Please see the detailed guidelines for additional information on the independent investigator programs.
The Population Health Investigator award allows independent investigators in the early stages of their careers in health research to commit the majority of their time (at least 75%) to research. Potential areas of research include but are not limited to:
- quantitative and population sciences:
- epidemiology and biostatistics
- operations research
- decision sciences
- health services research
- social and behavioural sciences
- sociology
- anthropology
- psychology
- economics
- political science
- the humanities
- law
- philosophy
- history
In all cases, the relevance of the applicant's proposed research to human health must have been apparent. Each applicant must name a mentor or group of mentors who will foster their early career development.
Candidates for the Population Health Investigator award must have recently completed their post-M.D. or -Ph.D. training, and must be eligible to hold full-time faculty appointments at the sponsoring institutions.
Please see the detailed guidelines for additional information on the independent investigator programs.
Scholars are investigators who have recently completed their postdoctoral research training, and are currently seeking their first faculty-level appointments, or who are completing their term as AHFMR Population Heath Investigator or Clinical Investigator awards. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to initiate and conduct independent and collaborative research, as well as an interest and ability, or potential ability, to train future investigators. Each applicant must name a mentor or group of mentors who will foster their early career development.
Candidates for the Scholar award must possess a M.D., D.D.S., D.V.M., Ph.D. or equivalent qualification. Furthermore, they must be eligible to hold full-time faculty appointments with the sponsoring institutions.
Please see the detailed guidelines for additional information on the independent investigator programs.
Senior Scholars must have excellent track records of independent research. They are more senior than Scholars and have usually been previously supported via salary support awards (e.g. as an AHFMR Scholar, CIHR New Investigator, or equivalent). At time of implementation, candidates for a Senior Scholar award will typically have five to ten years experience as independent investigators and are expected to have attained an associate professor level faculty appointment.
Candidates for the Senior Scholar award must possess a M.D., D.D.S., D.V.M., Ph.D. or equivalent qualification. Furthermore, they must be eligible to hold a full-time faculty appointment with the sponsoring institution.
Please see the detailed guidelines for additional information on the independent investigator programs.
The Scientist award is the most senior investigator award offered by AIHS. Scientists must be established, internationally recognized scientific leaders in their fields of study. Their stature should be demonstrated through:
- the quality of their publications;
- the originality and vision of their research proposals;
- the quality and number of their trainees;
- their ability to attract and retain research grants;
- the leadership qualities they exhibit locally, nationally, and internationally.
Candidates for the Scientist award must possess a M.D., D.D.S., D.V.M., Ph.D. or equivalent qualification. Furthermore, they must be eligible to hold full-time faculty appointments with the sponsoring institutions. At time of implementation, candidates for Scientist awards will typically have ten to fifteen years experience as independent investigators and are expected to have attained full professor level faculty appointments.
Please see the detailed guidelines for additional information on the independent investigator programs.
For those investigators who hold an AHFMR Investigator Award and have been supported by AIHS Independent Investigator Awards for a minimum of 10 years, AIHS may waive the normal requirement for the submission of a further application and full review, and accept a request from the institution for an AHFMR Senior Investigator Award.
To qualify for this support, the sponsoring institution must provide evidence, acceptable to AIHS, that the candidate remains active in research and holds peer-reviewed competitive research funds.
If this option is exercised, the candidate will no longer be eligible to apply for further AIHS Independent Investigator support.
The Senior Investigator award will consist of a direct contribution to the Institutional Pool. This contribution can be used to offset salary and benefit costs of the investigator. This AIHS contribution will be at the level of the last competitive award held by the Investigator. This contribution will be provided for a two year period.
The Senior Investigator Award will also include a Research Prize valued at $40,000 per annum, and a Research Allowance of $20,000 expendable over the two years.
Terms and Conditions: Revised Awards (Individuals funded as of July 1, 2007 or later)
Terms and Conditions: Transition Awards (Individuals funded prior to July 1, 2007)