Requests for Proposals and Opportunity Highlights

CIHR Science Writer Scholarships

1. CIHR

   The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the major federal agency responsible for funding health research in Canada. The objective of CIHR is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care system. [See www.cihr.ca for more information about CIHR]

2. Science Writer Scholarships

   CIHR has established scholarships at both undergraduate and graduate levels to increase the number of Canadian science writers engaged in communicating the findings and implications of health research.

   Undergraduate Science Writer Scholarship and Internship: At the undergraduate level, two awards will be made annually: one for a student enrolled in an English language program and one for a student enrolled in a French language program. These awards consist of (i) a $5,000 annual scholarship for a maximum of two years and (ii) up to $5,000 for a four-month internship at CIHR or in affiliation with CIHR.

   Graduate Science Writer Scholarship: At the graduate level, scholarships of $20,000 per year for a maximum of two years will be awarded to graduates of life science degrees (i.e. holders of undergraduate, masters or doctoral degrees) who are undertaking additional training in recognized degree programs in journalism or communications. Up to five awards will be made annually.

   The deadline for submission of applications is July 15, 2001. Awards will begin in September 2001.

3. Eligibility

   These awards are open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada who are full-time students.

   Undergraduate Science Writer Scholarships and Internships will be open to university and college students enrolled in a third or fourth year undergraduate program in the liberal arts (e.g. communications, journalism, history, literature, psychology, etc.) with a science minor. Students in a science program who have demonstrated an aptitude for writing are also eligible. All applicants must have previous work experience - either paid or volunteer - where science writing was a major part of the assignment.

   Graduate Science Writer Scholarships will be open to those who have completed a life sciences degree (for example, B.Sc., M.Sc., or Ph.D.) and who have been accepted into a journalism or communications degree program. In addition, applicants must have a proven aptitude for writing and may not hold any other major scholarship or award.

4. Applications

   The application form may be found on the CIHR website at www.cihr.ca/funding_opportunities/cihr_funding_pgms/req_for_proposal/science_writer_form_e.shtml. Applicants should complete this form and submit it electronically to CIHR by July 15, 2001 to the email address shown on the form. Within the application form, applicants will be asked to compose a 200-word text describing the reasons for their interest in a science writing career.

   The following documents are to be sent by regular mail in support of applications:

   • An official university transcript
   • Two letters of reference from suitably qualified referees attesting to the applicant's writing ability and interest
   • Two samples of the applicant's health science-based writing
   • For Undergraduate Scholarship only: a proposal for a four-month internship at CIHR or in affiliation with CIHR
   • For Graduate Scholarship only: proof of acceptance into a journalism or communications degree program

   
   

5. Selection Criteria

   All applications will be evaluated by a peer review committee according to the following criteria:

   • Excellence as a scholar
   • Ability to write health science-based material
   • Commitment to pursuing a career in science writing
   • For Undergraduate Scholarship only: Quality of the proposed internship

    

6. Acknowledgement of Award

   Award recipients must acknowledge support from the CIHR Science Writer Scholarship in any articles written or published during tenure of the award.

7. Questions may be directed to CIHR as follows:

   For Undergraduate Scholarships: sw-undergrad@cihr.ca

   For Graduate Scholarships: sw-graduate@cihr.ca