Clinician Scientist Program-How to Apply

Application Process

Please read the following summaries first. Applications should be submitted electronically to Tammy Mok (tammy.mok@utoronto.ca). If you qualify and are interested in applying, download all documents below.

General Stream

Application Deadlines:  Annually on April 15th (or next business day)

Checklist:

1. One copy of the  CSP Application Form 
2. Personal statement by the candidate related to why they wish to engage in research training (please include plans/considerations for applying for graduate training they do not have a prior graduate research degree).
3. Your Curriculum Vitae.
4. Letter of support from an identified supervisor in the Department (download a full list of supervisors)
   The letter should outline:
   1. A proposed research project.
   2. An assessment of the candidate’s potential as a researcher.
   3. A statement of the supervisor’s commitment to supervising the resident while in the CSP.
   4. Commitment to complete biannual progress reports.
5. An independent letter of support from an additional referee to include more information on the candidate and an assessment of candidate’s academic and research track record and potential (note: a candidate who has completed a formal research elective/placement or graduate degree in the past, should provide a letter from their primary research supervisor, e.g., previous MSc supervisor).

CSP residents who have not completed graduate training (e.g., MSc, PhD) prior to residency are required to enroll in graduate training in order to remain in the CSP in their PGY5 year (see Clinician Scientist - Graduate Stream). All General Stream CSP residents that have successfully completed graduate training prior to residency (i.e, hold a thesis-based Master's or PhD) are eligible to remain in the CSP in their PGY5 year. 

Graduate stream

Application Deadline: Annually on April 15th (or next business day)

Residents will be eligible to apply to the graduate stream of the CSP when they are in their PGY-4 year. Applicants must be accepted into a thesis-based, graduate degree granting program and begin graduate work full time within their PGY-5 year. Graduate stream residents are expected to complete a thesis-based Master's degree and encouraged to complete a PhD. Note: All General Stream CSP residents that have successfully completed graduate training prior to residency (i.e, hold a thesis-based Master's or PhD) are eligible to remain in the CSP in their PGY5 year and need not reapply to the CSP in PGY4 unless they plan to pursue graduate training in PGY5 (e.g., a PGY4 CSP General Stream resident with a prior MSc that plans to begin PhD training starting in PGY5).

Checklist:

1. One copy of the CSP Application Form with description of proposed research (3 additional pages to be appended). Please note, if you are applying to graduate school and have completed an application package, appending your graduate school application to this form will suffice for an overview of your research project.
2. Personal statement by the candidate related to why he/she wants to engage in research training
3. Curriculum Vitae
4. Letter of support from an identified supervisor in the Department (download a full list of supervisors)
    The letter should outline:
   1. A description of the potential research project
   2. An assessment of the candidate’s potential as a researcher
   3. The supervisor’s statement of commitment to supervise the CSP resident as a graduate student.
   4. The supervisor’s commitment to writing a yearly report
      ->Please note, students are encouraged to seek the supervisor that most closely reflects their research interests. However, CSP residents who wish to receive supervision from a supervisor who is not on the approved list will be required to identify a supervisor who is on the list as the primary supervisor. 
5. Two additional letters of support attesting to the CSP applicant’s potential as a researcher and an evaluation of his/her academic track record.
6. Proof of enrollment in a graduate program or of having applied to a graduate program.

Project Requirements:

Although each proposed project will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, several guiding principles will apply in the majority of cases. These principles are intended to converge with the requirements and expectations of the faculty of medicine’s Clinician Investigator Program.

• Projects should be data-driven. Although literature reviews and meta-analyses are important, they are not generally sufficient for a CSP project.
• There should be a balance of learning and opportunities such that the trainee has the opportunity to produce research outputs (e.g. publications, research presentations) while also gaining pragmatic exposure to conducting research (e.g. IRB applications, recruitment, data analysis, etc).