Call for Applications to the Spring 2025 Reviewer in Training Program
Please note that the deadline to apply to the Spring 2025 Reviewer in Training Program has passed. If you are interested in upcoming program launches, sign up for notifications.
The CIHR Reviewer in Training (RiT) Program runs twice a year during the Spring and Fall Project Grant Competitions. It offers ECRs a learning opportunity to gain a better understanding of the elements of high-quality review and the peer review process. RiT applicants have the choice of selecting between the role of Mentee or ECR Reviewer when they apply:
- ECRs that want to gain exposure to CIHR's peer review process with the guidance of a Mentor can apply to the Mentee role. In a supported way, Mentees will learn about CIHR's peer review process by completing practice reviews and having the opportunity to participate in discussions during the committee meeting. See the Apply as a Mentee section for information and how to apply.
- ECRs that hold at least one recent federally funded (or equivalent) peer reviewed grant as a Principal Investigator may choose to participate in the role of Mentee as above, or in the role of ECR Reviewer. Like regular reviewers, ECR Reviewers will be able to contribute to scoring and funding decisions, however they ease into CIHR's peer review process by having a reduced number of grants to review and an opportunity to present their reviews later in the meeting. See the Apply as an ECR Reviewer section for information and how to apply.
Note: RiT Mentee and ECR Reviewer applicants are free to take on other CIHR peer review activities that are outside of the CIHR Project Grant competition. Should you accept both RiT and another peer review committee invitation, you will be responsible for managing both commitments accordingly. Please note that CIHR will continue the use of virtual peer review, via Microsoft Teams, in this Project Grant competition.
Apply as a Mentee
Mentees participate in the Project Grant competition with the support of a Mentor. They conduct practice reviews on up to three applications, attend the peer review meeting in full, present one review, and participate in the committee discussions. To learn more, refer to the RiT Program webpage. Approximately 120 Mentees spots are available to be selected by lottery, which represents up to two opportunities per Project Grant Program committee.
Important dates
| Dates | Events |
|---|---|
| February 5, 2025 | Application deadline to the Spring 2025 RiT Program |
| March 5, 2025 | Application deadline for the Project Grant Competition |
| March 19, 2025 | Results deadline for the Spring 2025 RiT Program |
| May 13 – June 12, 2025 | Project Grant committee meetings (individual committee meeting dates to be confirmed with each participant, typically held between 10am-5pm). |
Eligibility
- Must meet CIHR's definition of an ECR on the application deadline for the Project Grant Competition (March 5, 2025);
- Must hold a position at an eligible Canadian institution on the application deadline for the Project Grant Competition (March 5, 2025);
- Must not have previously participated in the RiT Program;
- Must not have previously reviewed for CIHR's Project Grant competition; and
- Must not be a Full College Member.
Note: Candidates who are submitting applications as a Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) or Principal Applicant (PA) in the current Project Grant competition are eligible for this opportunity, however, they will not be selected for a committee that is adjudicating their submission.
How to apply
To express your interest in participating as a Mentee in this RiT Program, please click "Apply Online" below to fill out an application by February 5, 2025, 23:59 Eastern time.
Step 1
Collect the following before completing the application:
- Your CIHR PIN (if known);
- A PDF of your Biosketch Common CV to be completed using the Canadian Common CV interface (draft CCVs are not accepted);
- A letter from your institution attesting that you meet the CIHR's definition of an ECR and confirming the current position you hold at the institution (please note that repurposed letters such as job offer letters are not accepted); and
- A ranked list of up to two peer review committees – for which you have the appropriate expertise to review and in which you would be comfortable participating.
Note: Eligibility for the Indigenous Health Research (IHR) committee is limited to Indigenous Researchers and/or those with experience in Indigenous Health Research.
Step 2
All submissions will receive an acknowledgement email within 5 business days confirming receipt of the application.
Step 3
Complete your Reviewer Profile along with the new Self-identification Questionnaire in ResearchNet within 5 business days of receiving the acknowledgement email. If you do not already have access to the Reviewer Profile, it will automatically be provided to you within 2 business days. Your application may not be considered without a completed Reviewer Profile. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that their application is complete.
Please consult the FAQ for help in completing the Self-identification Questionnaire. Application information submitted for this opportunity will be retained and may be shared with other areas of CIHR for consideration in similar opportunities.
All individuals who express their interest will be informed of the results by March 19, 2025. Upon receiving the invitation, you will have 2 business days to accept. If a response is not received by this time, we will offer this opportunity to the next candidate. If you have any questions, please contact support-soutien@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.
Apply as an ECR Reviewer
ECR Reviewers participate in the same capacity as regular reviewers and will have access to all of the supportive resources that CIHR provides to committee members. They will have a reduced number of applications to review (up to five) and be able to present their assigned applications later in the meeting. To learn more, refer to the RiT Program webpage. At least one ECR Reviewer will be selected per committee based on the expertise and eligibility of the applicants.
Important dates
| Dates | Events |
|---|---|
| February 5, 2025 | Application deadline to the Spring 2025 RiT Program |
| March 5, 2025 | Application deadline for the Project Grant Competition |
| March 19, 2025 | Results deadline for the Spring 2025 RiT Program |
| May 13 – June 12, 2025 | Project Grant committee meetings (individual committee meeting dates to be confirmed with each participant, typically held between 10am-5pm). |
Eligibility
- Must meet CIHR's definition of an ECR on the application deadline for the Project Grant Competition (March 5, 2025);
- Must hold a position at an eligible Canadian institution on the application deadline for the Project Grant Competition (March 5, 2025);
- Must have at least one recent federally funded peer reviewed research grant (or equivalent) as a Principal Investigator;
- Must not have previously reviewed for CIHR's Project Grant competition;
- Must not have previously participated in the RiT Program as an ECR Reviewer (applicants who have previously participated as a Mentee and now meet ECR-Reviewer criteria are eligible to apply); and
- Must not be Full College Members.
Note: Candidates who are submitting applications as a Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) or Principal Applicant (PA) in the current Project Grant competition are eligible for this opportunity, however, they will not be selected for committees that are adjudicating their submission.
How to apply
To express your interest in participating as an ECR Reviewer in this RiT Program, please click "Apply Online" below to fill out an application by February 5, 2025, 23:59 Eastern time.
Step 1
Collect the following before completing the application:
- Your CIHR PIN (if known);
- A PDF of your Biosketch Common CV to be completed using the Canadian Common CV interface (draft CCVs are not accepted);
- A letter from your institution attesting that you meet the CIHR's definition of an ECR and confirming the current position you hold at the institution (please note that repurposed letters such as job offer letters are not accepted); and
- A ranked list of up to two peer review committees for which you have the appropriate expertise to review and in which you would be comfortable participating.
Note: Eligibility for the Indigenous Health Research (IHR) committee is limited to Indigenous Researchers and/or those with experience in Indigenous Health Research.
Step 2
All submissions will receive an acknowledgement email within 5 business days of receipt of the application.
Step 3
Complete your Reviewer Profile along with the new Self-identification Questionnaire in ResearchNet within 5 business days of receiving the acknowledgement email. If you do not already have access to the Reviewer Profile, it will automatically be provided to you within 2 business days.
It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that their application is complete. Please consult the FAQ for help in completing the Self-identification Questionnaire. Application information submitted for this opportunity will be retained and may be shared with other areas of CIHR for consideration in similar opportunities.
All individuals who express their interest will be informed of the results by March 19, 2025. Upon receiving the invitation, you will have 2 business days to accept. If a response is not received by this time, we will offer this opportunity to the next candidate. If you have any questions, please contact support-soutien@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.
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