​1.1ÌýKey Dates

• Competition Launch: May 9, 2025
• Information session: May 28, 2025, 12:30-1:30pm Eastern Time (Register here)
• Application Deadline: June 20, 2025, 5:00pm Eastern Time
• Anticipated Results Announcement: August 2025
• Anticipated Award Start: September 1, 2025

Ìý

1.2 Award Duration and Value

• ²Ñ²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ù’s: $27,000 for 1 year (non-renewable)
• Doctoral: $40,000 per year for 2 years (possible 1-year renewal)
  • Successful renewal requires demonstration of both research progress and active participation in the D2R Training Program

Ìý

1.3 Applicant Eligibility

• The proposed research project must be aligned with the overall goals of D2R and be tied to at least one of D2R’s Foundational Axes
• At the time of application, applicants must:
  • Have a designated supervisor
  • Be registered full-time in the first year of a Master’s program (Master’s 1) or in the first three years of a Doctoral program (PhD1-3) at ºÚÁÏÍø or one of D2R’s Partner Institutions
    • Students registered at a Partner Institution must be supervised by a D2R-eligible researcher
  • Be Canadian or an international student with a valid study visa
• Limitations:
  • Applicants cannot concurrently hold a fellowship from a Canadian federal/provincial funding agency or their institution and a D2R Scholar award.
  • Trainees who secure competitive, peer-reviewed, external awards during the evaluation period will be considered for a 10% top-up, on the condition that they maintain their participation in the D2R Training Program.
  • Awarded D2R Scholars remain eligible, and are encouraged, to apply for competitive external awards (e.g. Tri-Agency Canada Graduate Scholarships).
    • If awarded, the trainee must inform D2R of the external award and their eligibility for further funding as a D2R Scholar will be re-evaluated (e.g. supplemental 10% top-up at the condition that they maintain their participation in the D2R Training Program).
  • Trainees receiving funding from the Training Budget of a D2R grant (i.e. Foundational Projects, Research in Motion, and Translational Impact Research) are eligible to apply for the D2R Scholar awards but are asked to declare this information in the application form
    • If awarded, they will no longer be eligible for funding from the Training Budget

Ìý

1.4 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Considerations

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the core of D2R and is placed as a high priority in all its bold and cutting-edge research initiatives.

Self-Identification Survey for all D2R trainees

Whether or not applicants identify with an equity deserving group, completion of the will help D2R refine its programs and enable us to track the evolution of representation among our applicants and awardees. Individual survey responses will be viewed only by authorized D2R team members for administration and reporting. Responses will not be shared with external reviewers or individuals outside the D2R team.

EDI in research design and research practice requirements for all D2R trainees

Beyond diversity representation, all funded trainees are expected to complete mandatory training in EDI offered by D2R to support optimal integration of EDI in research design and research practice.

Representation matters at D2R

We welcome and strongly encourage applications from all talented students, including those from equity deserving groups, including, but not limited to: women; 2SLGBTQIA+; Indigenous People; racialized individuals; Black, African and Caribbean; persons with disabilities. The D2R Initiative at ºÚÁÏÍø is committed to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive research environment. Also, applicants are encouraged to signal any leave that affected productivity, or that may have influenced their education/career path. This information will be considered to ensure the equitable assessment of the applicant’s record.

Accessibility

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodation for any part of the application process may contact us in confidence as we are working to ensure the equitable treatment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by striving for the implementation of universal design principles transversally, across all facets of the University community, and through accommodation policies and procedures.

The full application as described below must be submitted through the online application form before Friday June 20, 2025 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. It is strongly recommended that applicants have the required documents ready to upload when completing the form.

Applications submitted after the deadline, incomplete applications, or applications submitted by email will not be accepted. If any technical difficulties are experienced, it is the applicant's responsibility to notify D2R prior to the deadline.

2.1 Online Application Form

Link to the Application Form

Includes the following sections:

• Identification of the applicant, Institution, supervisor(s), advisory committee members (if applicable), and the competition stream (Master’s or Doctoral)
• Statement regarding application to alternative funding competitions, including current receipt of D2R training funding
• Research Proposal title, the D2R Foundational Axis/Axes best aligned with the proposed research project, and five keywords that describe the project
• Identification of the applicant’s desired contribution(s) to the D2R Training community
• Documents to Upload
• Confirmation of completion of the

Ìý

2.2 Documents to Upload

• Research Proposal
• Letter of Motivation
• Biosketch (Template)
• Copy of Applicant’s Transcripts and cGPA
• Declaration Form (Form)
• Optional: Explanation of Leave, Interruption and/or Other Personal Circumstances

Ìý

2.3 Research Proposal Instructions

Describe the research project for which funding is requested. Failure to adhere to the format requirements will result in the application being deemed ineligible.

• Length:
  • ²Ñ²¹²õ³Ù±ð°ù’s: 1 page maximum, including all text and figures (References can be included on an additional page)
  • Doctoral: 2 page maximum, including all text and figures (References can be included on an additional page)

• Times New Roman 12-point font, single-spaced, 2.0 cm margins

• Indicate the applicant’s name at the top right corner of each page
• Indicate the Research Project title at the top of the first page
• Must include the following sections, clearly separated with sub-headings:
  • Background and Rationale
    • Situate the project within the current landscape of knowledge.
    • Outline the rationale behind the proposed project (i.e. Why is the research important? What do you hope to learn/discover/develop overall? Why is your research group an ideal place to perform this project?)
  • Research Plan and Methods
    • Outline the experimental plan for the project linked with clear research objectives
    • Explain the research methods you will use to achieve the proposed objectives
  • D2R Alignment
    • Describe how the proposed project aligns with D2R’s goals and objectives, specifying how it is tied to at least one of D2R’s Foundational Axes
  • References
    • List all works cited in the Research Proposal. Include the DOI where available.

Ìý

2.4 Letter of Motivation Instructions

• Maximum of 1 page
• Times New Roman 12-point font, single-spaced, 2.0 cm margins

• Indicate the applicant’s name at the top right corner of the page
• In the Letter of Motivation, the applicant must describe:
  • Their academic and career goals
  • How being a D2R Scholar will help them achieve these goals
  • How they intend to contribute to the growing D2R Training Program, with possible options including:
    1. Attending D2R Training Program events, such as professional skills development workshops, EDI trainings, networking events, and an annual Trainee Symposium.
    2. Applying for internship, industry training and funding opportunities provided by D2R.
    3. Joining the D2R Trainee Committee to help guide the direction of training activities within D2R and organize events.
    4. Being part of a D2R mentorship program (as a mentee or mentor).
    5. Performing research that benefits other members of the D2R community (e.g. development of analysis systems, database generation, etc.)
    6. Other (further suggestions are welcome, please explain them in your Letter of Motivation)
  • What they hope to gain from being a D2R Scholar and from the D2R Training Program

Ìý

2.5 Biosketch Instructions

Prepare a Biosketch using the provided template. The template includes sections about academic history, community engagement (if applicable), honours and awards, publications, presentations, and other research outputs.

• Applicants are encouraged to highlight efforts made towards more equitable access to research results. Research outputs reflecting diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation are valued and encouraged.
• Applicants are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities or industry.

Ìý

2.6 Instructions for Copy of Applicant’s Official Transcripts and cGPA

Attach all university transcripts (undergraduate and graduate) combined into one PDF.

• This includes ºÚÁÏÍø/current institution transcripts, even if you have started but do not yet have grades - the transcript is confirmation of your status as a current student.
• Official electronic or scanned transcripts are required. Applications that include unofficial or outdated transcripts will not be considered.

• Along with any non-North American transcripts, please provide a grade conversion as calculated by your program during your application to ºÚÁÏÍø/current institution. Please ask your program administration for this calculation if you do not have it already.

Ìý

2.7 Declaration Form Instructions

Both applicant and supervisor must carefully read and sign the Declaration Form. The form must be submitted as a PDF.

• The applicant commits to:
  • Providing true and accurate information throughout their application
  • Commit to being an active member of the D2R Training Program if successfully funded
• The supervisor is asked to:
  • Declare their Early Career Research status
  • Agree to serve as a reviewer for the D2R Scholar Awards (avoiding conflicts of interest)
  • Commit to supervising the applicant in their research group and supporting the applicant’s participation in D2R Training Program activities if successfully funded.

Ìý

2.8 Instructions for the Optional Explanation of Leave, Interruption and/or Other Personal Circumstances

• Maximum of 1/2 page
• Times New Roman 12-point font, single-spaced, 2.0 cm margins

• Indicate the applicant’s name at the top right corner of the page

Applicants are invited to signal any leave, interruption and/or other personal circumstances that affected research productivity or grades, or that have influenced their education/career path. This may include, but is not limited to, family care or health-related circumstances. Applicants are not required to provide details about their personal situation or information they would consider confidential. It is acceptable to indicate the nature of the circumstances without providing personal details. This information will be included in the application package that is sent to reviewers to ensure the equitable assessment of the applicant’s record.

3.1 Administrative Review

Applications will be reviewed for completeness, as well as applicant and subject matter eligibility.

3.2 Expert Review

All eligible and complete applications will be assessed by an evaluation committee consisting of faculty members. The weighting of each application component is as follows:

• Research Proposal (50%)
  • Note: clear demonstration of alignment between the research project and at least one of D2R’s Foundational Axes is required
• Applicant’s Letter of Motivation (25%)
• Biosketch (25%)

3.3 Student Training and Knowledge Development (STaKD) Committee Review

D2R’s STaKD Committee will review top-ranking applications from the expert review, with funding recommendations being subject to prioritization of D2R’s mission and strategic goals.

4.1 Funding Decision

The D2R Research Steering Committee (RSC) will consider both the expert review and D2R’s strategic goals in its funding decisions. In cases where multiple excellent applicants have similar scores, and funds are limited, the RSC may use a balanced distribution approach, considering factors such as EDI principles, the diversity of research axes, applications from partner institutions, support for early career researchers, applications written in French, and funding trainees across many research groups and disciplines.

4.2 Announcement of Results

All applicants will be informed of the results in August 2025.

4.3 Notice of Award

Successful applicants will receive a Notice of Award, which details the terms, conditions, and obligations. At this stage, applicants will be asked to confirm that they have not been awarded alternative funding that revokes their eligibility for a full D2R Scholar award.

Awarded D2R Scholars will be expected to actively participate in the D2R Training Program and the annual Trainee Symposium.