Cross-Node Research Placement Training Program
Program Overview
CRISM is excited to launch the first initiative in our new Training Program: the Cross-Node Research Placement Program. This is an opportunity for CRISM member trainees, including undergraduates (minimum 4th year), graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows, to gain cross-network substance use research training, outside and separate from their current research environment, at a non-home node. Within‑home node placements will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis. Applicants will be required to justify how a within‑node placement achieves the goals of the Placement Program. See FAQs for more details.
Trainees will
- Work with and learn from a CRISM faculty member or partner outside the home Node.
- Strengthen research skills, expand knowledge, and build partnerships across the network.
- This program is trainee-initiated. Trainees are responsible for identifying and contacting a potential host mentor at another CRISM Node to develop a placement proposal. Trainees may apply to existing CRISM-identified projects or may propose their own project in collaboration with a CRISM host mentor.
Hosts will
- Share expertise and build mentorship skills.
- Create new collaboration opportunities.
- Contribute to expanding substance use research capacity in a national network.
- Host mentors are asked to provide a letter of support confirming their willingness to supervise the trainee and support the proposed research placement. This letter does not constitute a funding commitment. Final funding decisions are made through the CRISM review process.
Funding and Placement Modes
This is a cross-node placement program. Placements must include an in-person component, so the program supports only two placement modes: in-person and hybrid. Funding is calculated differently depending on the approved mode. Each CRISM Node can:
- Support travel and accommodations costs for up to two research trainee placements annually (maximum of $10,000/placement annually).
- Placement funding will be based on the in-person placement timeframe with consideration for accommodations and travel requirements.
In-person placement Mode
Funding may include travel support and a living allowance (calculated using a weekly rate over the placement duration), up to the maximum funding available per trainee, under the Cross-Node placement program.
Hybrid placement Mode
Funding may include travel support and a living allowance and will be prorated based on the duration of the hybrid in‑person placement. In-person placements must be a minimum of 4 weeks over the course of the placement.
Important: Funding amounts are placement mode – specific, based on eligible categories, and subject to program approval. Total support will not exceed the program’s maximum funding per trainee.
Eligibility
This section outlines the requirements for both trainees and host organizations, including who can apply and what hosts must provide. To be eligible, the trainee, trainee supervisor, and host mentor must be current CRISM members and also must have an ongoing relationship with their CRISM home Node (BC, Prairies, Ontario, Quebec, or Atlantic).
Trainee Requirements
- The Cross-Node Placement program is intended to support CRISM member trainees registered in a program and currently working with a supervisor who is a current CRISM Member within an educational institution. Applicants must be undergraduates (minimum 4th year), graduate students, or post-doctoral fellows at the time of application and must be planning to be a student/trainee in the following year.
- Trainees must be current CRISM members and have an ongoing relationship with their CRISM home Node (BC, Prairies, Ontario, Quebec, or Atlantic). If a trainee or supervisor is not currently a CRISM member and is interested in this program, please contact [ncc.crism@gmail.com] to learn more about becoming a CRISM member.
- Preference may be given to trainees who have prior experience in substance use research.
- Must relocate to another CRISM Node for 12 consecutive weeks, or an agreed-upon equivalent within a six-month timeframe (refer to FAQs – How long is a placement?).
- Applicants who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents must confirm they have valid authorization to study/work in Canada for the full 12-week placement. Work permit holders must confirm whether their permit is open or employer-specific (closed) and whether it allows relocation and work at a different institution/employer (including hospital/healthcare settings, where additional site requirements may apply).
Host Requirements
- Host mentors must be current CRISM members and have an ongoing relationship with their CRISM home Node (BC, Prairies, Ontario, Quebec, or Atlantic). If they are not currently a CRISM member and are interested in serving as a host mentor for this program, please contact [ncc.crism@gmail.com] to learn more about becoming a CRISM member.
- Must commit to:
- Having space & necessary support for the proposed project over the placement duration.
- Providing regular guidance and advice.
- Offering constructive feedback on methodology, analysis, and approach.
- Supporting professional development (publishing, networking, career advice).
- Contribute to post-placement evaluation.
How to Apply
It is intended that the trainee initiates the placement discussion with the host. The trainee will:
- Identify a research project that aligns with their area of interest and with CRISM’s mandate to translate evidence-based intervention into clinical practice, community prevention, harm reduction, and health system improvements.
- Check our current CRISM-identified projects about which trainees may wish to enquire. Trainees are also welcome to explore and propose other research projects that align with their interests and meet CRISM’s mandate for this placement program.
- If you are connecting with a research project that is not included in the project list, you’ll need to receive prior approval from the Training Coordinator. All projects considered must meet the program requirements (e.g., cross-network substance use training at a non-home node, CRISM’s mandate). Details on how to request approval for projects not included in the project list can be found here: Project eligibility form.
- If you are connecting with a project in the list provided, your initial inquiry should be made to the 1st point of contact name included with the project listing.
- Once the project has confirmed the feasibility of a trainee placement, send a letter expressing your interest in the host’s work. Include details on why the trainee placement appeals to you, a brief overview of your relevant experience, and your home node location. This letter is separate from, and does not replace, the formal Letter of Interest required for the final application.
- Receive written confirmation of the host’s support for cross-node placement and agreed-upon time frame of placement (refer to FAQs – How long is a placement?).
- Once the above steps have been completed, gather the following details to be included in your formal letter of interest required for the final application:
- Outline of research opportunity and research activities.
- Clearly stated research outcomes or deliverables (e.g., report, publication, research protocol, etc.).
- Outline the plan for sharing of learnings.
- References/examples of relevant learnings
- Anticipated time frame of placement.
- Current CV.
- Host letter of support for the placement, including confirmation of the agreed-upon placement timeframe.
Trainees will submit these required application documents:
- Letter of interest (download a letter of interest template):
- An outline of the research opportunity, including proposed research activities.
- Clearly stated learning objectives.
- Clearly stated research outcomes or deliverables (e.g., report, publication, research protocol, etc.).
- Outline the plan for sharing of learnings.
- References/examples of relevant learnings as your supporting documents (2 documents max, max 4 pages total).
- Anticipated time frame of placement.
- Trainee CV.
- Host letter of support (download a letter of host support template) for the placement, including confirmation of the agreed-upon placement timeframe.
- Applicants who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents must confirm they have valid authorization to study/work in Canada for the full 12-week placement. Work permit holders must confirm whether their permit is open or employer-specific (closed) and whether it allows relocation and work at a different institution/employer (including hospital/healthcare settings, where additional site requirements may apply).
- Undergraduate or graduate students must be a continuing student (either coming back to the same degree) or have applied to a new program (e.g., undergraduate moving to a Master’s, Master’s moving to a PhD). Please have your supervisor attest that you are a continuing student or have applied for continued education.
Trainees must complete the steps above before submitting the application form.
- Applications must be submitted via this Trainee Application Form and will be received by the review committee. You will need to complete and submit this form in one session. Partial answers are not saved. Please contact [crism.training@dal.ca] if you have any questions before filling out the form.
- Application submission deadline: Wednesday, August 26th, 2026, at 4:00 PM EST.
- Applications will be reviewed, and final placement decisions will be made by the review committee, comprised of one member from each CRISM Node, the Training Support Coordinator, and the National Coordinator.
- Selected trainees will be given 7 calendar days to accept or decline the offer.
- Hosts and CRISM Node PI/NM(s) will be notified of final acceptance by the Training Support Coordinator.
Review the eligibility requirements and confirm you meet the criteria before applying. Familiarise yourself with the ‘How to Apply’ process.
Complete and submit the trainee application form (including required documents).
Applications are reviewed (initial + committee review) for eligibility and final selection, and matching is completed as needed.
Offers are sent, and trainees have 7 days to accept/decline; final enrollment is confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
This section answers common questions about the Cross-Node Research Placement Training Program, including eligibility, funding, timelines, and how to apply.
Applicants must be CRISM members, undergraduate students (minimum 4th-year), graduate students, or postdoctoral fellows. Priority may be given to trainees with prior substance use research experience.
Yes. Within‑home Node placements will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis. Applicants will be required to justify how a within‑Node placement achieves the goals of the Placement Program. Examples of Node placements that may be considered include:
i) consideration of geographic distance — a trainee in Edmonton, AB (University of Alberta) is interested in a placement in Medicine Hat, AB (Medicine Hat College);
ii) consideration of a different healthcare system — a trainee in Halifax, NS (Dalhousie University) is interested in how a trial operates within another healthcare network (Saint John, NB — Vitalité Health Network).
Placements are designed to be in-person for 12 consecutive weeks. With host approval, an equivalent hybrid model may be possible. A hybrid model would be completed within six months and would include a minimum of four in-person weeks (e.g., four consecutive weeks or two consecutive, two-week blocks). Placement funding will be based on the in-person placement timeframe with consideration for accommodation and travel requirements.
Each Node can support travel and accommodations for up to two placements per year. Placement funding will be based on the in-person placement timeframe with consideration for accommodation and travel requirements.
Placement and related funding are expected to be used within 1 year of the award.
No, placements are unable to be deferred. Trainees are welcome to apply the following year.
Yes. This is a cross-node placement program and placements must include an in-person component at a host site in another CRISM Node. Placements are designed to be in-person for 12 consecutive weeks. With host approval, an equivalent hybrid model may be permitted and must be completed within six months. Hybrid placements must be a minimum of 4-weeks over the course of the placement. Fully remote placements are not eligible. Funding is placement mode-specific and, where applicable, considers the approved placement timeframe and related travel/accommodation needs.
Trainees are expected to initiate contact with a potential host (or study contact listed) and obtain a host letter confirming support and the placement timeframe. To support placement opportunities, a list of current CRISM-identified projects is available on the website. Trainees are welcome to propose other research projects that align with their interests and meet CRISM’s mandate.
If you are connecting with a research project that is not included in the project list, you’ll need to receive prior approval from the Training Coordinator. All projects considered must meet the program requirements (e.g., cross-network substance use training at a non-home node, CRISM’s mandate). Details on how to request approval for projects not included in the project list can be found here: Project eligibility form.
If you are reaching out about a project listed on the website, your initial inquiry should be directed to the contact person identified in the project description.
Yes. Practicums or placements that are degree requirements or course options will be considered, as long as the application includes clear learning objectives and deliverables.
A letter of interest outlining the research opportunity, proposed activities, learning objectives, expected outcomes/deliverables, and a knowledge-sharing plan. The trainee’s current CV, the host’s support letter, and supporting documents (i.e., research-related references, examples of previous work). Further details and templates can be found in the “How to Apply” section of the website.
A review committee comprised of one CRISM member from each of the five Nodes, the Training Support Coordinator, and the National Coordinator will review all applications and make final placement decisions.
Applications will be reviewed and ranked by the review committee. Ranking will be based on the quality of the applicant, the quality and fit of the proposed research in relation to CRISM’s focus and priorities, and the quality of the supervisory host.
Applicants will be contacted after the review is complete.
Selected trainees have 7 calendar days to accept or decline the offer. If a response is not received within that window, the offer may be withdrawn, and the placement may be offered to another applicant.
Email [crism.training@dal.ca]
The Training Program Contact
If you have any questions regarding the training program, please email Dr. Yanfei Ma, Training Platform Coordinator at crism.training@dal.ca with the subject line: Training Questions regarding Cross-Node Research Placement Program – Your Full Name.
