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 “Comment appliquer” 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]

All applicants must be active students (part-time or full-time) at the time of application and planning to be or enrolled in an academic program in the following year. Please provide documentation of your continued education – such as an official confirmation of enrollment – or your supervisor’s attestation that you are enrolled or have applied for continued education.

Funding awards are for travel support and a living allowance.  The living allowance is calculated per week for the duration of the placement. For example, trainees may receive less total funding for a shorter hybrid placement than a full 12-week placement. The program does not support compensation for time spent during the placement.

Trainees should apply with the intent of contributing to one project with one host node and supervisor.

Examples of deliverables can include one or more of the following: preparing ethics applications; literature review; data analysis; or developing and contributing to recruitment efforts. The deliverables should be outlined in the application form and the letter of interest; please reference these documents for further information.