The Competition

Objectives

The CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation (Foundation) Scholarships are open to MSc Students, PhD Students and Postdoctoral Fellows whose research project is taking place at the CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre and/or Centre de réadaptation Marie Enfant (CRME) under the supervision of an active researcher of the Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine.

For a confirmation of a researcher's status, please contact us: bourses.crhsj.hsj@ssss.gouv.qc.ca

Scholarships are awarded to outstanding students to allow them to acquire research training. These scholarships are complementary to the bursaries offered by the external granting agencies. They are evaluated by a committee of Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine researchers. They serve as leverage for obtaining external funding.

Scholarship Amounts

The scholarship amount is determined annually by the Research Directorate depending on available funds.

The 2023 Scholarship Amounts are:

• $22,000 for the Merit Scholarship at the MSc level
• $24,200 for the Merit Scholarship at the PhD level
• $44,000 for the Merit Scholarship at the Postdoctorate level
• $2,000 for students receiving a professional salary
• $2,000 for the Recruitment Scholarship

For MSc, PhD and Postdoctorate Merit Scholarships, funding is provided jointly by the Foundation and the student's supervisor's research funds. Research funds must come from budget accounts managed at the Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine.

The students doing a direct transfer from MSc to a PhD degree during the award period will continue to receive the amount initially awarded to them (i.e., MSc Scholarship). The Supervisor's minimum contribution will then have to be adjusted, in order to respect the Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine's minimum scholarship policy for PhD students.

*The minimum amount from the Supervisor includes the 20% bonus on scholarships recommended by the Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine.

Funding Period

Recruitment Scholarships and Scholarships for students receiving professional salary are awarded in a single payment upon activation of the scholarship.

Merit Scholarships at the MSc, PhD and Postdoctorate levels are for a maximum period of 12 months and are non renewable. The scholarship will be activated between July 1^st and September 1^st of the current year. Students wishing to activate their scholarship after September 1^st must decline the amounts they would have been granted between September 1^st and the activation of the scholarship.

The Foundation Scholarship will end should one of these situations occur:

• At the final deposit of the MSc or PhD Thesis
• At the departure from the Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine
• At the end of the scholarship award

A student holding a scholarship at the time of application and ending before September 1^st of the current year can activate the scholarship at the end of the external nominative scholarship (i.e., a scholarship in the name of the student). The Foundation’s Scholarship have a duration of 12 months and are subjec to the rules of cumulative scholarships. This procedure also prevails for a student whose University registration begins during the autumn semester.

No extension of the scholarship will be granted after the end of the scholarship award, even if the deposit of the thesis has not yet been made.

Accumulation of Scholarships

Nominative Scholarships of $4,000 or less

The student can accumulate one or more scholarships of $4,000 or less without affecting the amount granted by the Fondation CHU Sainte-Justine.

Nominative Scholarships of more the $4,000

The accumulation of scholarships is regulated for Excellence Scholarships (not applicable on the Recruitment Scholarship and the Professional Scholarship). Recipients must declare any scholarships received from other granting agencies or foundations.

Fifty percent (50%) of the scholarship declared will be deducted from the amount of the scholarship awarded by the Fondation CHU Sainte-Justine. It is at the Supervisor's discretion whether or not to reduce the share of remuneration once their student obtains an external scholarship.

Major Scholarships

The primary objective of the Foundation Scholarships is to serve as leverage for obtaining external funding. Therefore, the accumulation of Major Scholarships is not allowed for Merit Scholarships (not applicable for the Recruitment Scholarship and the Professional Scholarship). Recipients must declare any scholarships received from other granting agencies of foundations.

Recipients who have obtained a nominative scholarship of an amount equal to or greated a nominative scholarship of an amount equal to or greater than $17,500 at the Master's level, $21,000 at the Doctoral level and $40,000 at the Postdoctoral level from another public granting agency or from a foundation, must decline the Fondation CHU Sainte-Justine Scholarship as soon as it is offered.

In the case of an external scholarship funded jointly by a granting agency and the Supervisor's funds, the total amount of the scholarship (including the mandatory Supervisor funding) is calculated to determine the candidate's eligibility.

The funding will then be used to sponsor other students, as long as they have obtained satisfactory results in the evaluation. The objective is to allow for a financial leverage effect for a maximum of students.

Parental Leave

Students who took maternity, paternity or adoption leave during the study program related to the scholarship application may benefit from an eligibility extension of a maximum of twelve (12) months. Students wishing to benefit from this extension, must notify the program manager and include a letter of justification in the annex file.

Foundation Scholarship recipients who wish to take a maternity, paternity or adoption leave must notify the Research Directorate at least 30 days before the start of the leave. The scholarship will then be suspended for a maximum of twelve (12) months. The Scholarship end date will then be postponed for a period equal to the student's absence.

Eligibility criteria

Admissible Candidates

All Candidates

1. The research project must take place at the Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine and/or at the MERC.
2. The candidate’s principal researcher must be an active member of the Researchers’ Assembly of the Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine at the time of the application.
3. The candidate must be registered at their Supervisor's University of affiliation. Students of a researcher with two affiliating Universities, must be registered at the primary University of affiliation; unless the researcher has a formal collaborative agreement between the Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine and the secondary University of affiliation.
4. The candidate must be registered at the Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine at the time of application (except for students beginning their studies at a ulterior term).
5. The candidate must have a valid study or work permit at the time the award is activated.
6. The Research Directorate has the right to refuse a student's application if they have a high rate absenteeism (less than 75% of participation) at the Friday Noon Scientific Conferences.

Master's Students

1. The student must be officially accepted in a full-time MSc program, with proof of registration before the activation of the scholarship.
2. Students receiving remuneration from RAMQ or remuneration for clinical activities must apply to the scholarship for Student Receiving Professional Salary (see below).
3. On September 1st of the current year, the student must not have completed more than three (3) semesters¹ of the Master's program.
4. The student cannot have already received the Foundation’s Scholarship for a duration of more than 12 months during the MSc.

Doctoral Students

1. The student must be officially accepted in a full-time PhD program, with proof of registration before the activation of the scholarship.
2. Students receiving remuneration from RAMQ or remuneration for clinical activities must apply to the scholarship for Student Receiving Professional Salary (see below).
3. On September 1st of the current year, the student must not have completed more than twelve (12) semesters¹ of the PhD program.
4. The student cannot have already received the Foundation’s scholarship for a duration of more than 24 months during the PhD.
5. Students starting a PhD directly after the bachelor degree have to apply to the MSc scholarship if they are eligible.

Postdoctoral Fellows

1. The candidate must hold a PhD diploma or MSc with an MD without rights of practice.
2. The candidate must meet the criteria of eligibility to register as a Postdoctoral Fellow at their Principal Researcher's main affiliated University.
3. The candidate must commit to register to a Postdoctoral Fellowship program at their Principal Researcher's main affiliated University before the activation of the scholarship.
4. On September 1st of the current year, the candidate must not have obtained their PhD diploma, or equivalent, more than three (3) years ago.
5. The student cannot have already received the Foundation’s Scholarship for a duration of more than 24 months at the postdoctoral level.

Types of Scholarships

Students must apply to all of the scholarships for which they are eligible.

Merit Scholarship
(All)

1. Meet the eligibility criteria for MSc, PhD or Postdoctoral Students.

2. Comply with the rules concerning accumulation of scholarships (see above).

Recruitment Scholarship
(MSc and PhD)

1. Meet the eligibility criteria for MSc or PhD students. 
2. Have started a MSc or PhD program in the winter or summer term of the current year, or plan to start in the fall term of the current year. 
3. Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 / 4.3, or equivalent (E.g.: B+, 13/20, 7/10, 83%, according to the different rating systems).

Students receiving a professional salary
(MSc and PhD)

1. Meet the eligibility criteria for MSc or PhD students.
2. Concurrently as their studies; an internship as a resident, a fellow or a clinical instructor for which they receive a remuneration from the RAMQ or are engaged in professional/clinical activities for which they receive a salary.

1 The number of semesters completed is calculated from the first date of registration to a program of MSc or PhD degree.

HOW TO APPLY

The candidate must read the rules of the Scholarship program. The candidate has the responsibility to ensure that the submitted application is complete. The committee will reject any incomplete applications.

Applications must be submitted before the deadline through the online form. Make sure that you receive a confirmation of receipt once you have submitted your application. Any application submitted after the deadline will be refused. No application updates will be permitted after the deadline.

It is the responsibility of the student to make sure they receive a confirmation of submission. The Research Centre is not responsible for issues regarding the transmission of the file. If the file is not received before the deadline, it will not be evaluated.

Required Documents and Order of Presentation

All documents must be scanned and saved as a PDF, in the order below. Applications may be written in English or in French. Three documents must be submitted by the candidate before the deadline:

• Application Form
• Additional Documents
• Financial Commitment Form

DOCUMENT Number 1: Application Form

The documents below in a single PDF file and named: LASTNAME_FirstName_cycle_2023-2024
Eg: SMITH_John_2ndcycle_2023-2024

1. The Application Form (PDF or Word), including :
2. The FRQS funding version of the Canadian Common CV (CVC), updated but not submitted.
3. List of detailed contributions (publications and presentations; proof of reception of submitted articles and publisher notifications of articles accepted for publication). The impact factors of every publication must be clearly indicated.

DOCUMENT Number 2: Additional Documents

All the documents below in the following order and in a single PDF file. The document must be named: LASTNAME_FirstName_cycle_2023-2024_annexes
Eg: SMITH_John_2ndcycle_2023-2024_annexes

1. Transcripts
   • - Unofficial transcripts are accepted.
   • - For MSc candidates: baccalaureate transcript (or equivalent) and transcript of studies in progress.
   • - For PhD candidates: transcript of bachelor's degree or medical studies (MD) and MSc or PhD (or equivalent) and transcript of studies in progress.
   • - For candidates pursuing postdoctoral medical studies: transcript of medical doctorate (or equivalent) and transcripts of studies in progress.
   • - For postdoctoral fellows: No transcript is required.
   • - For studies outside of North America, include a document explaining the grading system in effect at the institution, and any other relevant information ensuring the appropriate evaluation of the application (group average, rank, etc.).
2. Proof of applications for scholarships from external organizations worth more than $10,000 (copies of letters or emails of submission, approvals and/or refusals from the organizations).
   • - If you have not applied to at least two external scholarships at the moment of application and are recipients of the Foundation's Scholarship, you will have to submit the proof by December 1^st of the current year.
3. Proof of university awards and/or scholarships. If you never received an award or scholarship, please include a letter of justification.
4. Proof of admission in your study program (MSc and PhD students only).
   • For applicants starting their program at an upcoming semester, proof of registration must be submitted before the scholarship is activated.
5. Proof of reception of submitted articles and publisher notifications of articles accepted for publication (if applicable).

No points can be attributed without the required proofs or justifications.

DOCUMENT Number 3: Financial Commitment Form

1. Financial Commitment Form signed by the research Supervisor. Not required if you are applying to the Students receiving a professional salary Scholarship.

The document must be named: LASTNAME_FirstName_cycle_2023-2024_FinancialCommitment
Eg: SMITH_John_2ndcycle_2023-2024_FinancialCommitment

Evaluation

Each application will be reviewed by three evaluators. The applications will be assigned randomly among the reviewers in each group, and each reviewer will evaluate approximately 15 applications.

The evaluation committees are composed of active, associate or invited researchers as well as postdoctoral fellows (for the evaluation of the MSc and PhD candidates only) from the CHUSJ-RC.

The reviewers are not necessarily specialists in the field of research of the applicants they are evaluating, therefore research projects must be written in such a way as to be accessible to researchers from different fields of research.

The candidate will be evaluated according to criteria such as academic performance, previous experience in research, publications, presentations, the expected orientation of career, the impact of the project, and the choice of laboratory for scientific training.

Recruitment Scholarships: Recruitment Scholarships will be drawn randomly from the eligible applicants. A student cannot obtain a Recruitment Scholarship if they have obtained a Merit Scholarship in the competition of the same year. Only one Recruitment Scholarship per laboratory (or researcher), per competition.

Please see the evaluation criteria for more detail.

Commitments of the scholarship holder

The scholarship holder commits to respecting the following conditions; otherwise, the Research Centre has the right to end payment of the scholarship:

• Conduct their research activities at Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine and/or at the MERC.
• Attend the Research Centre’s Scientific Conferences every Friday at noon (required participation rate: 75%).
• Submit proof of application to two external scholarships. The proofs must be given by December 1^st of the current year, at the latest.
• MSc and PhD students: Submit a valid proof of registration in their University program to the Manager of Academic Affairs for the Summer, Winter and Fall semesters (an email is sent to all students every semester). If the student does not submit a valid proof of registration, the scholarship will be suspended and a refund may be requested for the portion of the scholarship paid that semester.
• Declare any scholarships received from organisations other than the Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine during the award period and forward grant notifications to the Manager of Academic Affairs upon confirmation of the granting organism.
• Participate in student activities and be an ambassador for the Foundation's activities implicating students.
• Present the funded research project at the Annual Research Congress of Graduate and Postdoctoral Students at the Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine (poster or oral presentation)
• Inform the Manager of Academic Affairs of their MSc or PhD thesis final deposit and submit proof of deposit, once available.
• Every publication, including the MSc or PhD thesis, resulting from the work carried out during the period of the scholarship will have to acknowledge the support from the Foundation. For example: “We would like to thank the Fondation CHU Sainte-Justine for supporting this project.”

EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The CHU Sainte-Justine subscribes to the principle of equal access to opportunities and invites women, members of visible and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities and Indigenous people to apply. We would appreciate it if you could inform us of any disabilities that would require technical and physical accommodation adapted to your situation during the selection process. Please be assured that we will treat this information as confidential.