Trainee Funding Opportunities

Graduate Student Professional Development Awards are for students working with MIRA researchers to present their work at an academic conference (virtual or in-person), attend a training program (virtual or in-person), complete an online course at a different institution or participate in research activities in another location. Professional development awards are tenable for up to one year after the application deadline. MIRA will also accept ​submissions for professional development activities that occurred up to three months prior to the application deadline. Students are asked to advise MIRA by email (mirafund@mcmaster.ca) of cancellations or changes related to MIRA-supported professional development activities.  

MIRA Postdoctoral Fellowships support interdisciplinary, impact-driven approaches to the study of optimal aging. The research projects supported by these fellowships should aim to develop the capacity of future leaders in aging research and generate evidence that contributes to the well-being of older adults.

The applicant and principal supervisor are expected to involve at least two other researchers from two different McMaster Faculties (outside of the principal supervisor’s Faculty) as mentors in the development of an interdisciplinary research plan. The proposal should clearly indicate how the supervisor and two mentors will contribute to the development and execution of the interdisciplinary project, and how this interdisciplinary approach will bring value to the study. MIRA is partnering with several of McMaster’s research centres and institutes – including the LCMA and MDTRC — to further expand our collective impact and build capacity. Proposals that focus on aging and the mandate of any of the co-funding partners as outlined on pages two and three of this call for proposals, may be considered for a co-funded postdoctoral fellowship.

The Notice of Intent (NOI) to apply for a MIRA Postdoctoral Fellowship must be submitted using this link by the deadline. Applicants should develop their full application well in advance of NOI deadline and should not wait until they are notified of invitation to apply to begin writing the application. All eligible applicants will be invited to submit a full application by the application deadline.

Full proposal submissions must be emailed to mirafund@mcmaster.ca and include “MIRA Postdoctoral Fellowship Program” in the subject line.

MIRA has partnered with the EPIC-AT Health Research Training Platform, a national training platform that will prepare graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and early career researchers to be future leaders in digital health solutions for older adults with complex health needs. McMaster trainees at the Master’s, PhD and Postdoctoral level are eligible to apply for MIRA/EPIC-AT co-funded awards. Applicants should review the EPIC-AT application package and apply via the AGE-WELL Application Portal.  For application questions please contact training@agewell-nce.ca.

The McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) will fund up to six summer student Fellowships (one per Faculty) valued at $2,000 each for undergraduate students working with MIRA researchers between May and August 2024. 

Applicants entering year one of a master’s program and year one or two of a PhD program are invited to submit a research proposal focusing on interdisciplinary, impact-driven approaches in the study of aging to the MIRA Graduate Scholarship Program. See call for proposals for full details; all applications must be submitted via the online application.

All applicants will be considered for the MIRA Scholarship in Aging Research. In addition, MIRA has partnered with several of McMaster’s research centres and institutes to further expand our collective impact and build capacity among McMaster trainees. Applications that focus on aging and the mandate of any of the co-funding partners below may be considered for co-funded scholarships. Applicants are encouraged to review the mandates and areas of focus for each of the co-funding partners below and indicate their interest in having their application considered for specific co-funded awards via their online application.

MIRA and the LCMA invite highly qualified postdoctoral researchers to apply to the MIRA & Labarge Postdoctoral Fellowship competition. Applicants may apply to one or both streams; the MIRA Postdoctoral Fellowships in Aging Research support interdisciplinary, impact-driven approaches to the study of optimal aging, and the Labarge Postdoctoral Fellowship in Mobility in Aging supports research focusing understanding, maintaining and restoring mobility in aging. The research projects supported by these fellowships should aim to develop the capacity of future leaders in aging research and generate evidence that contributes to the well-being of older adults. 

Up to three MIRA Postdoctoral Fellowships in Aging Research and one Labarge Postdoctoral Fellowship in Mobility in Aging are available. Each fellowship is valued at $100,000 ($50,000 salary for two years), plus a $6,000 allowance for research expenses and professional development. It is expected that the supervisor will provide the funding required to cover the fellow’s benefits in accordance with McMaster’s benefit rates.  

The applicant and principal supervisor are expected to involve at least two other researchers from two different Faculties (outside of the principal supervisor’s Faculty) as mentors in the development of an interdisciplinary research plan. The proposal should clearly indicate how the supervisor and two mentors will contribute to the development and execution of the interdisciplinary project and how this interdisciplinary approach will bring value to the study. Applications will be evaluated based on alignment with MIRA’s mandate; quality, novelty and academic merit of the research proposal; incorporation of stakeholders or end-users and the strength and leadership capacity of the candidate (see evaluation rubric). 

EPIC-AT Fellowships will support trainees exploring digital health solutions for older adults with complex health needs, and provide experience in transdisciplinary working, stakeholder engagement and co-creation, the research-policy dynamic and the innovation and implementation process. More information and a full call will be provided.