MIRA Trainee Scholarship & Fellowship Proposal Writing Workshop 

This workshop will be primarily geared towards McMaster University trainees in aging research preparing to apply for MA/MSc, PhD or postdoctoral fellowship programs including: CIHR Health System Impact Fellowship, Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Master’s, Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral, Canada Postdoctoral Research Award Program, AGE-WELL EPIC-AT, and MIRA Graduate Scholarship and Postdoctoral Fellowship programs.

Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 — 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Location: In person, McMaster Innovation Park, Meeting Room #2
175 Longwood Road South, Hamilton
Registration is free but space is limited. Register by June 18 to secure your spot!

This one-day workshop will feature presentations from McMaster researchers, grant and administration staff, with expertise in writing successful applications. A draft itinerary is below. 

AGENDA (subject to change)
8:30 a.m. Breakfast & Registration
9 a.m. Identifying the right scholarship opportunities and funding sources – Dr. Gésine Alders
9:30 a.m. Design thinking, user perspectives and writing research proposals poised for impact in the real world – Audrey Patocs
10:15 a.m. Incorporating engagement with older adults, caregivers, stakeholders – Penelope Petrie & Dr. Soo Chan Carusone
11 a.m. Morning break
11:15 a.m. Writing a compelling rationale and research question – Dr. Andrew Costa
12 p.m. Perspectives from a scholarship reviewer – Dr. Julie Croskill

12:45 p.m. Lunch break
1:15 p.m. Writing for a lay audience – Dr. Dawn Bowdish
2 p.m. Incorporating equity, diversity, inclusivity – Dr. Deborah Sloboda
2:45 p.m. Afternoon break
3 p.m. Incorporating knowledge translation and mobilization – Dr. Maggie MacNeil
3:45 p.m. Ask and you shall receive: Tips for requesting and getting effective reference letters – Dr. Allison Dubé
4:30 p.m. Wrap up and next steps

Questions? Email mirafund@mcmaster.ca