Quebec Autism Research Training (QART) Program
The Québec Autism Research Training (QART) Program is pleased to invite graduate student (M.Sc. and Ph.D.) and postdoctoral fellow applicants for the 2021 program competition. QART is a competitive program that attracts and trains outstanding graduate students and postdoctoral fellows by supporting career development in their area of choice. Supported by government and philanthropic partners, QART was launched in 2018 as a novel training initiative in the province of Quebec and now being scaled up nationally. The 2021 competition is open to trainees across Canada who are carrying out multidisciplinary, innovative, and/or translational research in autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions.
About QART
Successful QART Fellows are invited to enrol in the program for up to three years, where they benefit from:
- A one-year entrance award ranging from $20,000-48,000 depending on the level, e.g., graduate vs postdoc, professional degree. The award is not renewable but can be held during any period of program enrolment. Fellows who already hold another competitive award may join QART but must decline the award;
- The QART Annual Summer School: an immersive one-week intensive learning and interactive environment bringing together all fellows with 35+ mentors from diverse sectors & disciplines (mandatory; scheduled for August 23-27, 2021);
- The QART Training Passport: Flexible support to maximize engagement in activities tailored for each trainee’s career (up to $2,000/year per trainee for their choice of activities, including but not limited to organizing one or more trainee-led workshops, presenting their work at local, national or international conferences, and contributing to wider community engagement and knowledge translation).
QART seeks to build a collaborative learning community with fellows at the centre. Successful trainees will contribute to building an inclusive learning environment that promotes dialogue, critical thinking and exchange with cross-sector stakeholders including other researchers, professionals, decision makers, and the autism community.
Eligibility
To apply to the QART program, the applicant must be:
- Canadian or foreign trainees enrolled in a Canadian university at the Master’s, Doctoral or Postdoctoral level at the start of the fellowship.
- Conduct research relevant for autism or related conditions, e.g., genetics, cellular and animal models, cognition, neuroscience, intervention, etc. Multidisciplinary, innovative and translational projects will be prioritized.
Applicants who hold another competitive fellowship from another source are encouraged to apply to QART but must decline the entrance award.
Evaluation
QART adopts the FRQ-S criteria and weighting for evaluation of graduate students or postdoctoral fellowships (www.frqs.gouv.qc.ca/en/bourses-et-subventions/). A selection panel of autism researchers is invited each year to evaluate applicants.
2021 Competition is Now Closed
RFA launch: December 7, 2020
Application deadline: January 29, 2020, 3 pm Deadline extended to February 1, 2021, 5 pm EST
Results announced: May 2021
Summer School: August 23-27, 2021
Start of program: August 2021