Summer Student Awards

CAN TAP TALENT is excited to offer Summer Student Awards, guided by the core principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA). This grant aligns with the Tri-Agency Dimensions of Care and the Government of Canada's Best Practices in Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) research.

This award aims to support students in enhancing their knowledge and skills to provide and advocate for equitable, anti-oppressive care for patients and clinical research participants, as well as fostering equitable, anti-oppressive academic and work environments.

At this time, the CIHR-funded CAN TAP TALENT Student Summer Award is exclusively available to candidates who identify as Black, Indigenous, experiencing financial hardship, or part of a visible minority, and are student researchers.

Award recipients will have the opportunity to expand their clinical trials training and capacity through a summer enrichment experience at an academic clinical research center. They will also be integrated into a larger Canadian clinical research community, with access to engagement activities, meetings, and mentorship.

CAN TAP TALENT will accept applications between January 16, 2026, and February 20, 2026, until the available funds are fully allocated. Award recipients will be announced by the end of March 2026.

Full Application details available here.

Application Process

This Summer Student Award is a one-step application process. Priority will be given to applicants who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, experiencing financial hardship, or as part of a visible minority group. Please note that the award review committee will assess eligibility based on letters of support and personal disclosure.

Step 1: Please complete the online application here.

Application Guidelines:

Applicants will provide (1) a personal statement, (2) an academic CV, (3) a letter of support from an Academic Supervisor (4) a secondary character reference letter, and (5) an academic transcript. Please note that students may apply upon completion of 1 year of their undergraduate program, and also for the summer between their undergraduate degree and graduate program.

Please note that students are eligible to apply after completing one year of their undergraduate program or for the summer between their undergraduate and graduate programs.

1. Personal Letter of Intent:
This letter should be no more than two (2) pages and should include the following elements:

Describe how your project or academic interest relates to clinical trials and clinical outcomes.
Explain why the CAN TAP TALENT program is of interest to you and how you expect to benefit from this training experience.
Discuss your current research training environment and supervisory support.
Describe your professional, academic, and extracurricular experiences and achievements, and how they have prepared you to successfully complete the CAN TAP TALENT program.
Outline your research career goals and how this award would support your pursuit of these goals.
If applicable, describe any equity of access barriers you have experienced as a member of an underrepresented group in science or research, and how you have sought to overcome these barriers. Explain how this award would help you overcome barriers related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Students facing financial hardship, who have demonstrated academic promise, a commitment to the common good, and a strong interest in medical science, will have equal access to opportunities that support growth and contributions to healthcare and research.

Please Note: In compliance with the Declarations of Research Assessment (DORA), CAN TAP TALENT encourages applicants to include complementary achievements not typically found in traditional academic records. These achievements will be considered as part of the holistic evaluation of your candidacy and will contribute to your overall score.

2. Academic CV

3. Letter of Support from Academic Supervisor

Please provide the following:

Use official letterhead, if possible, and provide a signed letter of support
State your position, institution and relationship to the applicant
Highlight qualifications and achievements of the applicant
Provide specific examples of the applicant's academic excellence, leadership and clinical research interests
Please include details of the summer student’s internship work and explain how the experience is relevant to clinical research.
Explain how the applicant's summer studentship work benefits the academic and/or research community, current and future patients and research participants, the institution or field of study

4. Academic Transcript
Applicants must have completed a minimum of two terms by the time of application submission. Your GPA must be at least a B- at the time of taking up the award.

Funds Available:
Up to 8 Summer Student Awards are available, each valued at $6000 CAD. The duration of the award is 14 to 16 weeks, full-time. The activities conducted during the award are governed by agreements with the host institution, including any employment agreements (if applicable).

Applicants may choose to accept a part-time Summer Student Award, which will be 7 to 8 weeks in duration and will be awarded $3000 CAD.

Selection Process:
The selection process will be conducted by CAN TAP TALENT and will be based on the following criteria:

Academic excellence
Clinical research potential
Expected quality of training and mentorship

Competition Timeline:

Deadline: January 16, 2026 – February 20, 2026

Contact:
If you have any questions regarding the Award, please email Jasmine.Grant@uhn.ca, info@cantaptalent.ca or Iqra.Salad@uhn.ca.

For post-award inquiries, please contact Jasmine.Grant@uhn.ca.