Cohort Program

The Cohort program annually accepts a group of 20 clinical trainees, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and ECRs from across Canada chosen through a competitive application process.

Cohort members will have the opportunity to be involved in workshops and retreats, a structured mentorship program, experiential learning, educational workshops, a summer institute, and have the potential for funding opportunities.

What you’ll learn:

• Key clinical concepts

• Fundamental biology

• Research methodologies

• Critical feminist and gender theories

• Intersectionality between sex, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, and disability

What you’ll gain:

• Skills to pursue a career related to women’s health in various professional settings (e.g., academia, industry, government etc.)

• A platform to launch a career

• Opportunity to build a network and create collaboration opportunities

• Confidence through knowledge acquisition and mentorship relationships

When and where:

Most program activities will occur virtually to facilitate participation from trainees across the country.

Biweekly seminars hosted online on Thursdays from:

PST: 9 - 11am
MST: 10am - noon
EST: 11am - 1pm
CST: noon - 2pm
AST: 1 - 3pm
NT: 1:30 - 3:30pm

Cohort members will also participate in a one week in-person institute which will be held in Banff, Alberta on November 21 - 25, 2022.

Who can apply:

Passionate graduate students (those in a masters or PhD program), post-doctoral fellows, clinical trainees, and early career researchers at a Canadian university who are looking to broaden their understanding and knowledge in girls and women’s health across the lifespan. Applications from other professionals may be considered on a case-by-case basis. All trainees must have at least 2 years remaining in their program.

Deadline for applications:
Applications due June 30, 2022

What you’ll need to apply:

1. Submit a pdf copy of CIHR Biosketch CCV or SSHRC CCV.

2.  Submit a pdf copy of a two-page (maximum) summary of your career trajectory and long-term future career plans, highlighting any relevant professional or lived experience and outlining how participation in the GROWW cohort will help you achieve these goals.

3.  Submit a pdf copy of your university transcripts

4.  Submit a letter of support from your research supervisor (graduate students, post-doctoral fellows), program director (medical residents/fellows), or department head/dean (early career researchers). The requirements for the letter of support include:

• confirmation that you have at least 2 years left in your current role in which to complete the GROWW training program (trainees only)

• confirmation that you will be given protected time to complete GROWW-related activities (on average ½ day per week, but can be varied)

• confirmation that if you are applying for scholarship support (applies to graduate students/post-doctoral fellows only), your supervisor (or department or institution) will contribute the matching funds (minimum $15,000 for graduate students and $20,000 for post-doctoral fellows annually). 

Financial support:

GROWW is pleased to provide partial scholarship support to graduate students ($15,000/year for 2 years) and post-doctoral fellows ($20,000/year for 2 years) who do not currently hold a major award. Priority for funding will be given to trainees who are supervised by an early career researcher.

 In addition, costs associated with participating in the in-person institute and other experiential learning opportunities will be covered for all cohort members.