Medical Education Research Grants

Applications Open for the Education Development Fund Grant

Apply by January 20th, 2025 at noon to be considered for this opportunity. Apply using the online application form. Please consult all details below before preparing your application.

Research Funding Opportunities

The Office of the Vice Dean, Medical Education in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine is pleased to support two medical education research grant opportunities:

  1. Education Development Fund Grant

  2. Medical Education Strategic Research Grant

Which opportunity should I apply to?

Each grant opportunity has a unique purpose and scope. Consult the information below to learn more. If you have questions, please contact: medicine.awards@utoronto.ca

Education Development Fund (EDF) Grants


This grant funds projects of up to two-years with a maximum funding of $10,000.00. No matched funding required.

Purpose:

  • Advancing medical education research by nurturing grassroots scholarship. Prioritizes projects that are emergent, curiosity-driven, and methodologically rigorous.
  • Tackling emergent issues, supporting new initiatives and innovation from the frontlines in MD, Postgraduate Medical Education, and Continuing Professional Development.

Eligibility: 

  • Designed to empower newly-engaged and early-career researchers. To be considered newly engaged/early career, the applying Principal Investigator (PI) cannot have held two or more PI grants as a faculty member at the national level. 

Proposals must fall under one of two streams:

  • Research: discovery-oriented projects asking novel questions to advance understanding. ​
  • Innovation & Evaluation: projects that create or apply new solutions or approaches with a methodologically rigorous evaluation method.

How to apply:

This grant is offered in odd-numbered years, beginning in 2025. See How to Apply section below.

Medical Education Strategic Research Grants


This grant funds projects of up to two-years with a maximum funding of $50,000.00. No matched funding required.

Purpose:

  • Support projects with potential to shape the continuum of medical education from undergraduate to PGME to CPD - locally, nationally, and internationally. 
  • Explore strategic priorities and themes that can impact both TFoM and medical education. Priority themes for a given cycle will be circulated with the call for letters of intent.

Purpose:

  • Unique opportunity for multidisciplinary teams of experienced researchers and scholars in medical education to advance their work, foster collaboration, and make a meaningful impact on the continuum of medical education.

Proposals should endeavour to do both of the following:

  • Align with strategic themes and demonstrate relevance to the continuum of medical education.
  • Use innovative approaches, methodologies, and interventions with potential for broad impact within TFoM and the medical education community.

How to apply:

This grant is offered in even-numbered years, beginning in 2026. See How to Apply section below.

Other Medical Education Research Funding

If your idea doesn't align with the above opportunities, consider the following:

How to Apply: Education Development Fund Grant

This opportunity is currently open and applications are being accepted via the EDF nomination form until noon on January 20th, 2025.

Expand each section to learn more about the grant and how to apply.

What is the EDF?

The Education Development Fund (EDF) Grant Program is a prestigious peer-reviewed initiative aimed at advancing medical education research while nurturing grassroots scholarship. Designed to empower newly-engaged and early-career researchers, EDF prioritizes projects that are emergent, curiosity-driven, and methodologically rigorous, fostering innovation and excellence in medical education Temerty Faculty of Medicine (TFoM).  

Applicants choose from one of two streams: Research or Innovation & Evaluation projects. The Research stream is intended for discovery-oriented projects asking novel questions to advance understanding. The Innovation & Evaluation stream is for projects creating or applying new solutions or approaches with a methodologically rigorous evaluation. 

Who can apply?

To be considered as “newly engaged” or “early career”, the principal investigator (PI) applying for the EDF cannot have held two or more PI grants as a faculty member at the national level. See full eligibility criteria below. 

When are applications accepted? 

EDF Grants will be offered in odd-numbered years, beginning in 2025. This regularity ensures continuity and sustainability in supporting the advancement of medical education research. The deadline to apply for this cycle is January 20th, 2025 at noon EST. See detailed timeline below. 

Pillars of the EDF:

Emerging Scholars:  

EDF provides a platform for emerging scholars to explore novel ideas and methodologies in medical education research. It encourages emerging scholars to embark on transformative projects that have the potential to shape the future of medical education. 

Grassroots Scholarship:  

EDF prioritizes projects that originate from the applied challenges medical education programs and other activities. This approach fosters bottom-up innovation and ensures that the grant program is responsive to the evolving needs and challenges within the field. 

Programmatic & Impactful Research:  

EDF prioritizes scholarship that aims to have impact across TFoM and the wider education community. Applicants are expected to outline how the work will continue to progress at the end of the granting period and plans for future funding for programmatic scholarship.

Capacity Building:  

EDF not only provides financial support but also promotes capacity building among grant recipients. Through mentorship, training, and networking, EDF aims to equip researchers with the skills and resources necessary to excel in medical education scholarship. 

Inclusivity:  

EDF is committed to inclusivity. Applications are welcome from across TFoM, and matched funding is not required. Projects that include representation from across a diverse set of actors -- including learners, patients, community leaders, staff, or underrepresented groups -- are encouraged. Staff and learners are eligible to be co-investigator with a Faculty PI. Interdisciplinary/program teams and novel approaches to education scholarship are encouraged.   

Mentorship:  

Recognizing the importance of mentorship in academic development, EDF requires applicants to engage a senior mentor with demonstrated expertise in education research and leadership. This individual will function as a named senior co-investigator on the project and can provide theoretical, methodological, or other expertise as needed. This mentorship component ensures that PIs receive guidance and support throughout the grant process. 

Scope:

Projects can be for up to two-years with a maximum funding of $10,000.00. Proposals should highlight rigorous research or innovation that does one or more of the following: 

  • addresses a longstanding or emergent education issue relevant across the continuum of medical and health professions education; 

  • answers a curiosity driven question with the potential to impact education theory and practice locally and globally; 

  • proposes to experiment with or explore new practices in education that are potentially transformative within the TFoM and beyond, and/or; 

  • address any of the elements of the TFoM Medical Education strategic plans or similar documents articulating core priorities for the medical education portfolio. 

EDF does not fund the regular operations of curricula or assessment and continuing medical education. Any innovation projects the propose to experiment with new approaches, technologies, and activities should focus on a scientifically sound and rigorous evaluation of the innovation. 

Eligibility: 

The Principal Investigator (PI): 

  • Must hold a primary faculty appointment as a full-time or part-time faculty member of a department within the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine (TFoM). Members of any academic rank (lecturer, assistant professor, associate professor or full professor) are eligible to apply. Additionally, the PI must not have held two or more PI grants as a faculty member at the national level. 

  • Principal investigators can only hold one grant at a time. It is expected that PIs will receive EDF only once for each project. 

  • Status-only faculty can act as a PI on a grant. Adjunct clinical faculty members can act as a collaborator on a grant held by a full-time or part-time faculty member. 

  • Must agree to take responsibility for the overall project design, development, budgetary oversight, and completion. 

  • Must agree to provide year-end and project-end reports. 

  • Must agree to present project findings at The Richard K. Reznick Wilson Centre Research Day. 

  • Must agree to communicate their findings to relevant stakeholders in TFoM, such as the Medical Education Executive, MD Curriculum Committee, PGME Residency Program Directors, etc.   

Co-Investigators/Collaborators/Advisors: 

  • Each project must include a co-investigator.   

  • Staff, faculty members, and learners are eligible to be co-investigators with a Faculty PI. EDF requires applicants to engage a senior mentor with demonstrated expertise in education research and leadership who will function as a named senior co-investigator to provide theoretical, methodological, or other expertise as needed.  

  • Collaborators or advisors can include faculty, staff, members of the public, patients, patient families, learners, and trainees. 

  • A formal affiliation with the University of Toronto or the TFoM is not required to act as a co-investigator, collaborator, or advisor. 

Who is Not Eligible? 

  • PIs holding two or more PI grants as a faculty member at the national level. 

  • Current PIs and Co-Principal investigators of EDF-funded projects are ineligible to apply for funding. PIs and Co-Investigators can apply for funding for a new project only after all project requirements are completed (including submission of final reports), and at minimum, 2 years after their initial funding began. Current holders of Strategic Research Grants are ineligible to apply for EDF grants as PI and vice versa. 

  • Education Leaders at the level of Vice-Chair or Associate Dean are ineligible to be named members of the project team.  

  • Individuals who sit on the EDF adjudication committee cannot be listed as a PI, co-investigator, or collaborator on a grant, but can serve as advisors on funded projects. 

Notes on team composition:

  • EDF encourages and prioritizes newly engaged and early career faculty who are interested in education scholarship and research. These individuals are encouraged to identify senior mentors on the project team including Scientists, experienced education scholars and eligible education leaders. These individuals are expected to be involved as a senior co-investigator who has expertise in the theories, methods, or field of study of the project. Senior mentors and project team members from other institutions are also welcome.    

Notes on multiple applications for even-numbered years: 

  • The PI can select only one stream under which to apply for a particular project, but there is no limit to applications from individuals provided the projects are different (for example, a PI can submit one Research proposal and a different project for an Innovation & Evaluation grant but cannot submit the same project under both streams). 

  • Co-Investigators, collaborators, and advisors can be named on multiple grants (for example, a collaborator can be listed as a collaborator in two applications within the same stream provided they are not for the same project, or can be listed as a PI in one project and a collaborator in another within the same stream). 

  • It is very unlikely that an individual PI will receive funding for projects they lead under both streams in the same year, and we suggest that you select the right fit for your project. The adjudication committee reserves the right to consider an offer of funding in a different stream than which the applicant originally submitted. 

Proposal Development Support:

  • Some departments or teaching sites may have additional resources (consultative services for scholarships, librarians, or other experienced researchers and scholars) and we encourage you to seek out advice as you develop your ideas. 

  • The Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation offers consultations for research on pedogeological topics, as well as workshops and events.  

Award Cycle Timeline:

Timeline of EDF Award Cycle

Date

Milestone

Nov 2024

Launch call for proposals

Dec 12, 2024 at 10:00 am

Information session

Jan 20, 2025 at noon

Application deadline

March 2025

Funding decisions

April 2025

Confirmation of REB and transfer of funds

Submission Requirements: 

Applications must be submitted via the application form by noon on January 20, 2025.

Applicants choose from one of two streams:  

  • Stream 1: Research 
    • These projects are motivated by discovery, curiosity, theoretical gaps, and pose specific research questions that have relevance beyond local context. Boyer describes the Scholarship of Discovery as basic and foundational research. Thus, the review criteria for these projects include clear statement of problem and background, theoretical grounding, relevance to the general field of medical education, clarity of research question, appropriate and rigorous methods, and plan for dissemination and sustainability. 
  • Stream 2: Innovation & Evaluation  
    • These projects propose novel solutions that can be created or applied to address meaningful challenges in local education practice. It is expected that the innovation may have relevance and utility to the wider medical education community. Projects in this stream fall under Boyer’s Scholarship of Teaching, Application and Integration. It is expected that the proposal for funding will focus on the evaluation of the innovation with appropriate alignment of evaluation approaches and methods with the nature of the problem and proposed innovation. Projects may seek to create new innovations and evaluate them or conduct large scale evaluations of existing innovations at TFoM. The review criteria for projects in this area include, clear statement of problem and background, identification of how the innovation addresses the problem, relevance to the general field of medical education, clarity of evaluation question, appropriate and rigorous methods for evaluation, and a plan for dissemination and sustainability. 

 Drafting your proposal:

Proposal Order

Proposal Component

Specifications

Project information

Title of your project, and stream you are applying to.

Select either Research stream or Innovation & Evaluation stream

Abstract

Brief summary of the project and intended goals.

300 words maximum

Problem Statement

A statement contextualizing the problem or goals of the proposal.  

500 words maximum

Background and literature review

A brief summary of what is already known and understood about the problem with specific reference to   existing literature and local context of TFoM.

500 words maximum

Research question

A clear statement of the research or scholarly question or objective.   

500 words maximum

Methods

A description of the approach to executing the scholarship. Design and methods for the project should be clearly described and rationalized. For projects in the Innovations & Evaluation stream, the methods should emphasize the evaluation of the innovation and what types of data collection and synthesis will be conducted. Include details, as applicable, of how the project will integrate equity, diversity and inclusion considerations at each stage of the research process (see NSERC guide | SSHRC guide).    

1000 words maximum

Relevance

A description of the relevance of the research question to: 

  1. The local, national, and/or global field of medical education 

  1. The Medical Education Strategic Plan 2023-2025 

300 words maximum

Impact and knowledge mobilization

A detailed description of how the results will be: 

  1. Disseminated 

  1. Be directly shared with key TFoM stakeholders such as leaders, faculty, staff, and learners, and 

  1. Anticipated impact to the local, national, and/or global field of medical education. 

  1. Potential for impact across the continuum of medical education.  

These can be described in a variety of ways, including alignment with TFoM’s strategic plan and other guiding documents or indicators. 

500 words maximum

Team description and feasibility

A description of the team's key members and their roles, identification of any co-investigators, senior mentors, and collaborators, specifically describing what each person will contribute. Include any activities highlighting the project's feasibility. Include details of how the project will include representation from a diversity of perspectives.   

500 words maximum + CVs for the PI and Co-PI(s)

Future sustainability

Identify potential next steps once the project is completed including ongoing programmatic work, future funding applications outside of the TFoM, and sustainment of innovations. 

300 words maximum

Timeline

A list of anticipated timelines with details of deliverables, time estimation, and schedule for project completion. Successful applications will be given two years of funding, with limited no-cost extensions available. 

Please structure timeline by year and quarter.

Budget

A detailed budget aligned with your stream selection. Funds requested must be adequately justified. See budget guidelines document. Please list any other funding/contribution sources supporting the project, include resources provided in-kind.  

Download budget template here.

Data management plan

Brief description outlining how research data will be managed during and after the project. Please consult the Data Management Plan resources, including data management planning checklist

Include elements from data management planning checklist.

References

Any references relevant to the application.

No limit.

Letter of support

This letter is intended to convey the PI(s) ability to carry out the work and that they have protected time to do so.  

Letter(s) of support must be provided by relevant Academic Supervisor or Leader (e.g. Department Chair, Division Head, Vice-Chair, Program Director etc.), depending on the PI’s appointments. 

No limit.

Letter of endorsement

This letter is intended to convey that the PI’s work has relevance to an education program within TFoM and that the leader of the program or unit in which the work is taking place is aware of the proposed work. 

Letter(s) of endorsement must be provided by the education program leader in the relevant program/department/division that provided the letter of support.  

Eligible education program leaders will include Associate Deans, Vice/Associate-Chairs, Education Program Education Leads, Program Directors, etc. (e.g. MD Program Assessment Director, PGME Curriculum Lead).  

No limit.

Supplementary documents

Additional documentation including data collection instruments, curricular materials etc. 

Optional. Max 5 pages, no guarantee of review. 

 

Ethics Approval: 

Funded projects must have formal ethics approval and/or formal ethics exemption from either a hospital or the University of Toronto Ethics Board (REB) prior to funds being released. Evidence of submission of REB approval must be obtained within three months from award notice. Projects that do not meet this deadline will be considered abandoned and the funding will not be awarded. 

Adjudication Process: 

Projects will be reviewed by a peer-review committee with representation from the TFoM and with expertise in Medical Education scholarship. Funding decisions will be based on the merit of each project and with the intention to allocate funding to support multiple projects. In some cases, consultation or more information may be required for submission prior to the funding decision. 

The adjudication committee reserves the right to consider an offer of funding in a different stream than which the applicant originally submitted. 

  • Selection Criteria: 
    • The committee will evaluate overall project quality and potential for impact on TFoM and broader medical education based on the completeness of the information provided in each of the above sections.
    • Preference will be given to inter-disciplinary/inter-departmental teams, and projects that can potentially impact across the continuum of medical education.
    • The degree to which the project plan includes representation from a diversity of perspectives will also be considered.   

Project Timeline and Report Requirements: 

Recipients are expected to participate in capacity building activities throughout the funding cycle. These may include topics such as data management planning, integrating EDI principles into research design and practice, dissemination and knowledge translation, and impact measurement.  

Financial accountability for EDF projects will be maintained by the named PI. PIs will submit a 6-month survey, as well as a 1-year progress report and 2-year final report.  

Additionally, EDF recipients will be expected to disseminate their research in typical scholarly venues including submission to peer-reviewed publications, academic conferences, and other venues. TFoM funding should be acknowledged in any formal dissemination. 

Recipients must submit their work to the Richard Reznick Wilson Centre Annual Research Day for presentation. EDF recipients are required to communicate in the contextually appropriate format (e.g. presentation, briefing note, workshop etc.) their findings to relevant stakeholders in TFoM such as the Medical Education Executive, MD Curriculum Committee, PGME Residency Program directors, etc. 

A brief 6-month survey and 1-year progress report are required. Formal written reports will record the work done to date, include a summary of budgetary expenditures, describe progress towards and barriers to implementation, and include a plan for dissemination/knowledge translation. 1-year reports must also be accompanied by a letter describing the outcomes as they relate to meaningful incorporation and sustainability of the project as discussed between the recipient and the Department Chair. All funds, other than costs related to project dissemination, are expected to be disbursed by the end of the first year and all costs, including dissemination costs, are to be disbursed by the end of the second year. 

A final project report is due upon the completion of the project (within 2 years of the original funding date). This report must contain details regarding final budget expenditures which will outline any unused funds or overages, status of knowledge dissemination, implementation and planned future related work. Project teams are highly encouraged to also include perceived impact of the project on the PI’s career and the perceived impact of the project on collaborators. 

Questions?

Please contact Emma Sanchez-Swaren, Research, Awards & Honours Officer, Office of the Vice-Dean, Medical Education at medicine.awards@utoronto.ca.

EDF Info Session

Want to learn more about the Education Development Fund grant? Join our info session on December 12, 2024 at 10 am. Register for the info session here.

How to Apply: Medical Education Strategic Research Grant

This opportunity is currently closed. A call for letters of intent will open in spring 2025, with grants issued in 2026.

Expand each section to learn more about the grant and how to apply.

What is the Medical Education Strategic Research Grant? 

The Medical Education Strategic Research Grant Program aims to support innovative and impactful research projects in medical education, focusing on strategic theme areas identified by TFoM. Through seed funding and catalyzing collaboration across the continuum of medical education, the program seeks to advance scholarship, address key challenges, and improve outcomes for medical education.    

Who can apply?

Principal applicants are expected to be experienced faculty who are researchers, scholars, clinicians, educators, affiliated with TFoM. Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged, comprising individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines including clinical departments, education programs, and research paradigms. See full eligibility criteria below. 

When are applications accepted? 

Medical Education Strategic Research Grants will be offered in even-numbered years, beginning in 2026. This biennial cycle allows for comprehensive review and selection of high-quality proposals, ensuring that funded projects are aligned with strategic priorities and have the potential for meaningful impact. 

This grant follows a two-stage application process. All applicants will submit a Letter of Intent (LOI). Those selected by the adjudication committee for further consideration will be invited to submit a full application. See detailed timeline below. 

Pillars of the Medical Education Strategic Research Grants:

Strategic Research

These grants focus on strategically defined thematic areas within medical education research, as identified by expert advisors to TFoM. These themes provide a framework for addressing key challenges and opportunities in medical education, with the aim of fostering transformative change and improving outcomes across the medical education community.   

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

These grants support interdisciplinary teams composed of researchers, educators, clinicians, and other stakeholders from diverse fields and backgrounds. This collaborative approach encourages cross-pollination of ideas, methodologies, and perspectives, enriching the research process and enhancing the potential impact of funded projects.   

Seed Funding for Greater Impact

These grants provide seed funding for programmatic research and innovation, enabling teams to explore novel ideas, develop innovative approaches, and generate preliminary data or proof-of-concept evidence. This seed funding serves as a catalyst for continued scholarship and innovation, laying the groundwork for larger-scale research initiatives and external funding opportunities.

Mentorship and Engagement

These grants are awarded to experienced researchers and scholars who serve as Principal Investigators (PIs). However, the program also emphasizes the importance of engaging and mentoring junior scholars and learners, fostering their development and nurturing the next generation of medical education researchers. Other roles, such as Co-PI or Co-I, may be held by individuals in various capacities, including faculty members, clinicians, educators, and learners. 

No Matched Funding Required

Applicants for these grants are not required to provide matched funding, allowing for greater accessibility and equity in the application process. This ensures that innovative ideas and promising projects are not hindered by financial constraints, enabling a diverse range of researchers and teams to compete for funding. 

Scope:

The Medical Education Strategic Research Grant Program welcomes proposals that align with strategic theme areas identified by TFoM and demonstrate relevance to the continuum of medical education (UGME to CPD). Projects should address the theme areas using innovative approaches, methodologies, or interventions that have the potential for broad impact within TFoM and the wider medical education community. Projects can be for up to two-years with a maximum funding of $50,000.00.   

Eligibility: 

The Principal Investigator (PI): 

  • Must hold a primary faculty appointment as a full-time or part-time faculty member of a department within the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine (TFoM). Members of any academic rank (lecturer, assistant professor, associate professor or full professor) are eligible to apply. PIs are expected to be experienced faculty who are researchers, scholars, clinicians, educators, affiliated with TFoM. 

  • Principal investigators can only hold one grant at a time. It is expected that PIs will receive Medical Education Strategic Research Grant funding only once for each project. 

  • Status-only faculty can act as a PI on a grant. Adjunct clinical faculty members can act as a collaborator on a grant held by a full-time or part-time faculty member. 

  • Must agree to take responsibility for the overall project design, development, budgetary oversight, and completion. 

  • Must agree to provide year-end and project-end reports. 

  • Must agree to present project findings at The Richard K. Reznick Wilson Centre Research Day. 

  • Submit their work for presentation and publication in peer-reviewed venues 

  • Must agree to communicate their findings to relevant stakeholders in TFoM, such as the Medical Education Executive, MD Curriculum Committee, PGME Residency Program Directors, etc.   

Co-Investigators/Collaborators/Advisors: 

  • Each project must include a co-investigator.  

  • Staff, faculty members, and learners are eligible to be co-investigators with a Faculty PI. Interdisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged, comprising individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines including clinical departments, education programs, and research paradigms. 

  • Collaborators or advisors can include faculty, staff, members of the public, patients, patient families, learners, and trainees. 

  • A formal affiliation with the University of Toronto or the TFoM is not required to act as a co-investigator, collaborator, or advisor. 

Who is Not Eligible? 

  • Current PIs and Co-Investigators of Medical Education Strategic Research Grant-funded projects are ineligible to apply for funding. PIs and Co-Investigators can apply for funding for a new project only after all project requirements are completed (including submission of final reports), and at minimum, 2 years after their initial funding began. Current holders of EDF grants are ineligible to apply for Strategic Research Grants as PI and vice versa. 

  • Education Leaders at the level of Vice-Chair or Associate Dean are ineligible to be named members of the project team.  

  • Individuals who sit on the adjudication committee cannot be listed as a PI, co-investigator, or collaborator on a grant, but can serve as advisors on funded projects. 

Notes on team composition:

Notes on multiple applications for odd-numbered years: 

  • Individuals can serve as the PI on a maximum of one application per cycle. 

  • Co-Investigators, collaborators, and advisors can be named on multiple grants (for example, a collaborator can be listed as a collaborator in multiple applications provided they are not for the same project, or can be listed as a PI in one project and a collaborator in another). 

Proposal Development Support:

  • Some departments or teaching sites may have additional resources (consultative services for scholarships, librarians, or other experienced researchers and scholars) and we encourage you to seek out advice as you develop your ideas. 

  • The Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation offers consultations for research on pedogeological topics, as well as workshops/events.  

  • Those applicants whose letter of intent is selected for further consideration will receive written feedback from the adjudication committee before submitting their full proposal. 

  • We will host an information session for potential applicants in early 2025.

Award Cycle Timeline:

Timeline of Medical Education Strategic Research Grant cycle

Date

Milestone

Early 2025

Launch themes and Call for Letter of Intent (LOI)

Spring 2025

Info Session

Late April 2025

LOI deadline

May 2025

LOI Adjudication

June 2025

Applicants informed if they have been shortlisted to prepare a full application

October 2025

Full proposal deadline for shortlisted applicants

November 2025

Full proposal adjudication

December 2025

Final funding decisions

March-April 2026

REB due and funding disbursed

Submission requirements:

Stage 1: Letter of Intent (LOI)

LOI must be submitted via the application form by the deadline.

Drafting your letter of intent:

LOI Order

LOI Component

Specifications

PI Info

Name of Project Lead(s) 

Job Title(s) of Project Lead(s) 

Email(s) of Project Lead(s) 

Division(s)/Unit(s) of Project Lead(s) 

Upload CV for PI, Co-PI 

 
Thematic Area

Please identify the thematic priority area that best describes your project.  

Themes will be released in early 2025.

Project Title

Project title.

Include relevant key words

Brief Project Description & Background

Provide the relevant background including references to existing literature, local knowledge/reports, and other necessary information.   

In your project description, please note the project / initiative, how the project is connected to the TFoM strategic themes, project outcomes and the potential impact.  

500 words maximum

Research question

Provide a clear statement of your research question (or research aims) in this section.  

250 words maximum

Rationale

Include a description of the area of exploration, including a discussion of the current state of knowledge about the work proposed, existing scholarship in the field, and gaps in knowledge. 

300 words maximum

Methods

Briefly describe proposed methodology. 

300 words maximum

Partnerships

These grants aims to foster partnerships both within and across divisions. Please describe any proposed or possible partnerships relevant to your project / initiative or units you might consult with in the development of your project / initiative. Please describe the composition of the interdisciplinary team.   

250 words maximum

Budget

In broad terms, please describe how you will be allocating your proposed budget. As you’re thinking about your budget, consider reviewing the budget template and guidelines that share details about allowable expenses.

Template

External Funding

If you  received and/or applied for another grant at U of T for this project (i.e., through your division / academic unit or a different institutional grant), please detail 1) status of additional funding (i.e. awarded, in-review, or planned submission), and 2) how Medical Education Strategic Research grant funding will be used to support a discrete element of any broader project. 

Note on external funding:  

  • No departmental match is required. In cases where applicants plan to leverage this funding as part of a broader project involving external peer-reviewed funds, other local grants, or non-peer-reviewed grants, the LOI should identify the status of additional funding (i.e. awarded, in-review, or planned submission)  and how Medical Education Strategic Research grant funding will be used to support a discrete element of any broader project. It is encouraged to use any funding granted under this program as pilot funding for future external grant applications and potential external grants programs can be identified in the LOI.   

200 words maximum

Stage 2 - Full Proposal

Only applicants shortlisted after the LOI stage will be asked to submit a full proposal.

Full proposal details forthcoming.

Ethics Approval: 

Funded projects must have formal ethics approval and/or formal ethics exemption from either a hospital or the University of Toronto Ethics Board (REB) prior to funds being released. REB approval must be obtained within three months from award notice. Projects that do not meet this deadline will be considered abandoned and the funding will not be awarded  unless an extension is requested by the PI. The extension request will be reviewed by the Co-Chairs who may also invite other committee members as necessary.  

Adjudication Process: 

Projects will be reviewed by a peer-review committee with representation from the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and with expertise in Medical Education scholarship. Funding decisions will be based on the merit of each project and with the intention to allocate funding to support multiple projects. In some cases, consultation or more information may be required for submission prior to the funding decision. 

The adjudication committee reserves the right to consider an offer of funding in a different stream than which the applicant originally submitted. 

  • Selection Criteria:
    • Transformational Potential: To what extent does the project demonstrate potential for transformative impact within TFoM and the broader medical education community?  

    • Innovation: How innovative is the proposed approach, methodology, or intervention? Does it offer new insights or approaches to addressing key challenges in medical education?  

    • Methodological Rigor: Are the research methods and approaches proposed sound and rigorous? Is there evidence of feasibility and appropriateness? Does the project integrate equity, diversity, and inclusion considerations, as applicable, in research questions, methods design, and throughout all stages of the research process (see NSERC guide | SSHRC guide).  

    • Relevance: How well does the project align with TFoM's strategic theme areas and priorities? Is there potential relevance to the continuum of medical education from UGME to CPD?  

    • Dissemination: Is there a clear plan for disseminating the project's findings or outcomes to relevant stakeholders? How will the project contribute to knowledge dissemination and sharing within TFoM and beyond?  

    • Accountability: What are the mechanisms for ensuring accountability and oversight throughout the project lifecycle? Are roles and responsibilities clearly defined, and is there a plan for monitoring and evaluation? 

Project Timeline and Report Requirements: 

The Medical Education Strategic Research Grant Program is accountable to TFoM and its stakeholders for transparent and equitable selection processes, effective administration of funds, and timely communication with applicants and awardees. Oversight and governance mechanisms ensure adherence to ethical standards, research integrity, and responsible stewardship of resources. Awardees are accountable for the implementation and dissemination of their projects, as outlined in their grant proposals and agreements. Regular reporting and evaluation mechanisms facilitate accountability and continuous improvement within the program. 

Financial accountability for projects will be maintained by the named PI. PIs will submit a 6-month progress survey, a 1-year interim report and 2-year final report.  

Additionally, recipients will be expected to disseminate their research in typical scholarly venues including submission to peer-reviewed publications, academic conferences, and other venues. TFoM funding should be acknowledged in any formal dissemination. Recipients will be invited to present their findings to the Vice-Dean, Medical Education and other relevant stakeholders.  

Six months after disbursement of funds, PIs will receive a short survey to complete which tracks progress of their project. PIs are expected to present their work at the annual Wilson Centre Research Day and any department or faculty research day.  

A 1-year report is required at the end of the first funding year. Formal written reports will record the work done to date, include a summary of budgetary expenditures, describe progress towards and barriers to implementation, and include a plan for dissemination/knowledge translation. 1-year reports must also be accompanied by a letter describing the outcomes as they relate to meaningful incorporation and sustainability of the project as discussed between the recipient and the Department Chair. All funds, other than costs related to project dissemination, are expected to be disbursed by the end of the first year and all costs, including dissemination costs, are to be disbursed by the end of the second year. 

A final project report is due upon the completion of the project (within 2 years of the original funding date). This report must contain details regarding final budget expenditures which will outline any unused funds or overages, status of knowledge dissemination, implementation and planned future related work. Project teams are highly encouraged to also include perceived impact of the project on the PI’s career and the perceived impact of the project on collaborators. 

Questions?

Please contact Emma Sanchez-Swaren, Research, Awards & Honours Officer, Office of the Vice-Dean, Medical Education at medicine.awards@utoronto.ca.

Previously Funded Projects

Projects funded 2007 - 2022

List of projects funded under the EDF up to 2022.

Award    Year

   PI('s)

Department

Project Title

2022

Zainab Furqan

Psychiatry

Anti-Muslim Discrimination in Medical Training: The experiences of resident physicians

2022

Fabricio Batistella Zasso

Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

Trainee-EPI ImpacT of Longitudinal SimulatoR TrAIning oN Entrustability and CompEtence of Labour EPIdural Insertion

2022

Alicia Cundall

Family & Community Medicine

Enhancing Global Health Pre-Departure Training using Low Resource, High Capacity (LRHC) Simulation

2022

Mini Pakkal

Medical Imaging

Performance-based Competency Standard Setting in Medical Image Interpretation: Balancing Performance Expectations with Patient Safety and Learner Experience

2022

Mark Unger

Family and Community Medicine

The Friendly42: An interdisciplinary educational program to teach the delivery of compassionate care to patients receiving involuntary mental health admissions in the emergency department

2021

Anne Hunt

Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science

Innovation in occupational therapy clinical fieldwork placements during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021

Danielle Bischof

Surgery

Evaluating Indigenous Cultural Safety Curricula for Surgical Residents: Does Emotional Learning Make the Difference?

2021

Evan Tannenbaum

Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Automatic Video-based Assessment of Learners in Surgery using AI

2020

Alayne Kealey

Anesthesia

Validation and Comprehensive Evaluation of Novel Resident Assessment Tools to Support a Competency‐Based Medical Education Curriculum

2020

Adam Kaufman

Family and Community Medicine

Emergency Medicine Continuing Professional Development in Ethiopia from the Ground Up: A Co‐Creation Approach

2020

Monika Molnar

Speech-Language Pathology

A collaborative approach towards the design and development of shared Rehabilitation Research Curriculum

2020

Betty Onyura

Family and Community Medicine

Examining the Labour of Bridge Building & Silo Deconstruction: A Multi‐Case Inquiry of Knowledge Intermediaries in Medical Education

2019

Sharon Peacock

Anesthesia

Simulation Curriculum in Ultrasound-Guided Cannulation of the Subclavian Vein Using a Novel Low Cost, High Fidelity 3D Model

2019

Alpna Munshi

Psychiatry

Performance, Success, and Challenges - Experiences of IMG Residents in the Department of Psychiatry

2019

Eileen Cheung

Family & Community Medicine

An Evaluation of the Toronto Addis Ababa Academic Collaboration in Emergency Medicine (TAAAC-EM) Partnership

2018

Nirit Bernhard

Paediatrics

THE WHOLE IS GREATER THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS: Exploring the Integration of Reflection, Self-assessment, and Feedback through Relationships in a Competency-based Undergraduate Medical Curriculum

2018

Seema Marwaha

Medicine

Translating Patient Experiences into Immersive Video for Medical Education on Compassionate Care: A Pilot Study

2018

Jennifer Hulme

Family & Community Medicine

Advocating for Advocacy: The State of the Advocate Role in Canadian Family and Emergency Medicine Training Programs 

2018

Julie Johnstone

Paediatrics

"Each little change will have a ripple effect": Lessons Learned from the Implementation of Competence by design in the Paediatric Residency Training Program, University of Toronto

2018

Samantha Green & Ritika Goel

Family & Community Medicine

Teaching Poverty, Social Determinants, and Social Accountability

2018

Peter Wu

Medicine

Understanding the Impact of the Junior Attending Role on Transition to Practice - A Qualitative Study

2017

Elise Hall

Psychiatry

PsychEd: A Learner-driven, Educational Psychiatry Podcast 

2017

Michael Neszt

Psychiatry

Better Together: A Mixed-Methods Study to Guide a Continuing Professional Development and Faculty Development Curriculum in Integrated Mental Health Care

2017

Megan Landes

Family & Community Medicine

Laying the Groundwork: Developing a Global Health Emergency Medicine Fellowship at the University of Toronto

2017

Fok-Han Leung & Milena Forte

Family & Community Medicine

Reflections on Remediation Through a Graduate's Lens

2017

Batya Grundland & Jeremy Rezmovitz

Family & Community Medicine

Caring, Not just Curing: Using Digital Storytelling to Understand the Teaching and Learning Compassionate Care in a Canadian Family Medicine Residency Program

2017

Anna Nowacki

Medicine

The Addis Ababa Toxicology Curriculum Project: Educational Needs Assessment for the Toxicology Modules of an Emergency Medicine Training Program 7550

2017

Jory S. Simpson

Surgery

Humanism Education in Surgery: Developing a Patients as Teachers Initiative in Surgery for Clerkship Students

2017

Kate Hayman

Medicine

Teaching Undergraduate Medical Students to "Go Upstream" and Advocate on Social Determinants of Health using Care-Based Learning

2016

Lucas Murnaghan

Surgery

A Qualitative Assessment of the Role of "Bootcamps" in Junior Residency

2016

Paula Rowland

Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy

UnderstandingAalignments between Interprofessional Education and "High Reliability Organization": Implications for Curricula and Interprofessional Development

2016

Kathleen Sheehan

Psychiatry

Death, Dying and Doctors: A Qualitative Exploration of Physician-Assisted Death to Guide Continuing Professional Development

2016

Sarah Wright

Family & Community Medicine

Experiences of Canadian Medical Students who are First in their Family to Attend University 

2016

Tim Dwyer

Surgery

Competence of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellows: Development of Certification Examination

2016

Anupam Thakur

Psychiatry

Knowledge, Skills and Experiences of CanMEDS Leader Role in Psychiatry: A Pilot Study

2016

Margaret Salmon

Medicine

Teaching Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anesthesia Techniques via Telesimulation versus Workshop

2015

Catherine Varner

Family & Community Medicine

Implementation and Evaluation of a Novel Family Medicine Obstetrical Point of Care Ultrasound (FaMOUS) Course

2015

Deborah Robertson

Obstetrics & Gynecology

The Effect of an Educational Session and Structured Communication Tool on the Quality of Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident Handover

2015

Clare Hutchinson

Paediatrics

Relationships as Learning: Understanding How Relationship Building Facilitates Patient-Centered Learning in Longitudinal Integrated Clerkships

2015

Mark Feldman

Paediatrics

Test-Enhanced Continuing Education - A Randomized Controlled Trial

2015

Sabrina Akhtar

Family & Community Medicine

Into Whatsoever Home I Enter, I Shall Enter to Help the Sick: Developing a Curriculum for Integrated Home-Based Primary Care

2014

Meridith Guiliani & Caitlin Gillan

Radiation/ Oncology

High-Fidelity eLearning to Support Competency-based Residency Training

2014

Sumeet Sodhi

Family & Community Medicine

Evaluation of Short-Term field-based Global Health Training Programs through Trainee and Host Community Perspectives 

2014

Cindy Woodland & Michelle Arnot

Pharmacology & Toxicology

Developmental Evaluation of Applied Clinical Pharmacology as a New Field of Study in the Master of Science in Pharmacology Program

2014

Deborah Leung & Jordan Chenkin

Family & Community Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine

Implementing a Point-of-Care Ultrasound Curriculum for CCFP-EM Residents

2014

Geetha Mukerji & Adina Weinerman

Medicine & Paediatrics

Resource Stewardship Workshop: Teaching Internal Medicine and Pediatric Residents to Communicate Effectively with Patients to Avoid Potential Harm from Unnecessary Diagnosis Tests

2014

Stefan Adhikari & Neill Adhikari

Medicine (Anesthesia)

Development of an Introductory eLearning course on Clinical Research Methods and Quality Improvement for the Toronto-Addis Ababa Academic Collaboration

2014

Sophie Soklaridis & Carrie Bernard

Family & Community Medicine & Psychiatry

Role of Health Advocate in Family Medicine and Psychiatry Residency Curricula

2014

Sanjeev Sockalingam & David Wiljer

Psychiatry

Developing a Lifelong Learning Cirriculum to Prepare Psychiatry Residents for Continuing Professional Development

2014

Jill Steir

Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy

Adapting Theatre Practice to Enhance Role-playing and Communication Skills of Occupational Therapy

2014

Debbie Kwan & Denyse Richardson

CFD (Pharmacy & Medicine)(CAMH/St.Joe's/UHN)

Fostering Continued Professional Development in the Workplace

2014

Karen Wayman & Maria Mylopoulos

Family & Community Medicine

Exploring Continuity, Integration, Context and Curriculum during Longitudinal Clerkship Training

2014

Lisa Richardson & Jason Pennington

Medicine

The Creation of a Web-Based Learning Module for Indigenous Health Education

2013

Michelle Arnot

Pharmacology & Toxicology

Creation and Use of Animation in Teaching Pharmakinetic and Pharmacodynamic Principles

2013

Jaques Belik

Paediatrics

Development of a Newborn Lung Simulation Model as an Educational Tool for Mechanical Ventilation for Residents and Fellows

2013

Allison Crawford

Psychiatry

Assessing Resident Learning Needs in Telepsychiatry

2013

Karen D'Silva

Medicine

Geriatric Medicine Residents-As-Teachers

2013

Richard Horner

Medicine

Online Interactive Modular Course for Inter-Professional and Continuing Education in Sleep Health

2013

Julia Keith

Labratory Medicine & Pathobiology

The National Neuropathology Lecture Series: Collaborative Inter-Professional eLearning for a Small Specialty

2013

Brenda Mori

Physical Therapy

Developing a New National Tool to assess Physiotherapy Students in Clinical Education - Field Testing

2013

Jeff Myers

Family & Community Medicine

Developing and Validating a Set of Entrustable Professional Activities for Palliative Medicine: Phase One in Designing a Summative Postgraduate Learner Assessment

2013

Nikki Woods

Surgery

From Passive to Active: Using Peer Assessment to Improve Vicarious Learning of Surgical Skills

2012

Cheryl Cott

Physical Therapy

Designing an Interactive Video Tool (iVT) to Enhance Integration of Basic and Clinical Sciences in the Analysis of Movement Challenges in Persons with Neurological Impairments

2012

James Downar

Medicine

Are Standardized Patient Simulation Sessions more Effective than Didactic Teaching alone for Improving the Skill and Comfort level of Medical Residents when discussing Goals of Care and Resuscitation?

2012

Theodor Grantcharov

Surgery

Development of a Tool for Identification and Assessment of Technical Errors in Laparoscopic Surgery

2012

Marcus Law

Family & Community Medicine

Assessment of the Construct Validity of Virtual Interactive Case (VIC) scores in Family Medicine Virtual Patient Cases Scores in Family Medicine Virual Patient Cases Part 1: Usability

2012

Anne Matlow

Medicine

Integrating a Focus on Quality of Care into an Ambulatory Care Rotation

2012

Emil Schemitsh

Surgery

Abuse Screening Education in Orthopaedic Surgery: Building Knowledge and Capacity for Change

2012

Priya Watson

Psychiatry

Essential Elements of Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Training

2011

Michelle French

Physiology

Developing Interactive Animations of Key Physiological Processes to Enhance Student Competency

2011

Heather McDonald-Blumer

Medicine

Fostering the Professionalism of Clinical Faculty: A Qualitative Needs Assessment and Pilot Project in Internal Medicine

2011

Kathy Boutis

Paediatrics

Hinting Strategies for Improving the Efficiency of Medical Student Learning of Deliberately Practiced Web-Based Radiographs 

2011

Arun Radhakrishnan

Family & Community Medicine

Phase 2 of an Educational Intervention Addressing Barriers to Physician-Patient Communication while using Electronic Medical Records

2011

Teodor Grantcharov

Surgery

Design and Validation of a Surgical Skills Assessment Tools for Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

2011

Sanjeev Sockalingam

Psychiatry

Preparing International Medical Graduates for Fellowship in Canada: A Needs Assessment and Curriculum Development

2011

Serena Baber

Family & Community Medicine

Optimizing Family Medicine Education: Exploring the Educational Training and Role of Academic Non-Physician Health Care Professionals

2011

Nicole N. Woods

Surgery

The Integration of Basic Science with Clinical Knowledge in Undergraduate Teaching

2011

Graham Slaughter

Medicine

Implementing a Bedside Ultrasound Curriculum for Procedures into an Internal Medicine Residency Program

2011

Allan Peterkin

Psychiatry

Working With Portfolios: Measuring Medical Students' Reflective Capacity and Empathy Levels Over Time

2010

Najma Ahmed

Surgery

Team Training for Trauma (3T): Developing an Interdisciplinary, Simulation-Based Human Factors Training Curriculum for General Surgery Residents

2010

Shelly Dev

Medicine

Is a Multimedia-Based Teaching Tool as Effective as Bedside Teaching? Proposal for a Validation Study

2010

Paula Ravitz

Psychiatry

Enhancing Supervison of Psychotherapy (ESP) Project

2010

Naveed Siddiqui

Anesthesia

The Impact of Simulator based Education on the Acquisition of Life-Saving Airway Procedure - Role of a Specialized Hybrid-High Fidelity Patient Simulator Model

2010

Khalil Sivjee

Medicine

Supporting International Medical Graduates Throughout Residency: Moving Beyond Orientations

2010

Joyce Nhyof-Young

Radiation Oncology

Implementation and Evaluation of an Experiential 'Elective' in Spirituality for Preclerkship Medical Students at the University of Toronto

2010

Lynfa Stroud

Medicine Division of General Internal Medicine

Integrating Communication and Procedural Skills Assessment in an Internal Medicine Residency Program

2010

Brian M. Wong

Medicine

Characterizing Facilitators and Barriers in Order to Promote the Successful Implementation of a Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Curriculum for Postgraduate Trainees and Medical Students

2009

Karen Leslie

Paediatrics

Preparing for a Career in Academic Medicine: Understanding the Process of Peer-Group Mentoring for Postgraduate Trainees

2009

Brian Simmons

Paediatrics

Interprofessional OSCE Development Simulation Tool

2009

Teodor Grantcharov

Surgery

The Impact of Bench Model Technical Skills Training on Cognitive Learning in the Operating Room

2009

Pat McKee

Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy

Enveloping Anatomy Learning System (Anatomy Glove and Video)

2009

Kenneth Locke

Medicine

The Utility of E-Portfolios for Documentation and Evaluation of the CanMEDS Scholar Domain in General Medicine and Rheumatology Post-graduate Medical

2009

Judith Peranson

Family & Community Medicine

Teaching an Interprofessional Approach to the Management of Musculoskeletal Problems in Primary Care

2009

Lynfa Stroud

Medicine Division of General Internal Medicine

Effects of a Re-structured Schedule on Internal Medicine Clinical Teaching Units: A Study of Attending Physicians, Residents, and Medical Students

2009

Jack Mandel

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Global Health Education Initiative - Global Health Certificate Program for Postgraduate Trainees

2009

Allan Peterkin

Psychiatry

Narrative Means to Professional Ends: New Strategies for Teaching and Evaluating Professionalism in Canadian Medical Schools

2009

Clare L. Atzema

Medicine Division of Emergency Medicine

Does the use of Procedure Videos during Clinical Shifts Improve the Quality of Teaching of Emergency Medicine Procedures in the Emergency Department?

2009

Susan J. Wagner

Speech-Language Pathology

Evaluation of Care-Based Interprofessional Education (IPE) Sessions: Development and Implementation

2009

Sylvia Langlois

Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy

The Implementation and Evaluation of an Interprofessional Mentorship Program: Empowering Patients as Mentors for Our Students

2008

Kang Eric You-Ten

Anesthesia

Impact of High-Fidelity Patient Simulator-Based Education on the Acquisition of Non-Technical Skills During the Management of A Life Threatening Airways Crisis

2008

David Chan

Medicine

Videoconferenced Selection Interviews for Postgraduate Training Positions in Internal Medicine: A Head-to-Head Comparison with Traditional Face-to-Face Interviews

2008

Ann L. Fox

Nutritional Sciences

Needs Assessment of Employers of Students in the MScCH Public Health Nutrition Program

2008

Robyn Davies

Physical Therapy

Use of Remote Facilitation to Develop Clinical Reasoning Skills in Physical Therapy Students

2008

Tulin Cil

Surgery

Teaching the Sensitive Physical Exam: An Evaluation of Student Learning and Retention

2008

Margarita Lam-Antoniades Rahim

Medicine

Faculty Development for Ambulatory Care Teaching

2008

Heather Mac Neill 

Medicine

Does Learning Disease Specific Content in an Interactive Process help foster Collaborative Practice and Improved Interprofessional Attitudes for Post-Licensure Learners? Online Application of the Build-a-Case Technique

2007

Yuna Lee

Medicine

Evaluation of Standardized Doctor's Order Sets as an Educational Tool for Undergraduate Medical Students

2007

Mireille Norris

Medicine

Hospitalized Older Persons' Education (HOPE) Curriculum: Enhancing Practice and Patient Safety

2007

Melinda Soloman

Paediatrics

The Cognitive-Behavioral Model for Teaching Communication Skills: A Pilot Project

2007

Zeev Friendman

Anesthesia

Teaching Emergency Life-Saving Skills through Simulation - High Fidelity Simulation vs. Traditional Bench Models for Teaching Residents Cricothyrotomy

2007

Rene Wong

Medicine

Online Simulations of Office Management - A Potential Way to Expose Medical Residents to the Competencies Required to run an Outpatient Practice

2007

Euson Yeung

Physical Therapy

Evaluation of an Online Self-Study Module in Screening for Vertebral Artery Dysfunction in Physical Therapy Practice

2007

Heather Carnahan

Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy

Model and Curriculum Development for Training Rehabilitation Specialists using Simulation

2007

Christopher Denny

Medicine

C.R.E.W.: Crisis Resources for Emergency Workers - Interprofessional Crisis Resource Management Team Training

2007

Annette Vegas

Anesthesia

Development of an Online Virtual Transesophageal Echcardiography Study as an Innovative Teaching Aid

2007

Shirley Tse

Paediatrics

Feasibility of an Interactive Web-Based Rheumatology Teaching Module for Pediatric Residents

2007

Shelley Brook

Psychiatry

The Toronto Addis Ababa Pschiatry Program (TAAPP): Educational Effects of an International Outreach Program on Psychiatry Residents

2007

Nicole Woods

Surgery

Documenting and Disseminating the Daily Educational Innovations of Clerks: A Pliot Project in Surgery

2007

Rob Madan

Psychiatry

Direct Observation - A Proposal for a Survery of Medical Teachers

2007

Bill MacKay

Physiology

Human Neurophysiology - Hoffman Reflect Simulation