The Dr. Karen Mann Catalyst Grant in Medical Education Research

Launched in spring 2018, the Dr. Karen Mann Catalyst Grant in Medical Education Research is intended for Royal College Resident Affiliates and early career clinician educators to encourage entry into medical education research through mentorship.

The grant is in honour of the late Dr. Karen Mann, who was a passionate educator, scholar and mentor. Her outstanding contributions to medical education, particularly through mentorship and support to young researchers, shaped the careers of many Canadian scholars and has contributed widely to the strength of medical education research in Canada.

Dr. Mann, who died suddenly in 2016, contributed widely to the activities of the Royal College including the Education Research Grant Committee and development of CanMEDS role descriptions. Her tireless efforts working with the Royal College and the medical education community inspired the creation of this prestigious new grant.

The annual grant provides funding of up to $30,000 for one person and an identified mentor for one and two-year projects. An allocation for travel expenses is included for both the Principal Applicant and the identified mentor to attend a Royal College conference for the presentation of research findings.

The Royal College is one of the largest funders of medical education research in Canada. We do this because enabling, supporting and advancing scholarship creates the foundation of improvements to patient care and specialist physician training. By supporting Resident Affiliates and early career clinician educators, the new Dr. Karen Mann Catalyst Grant supports growth and excellence in medical education research for decades to come.

Funding Disbursement

Grant funds will be disbursed in two instalments as follows; 75% of grant at the project start and 25% (less Open Access Fees) on receipt and approval of the final reports at project completion. The final report must be sent to the Program Coordinator, Research Grants and Awards, Research and Evaluation Unit, Royal College.

Eligibility

Application is open to Resident Affiliates enrolled in a Royal College accredited residency training program and Royal College Fellows who are early in their careers as clinician educators or medical education researchers.

Early career in medical education is defined as:

  • At the time of application, has assumed the first independent academic position (e.g., faculty appointment) no more than 5 years ago (60 months); and
  • Has a limited number (maximum 2-3) of medical education research publications either as first or a contributing author; and
  • Has not received prior grant funding (national or intramural) that cumulatively exceeds the amount awarded under the current grant (i.e., $30,000).

A senior faculty transitioning to medical education research from another discipline would also be considered as long as he or she does not have more than 3 publications in the area of medical education research, nor have received more than $30,000 in related research funding to date.

Individuals who currently hold funding from the Royal College are not eligible to receive funding as the Principal Applicant but are eligible to be identified as the Principal Applicant’s mentor.

Not a Resident Affiliate?

Applying is easy, free and offers many Royal College benefits, such as accumulating credits during residency that can be applied to your continuing professional development (CPD) requirements following certification. Apply to be a resident affiliate.

Submission

Applications must be submitted by completing the grant form by the application deadline (no exceptions) on or before March 21, 2024 before 11:59pm (applicant’s local time). Attachments sent by email will not be accepted and are ineligible to be attached to the application.

What to include in your application

  • Please include an abstract describing the project importance, objectives, design, setting, analysis. (300-word maximum)
  • Karen Mann Grant Project Description (3,400 word maximum), this should include:
    • Objectives, literature and theoretical/conceptual foundations, methodology, and significance to postgraduate specialty medical education or continuing professional development;
    • Summary of the study design including the process for ethics approval, as applicable;
    • Details on data collection, analysis, proposed project schedule and anticipated outcomes/impacts;
    • Planned dissemination of research findings.

As a new investigator to medical education research, applicants should also describe how the grant would support the transition to research independence; more established investigators should explain how the grant would assist in achieving specific objectives.

Please include all of the documents below and refer to the following guidelines.

  • Reference list
  • Budget justification
  • Please download and complete the Grant Budget template. Once completed, please attach the document. Use of the Royal College Budget Template is mandatory.
  • Letter(s) of support, from your division, department or faculty representative. Maximum 2
  • Letter of support, from the mentor detailing the expected mentorship approach/ relationship (e.g. alignment to project, if not co-located, how mentorship will occur, previous work completed if applicable, etc.) Maximum 2 pages.
  • Abbreviated curricula vitae detailing principal investigator’s, co-investigators’ and mentor’s education, teaching and administrative positions held in the last five years, publications, grants received, and any additional pertinent training (maximum 4 pages per CV. Those that exceed the maximum length will be truncated for review purposes.)
  • Copy of research instruments (if available).
  • Letter of approval from Ethics Board or letter of submission for ethical approval (if applicable).
How to create a PDF with Acrobat:
  • Open Acrobat and choose Tools. Select Create PDF.
  • Select the file type you want to create a PDF from: single file, multiple files.
  • Click "Create" or "Next" depending on the file type.
  • Follow the prompts to convert to PDF and save to your desired location.

Create a PDF from an Existing Word Document:

  • With your Word document open, click the “File” menu on the Ribbon.
  • On the sidebar that opens, click the “Save As” command.
  • Now, all you have to do is give your file a name, select “PDF” from the dropdown menu, and then click the “Save” button.

Selection

The Royal College Education Research Grants Committee and a cadre of expert scholars and researchers assess proposals and identify successful applicants.

Selection is based on the application’s scientific merit and clarity of the proposal, on the proposal’s relevance to the grant’s objective, and on the strength of the identified mentor.

Number

One grant is awarded each year.

Duration

Applicable to projects of one or two years.

Budget

Budget and justification must be provided. Please refer to budget guidelines.

Dissemination

The presentation and publication of research findings is expected. The financial support of "The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada" must be acknowledged in all publications resulting from this grant.

Submission deadline

11:59 p.m. (local time) March 21, 2024. Late applications will not be considered.

Contact us
Program Coordinator, Research and Evaluation Unit
Email: kmanncatalyst@royalcollege.ca

Budget Guidelines
Application form
Budget template (.xlsx download)
FAQ
Past Recipients