Terms of Reference
Education Research Grants Committee


Role

The Education Research Grants Committee (ERGC) is a subcommittee that reports to the Awards Committee. The purpose of the committee is to promote the quality of medical education research through the funding of activities as they relate to specialty medical education in Canada.

Responsibility and Authority

The ERGC is responsible for:

  • recommending policies and procedures for education research grant review;
  • promoting and adjudicating education research grants and the Royal College Robert Maudsley Fellowship for Studies in Medical Education; and
  • developing policies proposed for faculty development initiatives related to the educational mission of the Royal College.

Composition

The ERGC has 11 voting members, including the chair. The committee includes: Fellows and others with medical education and research expertise, and one voting member with senior statistical/methodological expertise. Its specific composition will be determined as appropriate.

Key Competencies and Characteristics

Generally, committee members should possess the following key competencies and characteristics: interest and expertise in the field of specialty medicine and a strong background in research methodologies as applied to medical education.

Committee members should possess the ability and willingness to meet the strategic directions of the Royal College and the willingness to participate effectively in committee meetings.

Term of Office

The term of office of the chair is two years, renewable once (maximum four years). The usual term of office of members is two years, renewable twice (maximum six years). All terms shall begin and end at the time of the Annual Meeting of the Members when vacancies need to be filled. 

Committee members are not eligible to apply for Education Research grants (as Principal or Co-investigator) for the duration of their term.

Meetings

The ERGC meets three times per year; once face-to-face in the spring and twice via teleconference in the fall. Additional meetings may be required as necessary.

Attendance at the face-to-face spring meeting is critically important. Quorum consists of a majority of the voting members of the committee (i.e., 50% plus one). The chair is counted as a voting member in constituting quorum. However as the presiding official of the committee, the chair does not move motions. Furthermore, the chair shall only vote when the vote is conducted by secret ballot. Every question shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast. In the event of a tie vote, the question shall be defeated. When a committee is called to make a decision outside of a meeting by e-ballot, the same rules apply.

Appointment to a Royal College committee carries significant responsibilities, and all committee members are expected to adhere to the Volunteer Code of Conduct. In addition, committee members are required to maintain absolute discretion and not divulge, re-produce, or release any confidential information except when authorized by the Royal College. Committee members may download a copy of committee materials for the sole purpose of participating in committee work. All downloaded materials must be deleted once the related committee work is completed. The Royal College retains copies of committee materials should committee members wish to access them at a later time for related work.

Committee work product

In the course of performing their committee duties, committee members may produce or contribute to materials, content or other work products. These work products and the related intellectual property will be owned by the Royal College. The Royal College is open to discussing other ownership arrangements for specific projects. Alternative arrangements must be confirmed in writing by the project contributors and the Royal College.

TOR record

Most recent resolution Resolution No. 2018/2019-10
Approved by: Council
Approval Date: June 21-22, 2018
Approval path: GC, Council
Effective date: June 22, 2018
Date of next review: Spring 2022
Royal College Office: OMEP
Version status: Non-substantive amendments approved by Corporate Secretary June 2020