OBJECTIVE:
This research supports projects that will promote further development of research in Distributed Health Professions Education (DHPE) at The University of British Columbia (UBC). The Faculty of Medicine, and UBC more broadly, wants to extend its role as an expert in DHPE by bringing together researchers and/or practitioners to examine and disseminate our experiences and knowledge through peer reviewed publication.
BACKGROUND:
Areas of research can focus on undergraduate or postgraduate education, interprofessional education, or CPD. Examples of eligible topics include curriculum (formal, informal, and hidden), student affairs, admissions, learning environment, faculty experience, longitudinal integrated clerkships. Funding is not intended to support program development, program evaluation, or program delivery, but should enable research that will raise the international profile of DHPE at UBC.
EVALUATION CRITERIA:
Applications will be assessed by a committee, and weighted against the following criteria:
- Clear description of the research goals and indication of how they will be achieved.
- Exploration of the phenomenon of interest (i.e., preference will be given to proposals that seek to critically understand why observations arose and are deemed important, as opposed to those that are purely descriptive or evaluative).
- Evidence that the team includes the necessary expertise in health professions education research.
- Evidence that the research project is linked to a question of interest to the international DHPE community.
- The strength of collaboration between distributed sites.
- Clarity regarding a meaningful gap in knowledge this work would fill, and the aims and objectives of the work.
- Appropriateness of proposed methods and/or approach.
- Feasibility (rationale, sample size, methods, progress indicators).
- Importance and potential impact of the proposed activities.
- Quality and clarity of training and mentoring plan (if applicable).
- Appropriate allocation of funds – inclusion of a budget justification that illustrates how the available funding will be put to optimal use in support of project completion within a specified timeline.
DURATION:
Projects will be expected to be completed in 12-24 months from the date of notification of funding.
AWARD DETAILS:
One (1) award, valued at $10,000 will be provided in support of a distributed health professions education project. Principal Investigators (PIs) must hold a faculty appointment or be a registered student or resident in a health professional education program affiliated with UBC. Affiliate faculty at regional sites or at affiliate organizations are also eligible.
- Seventy-five percent of the funding will be disbursed upon proof that ethics approval has been received, with the remaining 25% provided on receipt of a study completion report.
- Funds must be spent and the project completed within 12-24 months of notice of the award, so applicants are encouraged to seek ethics approval while awaiting the adjudication outcome.
- A final report on the study itself and on the use of the funding will be required within 6 months of study completion.
- A publication and/or presentation of the study at a national or international meeting is expected.
All expenses must comply with UBC’s expenditure guidelines.
APPLICATION PREPARATION:
CHES is committed to supporting the development of project ideas; anyone interested in such support prior to making their submission should email the CHES Administrative Manager (ches.manager@ubc.ca).
Applications should be a maximum of 6 pages with a minimum 11-point font and 1.5 line spacing including references. Relevant content includes:
- Name and title of principal investigator and co-investigator(s);
- Problem statement (research questions and rationale), with a summary of the gap in knowledge and why this research matters;
- Review of literature;
- Research design and methods (participants, material, data collection procedures, conceptual lens (if relevant), data analysis);
- Justification of feasibility;
- Expected outcomes and impact (including knowledge transition plan);
- Budget and rationale (if additional funds have been sought for the same study, either in-kind of from another granting institution, it must be clearly indicated with appropriate rationale provided);
- List any references that you cited in your proposal.
- In addition to the 6 page proposal, a one page CV for each applicant outlining relevant educational and research experience and expertise should be included.
In addition to the six-page proposal, a one-page CV for each applicant outlining relevant educational and research experience and expertise should be included.
- Note, that if a traditional resume does not showcase the lived experience of research partners, please feel free to substitute another representation of their body (and/or examples) of work/perspective (e.g. link to a video or visual body of work).
Ethics review will be required before the funding will be released. Studies involving medical students must be approved by the Faculty of Medicine Learner Access Advisory Council.
REVIEW PROCESS:
All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee appointed by CHES, that is independent of those who will offer advice and includes health professions education researchers.
SUBMISSION:
Applications should be submitted in PDF format, and are due to the CHES Administrative Manager at ches.manager@ubc.ca by April 30, 2026 at 11:59PM PST.