1.1. Introduction:

• The MSSRTP is a competitive program that provides students first-hand training in research methodologies and skills while working on a summer research project with a faculty supervisor.
• Successful participants spend 10 weeks contributing to a summer research project while receiving training in research methodologies, data analysis, scientific communication, and knowledge dissemination. Students are also expected to present their work at the designated MSSRTP Presentation Day (September / October 2026).
• The MSSRTP aims to support the development of future clinician-scientists and physician-scholars by providing early exposure to research and fostering skills that support both clinical practice and academic medicine

1.2. General Principles:

• Aim of the program: Projects offered through this program aim to reflect the diversity and breadth of research across the Faculty of Medicine.  This is an open competitive program that accepts projects from fundamental research on the mechanisms of disease and drug discovery to evidence-based medical education and practice-changing clinical research.  

2.1. Project Supervisor Eligibility:

• All faculty members with a primary academic appointment to the Faculty of Medicine at the level of Assistant, Associate or Full Professor (PhD or MD), be in good standing with their departments, and be eligible to supervise undergraduate students are eligible to submit a project to this program.
• All faculty members submitting a research project must commit to reviewing applications in March/April as part of the program’s evaluation process
• In addition, if the project is approved, Project Supervisors must:
  • Contribute $2,500 to the program (an invoice will be provided)
  • Serve as a judge at the MSSRTP Presentation Day
  • Ensure the project will follow all the required ethics procedures, including having approval before the project commences (if required)
  • Use EDI best practices in research design, interview process, training and mentorship
  • Agree to submit only one MSSRTP project and supervise one MSSRTP student per year
  • Have the necessary time and resources to train students through the summer studentship

Please note that Adjunct Professors & Lecturers are not eligible.

2.2. Student Applicant Eligibility:

• Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) students at the University of Ottawa who are enrolled in their first or second year of training are eligible to apply. Students applying for the Family Medicine Priority area must be enrolled in the MD Family Medicine Focus Program.  
• Successful applicants must also:
  • Agree to only receive funding for one project each summer (i.e., a student cannot hold concurrent research summer stipends). 
  • Present at the Fall MSSRTP Day (September / October annually). 
  • Students who are unable to attend the Fall Presentation Day must notify the Medical Education and Research Offices by July 15.

2.3. Financial Processes:

• Administration of the MSSRTP: Finance, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa.
• Students will receive a stipend for $7k for a maximum of 10 weeks during the months of June – August.
• The supervisor contribution is $2.5k per student.

3.1. Priority Announcements: 

• In order to promote research in strategic areas of development as outlined in the Faculty of Medicine's 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, priority announcements are made annually in collaboration with Faculty and community partners.

3.2. Cardiology, Oncology, Psychiatry  (Mach-Gaensslen Foundation)

• The Mach-Gaensslen Foundation supports medical research and education in the fields of cardiology, oncology, and psychiatry. Through this partnership, up to five (5) projects MSSRTP studentship may be available for projects that align with the Foundation’s objectives: 
  • Carry out, support, and promote medical research in the fields of cardiology, oncology, and psychiatry;
  • Disseminate the findings of such research to the interested public; and
  • Promote excellence in education in the fields of cardiology, oncology, and psychiatry.
• Applicants seeking consideration under this priority area must clearly demonstrate how their proposed project aligns with these objectives (in Step 1 below)

3.3. Social Accountability

• The Social Accountability priority area is offered in partnership with the Faculty of Medicine's Office of Social Accountability. The Office of Social Accountability's mandate is to address societal health needs through research, education, and service. 
• This priority area supports applications that a) use community-based research methodological approach, and b) respond directly to one or more priority areas identified in the City of Ottawa’s Community Safety and Well-Being Plan.  
  • Discrimination, Marginalization and Racism
  • Financial Security and Poverty Reduction
  • Gender-Based Violence and Violence Against Women
  • Housing and Homelessness
  • Neighbourhood Solutions and Community Safety
  • Mental Well-Being
  • Youth Social Development
• Additional information regarding the Social Accountability priority area, including eligibility requirements and review criteria, is available through the Social Accountability Terms of Reference. 
• Applicants seeking consideration under this priority area must clearly demonstrate how their proposed project aligns with these objectives (in Step 1 below).

3.4. Family Medicine

• New for 2027, a Family Medicine priority area will be introduced in partnership with the University of Ottawa's MD Family Medicine Focus (MD-FM Focus) program. In recognition of the specialized training objectives of the MD Family Medicine Focus (MD-FM Focus) program, this priority area is available to students enrolled in the MD-FM Focus program (which will be identified in Step 2 below).

3.5. Affiliated Research Institutes

• The affiliated hospital research institutes recognize the importance of supporting both their researchers and medical students. Eligible projects (which will be identified in Step 1 below) may receive funding support from the research institute with which the faculty supervisor is primarily affiliated.

Step 1: Project Proposal Summary from Eligible Faculty Members

Step 2: Expression of Interest (EOI) from Students

• The link to projects will be provided to all year 1 and year 2 students, who may submit an expression of interest and indicate up to 10 projects that align with their goals. 

Step 3: Full Student Application

• In consultation with the Supervisor, students will complete and submit the following application and up to date CV. 

5.1. Review of Eligibility for Priority Areas (Step 1) 

• Applicants seeking consideration for a priority area will undergo an additional assessment and will be deemed either eligible or not eligible based on the applicable criteria.
• Proposals will be provided to students for their consideration. 

5.2. Review of Student Expressions of Interest (Step 2)

• Supervisors will receive CVs and EOIs from students interested in their research projects.
• Supervisors will interview potential students and select one for their research project.
• Supervisors will notify the student that they select for their project in writing and indicate in the SurveyMonkey Apply portal (essential step, as students will become collaborators on their supervisor project proposal). 
• Full student applications will be directly linked to their respective Supervisor Proposal (Step 3), once indicated in the portal. 

5.3. Review of Full Applications (Step 3)

• Peer-reviewers comprised of faculty members who have submitted projects and community members (as appropriate) will assess each project.
• Each application will be assessed and scored by peer reviewers based on the following criteria. Scores range from 0 to 4.9 for each item, as follows:

• All applications will be reviewed according to the following criteria:
  • Excellence of the Research Project (50%)
    • Quality & Clarity of the Proposal
    • Methodology & Feasibility
    • EDI Practices // Sex & Gender-based Analysis
  • Excellence of Training Opportunity (50%)
    • Development of New Skills for Trainee
    • Training Plan Appropriateness
    • Alignment of Project with Trainee Goals