Award Process Timeline
- November 1: Call for projects sent out to all faculty
- November 24: Deadline for faculty to submit project
- December 2: All projects posted on SRS website for students to view
- December 20: Deadline for students to express interest in projects
2025
- January 17: Deadline for faculty to notify srs.research@usask.ca of successful student match
- January 24: Award recipients notified
- March 1: Verification of ethics certificate, exemption or submission due to srs.research@usask.ca
2026
- April 6: Full project reports due
- May TBD: Presentations at SRS Research & Knowledge Sharing Day
Overview
Primary Purpose
The SRS Research Projects expose our students to research and inspire them to become
evidence-based health care providers. Funding is open to all 1st – and 2nd–year SRS students and
topics cover all aspects of rehabilitation research.
Number of Projects
Students are eligible to hold more than one award during their degree over the two years they
are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to 1st–year students and to 2nd–year students who
did not receive an award in the 1st–year.
Supervisors may submit multiples projects, but there is no guarantee that all projects submitted
will be funded. If more than one project is submitted, each project should be a standalone
project.
Length and Amount of Grants
Research Projects may vary in length, depending on the type of project. Given the intensive
nature of the curriculum, the research project hours may be more concentrated during specific
periods or distributed over the entire duration of the project.” Any project application involving
a clinical/research placement must include a letter from the Academic Lead Clinical Education
Co-Ordinator verifying consultation has occurred.
• Full projects pay a stipend of $6000 to support the student while they are gaining
research experience, with the final $550 being issued after presentation.
• Half projects pay a stipend of $3000 to support the student while they are gaining
research experience, with the final $550 being issued after presentation.
Any additional expenses incurred during the project are the responsibility of the supervisor.
Eligibility
Research Projects are restricted to first- and second-year SRS students at the University of
Saskatchewan, School of Rehabilitation Science.
Research project supervisors must be full-time faculty in the School of Rehabilitation Science
for the duration of the award period. The SRS Director or designate (i.e. MPT Program Chair) is
required to sign off that each recipient is in good academic standing before any projects are
awarded.
Any questions regarding your eligibility should be directed to srs.research@usask.ca, at least
one week before the deadline so we have the opportunity to assist you with assessing your
eligibility.
Choosing/Submitting a Project
An annual call for projects is sent out in the fall to all full-time SRS faculty. Faculty are
encouraged to put together a brief outline for a potential project using the template provided.
This includes background, research topic, and description of general duties. Projects will be
posted on the SRS website for student viewing; students are encouraged to contact faculty
members to discuss their interest in applying as quickly as possible (i.e. within 2-3 weeks of
posting and no later than December 20, 2024). If more than one student is interested in a
project, it will be up to the faculty member to decide which student is best suited for the
project. Students should inform faculty if they are approaching more than one faculty about a
project. Faculty may set a deadline for when they need to be notified of intent to proceed so
that all interested students have an opportunity to complete a project.
There is a limited number of projects that can be funded in any given year. Priority will be given
to fund projects supervised by newer faculty (i.e. within the first 5 years of their appointment)
as well as projects supervised by faculty who did not have funded projects in the previous
academic year.
Approvals
Research Ethics Approvals
Any research conducted at university facilities or undertaken by persons connected to the
University involving human participants, human tissue or human data, animals or biohazardous
materials must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate Research Ethics Board.
Operational Approvals
Any research—funded or non-funded—involving Saskatchewan Health Authority resources
must receive formal "Operational Approval" before it may begin. This includes any research
utilizing the resources, data, programs and/or services of the Health Authority; its
patients/clients/residents; and research conducted in its affiliates and community-based
organizations. For further information on the SHA Operational Approval please follow the link
below:
University of Saskatchewan Research Ethics Office
In Saskatoon, ethics approval must be obtained from the University of Saskatchewan Research Ethics Board (REB) in advance of beginning the research. Visit the Human Ethics website for up-to-date information on applying for ethics approval. It is advisable that students and faculty should work together on the ethics application so the students can benefit from this valuable experience.
Research involving other organizations and institutions may have their own approval processes
that should be adhered to.
Award Conditions
Notification of Success
Written notification of award will be sent to applicants by January 24, 2025.
Ethics and required paperwork must be submitted to srs.research@usask.ca by March 1, 2025.
Supervisor/Student Responsibilities
Recipients of SRS Research Projects have the following responsibilities:
Students:
• Work 300 hours for full project or 150 hours, if completing a half-project.
• Report to srs.research@usask.ca immediately if this is not possible so that we can discontinue payment
• Submit a written report
• Present at SRS Research & Knowledge Sharing Day
Supervisors:
• Mentor and supervise the student
• Establish expectations regarding communication with the student. Regular weekly check-ins are advised.
• Ensure the student submits the written report and participates in SRS Research & Knowledge Sharing Day (TBD-May 2026)
• If you notice that a student is struggling with attendance or engagement in the project, please reach out to us at srs.research@usask.ca as soon as possible. Your timely report will help us provide the necessary support to the student.
Written Report
All grant recipients are required to submit a final report (template provided) to
srs.research@usask.ca.
Research Project Presentation
Successful recipients will be required to participate in the SRS Research Event (date TBD), the following year of the project.
Failure to participate in the SRS Research Event means you will be ineligible to receive the final payment of your award or apply for any future funding.
Funding Acknowledgement
All publications and knowledge translation outputs resulting from the research funded by the
grant should acknowledge University of Saskatchewan, College of Medicine SRS Research
Project funding.