Policy Fellowship

The Policy Fellowships will help establish and nurture links between provincial and federal decision-makers and scientific professionals to support public policy related to prion diseases to benefit the wellbeing of Albertans.

The Policy Fellowships are designed to:

  • provide opportunities for scientists and policy makers to learn about processes and context in each other's domains;
  • provide scientific expertise and analysis to support decision-makers confronting increasingly complex scientific and technical issues related to prion disease;
  • foster positive exchange between scientists and policymakers;
  • empower scientists and  to conduct policy-relevant research and other activities that address challenges facing society on TSEs; and
  • empower policy makers to help scientists to develop policy-relevant research and to develop research findings into policy

Eligibility

The Policy Fellow must be affiliated with an Alberta post-secondary institution (University or College), in tenure track position or be expecting to be awarded a doctoral degree for an Alberta institution within a year of submission of the application.  Candidates must have a minimum of three years experience involving research on prion related issues.

 Or

Provincial government employees have a minimum three years experience in a policy environment, and intend to work in a prion research environment.

Value and Duration

Value of Award       
A contribution toward salary and benefits of up to $50,000 per year (prorated for shorter terms), and a research supplement of up to $5,000.

Term of Award      
A minimum of three months and maximum of twelve months.

Arrangements could be made for the fellowship to be available for more than one policy fellowship period of engagement at a host institution. The duration of the award cannot exceed two years, and value of the award cannot exceed $50,000 over two years. The supplement cannot exceed $5,000 over two years. 

Policy Fellows are expected to:

  • Further the objectives of one or more of the theme areas and expected outcomes of the Prion Institute.
  •  Conduct policy research and develop guidelines and recommendations related risk management strategies for TSE
  • Develop partnerships and linkages nationally and internationally on policy frameworks dealing with TSEs.
  • Develop partnerships to provide greater understanding of research environment for policy makers and vice versa.

Funding

The Prion Institute will provide contributions of up to a maximum of $50,000/year for normally a maximum of twelve months.

A supplement of $5,000 will be paid to the academic institution or government department which hosts the Policy Fellow for use in activities related to the fellowship.

Salary Support

Policy Fellowships will be funded for between three months to a maximum of twelve months.  Funding will be for $50,000/year maximum prorated for periods of less than twelve months.  The salary award may be combined with other sources of funding over the period.

For fellows who are researchers in an Alberta institution or employees of the Government of Alberta spending time in an Alberta institution, responsibility for the administration of funds will rest with the home institution.

Fringe benefits should be consistent with those of other employees of the home organization.

Fellows should receive the same salary increments and merit increases as other employees of the home organization.

For Fellows at the post-doctoral level the host government department will be responsible for fund administration.

A $5,000 supplement will be paid to the host academic institution or provincial department for use by the fellow to cover travel expenses to one significant conference or meeting, research activities and/or other reasonable expenditures directly related to the activities of the policy fellowship. 

The general regulations for holding the Policy Fellowship will follow the Tri-Council policy available on the NSERC web site unless otherwise specified by APRI.

Deferment of Award

Startup of awards may be deferred for up to a maximum of one year.

Review Process

The Alberta Prion Research Institute's International Research Advisory Council (IRAC) together with external peer reviewers from the international community will review the applications. IRAC recommendations will inform funding decisions by the Alberta Prion Research Institute Management Board.

Selection Criteria

APRI Policy Fellowship applications will be evaluated for their fit with the theme areas and adherence to the following criteria:

Curriculum vitae of the applicant

Excellence of the Fellows Environment

The excellence of the research program and the research team, its relationship to similar efforts around the world, and the degree to which it is capable of tackling significant problems in prion research in an integrated and coherent fashion.

or,

The relevance of the policy environment to prion research and applications to prion diseases.

Freedom of Information Protection of Privacy Act

As a public body, Alberta Innovates - Bio Solutions is regulated by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPP) of Alberta. Information provided by applicants on Personal Data Forms is for the use of Alberta Innovates - Bio Solutions ONLY and will not be communicated in any way to anyone outside of the organization.

Application Process

Applicants have the opportunity to apply to the Prion Institute Policy Fellowship Program by providing the following information:

  • 1. The applicant's current curriculum vitae or current copy of NSERC (CIHR,SSHRC) Form 100 (Do not include appendices to the NSERC Form 100)
  • 2. Two page outline of the prion-related research or policy issues to be examined during the tenure of the fellowship.
  • 3. Letter of support from the sponsoring academic institution research dean or provincial government department head
  • 4. Letter of support from host academic institution Dean or Assistant Deputy Minister of provincial government department.
  • 5. Letter of temporary release / secondment from the home academic institution Dean or Assistant Deputy Minister of the provincial government department.
  • 6. Institutional signature pages (academic institution, government department) from the sponsoring and host institutions.

All information must be typed using font size of 11 or greater, with page margins not less than one inch on white paper, 8 1/2 x 11 inches (21.5 cm x 28 cm), portrait format, with a single column, unless specified otherwise. Submit one original and six copies of the application and Personal Data Forms. Also submit one electronic version of the application, (MS Word or PDF format) on disk or CD-ROM.

Signed applications are to be sent by courier to:

Alberta Prion Research Institute
RE: "ALBERTA PRION RESEARCH INSTITUTE: POLICY FELLOWSHIP"
Alberta Prion Research Institute
Scotia Place, Tower II Suite 2001
10060 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5J 3R8

Payment of Award

To activate the APRI salary contribution and the supplement, the institution or provincial department must complete a Commencement Form. 

The following conditions will be a part of accepting the Policy Fellowship Award;

  • The Fellow's home or host institution will issue a T4 or T4A.
  • APRI does not assume liability for accidents, illness, or losses that may occur during the tenure of an award.

Responsibility

The Prion Institute will contribute to salary support to a maximum of $50,000 over a period of one year.

The academic institution or provincial government department where the Policy Fellow is employed will contribute a salary payment and benefits to maintain the salary level of a fellow who is a current employee. The home institution or government department commits to maintenance of all normal benefits for the Fellow with additional payments for increments that would take place as a normal course of employment, over the course of the Fellowship.

For Fellows at the post-doctoral stage, the host institution will be responsible for fund administration.

Reporting

The applicant must provide a mid-term progress report for the second and final instalment. 

A final report will include:

  • A two page outline of the project undertaken;
  • A list of the major achievements resulting from the work;
  • A brief discussion of the policy probing implications of the work done.
  • Application of the work in policy.
  • A two page outline of the potential for further development, research results, or policy;
  • A description of any tangible results (i.e., papers, publications, or patents resulting from your activities, subsequent employment, improved processes, financial benefits, etc.); and
  • Evaluations by the applicant, the host institution or government department supervisor on the achievements in prion policy issues and experience in the Policy Program.

Fellowship recipients agree to keep ARPI informed of their research policy activities over the next decade, and they agree to participate in subsequent APRI-led activities to facilitate research-policy interactions.

FORM

Policy Application Check-List