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CIHR Reviewer in Training Program – Fall 2025

Sponsor/agency: CIHR

Program: Reviewer in Training Program

Description 

The CIHR Reviewer in Training (RiT) Program runs twice a year during the Spring and Fall Project Grant Competitions. It offers Early Career Researchers (ECRs) a learning opportunity to gain a better understanding of the elements of high-quality review and the peer review process. RiT applicants have the choice of selecting between the role of Mentee or ECR Reviewer when they apply:

  • ECRs that want to gain exposure to CIHR's peer review process with the guidance of a Mentor can apply to the Mentee role. In a supported way, Mentees will learn about CIHR's peer review process by completing practice reviews and having the opportunity to participate in discussions during the committee meeting. See the Apply as a Mentee section for information and how to apply.

  • ECRs that hold at least one recent federally funded (or equivalent) peer reviewed grant as a Principal Investigator may choose to participate in the role of Mentee as above, or in the role of ECR Reviewer. Like regular reviewers, ECR Reviewers will be able to contribute to scoring and funding decisions, however they ease into CIHR's peer review process by having a reduced number of grants to review and an opportunity to present their reviews later in the meeting. See the Apply as an ECR Reviewer section for information and how to apply.

Program Summary 

Deadlines:

  • July 28, 2025: Deadline to let ORS know of your intent to apply
  • August 6, 2025: CIHR deadline  

How to Apply:

  • Notify Amber Zapletal of your intent to apply by July 28, to ensure enough time for ORS to provide a letter of support.
  1. Apply online. All submissions will receive an acknowledgement email within 5 business days confirming receipt of the application
    • You will need:
      1. Your CIHR pin (if known)
      2. A PDF for your CIHR Biosketch CV to be completed using the Canadian Common CV interface (draft CCVs are not accepted)
      3. A letter from a CIHR eligible institution attesting:
        1. That you meet CIHR’s definition of Early Career Researcher
        2. That you hold an independent research-related appointment at the institution (letter must include institution name, your position title and start date)
      4. A ranked list of up to two peer review committees – for which you have the appropriate expertise to review and in which you would be comfortable participating. 
  2. Complete your Reviewer Profile along with the new Self-identification Questionnaire in ResearchNet within 5 business days of receiving the acknowledgement email. If you do not already have access to the Reviewer Profile, it will automatically be provided to you within 2 business days. Your application may not be considered without a completed Reviewer Profile. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that their application is complete.

Contact: ORS Grants Officer – Amber Zapletal

Agency Program Contact 

Program information:

Eligibility 

Mentee

  • Must meet CIHR's definition of an ECR on the application deadline for the Project Grant Competition (September 10, 2025);
  • Must hold an independent research-related appointment at a CIHR eligible institution on the application deadline for the Project Grant Competition (September 10, 2025);
  • Must not have previously participated in the RiT Program; and
  • Must not have previously participated as a reviewer in CIHR's Project Grant competition.
  • Candidates who are submitting applications as a Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) or Principal Applicant (PA) in the current Project Grant competition are eligible for this opportunity, however, they will not be selected for a committee that is adjudicating their submission.

ECR Reviewer

  • Must meet CIHR’s definition of an ECR on the application deadline for the Project Grant Competition;
  • Must hold an independent research-related appointment at a CIHR eligible institution on the application deadline for the Project Grant Competition;
  • Must have at least one recent federally funded peer reviewed research grant (or equivalent) as a Principal Investigator;
  • Must not have previously participated in the RiT Program as an ECR Reviewer; and
  • Must not have previously participated as a reviewer for the Project Grant competition.

Additional Information 

All individuals who express their interest will be informed of the results by September 25, 2025. Upon receiving the invitation, you will have 2 business days to accept. If a response is not received by this time, we will offer this opportunity to the next candidate.