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Advancing Women's Cardiovascular Health Research and Innovation

CWHHA Award Opportunities

Thanks to funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) National Women’s Health Research Initiative, the CWHHA’s Cardiovascular Health Hub is committed to improving the visibility and impact of women’s cardiovascular health research and practice throughout Canada.

Submit an Application

CWHHA Award Eligibility Criteria

  • Membership

While you do not need to be a CWHHA member to apply, you must be a member to accept the award. If you’re not currently a member, you can join by visiting our membership page. 

  • Previous Award Recipients

Applicants who have previously received a CWHHA Award are not eligible.

  • Diversity

To encourage inclusivity, CWHHA will reserve at least 50% of all CWHHA award opportunities for individuals who identify as Indigenous, Black, a visible minority, part of a sexual or gender minority, living with a disability, and/or from an equity-deserving group.

Our mission is to foster the growth of future leaders in women's cardiovascular health.

In line with this mission, we are excited to announce the following award opportunities:

Award Opportunity
Number of Awards
Funding Amount
Important Dates
Status
Early Career Researcher Seed Grant
1
$10,000
Submission Portal Opens: December 2, 2024
Deadline: April 30, 2025 -> Extended to May 30, 2025
Notifications: May 30, 2025 -> Extended to June 27, 2025
Applications Closed
Trainee Research Award
2
$2,000
Submission Portal Opens: December 2, 2024
Deadline: April 30, 2025 -> Extended to May 30, 2025
Notifications: May 30, 2025 -> Extended to June 27, 2025
Applications Closed
Person with Lived and Living Experience (PWLLE) Travel Award
4
Up to $2,000
Submission Portal Opens: December 2, 2024
Extended Deadline: January 20, 2025
Notifications: January 31, 2025
Applications Closed
Trainee Travel Award
4
Up to $2,000
Submission Portal Opens: December 2, 2024
Extended Deadline: January 20, 2025
Notifications: January 31, 2025
Applications Closed

CWHHA Early Career Researcher Seed Grant

Apply

The Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance (CWHHA) is pleased to offer the Early Career Researcher (ECR) Seed Grant, aimed at supporting innovative research projects focused on women’s cardiovascular health.

This grant provides initial funding to help kickstart projects with the potential to make a significant impact in the field. The goal is to lay the groundwork for these initiatives, preparing them for future opportunities for larger-scale funding and continued growth.

  • Funding Amount: One award of $10,000
  • Duration: 1 year (June 2025–May 2026)
  • Frequency: Annual
  • Eligibility: Must be an Early Career Researcher (ECR)


Early Career Researcher (ECR):
An early career researcher is defined as someone who, at the time of application, has held their first independent, research-related appointment for no more than five years. The date of this first appointment is based on the “Employment” section of the Common CV.

Recognizing that early career researchers may face unique challenges, the CWHHA award committee allows for adjustments to the eligibility window in certain circumstances:

  • Eligible Leaves (e.g., maternity, parental, medical, family medical, bereavement): These leaves will extend the eligibility window, with the time taken credited as twice the amount of time taken.
  • Ineligible Leaves (e.g., professional leaves such as training, sabbaticals, administrative roles): These do not extend the eligibility window.
  • Non-Research Activities: Time spent on non-research-related duties or career activities will not count toward the eligibility period.

If you have any questions or need clarification about your eligibility, please contact us directly at admin@cwhha.ca.

The CWHHA Award Selection Committee, composed of researchers and persons with lived experience (PWLLE), will evaluate each application based on the following criteria. All decisions are final.

  1. Relevance to Women’s Cardiovascular Health (10 points)
    • How closely the project aligns with advancing women’s cardiovascular health.
  2. Novelty and Originality (10 points)
    • The project demonstrates originality, an innovative idea or solution, or novel approach to addressing a clinical, research, or knowledge gap.
  3. Design and Methodology
    • Overall study design (10 points)
      • The robustness and clarity of the study’s design.
    • Sex and Gender-Based Analysis Plus (SGBA+) (10 points)
      • Consideration of SGBA+ in the research approach.
    • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Best Practices (10 points)
      • The inclusion of EDI best practices in both the research design and analysis.
  4. Feasibility (10 points)
    • Applicants must demonstrate that the research plan—including methodology, timeline, and budget—is realistic, feasible, and well-justified.
  5. Research Impact (10 points) 
    • The potential for significant impact in the field of women’s cardiovascular health.
  6. Patient Engagement (10 points)
    • How the project will meaningfully involve Patient Partners throughout the research process.

Submission: Applicants must submit a detailed proposal that includes the following components:

  1. Proposal (1-2 pages) Provide a clear description of the project, including:  
    • Objectives
    • Research background and hypotheses
    • Methodology and anticipated outcomes
    • Clinical relevance and knowledge mobilization plan
    • Note: References are not included in the 2-page limit.
  2. Respond to the following questions (100 words max each):
    • How does your project account for Sex and Gender-Based Analysis Plus (SGBA+)?
    • How does your project incorporate best practices for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion?
    • How will this grant help accelerate your project toward future funding opportunities?
    • How will this grant support your future career goals in women’s cardiovascular health?
    • How will you meaningfully engage Patient Partners throughout your project?
    • Which of the following CWHHA ATLAS Chapter 9 recommendations does your project address? (Please check all that apply.)
  3. Plain Language Summary (Maximum 250 words): Provide a concise summary of your project in plain language.
  4. Budget Plan (Maximum 1 page): Provide up to one page for your budget plan. Please note, funds from this award will be dedicated exclusively to research expenses and cannot be allocated to institutional indirect costs, overhead costs or support the primary investigator’s salary.
  5. Applicant’s CV: Include your CIHR Biosketch.


Review and Selection: Proposals will be evaluated by a panel of experts and Persons with Lived and Living Experience (PWLLE) based on scientific merit, innovation, feasibility, and potential for future funding.

Award Notification: Successful applicants will be notified and awarded funding to begin their projects.

Grant recipients are required to submit a final report outlining the progress and outcomes of their project. Additionally, recipients are encouraged to share their findings at relevant conferences, such as the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit, and through publications, to enhance the visibility and impact of their work.

Myles O'Brien, PhD

Centre de Formation Médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick
Department of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke
Moncton, New Brunswick

CWHHA Trainee Research Award

Apply

The Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance (CWHHA) proudly announces the Trainee Research Awards, aimed at fostering the next generation of researchers dedicated to advancing women’s cardiovascular health.

These awards provide essential support for trainees conducting innovative research projects in women’s cardiovascular health, helping to cultivate future leaders in this critical field.

  • Funding Amount: $2,000  (up to 2 awards)
  • Duration: 12 months
  • Frequency: Annual
  • Eligibility: A trainee includes individuals in the following categories:
    • MSc, PhD, post-doctoral fellows, medical students, residents, and clinical fellows enrolled in an academic program at a Canadian institution.
    • An individual actively involved in research under the formal supervision of an independent researcher.
    • Examples:
      • Graduate students conducting research at academic institutions.
      • Post-health professional degree fellows (e.g., nursing, physiotherapy, medicine, dentistry) at Canadian academic institutions.

If you have any questions or need clarification about your eligibility, please contact us directly at admin@cwhha.ca.

The CWHHA Award Selection Committee comprised of researchers and persons with lived experience (PWLLE) will evaluate each application based on the following criteria. All decisions are final.

  1. Relevance: to women’s cardiovascular health (/10)
  2. Scientific Merit: the trainee has demonstrated research excellence throughout their training (/10)
  3. Innovation: introduction of novel ideas, methods, approaches, or perspectives that advance the field or address unmet needs  (/10)
  4. Feasibility: Applicants must provide a detailed plan, timeline. (/10)
  5. Research Impact: The applicant demonstrates potential to make a significant impact in their field through their research contributions, approach, and future plans. (/10)
  6. Potential for Trainee’s Development: The applicant demonstrates strong potential for growth, skill development, and advancement in their research career. (/10)

Submission: Applicants must submit the following components:

  1. Summary of Research Progress and Future Career Aspirations (1 page)
    • Provide a clear description of your research background, current project(s), and your career goals. Please use plain language.
  2. Respond to the following questions (100 words max each):
    • Impact on women’s cardiovascular health: How does your work contribute to advancing women’s cardiovascular health?
    • Research Training Environment: Describe the environment in which your research is conducted.
    • EDI-based Considerations: How does your research incorporate Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion principles?
    • Patient Engagement: How have you, or how would you like to, engage patients in your work?
      (Note: Patient engagement considerations will not be explicitly included in the evaluation criteria for the 2024-2025 competition, but will be more formalized in future competitions.)
  3. Applicant’s CV (Maximum 3 pages): highlighting relevant qualifications and experiences.
  4. Transcript: Provide a copy of your academic transcripts (does not need to be official).


Review and Selection: Summaries will be evaluated by a panel of experts based on scientific merit, innovation, feasibility, and the potential for the trainee’s development.

Award Notification: Successful applicants will be notified and awarded funding to initiate their research projects.

Award recipients are required to submit a final report outlining the progress and outcomes of their project. Additionally, recipients are encouraged to share their findings at relevant conferences, such as the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit, and through publications, to enhance the visibility and impact of their work.

Kathia Abdoun, PhD Candidate

Faculté de médecine
Université Laval
Québec City, QC

Lisa-Marie Maukel, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow Cardiac Prevention & Rehabilitation
University of Ottawa Heart Institute
Ottawa, ON

Person with Lived and Living Experience (PWLLE) Travel Award

For the 2025 Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit

Apply

The Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance (CWHHA) is pleased to announce the PWLLE Travel Award to support individuals with Lived and Living Experience (PWLLE) in attending the 2025 Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit (CWHHS).

This award aims to enhance recipients’ understanding of women’s cardiovascular health and foster connections with healthcare professionals and community members in the field.

  • Funding Amount: Up to $2,000 CAD towards travel, accommodations and meals.
    • Complimentary CWHHS registration
  • Duration: One time 
  • Eligibility:  Person with Lived and Living Experience (PWLLE)  includes those living with heart disease, stroke, and/or vascular conditions and carers of those with lived experience (family or informal carer/friend) 


If you have any questions or need clarification about your eligibility, please contact us directly at admin@cwhha.ca.

The CWHHA Award Selection Committee, consisting of researchers and persons with lived and living experience (PWLLE), will evaluate each application based on the following criteria. Please note that all decisions are final.

  1. Relevance: Applicants should demonstrate why attending the CWHHS (Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit) is important for them. This includes explaining how the information gathered from the Summit will benefit the applicant and other members of their community. (/10)

  2. Impact: The applicant should describe the expected impact of their participation in the Summit on women’s cardiovascular health within their community. (/10)

  3. Action Plan: Applicants must outline how they plan to share the knowledge and insights gained from attending the CWHHS with their community. (/10)

Applicants will be asked to provide responses to the following questions:

  1. Summit Benefits (Maximum 250 words): 

    • Outline how the information gathered from the CWHHS (Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit) will benefit you or other members of your community. This may include aspects such as relevance, impact, and your action plan for sharing the knowledge gained.

  2. Financial Estimates:

    • Provide an estimate of the costs associated with attending the Summit, including:

      • Travel costs (using the most efficient means of transportation)

      • Accommodation expenses

      • Meals (outside of what is provided during the summit)

Successful applicants will be required to submit a statement that includes the following:

  • A description of the impact of attending the CWHHS (Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit)

  • Key takeaways and lessons learned

  • A plan for how this information will be shared within their network and community

This report will help demonstrate how the knowledge gained from the Summit will be applied and disseminated to benefit others.

Catherine Boudreau, RN, MScN

Patient Advocate Co-Chair, Knowledge Translation and Mobilization, Executive Steering Committee

Person with Lived Experience
North Bay, ON

Nicole Nickerson

Patient Advocate Co-Chair, Advocacy, Executive Steering Committee

Person with Lived Experience
Middle Lehave, NS | @NicoleNickers11

Brenda Shackles

Person with Lived Experience
Brockville, ON

Christina Stuwe

Person with Lived Experience
Calgary, AB

Trainee Travel Award

For the 2025 Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit

Apply

The Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance (CWHHA) is pleased to announce the Travel Award, designed to support Trainees to attend the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit (CWHHS).

This award aims to enhance their understanding of women’s cardiovascular health while connecting with healthcare professionals and fellow trainees in the field.

  • Funding Amount: Up to $2,000 CAD towards travel, accommodations and meals.
    • Complimentary CWHHS registration
  • Duration: One time
  • Eligibility: A trainee includes individuals in the following categories:
    • MSc, PhD, post-doctoral fellows, medical students, residents, and clinical fellows enrolled in an academic program at a Canadian institution.
    • An individual actively involved in research under the formal supervision of an independent researcher.
    • Examples:
      • Graduate students conducting research at academic institutions.
      • Post-health professional degree fellows (e.g., nursing, physiotherapy, medicine, dentistry) at Canadian academic institutions. 


If you have any questions or need clarification about your eligibility, please contact us directly at admin@cwhha.ca.

The CWHHA Award Selection Committee, consisting of researchers and persons  with lived and living experience (PWLLE), will evaluate each application based on the following criteria. Please note that all decisions are final.

  1. Relevance: Applicants should demonstrate why attending the CWHHS (Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit) is important for them. This includes explaining how the information gathered from the Summit will benefit the applicant and other members of their community. (/10)
  2. Impact: The applicant should describe the expected impact of their participation in the Summit on women’s cardiovascular health within their community. (/10)
  3. Action Plan: Applicants must outline how they plan to share the knowledge and insights gained from attending the CWHHS with their community. (/10)

Applicants will be asked to provide responses to the following questions:

  1. Summit Benefits (Maximum 250 words): 
    • Outline how the information gathered from the CWHHS (Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit) will benefit you or other members of your community. This may include aspects such as relevance, impact, and your action plan for sharing the knowledge gained.
  2. Financial Estimates:
    • Provide an estimate of the costs associated with attending the Summit, including:
      • Travel costs (using the most efficient means of transportation)
      • Accommodation expenses
      • Meals (outside of what is provided during the summit)

Successful applicants will be required to submit a statement that includes the following:

  • A description of the impact of attending the CWHHS (Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit)
  • Key takeaways and lessons learned
  • A plan for how this information will be shared within their network and community


This report will help demonstrate how the knowledge gained from the Summit will be applied and disseminated to benefit others.

Kathia Abdoun, PhD Candidate

Faculté de médecine
Université Laval
Québec City, QC

Kristina Cunanan, BSc (Hons)

Graduate Student (MSc)
Division of Clinical and Translational Research (Experimental Medicine)
Department of Medicine
McGill University
Montreal, QC | @kristinacunan4n

Natalie Kearn, BHSc

Medical Student 
Queen’s University
Kingston, ON | @natalie_kearn 

Venessa Thorsen, BSc (Hons), MSc Candidate

MSc Candidate, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia
Co-Founder & Director, Students for Heart Health
Kelowna, BC | @venthorsen