Canadian Arthritis Summer School 2025

CIHR-IMHA is inviting trainees and patient partners with an interest in arthritis research to join a steering committee for the 2025 Canadian Arthritis Summer School (CASS).

CASS is a new Pilot project for 2025 and will be a unique program intended to foster collaboration and learning between trainees (e.g. undergraduate or graduate students and postdoctoral fellows) and patients (which we’ll refer to as patient partners) who are interested in arthritis research. This program aims to bridge gaps in knowledge and practice, offering an inclusive space for shared experiences and expertise on topics related to arthritis and research. The draft concept will include practical sessions and workshops that may cover skills development such as grant writing, budgeting for grants, and giving original research presentations.

CASS will be held virtually in June 2025. The initiative will be led by a steering committee with members who are trainees and patient partners, recognizing that people may self-identify with both of these perspectives. The steering committee will co-create its own terms of reference and make all decisions about the summer school agenda (content, speakers, and facilitators) in addition to logistical items including such as conference dates, schedules, health break lengths, and communications plans. The aim is to fill around 10 spots with each individual committing to 2 hours a month for meetings, plus an additional 1-2 hours for prep or responding to minimal questions via email. The steering committee will also decide whether it would be helpful to form sub-committees to provide further opportunities for skills development in areas such as communications or EDI. CIHR-IMHA staff will provide financial, structural, and people resources to help bring the steering committee’s vision to life.

Expression of Interest

We encourage trainees and patient partners to consider applying to be on the steering committee to co-create this impactful program, boost skills and personal career development, and connect with peers.

Please submit your expression of interest (by filling out the text form or by submitting an audio file by emailing IMHA at IMHA-IALA@CIHR-IRSC.gc.ca) by October 20, 2024. More details and to apply

An honorarium will be offered to patient partners who serve on the committees and do not also self-identify as a trainee in line with the CIHR-IMHA guidelines.

Selection will be aimed at equitable access for patient partners and trainees regardless of prior experience levels. We hope to include people with a range of perspectives and interests about different types of arthritis and comorbidities.

Please send all questions to our team: IMHA-IALA@CIHR-IRSC.gc.ca

Date modified:

2024-10-10