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Application Process

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Please apply at least two months prior to intended travel date. 

Submission Requirements: 

• Completed application form
• Letter of support from supervisor and/or collaborator
• Description of how the activity aligns with PRAIRIE Hub goals
• Detailed travel budget

Successful applicants will need to complete a brief post-travel report detailing key outcomes, lessons learned, and next steps. 

Eligibility Criteria

Primary applicants: Undergraduate students, graduate students, technicians, postdoctoral fellows, research associates, and early-career researchers affiliated with PRAIRIE Hub CBRF2-BRIF2 awarded programs.

Approval Criteria: 

Applicants will be reviewed based on:

• Relevance: Alignment with PRAIRIE Hub objectives (biomanufacturing, vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics, commercialization)
• Impact: Potential to advance biomanufacturing, training, or pandemic preparedness
• Feasibility: Budget and itinerary are clear and reasonable
• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Considerations: Evidence of promoting inclusivity in research and collaboration
• Applicant's Contribution: Priority will be given to applicants presenting their work or leading collaborations

Awards and Disbursement

Funding amounts per award will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Approximate guidelines include:

• Conference travel: maximum award of $2,000
• Short-term research/training (1-7 days): maximum award of $5,000
• Long-term research/training (1-4 weeks): maximum award of $15,000
• Travel lasting longer than 4 weeks is assessed case-by-case

Funds will be disbursed following the ÒÁÈËÖ±²¥ and Department of Biochemistry guidelines. Recipients will be responsible for costs up front and will submit claims for reimbursement. Supervisors or teams may opt to cover the up front costs for the recipient and be reimbursed. 

Eligible Activities in Detail (non-exhaustive):

1. Workshops and Skills Development for Trainees and Researchers
   • Hands-on training in advanced molecular techniques, mRNA/saRNA vaccine platforms, LNP formulation, bioprocess scale-up.
   • Leadership and EDI-focused training in STEM.
2. Conference, Workshop, and Symposium Participation
   • Preference for those presenting findings (posters/oral talks) from CBRF2- BRIF2-funded projects.
   • National and international conferences focused on biomanufacturing, diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics, regulatory frameworks, and One Health.
   • Attendance at specialized workshops on regulatory affairs, GMP compliance, and commercialization.
3. Inter-institutional Training and Collaboration Visits
   • Travel for training at partner institutions with GMP biomanufacturing, regulatory, or pandemic preparedness expertise (e.g., ACTM, NRC, VIDO, CASTL, Cytiva, API).
   • Specific training seminars such as Introduction to Regulatory Issues in Biomanufacturing (Trina Racine, VIDO)
   • Short-term training outside of the Hub (e.g., BMC-OHRI)
4. Industry and Government Engagement
   • Travel to engage with government regulatory agencies (e.g., Health Canada) for biomanufacturing projects.
5. Travel for site visits to biomanufacturing and fill/finish facilities F. Indigenous-Led Initiatives
6. One Health-related activities (e.g., zoonotic disease surveillance training, community workshops).
7. Indigenous training related to pandemic preparedness, diagnostics, health equity, traditional knowledge integration
8. Support Indigenous trainees and researchers to attend relevant gatherings (e.g., Indigenous Health Research Symposiums).