Objective

The vision of the Artificial Intelligence for Public Health (AI4PH) Health Research Training Platform (HRTP) is to enable skill development and capacity for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) innovations in public health research and practice that have a critical focus on equity and disease prevention. We aim to support training for AI applications that will address health inequities and support learners in developing a critical understanding of AI technologies’ impact on health inequities.

The Artificial Intelligence for Public Health and Health Equity Trainee Scholarship Program is intended to support trainee projects aligned to the goals of the AI4PH HRTP and provide supervision of Masters, PhD, DrPH, and postdoctoral fellows by our named mentors who span disciplinary areas of  public health, computer science, biostatistics, equity, policy, and ethics. We aim to empower trainees in both research and applied public health settings with the knowledge to understand the role of AI and the skills to apply AI methods to real public health issues in different contexts.

Candidates must meet the following criteria at the time of submission:

⇒ For PhD, DrPH or MSc trainees be registered (or will be registered by Fall 2024) in a full-time graduate program for the duration of the scholarship at a Canadian academic institution. For postdoctoral trainees, have completed all PhD degree requirements by the start of the award and registered as postdoctoral trainee at the time of the award.

⇒ Strong record of research and academic excellence commensurate with career stage

⇒ Research track record and the proposed project will clearly demonstrate:

• • Scientific rigour and clearly articulated research skills and assets
  • Alignment with the mission of the AI4PH Training Platform, including Relevance to public health systems/public health system partners and strong equity considerations

⇒ Must be supervised or co-supervised by an AI4PH mentor.

⇒ Must be in the first, second or third year (if applicable) of their program/fellowship.

⇒ The Supervisor(s) should have:

• • An area of expertise that aligns with the trainee’s proposed research and the goals of the AI4PH HRTP.
  • A clear plan to integrate the trainee into their existing professional and academic networks
  • Be based and can hold funds at a Canadian academic institution and permitted to supervise a trainee.

⇒ We encourage co-supervision or committee members from a complementary discipline covering AI, public health, equity and ethics

 ⇒ AI4PH is strongly committed to equity and diversity and encourages applications from racialized persons, persons of colour, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons living with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of scholarship in the area of AI and public health. 

The AI4PH review committee will adjudicate applicants on an annual cycle. Each year they will offer scholarship support at the Masters’s, doctoral and postdoctoral level. There are two possible funding levels for Master’s and Doctoral students, as indicated below. The full stipend is for those who do not currently hold a major tri-council (i.e. NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC) graduate award. For successful applicants that hold a major award, a top-up stipend will be awarded instead of the full amount. The postdoctoral award is a top-up only stipend awarded at one level. For doctoral and postdoctoral awardees, there is an opportunity to apply to renew funding for up to 3 years.

Funding period: 1 year (2023-2024 dates will be posted soon!) 

Amount:
Postdoctoral top-up stipend: 20,000 CAD
Doctoral (PhD and DrPH):  20,000 CAD (full) or  9,000 CAD (top-up)
Masters (MSc or MPH):  15,000 CAD (full) or 6,000 CAD (top-up)

⇒ AI4PH HRTP community participation

• • Engaging with faculty members and other trainees through AI4PH events
  • Invitation to present at the annual capacity-building workshop and webinars offered throughout the year
  • Join and participate in the AI4PH Slack channel

⇒ Acknowledge AI4PH-HRTP funding in all related publications and presentations

⇒ Submit a final report summarizing trainee research and provide metrics on products that were created during the scholarship funding period (e.g., publications, presentations, etc.)

⇒ Commit to becoming an AI4PH alum and engage in alumni activities, including mentorship and networking with future funded trainees

⇒ Quality of the research proposal and public health impact (50%)

⇒ Alignment with the AI4PH HRTP goals (30%)

⇒ Quality of the training environment (20%) 

Can I apply if I am working on a group project/can multiple people who are working on the same project apply?
⇒ You need to have your own project for this scholarship. Your project may be part of a larger undertaking, but your own individual work needs to be apparent in your application. 

Can International students apply?
⇒ International students can apply if they are registered at a Canadian university. 

Can MD students apply?
⇒At this time, only Masters, doctoral, and postdoctoral applicants are accepted. Medical student applicants will not be considered.

Do you have to have publications prior to application?
⇒ No. If your application is accepted, any future publications based on work conducted during this scholarship should acknowledge AI4PH-HRTP funding. 

Do applicant projects have to clearly align with the expertise or research program of an AI4PH mentor?
⇒ Yes. Information about our AI4PH mentors can be found halfway down this page: https://ai4ph-hrtp.ca/about/ 

Can you apply if you are only in the starting phase of a project?
⇒ Yes!

How many applicants will be selected?
⇒ We currently have funding for 10 scholars per year.

Are 4th year PhD students/candidates eligible?
⇒ At this time, no. Only 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year applicants (at the time of their submission) are eligible. 

Are applicants who come from other fields (for example communications or media programs) eligible?
⇒ Any applicants who are in a Masters/ doctoral/ postdoctoral program are eligible. 

Do succesful applicants have to work with an AI4PH mentor?
⇒ Yes. Successful applicants must work with an AI4PH mentor. If you have a current supervisor, we encourage co-supervision with one of our AI4PH mentors

When will the final list of those who got the scholarships be released?
⇒ Applicants will be notified of the results of the review process in August.

Do we need references/reference letters for this application?
⇒ Yes – 2 reference letters are required. There is further guidance on references in the application form.

Can one of my references be an AI4PH mentor?
⇒ If a reference is a mentor, and NOT your supervisor/co-supervisor, their letter will be accepted. We require referees that DO NOT include your supervisor/co-supervisors. 

Can I apply for multiple funding streams (Doctoral & Masters, for example)?
⇒ No – please only apply for one type of award. Pick the award that best applies to your degree program. 

If you would prefer to review this entire page and application form in French, please email ai4ph.dlsph@utoronto.ca