TRACTION
WHAT IS TRACTION?
TRACTION: Training in Research And Clinical Trials in Integrative ONcology
CIHR Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) Mentorship Chair in Innovative Clinical Trials
Objectives and Scope:
The TRACTION program is designed to provide trainees at all levels (undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral) with a comprehensive, individualized training experience focused on learning the essentials of research in psychosocial oncology, integrative oncology and behavioural clinical trials research, through a framework of patient-oriented research.
Integrative Oncology is defined as an evidence-based sub-specialty that uses complementary therapies (such as mind-body therapies, energy therapies, natural health products, nutritional interventions and/or exercise) in concert with medical treatment to enhance its efficacy, improve symptom control, alleviate patient distress and reduce suffering.
Strategic Objectives of the TRACTION Program:
1 Attract and train students in innovative patient-oriented clinical trial methods
2 Train students in patient-reported outcomes, patient engagement and knowledge translation
3 Engage trainees as team members for ongoing innovative trials
4 Provide opportunities for trainees to develop mentoring skills
5 Support trainees to publish research, attend and present at conferences
6 Enable trainees to engage with community partners in knowledge transition and program dissemination
Trainees will be accepted for one-year intervals and can re-apply each year that they are registered in a degree program, receiving funding for a maximum of three years. Each trainee will develop an individualized study program appropriate to their level of training based on a wide range of opportunities which could include salary support, fees for courses and training programs, conference expenses and travel funds.
Eligibility General
Students must be currently enrolled in a program of study that includes research training in some aspect of integrative oncology. Priority will be given to those conducting clinical research. Students must be studying at the University of Calgary under one of the TRACTION program mentors.
UNDERGRADUATE
-
Each undergraduate must choose at least 2 opportunities from section A (training courses), one of which must be Dr. Carlson’s seminar course on Clinical Behavioural Trial Design in Integrative Oncology for the first year in the program, and the Advanced Methods course for the second year in the program.
-
Each undergraduate must also choose 1 option from Section B (lab meetings) to attend throughout the year.
-
Each undergraduate student is eligible for up to $1,000 to support registration and travel to any conference in Section C (or related conference) if they are presenting their work as a poster or oral talk. A portion of this funding can also be used to support any online courses which require a fee.
-
Undergraduates are not eligible for salary support.
GRADUATE
-
Each graduate student must choose at least 3 opportunities from section A (training courses), one of which must be Dr. Carlson’s seminar course on Clinical Behavioural Trial Design in Integrative Oncology for the first year in the program, and the Advanced Methods course for the second year in the program.
-
Each graduate student must also choose 1 option from Section B (lab meetings) to attend throughout the year. They are also encouraged to attend one other mentor’s lab meetings if possible.
-
Each graduate student is also eligible for up to $2,000 to support registration and travel to any conference in Section C (or related conference) if they are presenting their work as a poster or oral talk. A portion of this funding can also be used to support any online courses which require a fee.
-
Graduate students are eligible for full or partial salary support to a maximum of $25,000 for Master’s level and $27,000 for PhD, including all sources of funding. Applicants must apply for other external sources of funding during their first year as a TRACTION fellow in order to be eligible for salary top-ups. Maximum salary top-up is $2,000 for Masters and $3,000 for PhD. Salary support will be awarded for one year maximum as a TRACTION fellow.
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW
-
Each PDF must choose at least 4 opportunities from section A (training courses), one of which must be Dr. Carlson’s seminar course on Clinical Behavioural Trial Design in Integrative Oncology for the first year in the program, and the Advanced Methods course for the second year in the program.
-
Each PDF must also choose 1 option from Section B (lab meetings) to attend throughout the year. They are also encouraged to attend one other mentor’s lab meetings if possible.
-
Each PDF is also eligible for up to $2,500 to support registration and travel to any conference in Section C (or related conference) if they are presenting their work as a poster or oral talk. A portion of this funding can also be used to support any online courses which require a fee.
-
PDFs are eligible for full or partial salary support to a maximum of $53,000, including all sources of funding. Applicants must also apply for other external sources of funding during their first year as a TRACTION fellow in order to be eligible for salary top-ups. Salary support will be awarded for one year maximum as a TRACTION fellow.
-
PDFs are eligible for full or partial salary support to a maximum of $53,000, including all sources of funding. Applicants must also apply for other external sources of funding during their first year as a TRACTION fellow in order to be eligible for salary top-ups. Salary support will be awarded for one year maximum as a TRACTION fellow.