Research Excellence, Diversity, and Independence (REDI) Early Career Transition Award 2025

Research Excellence, Diversity, and Independence (REDI) Early Career Transition Award 2025 is sponsored by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Supports underrepresented groups in health research, including immigrant researchers.

CIHR REDI Early Career Transition Award | Research at UCalgary | University of Calgary CIHR Research Excellence, Diversity, and Independence Early Career Transition Award The CIHR Research Excellence, Diversity and Independence (REDI) Early Career Transition Award is a new funding opportunity available to postdoctoral researchers, clinicians, and research associates from specific underrepresented groups to help them launch their research faculty careers in Canada.

The first launch funded 43 trainees , and over 40% have already transitioned to independent faculty positions within 2 years. The 2025-26 competition is open to Black people (any gender); Racialized women; Racialized gender-diverse people and; First Nations, Inuit or Métis people. The 2022-23 competition was open to racialized women (including trans and non-binary women and cisgender women) and Black people.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and partners recently announced a new research opportunity to advance racial and gender equity, diversity, and inclusion in the research ecosystem.

The inaugural offering of the CIHR REDI Early Career Transition Award aims to address historical and longstanding barriers to inclusion, systemic discrimination and racial inequities, lack of mentorship through equity and intersectionality lenses, and disproportionate underfunding for Black people and racialized women, especially in community-based health research.

Support will be available for UCalgary applicants, including: Workshops and resources on embedding EDI into mentorship Advisory Group for mentorship of Black people and racialized women in academia Review of draft applications Funding details on ResearchNet Register to participate in UCalgary program support Award context and objectives Support and resources for applicants Page last updated October 31, 2025.

Self-identify with at least one of the following groups, as defined by the Employment Equity Act and in the CIHR EDI Self-Identification Questionnaire: Stream A: Black (any gender), racialized women, or racialized gender-diverse people Stream B: First Nations, Inuit, Métis scholars (any gender) Hold a postdoctoral researcher, clinician, or research associate appointment that does not have independent research responsibilities.

Up to 6 years of phased funding Phase 1: Mentored (up to 3 years): $20,000/year research allowance, a $70,000/year stipend, mentorship, and career development. Applicants will propose a Research Project for Phase 1 that will establish the foundation for their independent research program as faculty members in Phase 2.

Applicants must work with their Primary Mentor to identify how they will distinguish their proposed research project from their Primary Mentor's research program. Phase 2: Independent (up to 3 years): includes at least $240,000/year in research allowance and salary support, and faculty mentorship.

Proposal must address the evaluation criteria: Experience, training and contributions Career goals and career development plan Equity, diversity and inclusion Applicants are expected to work with their Primary Mentor to prepare the application. Letters of support and supplemental information are also required. See full application requirements on ResearchNet Feb.

2, 2026 : Expression of Interest Register by this date to participate in UCalgary program support March 16, 2025 : Draft Proposal Items Due for Detailed Review Including: Summary of the Research Proposal (1 page) Draft Research Proposal (10 pages English, 12 pages French) Request for Community Engagement and Knowledge Mobilization Supplement, if applicable (1 page) May 4, 2026 : Draft Letters of Support from Mentors Due for Detailed Review June 8, 2026 : UCalgary Institutional Approvals and Complete Application Drafts Due for Final Review Please submit the following to fellowships@ucalgary.

ca : 1) Full complete draft of application 2) Completed and fully executed RFAA Form June 16, 2026 : CIHR final deadline This program is one outcome of the Government of Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy and targeted funding for Black scholars in Budget 2022 and was developed after a process of engagement with health researchers and trainees on their anti-racism action plan.

As reported by CIHR, “Most of the session participants were health researchers and trainees from communities impacted by racism. ” The CIHR REDI Early Career Transition Award is among the federal Tri-Agency EDI initiatives to combat systemic racism and embed equity, diversity, and inclusion in the research ecosystem.

The University of Calgary has numerous initiatives in alignment with these objectives, as signatory to both the Dimensions EDI Charter and Scarborough Charter on anti-Black Racism and Black Inclusion in Higher Education, and through its Research and Teaching Awards EDI Plan.

Such opportunities are part of a broader strategic approach to redress systemic discrimination and barriers, and align with the University of Calgary's commitment to inclusive excellence in research.

Promote research independence and academic research career readiness of highly qualified postdoctoral researchers, clinicians and PhD-holding research associates belonging to specific underrepresented groups; Increase the number of funded researchers from specific underrepresented groups conducting excellent research who secure their first independent research faculty position in a Canadian academic, health system or research institution; and Provide funded researchers from specific underrepresented groups with early career support to enhance their probability of future success in obtaining independent research funding and launching successful research faculty careers in Canada that will contribute to the creation and/or use of health-related knowledge to improve the health of Canadians.

Please take note of these deadlines and their associated tasks, as they are in place to ensure you submit the best possible application for the award. Feb.

2, 2026 : Expression of Interest Register by this date to participate in UCalgary program support March 16, 2025 : Draft Proposal Items Due for Detailed Review Including Summary of the Research Proposal (1 page) Draft Research Proposal (10 pages English, 12 pages French) Request for Community Engagement and Knowledge Mobilization Supplement, if applicable (1 page) May 4, 2026 : Draft Letters of Support from Mentors Due for Detailed Review June 8, 2026 : UCalgary Institutional Approvals and Complete Application Drafts Due for Final Review Please submit the following to fellowships@ucalgary.

ca: 1) Full complete draft of application 2) Completed RFAA Form , signed by: Department Head (if applicable) Dean/Associate Dean (Research) * CSM applicants: Send the form to medgrant@ucalgary. ca for CSM ADR approval. June 16, 2026 : CIHR final deadline February 6, 2023: Register Expression of Interest.

March 13, 2023: Deadline for draft proposal submission. March 27, 2023: Deadline to submit Mentor Letters of Support for review. April 26, 2023: Final internal deadline for complete draft application packages.

May 3, 2023: Final deadline for the applicant to submit to CIHR via ResearchNet.

Support and resources for applicants Mentorship through Anti-Racism and Equity Lens Workshop The CIHR Research Excellence, Diversity and Independence (REDI) Early Career Transition Award is a new funding opportunity available to postdoctoral researchers, clinicians, and research associates from specific underrepresented groups to help them launch their research faculty careers in Canada.

This program is one outcome of the Government of Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy and targeted funding for Black scholars in Budget 2022 and was developed after a process of engagement with health researchers and trainees on their anti-racism action plan.

The CIHR REDI Early Career Transition Award aims to address historical and longstanding barriers to inclusion, systemic discrimination and racial inequities, lack of mentorship through equity and intersectionality lenses, and disproportionate underfunding for Black people and racialized women, especially in community-based health research.

The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is supporting this process through the creation of guidelines, toolkits, and workshops to increase knowledge on mentoring for the requirements of this program and to ensure they are supported to assist racialized women (including trans and non-binary women and cisgender women) scholars and Black scholar mentees in their research journey through equity and intersectional lenses.

The first mentorship session is open to applicants and supervisors or mentors to learn more about the guidelines for mentorship plan requirements for this application and to understand best practices on how to approach mentorship through an anti-racism and EDI lens.

CIHR-hosted information webinars CIHR Webinars: Supporting Applicants for REDI 2025 Monday, December 1, 2025 at 2:30 PM ET | Register (English) Monday, December 15, 2025 at 1:30 PM ET | Register (in French only) February 1 & 2, 2023 | Presentation Slides UCalgary info sessions and workshops CIHR REDI Information Session delivered in partnership by Research Services (Postdoctoral Office), the Office of EDI, and the Cumming School of Medicine.

This session provides an overview of the REDI opportunity, including the context for this offering, the importance of safe and appropriate mentoring for early career researchers who identify as Black and/or as racialized women, the two-phase program structure, advice on key application components and requirements, an overview of support and review services available to applicants, the submission process and timeline, as well as answers to common questions.

Please join us for a comprehensive look at this exciting new program from CIHR, and to learn more about how UCalgary can support you in applying for similar and related upcoming opportunities from the Tri-Agency and other funders. Workshops on Mentorship delivered by the OEDI, RSO, and Advisory Group for mentorship of Black people and racialized women in academia.

Advisory Group for mentorship of Black people and racialized women in academia Comprised of UCalgary faculty who identify as Black people and/or racialized women, the Mentorship Advisory Group is available to advise applicants and those planning to mentor Black people and racialized women trainees and early career scholars, including postdoctoral researchers and early-career research associates, and clinicians.

Mentors will receive guidelines, supports, and workshops to increase knowledge on mentoring for the requirements of this program and to ensure they are supported to assist racialized women scholars and Black scholar mentees in their research journey through equity and intersectional lenses.

Direct questions about finding a mentor, establishing a mentorship network, or effective mentorship of Black scholars or racialized women scholars, to fellowships@ucalgary. ca . Review of draft applications To support you in putting forward the strongest application possible, the Postdoctoral Office will be accepting draft applications for the REDI Career Transition Award using a staged timeline approach.

Draft materials will be reviewed by members of the Advisory Group for mentorship of Black people and racialized women in academia. Submitting important application components prior to CIHR’s agency deadline is strongly encouraged to enable us to work collaboratively with applicants and their mentors to provide iterative feedback and wraparound service in collaboration with the EDI in Research Team.

Articles on racial diversity and mentoring Can I Mentor African-American Faculty? by Kerry Ann Rockquemore in Inside Higher Ed Barriers to the Successful Mentoring of Faculty of Color by Tangier M. Davis, Martinque K.

Jones, Isis H. Settles, and Paulette Granberry Russell in Journal of Career Development Increasing Pathways to Leadership for Black, Indigenous, and other Racially Minoritized Women Authors by Maki Motapanyane and Irene Shankar in Atlantis: Critical Studies in Gender, Culture and Social Justice The Truth about Mentoring Minorities by David A.

Thomas in Harvard Business Review Assessing the need for Black mentorship within residency training in Canada by Onaope Egbedeyi BA, Hadal El-Hadi MD, Tina R.

Madzima MDCM, Teresa Semalulu MD MPH, Modupe Tunde-Byass MB BS, Rukia Swaleh MD; for the Black Physicians of Canada Research Group in Canadian Medical Association Journal Publications – Eliminating systemic racism on CIHR website A Guide for non-Black Mentors of Black Students and Underrepresented Students of Color in STEM by Veronica Padilla Vriesman New Collaborative Builds Primer for Missing Black Health Curriculum by Françoise Makanda for the University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health Research and Teaching Awards EDI Plan The UCalgary Research and Teaching Awards Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Plan was developed to embed a foundational commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the identification and nomination of candidates for external research and teaching excellence awards.

The Scarborough National Charter on anti-Black racism and Black Inclusion in Higher Education: Principles, Actions, and Accountabilities is a commitment by institutions across Canada to combat anti-Black racism and foster Black inclusion in higher education. View UCalgary's collection of institutional EDI Data, including the EDI Dashboard, at the EDI Data Hub.

Familiarize yourself with relevant terms with the OEDI's Language of EDI Glossary and terminology provided by CIHR. I don’t have a PhD yet, am I eligible? Individuals who expect to hold a PhD by February 1, 2027 may be eligible if they also meet the other eligibility criteria outlined in the description of the funding opportunity.

Please contact Research Services about your specific eligibility and we will confer directly with CIHR as necessary. How does CIHR define an eligible postdoctoral researcher? A PhD-holding postdoctoral researcher at a CIHR-eligible academic institution, health system or research institution.

University of Calgary is a CIHR-eligible academic institution. How does CIHR define an eligible clinician? A clinician holding an MD, DVM, DDS or a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree-holding allied health professional in either a post-doctoral position, or a faculty position denoting independence in clinical responsibilities but not in research, at a CIHR eligible academic institution, health system or research institution.

How does CIHR define an eligible research associate? A research associate or equivalent who is a PhD-holding researcher employed at a CIHR eligible academic institution, health system or research institution. UCalgary applicants in this category will require a "Letter Confirming Not an Independent Researcher" from their Department Head or Dean confirming that the position does not include independent research duties.

What is experience-based, culturally responsive mentoring? This refers to a broad approach to mentoring of researchers in which the different backgrounds and experiences of research trainees can inform and guide the nature of their mentoring. For more information, CIHR has cited a definition supplied by the National Academies .

[2023] Why is an attestation of my identity required for this application? Please note that this institutional requirement is currently under review for the 2025-26 cycle of REDI. [2023 cycle] The University of Calgary takes its commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility seriously, as well as its obligations to the funding agency under CIHR’s Application Administration Guide and other tri-agency regulations.

Accordingly, a completed attestation is a necessary step before the university will endorse an individual’s REDI application. Are there any priority research areas identified for this opportunity?

This funding opportunity will support projects relevant to the following research areas: Health-related research across CIHR's mandate (general) Aging Person in an Aging Society Brain Health and Cognitive Impairment HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted and Blood-borne Infections (STBBI) Human Development, Child and Youth Health Infectious Disease and Immune System Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies How competitive is this funding opportunity?

CIHR has enough funding for approximately 50 awards nationally in 2026. Is this funding opportunity open to international applicants? Yes, applicants to this opportunity can be a Canadian citizen*, a permanent resident*, or a citizen of another country**.

*Applicants with Canadian citizenship or permanent residency are eligible to hold their Phase 1 awards outside or inside Canada. For Phase 2, refer to the Supplementary Information for Phase 2 of the CIHR REDI Early Career Transition Award . **Applicants who are neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents are only eligible to hold their Phase 1 award in Canada Who can be considered a mentor for this opportunity?

CIHR and the University of Calgary acknowledge that community-based and non-academic mentors play a crucial role in supporting emerging researchers with culturally-responsive mentorship . For this opportunity, you must identify a Primary Mentor , who will serve as your advocate and advisor.

The Primary Mentor must be an Independent Researcher at University of Calgary; however, the mentorship plan can involve a network of up to 5 additional mentors, who need not hold academic positions. Mentors who do not hold an academic appointment must attach an Applicant profile CV (maximum three pages). What is meant by the term racialized person?

CIHR uses the term "racialized" as an alternative to "visible minority" as defined in the Employment Equity Act and the Tri-Agency’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Self-identification Questionnaire . This definition is consistent with that used in CIHR and Tri-Agency documents such as Dimensions and the NFRF Best Practices in EDI Research .

The Employment Equity Act defines members of visible minority groups as “persons, other than Aboriginal [Indigenous] peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour. ” The Statistics Canada standard identify visible minority population groups as follows: Arab, Black, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Latin American, South Asian, Southeast Asian and West Asian.

For more information on other elements of the program, you may refer to the CIHR’s Frequently Asked Questions and CIHR’s funding call for more information on the use of this term. Please also see the Glossary of Terms used in the University of Calgary’s Equity Censuses to more broadly understand the terms visible minority and racialized. See: OEDI website Who is included in the term racialized?

CIHR uses the term “racialized” as an alternative to “visible minority” as used in the Employment Equity Act . It is intended to capture those who identify as belonging to one or more of the following population groups: Arab, Black, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Latin American, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and/or West Asian.

See also: Statistics Canada If you have additional questions, please contact the Postdoc Office team at postdoc@ucalgary. ca.