Funding Available through the CPA

For CPA-funded research grants, at the time of application and if successful, over the term of the grant, the applicant/grantee must be a graduate student affiliate in good standing of the CPA, enrolled full-time in a psychology graduate program at a provincially or territorially chartered Canadian University. The applicant’s/grantee’s direct supervisor must also be a member in good standing of the CPA at the time of application and if successful, over the term of the grant.

Please ensure your CPA member/affiliate status is in good standing to meet the application deadline. CPA Section Associates are NOT eligible to apply.

• Please note the following special membership requirements to be considered for the CPA-CSBBCS grant: between you and your supervisor, there must be a member in good standing for both organizations [e.g., if the student applicant is an affiliate of the CPA, the supervisor must be a member of CSBBCS, or vice versa. If the student applicant is an affiliate of the CPA and the CSBBCS, the supervisor can be a member of either organization, or vice versa]. CPA Section Associates are NOT eligible to apply.
• Please note the following special membership requirements to be considered for either BMS Grant: between you and your supervisor, there must be a member in good standing for both organizations [e.g., if the student applicant is an affiliate of the CPA, the supervisor must be a member of a Provincial/Territorial association (https://cpa.ca/public/whatisapsychologist/PTassociations/, or vice versa. If the student applicant is an affiliate of the CPA and a P/T Association, the supervisor can be a member of either organization, or vice versa]. CPA Section Associates are not eligible to apply.
• Students can only be funded once from each funding opportunity
• Proposals with co-applicants will not be accepted/considered.

Applications must be submitted electronically via a specific link (see table for link).

Applications can be submitted in English or in French.

Application requirements include:

1. An abstract of 250 words or less summarizing the research or focus of the leadership activity.
2. A description (maximum 5 double-spaced pages including references, figures) outlining the rationale and background, feasibility, design and methods, potential impact, and originality
3. Status/proof of REB review process if required for project (either confirmation of submission [email submission confirmation] for ethics review OR confirmation of ethics approval)
4. Specific amount requested, including an itemized budget.  Any other funding sources received for this project must be disclosed at the time of application.
5. CV of applying student.
6. A statement from the student's department chair that the department supports the student's application and will comply with the CPA’s rules for funds administration if the student's application is successful. The letter must note that expenditures will only be authorized once REB approval or registration is obtained.  The appropriate University administrator's name, email address, postal address, title, and business phone number should be indicated.

The adjudication committee will consider the following in evaluating proposals:

1. Applicant’s Qualifications
   • Scholarships & Awards
   • Publications
   • Conference Presentations & Other Relevant Experience
2. Merits of Proposal
   • Rationale & Background
   • Feasibility, Design & Methods
   • Potential Impact & Originality

For funded projects, the CPA will release funds, to the student’s academic institution, upon receiving a valid certificate of compliance from the Research Ethics Board (REB) of the applicant’s institution along with confirmation of affiliate/membership status from the CPA’s and/or other relevant association’s Membership Department.

Grant funds are administered through the institution’s administration system. The student grantee authorizes expenditures in accordance with the CPA’s policies and requirements, as outlined here, and with institution policies. No one may initiate or authorize expenditures from the CPA grant account without the student grantee’s delegated authority. Each institution establishes appropriate procedures, systems, and controls to ensure that the CPA’s requirements are followed. The institution has the right and responsibility to withhold and withdraw approval of expenditures proposed by a student grantee that contravene the CPA’s requirements or the institution’s policies and, when appropriate, to seek advice or ruling from the CPA as to eligibility of expenses.

Grant funds must contribute towards the direct costs of the research for which the funds were awarded, and the benefits should be directly attributable to the grant. The institution pays for the indirect or overhead costs associated with managing the research funded by the CPA.

Should a situation arise where funds need to be released directly to a student, the CPA will be required to issue a T4A as per Canadian tax regulations; in that instance, the CPA will be in touch with all successful applicants with the secure means of providing the CPA with one’s Social Insurance Number.

ELIGIBLE EXPENSES

• Research personnel (e.g., research assistant)
• Consulting fees (e.g., programmer, statistician)
• Fees paid for the purpose of participant recruitment, such as modest incentives to consider participation (i.e., to establish a potential participant pool), where approved by a Research Ethics Board
• Materials

NON-ELIGIBLE EXPENSES

• Costs of alcohol
• Costs of entertainment, hospitality and gifts
• Travel/registration/accommodation costs related to attending a conference
• Costs related to staff awards and recognition
• Education-related costs such as thesis preparation, tuition, and course fees, leading up to a degree
• Costs involved in the preparation of teaching materials
• Costs of basic services such as heat, light, water, compressed air, distilled water, vacuums and janitorial services supplied to all laboratories in a research facility
• Insurance costs for buildings or equipment
• Membership dues/fees in professional associations
• Costs associated with regulatory compliance, including ethical review, biohazard, or provincial or municipal regulations and by-laws
• Monthly parking fees for vehicles, unless specifically required for field work
• Sales taxes to which an exemption or rebate applies
• Costs of regular clothing
• Patenting expenses
• Costs of moving a lab

Successful applicants will be expected to provide a final (or progress) report to the CPA’s Scientific Affairs Committee (science@cpa.ca) of the outcome of their research (approximately 500 words) within 18-months of receiving funding. Successful applicants will also be expected to submit a 150-word write up of their research for Psynopsis, the CPA’s quarterly magazine. The CPA should be acknowledged in any publications or presentations resulting from the research.