When is the application deadline?

CIP Application Deadline:  see the Application page for the current deadline.

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Can my graduate program be course-based?

No, at UCalgary only thesis based research programs are eligible. The research must be related to your residency program but can be any project from clinical research to medical education to basic science research. See Graduate Science Education (GSE) for some possible graduate programs.

Can I do the Johns Hopkins MPH program in CIP?

No. The Johns Hopkins Master of Public Health is a course-based professional degree. When comparing the MPH with CIP, we encourage you to start with your long-term career goals. An MPH can provide valuable preparation for careers involving public health, health policy, health system leadership, program evaluation and population health. If your goal is to become a clinician-investigator who will lead an independent research program, compete for research funding and supervise research trainees, a course based program may not provide the depth of mentored research experience you will need for that career. CIP is specifically designed to provide protected, specialty focused research training for residents pursuing a clinician investigator career.

Are CIP trainees residents or fellows?

CIP is a Royal College-accredited postgraduate medical training program. While registered in CIP, you are considered a resident rather than a clinical fellow, even if you have completed your specialty examinations.

Residents vs Fellows in PGME

I don't have a Masters, but I want to do a PhD.

If you wish to pursue a PhD but do not yet have a Master’s degree, that is possible. Within the CIP, you would not complete both degrees; instead, you would transfer from the MSc to the PhD program with approval from your graduate program. See the link below for more information.

MSc to PhD transfer process

What if I already have a graduate degree? Is there a postdoctoral program?

• If you already have a thesis-based master’s degree, you are not required to complete another. If the Faculty of Graduate Studies approves your degree and permits you to pursue a PhD, you are eligible to do so within the CIP.
• The postdoctoral program consists of individualized research training appropriate to your previous academic experience and research goals. The training plan must be approved by the CIP Residency Program Committee and the postdoctoral office. A meeting with the CIP Program Director is required before submitting your application.

Can CIP trainees take graduate courses outside their home program or UCalgary?

As part of the CIP, trainees are expected to complete required graduate-level coursework. If the courses you are interested in are not available within your home graduate program (for example, MDCH in GSE) or elsewhere at the University of Calgary, you may be able to take courses at other participating universities through the Western Deans’ Agreement. The WCDGS website outlines eligible institutions and cross-registration processes. You must confirm eligibility, approvals, and registration requirements with your graduate program administrator before enrolling.

Am I eligible for the CIP?

• Candidates must be eligible for Royal College certification (FRCPC or FRCSC) in a primary specialty to receive the CIP Attestation of Completion.
• Candidates in the Subspecialist Examination Affiliate Program (SEAP) are eligible. Those who meet all CIP program requirements will be recognized as Clinician Investigators, with affiliate status at the Royal College. (Updated April 2025)
• Candidates in Royal College Diplomate programs are not eligible, as these programs do not lead to Royal College certification in a primary specialty.
• Family Medicine residents are not eligible, as Family Medicine is not a Royal College–certified specialty.

To be eligible, candidates must also:

• Be a current or recent Royal College resident (prior to any paid clinical employment) and registered with the University of Calgary's PGME in a primary specialty or subspecialty program accredited by the RCPSC.
• Be eligible for admission to, or already enrolled in, a thesis-based MSc or PhD program in Graduate Science Education, or be eligible for an approved individualized post doctoral program through CIP if they already hold a relevant graduate degree.
• Conduct the majority of their research in Calgary and devote a minimum of 80% protected time to research during the CIP.
• Have a research supervisor who meets the requirements of the graduate degree program or approved post-doctoral program.

Note: These are the general eligibility criteria. Specific circumstances may affect eligibility. For questions, contact cip@ucalgary.ca.

I'm interested, what are the first steps?

Before vetting supervisors, committee or research project, potential applicants should:

• As soon as your interest is piqued, arrange a virtual meeting with the CIP administrator by emailing cip@ucalgary.ca .
• Seek approval from your residency Program Director.
• Once you have a proposed research supervisor, meet with the CIP Program Director 3 months before the application deadline. The CIP Admin will help arrange a meeting.

At what point during my residency should I apply?

• Entry is possible during your RCPSC accredited specialty or sub-specialty residency training (typically after your second residency year).
• As every program is different, with different required EPAs. Discussions with your clinical PD will help you determine the best time for your entry into CIP.
• It is possible to begin CIP after completing your residency, provided you have not started any employed clinical position. Typically this means applying to CIP no later than the application deadline prior to the end of your residency. Your RC exams can be written during your time in CIP. 

What about funding?

• A limited number of 2 year Ministry funded positions (at your PGY level) are available. After two years, other external funding for MSc or postdoctoral programs would have to be found. Check here for potential funding sources.
• CIPs enrolled in a PhD program can apply for the CSM funding, available for a maximum of two years beyond the initial two years of Ministry funding. This funding would be in addition to the supervisor's stipend.
• CIP trainees must apply for external funding as part of their training, but acceptance into the program is not dependent on securing it.

Are residents in the AFC diploma programs eligible for CIP?

• No, the Area of Focused Competence (AFC) diploma programs (e.g. Adult Cardiac Electrophysiology, Spine Surgery) are not eligible for CIP. These programs typically require more than the CIP allowed 20% clinical time. 

Where do I start my search for the right supervisor?

• Graduate Science Education (GSE), Cumming School of Medicine, provides a list of potential supervisors here.
• Read through our current CIP and Alumni pages, previous CIP supervisors are mentioned in the bios.
• Speak with your program's research coordinator and your clinical program director.
• Review the research supervisor requirements in Standard 4 of the Royal College's Standards of Accreditation for Clinician Investigator Programs (Indicators 4.2.1.3 and 4.2.1.4). 

This paper by Yoon et al.* discusses six specific recommendations for finding the right supervisor, compiled from CITAC/ACCFC.

•   Yoon et al.  "It begins with the right supervisor: Importance of mentorship and clinician-investigator trainee satisfaction levels in Canada." Clinical & Investigative Medicine 36.6 (2013): 269-276.

Check Institutes for potential supervisors.

• Check the membership of relevant Research Institutes such as Libin (cardiovascular), Children's Hospital, Snyder (chronic diseases such as asthma, Crohn's, arthritis etc and infectious diseases), Charbonneau (cancer), Hotchkiss (neurosciences), McCaig (bone and joint) and O'Brien (public health) .
• Research your potential supervisor. Inquiries that do not reference research by the faculty member you are contacting will likely not receive a response.

Can you tell me something about the different pathways?

• Only the Continuous and Fractionated Training pathways are available at UCalgary. For more information on the CIP pathways check here.
• Other universities which offer the CIP program may have different eligibility requirements, location requirements or available pathways.

Are there any other CIP programs in Canada?

Specific eligibility rules and funding vary between universities.Please contact the relevant program directly.

• Western Canada (University of British Columbia, University of Alberta, University of Saskatchewan, University of Manitoba)
• Ontario (Western University, McMaster University, University of Toronto, University of Ottawa, Queen’s University)
• Québec & Maritimes (McGill University, Dalhousie University, Université de Montréal, Université de Sherbrooke, Université Laval)