Clinical, Adjunct, Research (CAR) Promotions
Faculty may apply for promotion between November 23, 2026 and March 8, 2027. All applications are reviewed once annually at the CSM CAR Promotions Committee meeting in the spring.
Who is this for?
This application process is for all non-Geographic Full-Time (non-GFT) faculty, including:
Clinical Fee-for-Service (FFS)
Academic Medicine and Health Services Program (AMHSP) — Major Clinical
Clinical Alternative Relationship Plans (ARP)
Adjunct and Research faculty
Why should you apply?
Updated CAR Promotions Process
Watch this video to learn more about the updated CAR Promotions process.
Promotion Application Checklist
REVIEW THIS CHECKLIST BEFORE YOU FILL IN AND SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION!
If you are unsure, please contact your department administrator.
Any format is acceptable, but the preferred format is the Cumming School of Medicine CV Template, which clearly outlines where to document your activities.
View the 23-minute video summarizing the new criteria and how to decide what belongs in each pillar.
Choose your primary pillar of academic activity (Administrative/Service, Research/Scholarship, or Education/Teaching) and, if appropriate, a secondary pillar.
If you would like a preview of the questions you will find on the CAR Promotions Submission Form, please review the PDF below.
Share your draft CV and cover letter with your Department Promotions Committee (if applicable), or with your department head, mentor, or a trusted colleague for feedback on:
- Any gaps and decide whether this is the right cycle to apply or whether you need to strengthen certain areas.
- Whether your narrative aligns with the criteria for the level of promotion you are seeking
All applications are reviewed for promotion to the rank directly above your current one (for example, from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor). In rare cases, a faculty member’s contributions may warrant consideration at a different level. Any such exception is made only on your department head’s recommendation. If you’re unsure, speak with your department head before submitting. They can review your contributions against the criteria and help you decide on the appropriate level.
Pillars of Academic Activity
Administrative/Service
The Administrative/Service pillar of academic activity (B.2) recognizes contributions that support the governance, operations, leadership, and advancement of the Cumming School of Medicine, the University of Calgary, and its affiliated institutions. This includes service that meaningfully advances the academic missions of teaching, research, and community impact.
Committee participation, departmental leadership roles, curriculum planning, and governance activities within the Cumming School of Medicine and University of Calgary.
Alberta Health Services engagement, quality improvement initiatives, clinical program development, policy work, and board participation that advances healthcare delivery.
Advocacy work, public health outreach, educational programming, equity initiatives, and activities that serve broader populations and address health disparities.
Research/Scholarship
The Research/Scholarship pillar of academic activity (B.3) embraces an inclusive, modern definition of scholarly activity aligned with the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA). This framework recognizes that scholarship extends beyond traditional bench research to include quality improvement, policy development, educational research, innovation, and implementation science.
Principal investigator roles, research team direction, grant coordination, and mentorship of research trainees and junior investigators.
Peer-reviewed manuscripts, books, book chapters, conference presentations, and other dissemination activities that advance knowledge.
Securing competitive grants, managing research budgets, and obtaining resources to support scholarly work.
Patents, technology transfer, product development, and translation of research into practical applications.
Creative professional activities that bridge research to practice, including knowledge translation through educational materials, clinical tools, and community-engaged scholarship.
Education/Teaching
The Education/Teaching pillar of academic activity (B.4) recognizes faculty contributions that advance learning across the continuum of health sciences and medicine. Teaching may occur through diverse modalities and learner levels, acknowledging that excellent teaching happens in a wide range of settings and is evaluated in relation to its context, scope, and impact.
Educational research, curriculum design innovations, and scholarly contributions to teaching methodologies.
Direct teaching hours, learner evaluations, peer observations, and breadth of educational activities.
Program director roles, course coordination, clerkship leadership, and educational committee work.
Creating new curricula, implementing innovative teaching methods, and building educational infrastructure.
Supervising trainees, career advising, research mentorship, and supporting professional development.
Designing evaluation tools, contributing to competency assessments, and improving feedback systems.
Promotion Criteria
The table below provides a high-level summary of the promotion criteria across academic ranks. It is intended as a guide to illustrate expectations and areas of emphasis; applicants should refer to the detailed CAR Promotions document for complete descriptions, examples, and requirements.
| CAR Assistant Professor | CAR Associate Professor | CAR Professor |
|---|---|---|
| Contributions in at least 1 of 3 pillars of academic activity: Administrative/Service, Research/Scholarship or Education/Teaching. | Documented contributions beyond the typical practice of their discipline in at least two of the three pillars of academic activity: Administrative/Service (B.2.1–B.2.3): Primary pillar: Minimum 2 of 3 areas of activity Secondary pillar: 1 of 3 areas of activity Internal to the University of Calgary (B.2.1) is required in all cases Research/Scholarship (B.3.1–B.3.5): Primary pillar: Minimum 2 of 5 areas of activity Secondary pillar: 1 of 5 areas of activity Education/Teaching (B.4.1–B.4.6): Primary pillar: Minimum 3 of 6 areas of activity Secondary pillar: 2 of 6 areas of activity | Documented contributions beyond the typical practice of their discipline in at least two of the three pillars of academic activity: Administrative/Service (B.2.1–B.2.3): Primary pillar: Minimum 3 of 3 areas of activity Secondary pillar: 2 of 3 areas of activity Internal to the University of Calgary (B.2.1) is required in all cases Research/Scholarship (B.3.1–B.3.5): Primary pillar: Minimum 3 of 5 areas of activity Secondary pillar: 2 of 5 areas of activity Education/Teaching (B.4.1–B.4.6): Primary pillar: Minimum 4 of 6 areas of activity Secondary pillar: 3 of 6 areas of activity |
| These contributions must be achieved since the faculty member’s initial appointment. | These contributions must be achieved since the faculty member’s last promotion. | These contributions reflect cumulative activity over a faculty member’s career. |
| Demonstrable contribution to activities of the CSM/UCalgary. | Demonstrable contribution to activities of the CSM/UCalgary. | Demonstrable contribution to activities of the CSM/UCalgary. |
| Faculty should be able to show that their work has meaningfully influenced systems, policy, or practice and has had major impact within their discipline. |
Sample CVs
Explore sample CVs that reflect different areas of academic focus and promotion levels. These examples illustrate how faculty at different ranks (e.g., Assistant and Associate Professor) may present their achievements across primary pillars of academic activity such as Administrative/Service, Research/Scholarship, or Education/Teaching. They are intended to help you visualize how to frame your own work based on your career focus — not to serve as templates, checklists, or exact requirements.
Need help?
There are several options for you to get more help and to learn more about the CAR Promotions process.
Workshops
Attend one of our Navigating the CAR Promotions Portal workshops. Registration will open soon.
December 14, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (online)
December 17, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (in-person)
January 20, 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (online)
January 27, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (in-person)
February 24, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (in-person)
1:1 Support
For guidance on mapping activities to the appropriate promotion pillars and requirements, book time with Fareen Zaver.
For CV review and assistance, book time with Danielle Kiss in December 2026 or January 2027.
Email OFD
Not sure where to turn or which option to choose? Email the Office of Faculty Development (OFD) for support.