New Mitacs-Banting fellowship program will address health inequities due to climate change

Toronto, ON — A new partnership between Mitacs and the Banting Research Foundation will address health disparity and inequality in Canada by supporting postdoctoral scholars in researching the health risks and inequities caused by climate change.

The Mitacs-Banting Discovery Postdoctoral Fellowship will help Canada lead the world in understanding the links between health, equity, and the impacts of climate change. The partnership will also encourage talented young scientists to think broadly beyond their scope of expertise and equip them to be future research leaders.

The Mitacs-Banting Discovery Postdoctoral Fellowship will support research examining health outcomes and inequalities among marginalized and underrepresented communities, while also increasing the quality of internationally competitive, leading-edge research in areas critical to the health, economic, and social well-being of Canadians.

Part of the Mitacs Accelerate Industrial Postdoctoral Fellowship program, the fellowship will support promising postdoctoral scholars in conducting biomedical sciences research, with supervision by faculty/early-career researchers who are previous Banting Research Foundation Discovery awardees from 2015 to 2021.

The fellowship will also offer research training and the development of transferrable skills and competencies that support innovation and long-term employability.

Mitacs-Banting Discovery postdoctoral fellows will share their time between academic institutions and eligible partner organizations. The first call for applications is for a 24-month term, for projects beginning no earlier than October 1, 2022.

Quotes:
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry

“When academia and industry work together, we are equipping ourselves and future generations to better address the impacts of climate change like health risks and inequalities. The Mitacs-Banting fellowship will help develop the cross-cutting solutions we need to ensure no Canadian is left behind as we build a healthier and more sustainable future for all.”

John Hepburn, CEO, Mitacs

“The impacts of the climate crisis have become increasingly evident in recent years. Among these, we see the direct health risks and inequities due to climate change in Canada and across the globe. This new partnership is an investment in the research needed to mitigate those impacts.”

Ridha Ben Mrad, Scientific Director, Mitacs

“The challenge of health inequities caused by climate change involves all sectors of the economy and calls for expertise and insights from across disciplines. This program will expose postdoctoral scholars to theories and methods that complement and build upon their previous experience and expertise.”

Dr. Cathy Whiteside, Chair of the Board, Banting Research Foundation

“We are deeply grateful for this opportunity to once again partner with Mitacs. The new Mitacs-Banting Discovery Postdoctoral Fellowship recipients have the exciting potential to increase our understanding of the health risks of climate change. Through the big bold ideas of our diverse young scientists, we are confident that they can provide fresh insights and help alleviate urgent health challenges through discovery research.”

Grant information and application instructions are available here. The application portal opens on February 1, 2022. Completed letter of intent packages are due June 10, 2022.

About Mitacs:
Mitacs is a not-for-profit organization that fosters growth and innovation in Canada by solving challenges with research solutions from academic institutions. Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada along with the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon. For information about Mitacs and its programs, see mitacs.ca/newsroom.

About the Banting Research Foundation:
Since 1925, the Banting Research Foundation has invested in the early careers of researchers who demonstrate excellence and creativity in health and biomedical science research

Media contacts:
Mitacs
Adam Austen
Communications Manager
514-705-8355 | aausten@mitacs.ca

Banting Research Foundation
Maurine Kwok
Executive Director
ed@bantingresearchfoundation.ca

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