KBHN-Autism Alliance of Canada Policy Development Practicum Award
The federal government is taking practical and actionable steps to develop a National Autism Strategy. In recent years, Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) and the Autism Alliance of Canada held policy fellowships, which produced a policy compendium. Work will continue in supporting the creation of this strategy with the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) being selected by the Public Health Agency of Canada to conduct an assessment to inform the development of a National Autism Strategy, focused on three key areas:
- social inclusion,
- economic inclusion
- evidence-based interventions
With a focus on these three key areas, KBHN and the Autism Alliance of Canada are partnering to offer graduate students, postdocs, or research associates the opportunity to contribute to this critical initiative and gain invaluable experience in community partner engagement and policy development.
The call for submissions is currently closed. Please sign up for our newsletter to receive updates about upcoming opportunities.
Overview: Practicum & Award
The KBHN-Autism Alliance of Canada Policy Development Practicum Award aims to encourage trainees from all disciplines and training programs to explore the policy dimensions of their work in the field of Autism.
- Award: $4,000 stipend support and registration fees to attend and present at the Autism Alliance of Canada Leadership Summit and the KBHN Annual Conference
- Award Term: March 1 to December 31
- Eligibility: Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research associates from all disciplines interested in Autism or developmental disability research.
- Application Deadline: TBA
- Award Notice: TBA
Who Should Apply
Applicants should:
- Be able to demonstrate academic excellence in areas related to neurodevelopmental disability research and Autism
- Have interest and motivation to work on policy-related topics
- Be a graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, or research associate interested in Autism or developmental disability research
- The ability to commit 2-5 hours per week
Benefits of Applying
- Understanding the links between research and policy through an immersion experience
- Engaging in a policymaking process on the priority areas for a National Autism Strategy
- Utilizing research to improve policy development, implementation, and evaluation
- Learning how to communicate effectively with a wide range of engaged stakeholders, including Autistic Canadians, service providers, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders dedicated to moving the strategy forward
- Further expanding career opportunities and professional networks
- Learning how to formulate more informed and useful questions for policy-related research
- Strengthening skillsets with professional development opportunities
If You Are Successful
- You will be supported and mentored by KBHN’s Research Training Committee team and the Autism Alliance of Canada’s leadership team.
- You will co-produce a policy brief representing one of CAHS’s three critical areas of assessment of the National Autism Strategy.
- You will attend the Canadian Autism Leadership Summit.
- You will become a highly qualified professional member of KBHN, with access to training and networking opportunities with experts, professionals and health and community partners.
- You may receive a profile at KBHN’s Annual Conference or in the Network’s annual report.
Hear From Our Policy Fellows
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The Kids Brain Health Network and Autism Alliance of Canada policy fellowship has given me the opportunity to explore the physical, academic, and social elements of inclusion and their importance for lifelong learning in different contexts. The highlight of this fellowship for me is working with experts from across disciplines who have helped me shape my own view of inclusive education, which continues to evolve.”
~ Alexandra Minuk |
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The Kids Brain Health Network-Autism Alliance of Canada Policy Fellowship has given me the opportunity to learn about Autism related policy-making from experts, practitioners and people with lived experience in Canada and internationally, which I can apply in my work in policy research.”
~ Christiane Gwendolin Roth |
How to Apply
The call for submissions is currently closed. Please sign up for our newsletter to receive updates about upcoming opportunities.
When you are ready to apply, please submit the following to training@kidsbrainhealth.ca:
- A cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining why we should consider you for the award, and what qualities and expertise you can offer
- Your curriculum vitae (CV)
- A letter of recommendation from your supervisor
Contact Us
If you have any questions about the KBHN National Training Program, or if you want to learn more about the KBHN-Autism Alliance of Canada Policy Development Practicum Award and other opportunities for trainees, please contact training@kidsbrainhealth.ca.
