The federal government is taking practical and actionable steps to develop a National Autism Strategy. The Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorder Alliance (CASDA) and Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) held policy fellowships, which produced a policy compendium to support the work, covering these three areas:

  1. social inclusion,
  2. economic inclusion, and
  3. evidence-based interventions.

KBHN and CASDA are partnering for a third year to offer graduate students, postdocs, or research associates the opportunity to contribute to this critical initiative and gain invaluable experience in the community partner engagement, policy development, and knowledge mobilization.

The KBHN-CASDA Policy Development Practicum Award aims to encourage trainees from all disciplines and training programs to explore the policy dimensions and related knowledge mobilization activities in the field of autism.

  • Award: $4000 stipend support
  • Award term: April 15th, 2022 to January 31st, 2023
  • Eligibility: Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research associates from all disciplines interested in autism or developmental disability research.
  • Application Deadline: February 28th, 2022
  • Award Notice: April 15th, 2022

Why should I apply?

  • To understand the linkages between research, knowledge mobilization, and policy through an immersion experience.
  • To utilize research and knowledge mobilization to improve policy development, implementation, and evaluation.
  • To learn 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.
  • To further expand career opportunities and network.
  • To learn how to develop more adapted and effective policy-related knowledge mobilization solutions.
  • To strengthen skillsets with professional development opportunities.

Who Should Apply?

Applicants should have:

  • Demonstrated academic excellence in areas related to neurodevelopmental disability research and autism.
  • Interest and motivation to work on policy-related topics.
  • Be a graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, and research associate interested in autism or developmental disability research.
  • The ability to commit 2–5 hrs per week.

NOTE: Applications from all disciplines and all Canadian institutions are welcome. Past interns have had academic backgrounds in occupational therapy, education, neuroscience, public health, amongst others. Note that applicants do not need to have completed a policy-focused degree program or have worked in a policy-focused role.

If you are successful

  • You will co-produce a knowledge mobilization solution based on the produced policy compendium developed by the previous cohorts for stakeholders across the country.
  • You will be supported and mentored by KBHN’s research training committee (RCT) team and CASDA’s leadership team.
  • You will present to CASDA membership in webinars in Fall 2022 and an opportunity to speak at the 9th Canadian Autism Leadership Summit (April 2023).
  • You will become a member of the KBHN training program. You will have access to training and networking opportunities with experts, professionals, and community partners.

How Do I Apply?

Please submit the following to training@kidsbrainhealth.ca:

  1. A cover letter, with a maximum of two pages in length, outlining why we should consider you for the award and what qualities and expertise you can offer;
  2. Your curriculum vitae;
  3. A letter of recommendation from your supervisor.

If you have any questions, please email Hajer Chalghoumi, KBHN Training Lead, at training@kidsbrainhealth.ca.