The current Training Program has trained over 100 PhD students, postdoctoral fellows and clinical fellows over the past thirteen years. Admission to the program will continue to be based on: 1) excellence of the trainee; 2) the suitability of the research project to the goals and foci of the training program; and 3) a balance in the CIHR pillars. As the Training Program is focused on trainees who have already made the decision to have research form a major part of their career, admission will be restricted to PhD students and postdoctoral fellows. Recruitment and the training program website are coordinated by the Admissions Committee. Recruitment is targeted nationally and internationally, through the website and directly. As a measure of the Program’s commitment to a global approach to infectious diseases, slots were specifically held for international candidates. We have been successful in recruiting to these slots trainees from Kenya, Colombia, and India. We feel strongly that not only should Canadian trainees gain invaluable access to the international training sites, but local students at these international sites should receive access to the Training Program. Recruitment at the international sites will utilize existing networks (such as the University of Nairobi/University of Manitoba Basic Medical Sciences Training Program, trainees working with Ramaiah University or KHPT, and trainees from the Universidad de Antioquia) as well as broad advertising efforts. Admission of the local students will be determined by a committee of Canadian and local researchers working at each international site. Applications are invited from trainees in all of the research disciplines (basic, clinical, social and epidemiological sciences).

Abstract:
For those who are lucky enough to spend a portion of their research career abroad, a common sentiment is that the experience changed their lives and refocused their field of investigation. Imagine the impact on a young researcher of being involved in a training program that not only focuses on international health issues using a multidisciplinary approach, but does so from four major international training sites. From these sites the trainees, both from their own country and international, conduct their research, work as teammates on joint study projects and come together annually for intensive coursework at one of the major training sites. The theme of the International Infectious Disease and Global Health (IID&GH) Training Program is "Four Continents, One Shared Experience." The goal of this Training Program is not only to inform the trainees about the issues, challenges and opportunities of multidisciplinary international health research, but to have them experience it for themselves.

Research Centres:
The Training Program is hosted and administered by the University of Manitoba (Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases). The research centres are sites of major research activities through collaborations with the University of Manitoba (UM). These centres included Winnipeg, Canada (the home of the UM and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory and known nationally for its strength in infectious disease research); Nairobi, Kenya (where contributions to the epidemiology and basic science of HIV transmission and natural resistance to HIV go back 20 years); Bangalore, India (since 2000 a respected leading centre in the development of innovated and effective HIV prevention strategies); and Medellin, Colombia (the newest of the UM’s international collaborative sites and a focus for HIV surveillance and prevention efforts in the region).

The Program:
The IID&GH Training Program has 3 distinctive areas of research focus (HIV, Emerging Infections and microbial resistance, and Global Health) and 4 research themes that intersect these foci (aboriginal health, ethics, knowledge translation, and professional development).

The program consists of a research project and monthly scientific discussions. As well, every two years we offer an academic course at the University of Manitoba called the Ecology of Infectious Diseases (Eco ID). When funding permits, a course is offered at one of the other three research sites.

The academic portion has four elements:
(a) Infectious Minds Scientific Discussion Group, which is a monthly trainee-driven video-conference series linking trainees and mentors from the 4 Research Centres to discuss the latest hot topics
(b) A opportunity to be selected to attend an intensive multidisciplinary course taught at the one of the major research centres (one international course per trainee)
(c) Learning visits, trainees learn from each other by visiting the site and working together on their research project assignment
(d) Symposia/Retreats where the trainees present their research and meet with mentors and invited experts

Applicant Eligibility:
University of Manitoba Based PhD Students
1) The student’s research project must be in one of the programs research foci (HIV, Emerging Infections and microbial resistance, and Global Health). A 3-page description is required.
2) The student must already be accepted into the PhD graduate studies program at the University of Manitoba.
3) The student’s supervisor must be a mentor of the IID&GH Training Program. If your supervisor is not a mentor please click here.
4) The student's host Department must approve an annual 2-week training program course and monthly infectious minds meetings as part of the student's requirements for being in the program
5) A cover letter and curriculum vitae must be submitted with the training program application form.
6) Two letters of reference must be submitted with the application and one letter must be from the student's supervisor.
7) An official academic transcript from the Institution(s) where the student has received undergraduate and/or graduate training.

University of Manitoba Based Post-Doctoral Fellows
1) The fellow’s research project must be in one of the programs research foci (HIV, Emerging Infections and microbial resistance, and Global Health). A 3-page description is required.
2) The Fellow’s supervisor must be University-based and a mentor of the IID&GH Training Program. If your supervisor is not a mentor please click here.
3) The student's host Department must approve an annual 2-week training program course and monthly infectious minds meeting as part of the student's requirements for being in the program
4) A cover letter and curriculum vitae must be submitted with the training program application form.
5) Two letters of reference must be submitted with the application; one letter must be from the supervisor.
6) An official academic transcript from the Institution(s) where the fellow received graduate training.

Applications are invited from PhD and PDF trainees in all of the research disciplines (basic, clinical, social and epidemiological sciences).

International Site Based PhD Students
1) The student’s research project must be in one of the programs research foci (HIV, Emerging Infections and microbial resistance, and Global Health). A 3-page description is required.
2) The student must be accepted into the PhD graduate studies program at one of the partner academic institutions listed below:

• Universidad de Antioquia
• Ramaiah University, or another suitable Indian institution that provides PhD level training
• University of Nairobi

3) The student’s supervisor must be a mentor of the IID&GH Training Program. If your supervisor is not a mentor please click here.
4) The student's host Department must approve an annual 2-week training program course and monthly infectious minds meetings as part of the student's requirements for being in the program
5) A cover letter and curriculum vitae must be submitted with the training program application form.
6) Two letters of reference must be submitted with the application; one must be from the supervisor.
7) An official academic transcript from the Institution(s) where the student has received undergraduate and/or graduate training.

International Site Based Post-Doctoral Fellows
1) The fellow’s research project must be in one of the programs research foci (HIV, Emerging Infections and microbial resistance, and Global Health). A 3-page description is required.
2) The Fellow’s supervisor must be university based and a mentor of the IID&GH Training Program. If your supervisor is not a mentor please click here.
3) The Fellow’s host Department must be based at any of the partner academic institutions listed below:

• Universidad de Antioquia
• Ramaiah University, or another suitable Indian institution that provides PhD level training
• University of Nairobi

The expectation is that successful candidates will be nationally competitive for external awards. Full participation in all of the Training Program’s activities is required.

For a complete description of the program, list of application requirements and list of mentors please refer to the website www.iidandghtp.com

For complete application instructions on submission of an application, please click - HERE

Email inquires can be made to Natasha Hollett