Cohort Program

The Cohort program annually accepts a group of 20 clinical trainees, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and ECRs from across Canada chosen through a competitive application process.

Cohort members will have the opportunity to be involved in workshops and retreats, a structured mentorship program, experiential learning, educational workshops, an institute, and have the potential for funding opportunities.

What you’ll learn:

• Key clinical concepts

• Fundamental biology

• Research methodologies

• Critical feminist and gender theories

• Intersectionality between sex, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, and disability

What you’ll gain:

• Skills to pursue a career related to women’s health in various professional settings (e.g., academia, industry, government etc.)

• A platform to launch a career

• Opportunity to build a network and create collaboration opportunities

• Confidence through knowledge acquisition and mentorship relationships

When and where:

Most program activities will occur virtually to facilitate participation from trainees across the country.

Biweekly seminars hosted online on Thursdays from:

PST: 9 - 11am
MST: 10am - noon
CST: 11am - 1pm
EST: noon - 2pm
AST: 1 - 3pm
NT: 1:30 - 3:30pm

Cohort members will also participate in a one week in-person institute.

The 2025 Institute will be held September 22-26, 2025 in Nova Scotia

Who can apply:

Passionate graduate students (those in a masters or PhD program), post-doctoral fellows, clinical trainees, and early career researchers at a Canadian university who are looking to broaden their understanding and knowledge in girls and women’s health across the lifespan. Applications from other professionals may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Deadline for applications:
April 14th, 2025

What you’ll need to apply:

1. Submit a pdf copy of CIHR Biosketch CCV.

2.  Submit a pdf copy of a two-page (maximum) summary of your career trajectory and long-term future career plans, highlighting any relevant professional or lived experience and outlining how participation in the GROWW cohort will help you achieve these goals.

3.  Submit a pdf copy of your university transcripts (unofficial is acceptable).

4.  Submit a letter of support from your research supervisor (graduate students, post-doctoral fellows), program director (medical residents/fellows), or department head/dean (early career researchers). The requirements for the letter of support include:

• Career stage of supervisor (early/mid/late career) (does not apply to ECR)

• What is being done to financially support the applicant (does not apply to ECR)

• Description of applicant’s current stage and anticipated time left in program (does not apply to ECR)

• Applicant will be given protected time to complete GROWW related activities (1/2 day per week but times will vary).

• Letter must speak to the strengths of the applicant

• Confirmation that the applicant has sufficient time left in their training program to participate in GROWW

Financial support:

GROWW is pleased to provide partial scholarship support for some graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, who do not currently hold a major award. A major award is defined as a tri-council award, or a provincial or a university award with a similar value to a tri-council award. Those who hold a major award are not eligible for scholarship awards but are encouraged to apply for GROWW cohort membership only.

Please note if you receive a GROWW scholarship, it is non-transferable. This includes graduation or completion of your current program and transfer to a different institution.

• Graduate students - $10,000/year

• Post-doctoral fellows - $20,000/year

Priority for funding will be given to trainees who are supervised by an early career researcher.

In addition, costs associated with the in-person institute and other experiential learning opportunities will be covered for all cohort members.