Call for Applications

Opportunity Faculty-linked salary support for a new pain scientist or Early Career Researcher (ECR) in pain-related research, education scholarship, clinical scholarship, knowledge translation, or capacity-building.

Value Up to $50,000 per participating Faculty per year, paid to the Faculty as a contribution toward the candidate’s salary support. Funds are not paid directly to the candidate.

Duration Initial 1-year award. Renewal may be considered annually for up to 5 years, subject to eligibility, contribution, and approval.

Funding year May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027

Applications due July 6, 2026

Decision timing UTCSP Executive Committee review in July

Application Form

Submit to utcsp@utoronto.ca

About the Program

The University of Toronto Centre for the Study of Pain (UTCSP) brings together the Faculties of Nursing, Dentistry, Medicine, and Pharmacy to advance pain research, education, scholarship, knowledge translation, and collaboration across the University of Toronto.

The UTCSP Pain Scientist Talent Development Program is a coordinated annual investment to strengthen pain research capacity. Through this opportunity, UTCSP will select one eligible Pain Scientist/Early Career Researcher from each Faculty to receive targeted salary support where the Faculty is hiring or supporting an emerging pain scientist whose work advances UTCSP priorities. UTCSP funding is provided to the participating Faculty to support the salary costs of the eligible appointment; salary level, appointment terms, and any salary negotiations remain the responsibility of the Faculty.

The intent is to support recruitment, retention, and development of early career pain scientists while creating a visible cross-Faculty UTCSP cohort focused on connection, mentorship, collaboration, and contribution to the broader pain research ecosystem.

Eligibility

• To be considered, the proposed candidate or recruitment must meet, or be expected to meet, the following criteria:
• Full-time equivalent faculty appointment at the University of Toronto, with salary paid by the University of Toronto
• Pain-related research, education scholarship, clinical scholarship, knowledge translation, r related academic work
• Early Career Researcher status, as per CIHR:
• An early career researcher (ECR) is a researcher within five years of the date of their first independent research-related appointment. Given that career progress for an ECR is particularly vulnerable to normal life circumstances, the eligibility window is adjusted, as follows:
• Eligible leaves (e.g. maternity, parental, medical, family medical, bereavement) will extend ECR status (i.e. will not be counted towards the maximum) and are credited as twice the amount of time taken;
• No adjustments are provided for professional leaves (e.g., training, sabbatical, administrative). No adjustments are provided for time spent on non-research related duties or for the pursuit of non-research related career activities.
• Capacity and willingness to contribute actively to UTCSP research, education, trainee development, committees, and community-building activities.

What UTCSP-supported Early Career Pain Scientists Receive

• Recognition as a UTCSP-supported Early Career Pain Scientist
• Connection to a cross-Faculty cohort of emerging pain researchers
• Quarterly cohort professional development meetings to connect, identify shared needs, and explore ways UTCSP can support early career pain scientists
• Grant development support where feasible, including review, feedback, and connection to relevant expertise
• Networking opportunities with senior investigators, committees, trainees, collaborators, partners, and institutional networks
• Opportunities to present at UTCSP events, including the annual scientific meeting
• Support for trainee development, mentorship, education, knowledge translation, and partnership opportunities
• Visibility through UTCSP communications, events, and community-building activities

Expectations of UTCSP-supported Early Career Pain Scientists

• Become and remain an active UTCSP member
• Participate in quarterly UTCSP Early Career Pain Scientist Cohort meetings
• Contribute to UTCSP committees, working groups, initiatives, or strategic priorities, as appropriate
• Present at the UTCSP annual scientific meeting or another UTCSP forum
• Support trainee participation and engagement in UTCSP opportunities, as appropriate
• Acknowledge UTCSP support in relevant presentations, publications, grant applications, reports, and other scholarly outputs
• Share updates on research activity, trainee development, grants, publications, presentations, and other outcomes supported by the program
• Support UTCSP’s broader mandate to strengthen pain research, education, collaboration, and capacity-building across the University of Toronto

Application Package

Please submit the completed application form to utcsp@utoronto.ca by July 6, 2026. Applications should be brief and focused. The screening checklist is designed to confirm eligibility quickly and support Executive Committee decision-making.

Review Process

Applications will be reviewed by the UTCSP Executive Committee in July. Review will focus on eligibility, alignment with UTCSP’s pain research and capacity-building mandate, Faculty commitment and salary administration arrangements, anticipated contribution to UTCSP, and renewal eligibility where applicable.

Contact

Questions and completed applications may be directed to utcsp@utoronto.ca.