2025- EPIC Future Leaders Prizes- Call for nominations

 

The Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium (EPIC) is an integrated network for researchers, trainees and partners working to confront infectious disease challenges. We unite members across the University of Toronto and its hospital partners to accelerate cross-disciplinary work in the understanding of infection and development of new countermeasures against pathogens. A key pillar of EPIC’s work is training the next generation of infectious disease research leaders that will help stop future pandemics and reduce the societal burdens of infectious disease.  

EPIC Future Leaders Prizes celebrate the best and brightest PhD students who graduate each year from among the EPIC research community. These competitive prizes identify the top graduate in each of four streams:  

  • applied and/or translational research  
  • clinical research 
  • fundamental research  
  • population, global and public health research  

Nominees will be put forward by a faculty member (typically their supervisor) who has a primary appointment at the University of Toronto or one of EPIC’s partner research institutes. The nominees will have successfully defended their theses in the preceding calendar year. Prize winners will have submitted an excellent thesis, both in scientific content and communication style, as well as demonstrated a high degree of leadership outside of their scientific pursuits. These merit-based prizes will be awarded by evaluation of the submitted application package. 

EPIC is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. 

In addition to the cash award, winners of the EPIC Future Leaders Prizes may be invited to speak at EPIC knowledge translation events to highlight the innovative and impactful work they accomplished during their graduate studies. They will retain membership in EPIC for the year after they graduate and still receive priority access to EPIC events, including networking and career development sessions. 

Eligibility

Eligible nominees should have successfully defended their thesis in 2024 and,

  • Completed a research project that has an infectious disease focus aligned with one of the following research areas:
    • Applied and/or translational
    • Clinical
    • Fundamental
    • Population, global and public health
  • Present an exemplary scientific thesis that illustrates excellent research, communication skills and impactful findings
  • Demonstrate a track record of undertaking leadership or advocacy roles within the scientific community and/or in community engagement.

The primary supervisor of the nominee must have a primary affiliation at the University of Toronto or one of EPIC’s partner hospitals (the Hospital for Sick Children, the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Unity Health Toronto, and the University Health Network)

    Value and Duration

    EPIC Future Leaders Prize recipients will receive a one-time prize of $5,000 and as well as receive extended access to EPIC events for the year beyond their graduation.

    EPIC anticipates supporting four applications under this competition.

    Awardee Responsibilities

    Awardees must have fulfilled the academic requirements of their degree program and plan of study.  

    Application materials

     

    The nominee form should be submited online. For any questions or concerns, please email epic@utoronto.ca with “Future Leaders Prize” in the subject line.

    The letter should be provided by the primary supervisor or another faculty member at U of T or one of EPIC’s partner research institutes. 

    The letter should comment on the nominee’s development of research skills throughout their training, their accomplishments in their program of study including the impact of their research findings, and the qualities that identify them as a future leader in infectious disease research. For more information please read the eligibility criteria.

    Submit a pdf file to epic@utoronto.ca; kindly use following naming convention: 2025 Future Leaders_[student last name]_[student first name]_nomination letter)

    Demographic Survey

    Both the nominator and the nominee will be asked to complete our demographic survey as part of application process and will receive a link following receipt of all application components. While this survey is required, there is an option to select “Prefer not to answer” for all questions.

    Important Dates

    Call for applications – September 23, 2024

    Deadline to submit all application forms and supporting materials (through the online system) – January 15, 2025, 11:59 pm (EST) 

    Anticipated review period – February/March 2025

    Anticipated Notice of Award – April 2025

    Results

    Related News