Frequently asked questions

Short Course Information

Q: When and where will the Ecosystem approaches to health short course be held in 2010?
A: The University of Québec, in Montréal, Québec will host the 2010 CoPEH-Can Ecohealth short course from Wednesday June 2nd to Sunday June 13, 2010.

Q: Can I get a university course credit from the CoPEH-Can short course?
A: While the consortium partners will seek to establish the short course as an accredited graduate course in future years, for the 2009 short course at Guelph, no course credit can be given.

Q: What will the short course consist of?
A: Proposed characteristics of the 11 – day course will focus on a mixed method design: field trips, group work, presentations, small group discussions, application of ecohealth approaches in the international and development context. The development of knowledge, attitudes and skills/practices will be emphasized throughout, as will be the ideas of transdisciplinarity, participation, gender and equity. The course will be team taught to represent a broad range of expertise.

Q: I am a professional interested in Ecohealth. Can I take part in the short course?
A: Yes, the ‘Career Development Training’ is designed for this purpose. Up to 5 professionals (e.g. international consultants, veterinary, public health or environmental professionals) will be selected to participate on a fee-paying basis. Registration fees will be $750 Canadian and will cover tuition and participation at all short course events. Those applying for career development training are not eligible to receive a Graduate Training Award, and will need to cover their own travel and accommodation costs. The CoPEH-Can team will seek to facilitate discounted accommodation on Guelph campus where possible. The requirements for the Career Development positions are: holding Canadian citizenship or permanent residency status in Canada; holding a Masters/professional-level education or equivalent experience; demonstrating how this opportunity will develop their career and capacity for work in the field; having an active project, or be developing a proposal for an upcoming project; demonstrating their interest in ecosystem approaches to complex health problems and the relevance of these approaches to their current and future work.

Q: Can I get continuing professional development credits (for example continuing medical education credits) from the CoPEH-Can short course?
A: Applicants will be contacted directly by our team to assess needs for continuing professional development credits. The consortium partners will actively seek to enable continuing professional development credits for the 2009 short course at Guelph where applicable. 

Q: I don't understand French. Can I still take the course?
A: No. The course is bilingual. You are required to understand both spoken and written French and English to attend the course.

Q: I understand French but I am not comfortable speaking French. Can I still take the course?
A: Yes. You will be encouraged to speak in either French or English, of your choice, throughout the entire course.

Canadian Ecohealth Graduate Training Awards Program

Q: Who is eligible for the CoPEH-Can Graduate Awards?
A: Applicants must have citizenship of a developing country, Canadian citizenship, or landed immigrant status in Canada; be registered or accepted to a graduate program (Masters/PhD or residency) at a recognized Canadian university; have an active research or development project, or be developing a proposal for an upcoming project that has potential application in a developing country or in a development context in Canada. Awards are not restricted to any specific discipline and students from all areas including natural sciences, health sciences, humanities, social sciences, traditional knowledge and arts are welcome to apply. Applicants must be able to show a demonstrated interest in ecosystem approaches to complex health problems.

Q: If I am a graduate student interested in Ecohealth but I am not planning on doing international field research, can I still apply for the Canadian Ecohealth Graduate Training Awards Program?
A: Yes. Up to 20 graduate students registered at Canadian universities will be selected to take part in the Ecohealth short course. The preference is for students with graduate work focused on developing countries, northern Canada, and development work, but field research is not a requirement. These students will be eligible for a Graduate Training Award of $1000 to help cover travel and accommodation costs for graduate students to attend the short course. Graduate awardees will not be charged registration to attend the course.

Q: How many CoPEH-Can graduate awardees will receive funding for field research in a developing country or in a development context in Canada under the Ecohealth Research Awards?
A: Up to 4 Master’s or PhD students studying at a Canadian university will receive funding, to a maximum of $17,500 per award. Awards cannot be used to pay tuition fees but may be held concurrently with other awards. Only those who have received a Graduate Training Award and completed the short course will be eligible to apply for an Ecohealth Research Award.

Q: Can I apply for a CoPEH-Can Ecohealth Research Award without attending the short course?
A: No. Candidates must participate in a training course hosted by CoPEH-Can prior to their field work. They would also be required to submit a final report upon completion of their research.

Q: I am a recent graduate from a Master’s program, do I have to start a PhD in order to submit a proposal to the awards program?
A: One of the requirements outlined in the Eligibility Criteria section is enrollment in a graduate program at a recognized Canadian university. If you are currently writing your Master’s thesis, you are still considered a student enrolled in the program since you have paid your tuition fees for the semester. If you have completed your Master’s degree but are not yet enrolled in the PhD program you do not qualify for the Training Awards Program. If you have enrolled in a PhD program but will start your course work only in the Fall, you would still qualify if you provide documentation indicating that you have been accepted into the program and have every intention of working on your PhD. This could take the form of a letter of support from your academic advisor, which is one of the documents required with the submission.

Q: I am a resident in a postgraduate training program (e.g. medical resident, veterinary or nursing specialist training) – should I apply for the ‘Graduate Training Awards’ or ‘Career Development’?
A: Specialist training programs make you eligible to apply to the ‘Graduate Training Awards’ so long as you meet the following criteria: “registered in or accepted to a graduate program (residency) at a recognized Canadian university”.

Q: When are applications due for the Canadian Ecohealth Graduate Training Awards Program?
A: Applications must be submitted online by March 19, 2010. Training Awards will be announced on or before April 16, 2010.

Q: How are applications evaluated?
A: Applications will be evaluated according to demonstrated interest in ecosystem approaches to health; on the quality of the research or project proposal; on the applicant successfully meeting eligibility requirements; on letters of support.
 

Ecohealth Information and Involvement

Q: Where can I get more information regarding Ecohealth?
A: Please read Announcement and Call for Applications. Additional information can be found at the Ecohealth Program Initiative of the International Development Research Center’s website, the website for the EcoHealth Journal and the International Society for Ecosystem Health.

Q: If I am not accepted as a participant in the Canadian Ecohealth Graduate Training Awards Program, are there other ways I can be involved in other CoPEH-Can projects?
A: Yes! The CoPEH-Can website will be updated regularly with ways to get involved, including nodal activities, conferences, meetings, etc. Please see the website for details.