CBH Training Awards

Up to $2,500 CAD to support professional development in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, and Data Science (BCBDS).

Offered by the Canadian Bioinformatics Hub (CBH). The program runs twice a year — spring and fall cycles.

On This Page: About Key Dates Eligibility Application Evaluation Disbursement FAQ

About the Program

The CBH Training Award offers up to $2,500 CAD to support trainees' professional development in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, and Data Science (BCBDS). These funds can be used to cover professional development training expenses related to attending tutorials at conferences, workshops, or training events that enhance skills and knowledge in these fields.

As part of CBH's overarching commitment to IDEA, specific award categories with separate funding support equity-deserving groups:

  • Indigenous: Individuals who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis.
  • IDEA: Individuals who identify with equity-deserving groups based on gender, ethnicity, disability, or caregiver status.

Demographic information collected during the application is confidential, not shared with reviewers, and retained for up to two years for aggregate anonymized reporting only.

Key Dates

🌱 Spring Cycle 🍂 Fall Cycle
Application Opens April 15 October 15
Application Due May 15 at 11:59 PM ET November 15 at 11:59 PM ET
Decision Notification July 15 January 15
Event Eligibility Window June 15 – June 14 of the following year January 15 – January 14 of the following year
Apply now: canadianbioinformaticshub.awardspring.ca

Applicant Eligibility

To be eligible, individuals must:

  • Be affiliated with a Canadian institution
  • Have legal status to study or work in Canada and receive funds at a Canadian banking institution; have a valid SIN for the duration of the award
  • Have trainee status for the duration of the event (MSc, PhD, MD-PhD student, or postdoctoral/clinical fellow). Undergraduates are eligible if they have a research position or are completing a second Bachelor's degree.
  • Have a clear plan to attend a training event with learning objectives that develop BCBDS skills
  • Not have received an award in the most recent cycle (e.g. a Fall 2025 recipient is ineligible for Spring 2026 but eligible for Fall 2026)

Qualifying Events

  • ✅ Tutorials at conferences
  • ✅ Seminars
  • ✅ Hackathons
  • ✅ Workshops
  • ✅ Summits
  • ✅ Working meetings
  • ✅ Bootcamps
  • ✅ Summer schools
  • ✅ Online courses (non-degree)
  • ✅ Continuing education (non-degree)

Ineligible Activities

  • ❌ Training activities resulting in university credits
  • ❌ Conferences alone (without an associated tutorial)
  • ❌ Internships and research exchanges

For internships/exchanges, consider BioTalent or MITACS funding.

Application Process

  1. Register on AwardSpring
    canadianbioinformaticshub.awardspring.ca
  2. Request a reference letter from your supervisor, a Thesis Committee member, or a departmental colleague. The letter must include:
    • Applicant's full name, affiliations, current position and program stage
    • Referee's full name, affiliations, and position
    • Institutional letterhead
    • Referee's relationship to the applicant
    • Observation of the applicant's training need and context
    • How the chosen event contributes to research/career goals
  3. Complete the Application tab (personal info, eligibility questions, optional demographics — not shared with reviewers)
  4. Complete the Scholarships tab — reviewed by committee:
    • Current research project and professional goals
    • Training needs
    • Current funding sources (type, not amount)
    • Event details: learning objectives, how the event addresses skill gaps, and estimated budget
⚠️ Note: Applications that use AI tools to write content will be rejected without notification. Spell checking and grammar tools are allowed.

Evaluation Process

A balanced Review Committee with representation across provinces and IDEA qualifiers assesses applications. All personal and demographic information is blinded to reviewers.

Applications are scored on:

  • Clear professional skill development goals
  • Demonstrated training need
  • Identification of a qualifying event that addresses the training need
  • Detailed budget to attend a qualifying event

Final awarded amounts depend on the applicant's justification for event costs. Decisions are communicated via email.

Award Disbursement

Awardees will be required to:

  • Submit Canadian bank account information and SIN for tax purposes
  • Attest that other funding to participate in the event has not been awarded
  • Agree to the Conditions for Funding (acknowledgment of funding, agreement to complete CIHR training modules, etc.)
  • Submit an award report (template provided), including receipts, financial details, and event outcomes, by the deadline in their funding agreement — funds must be returned if the report is not submitted
Tax note: All awardees will receive a T4A slip for the total approved funds. Any associated taxes are the responsibility of the awardee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — international students are eligible as long as they are registered and affiliated with a Canadian institution.

Events contributing to BCBDS skills development, professional development, or research collaboration. Examples: workshops, seminars, hackathons, summits, boot camps, summer schools. Unsure? Email awards@bioinformatics.ca.

No specific list, but all CBW workshops are eligible.

No — you may only apply for a single event per awards cycle.

No. Applications using AI tools to write content will be rejected without notification. Spell checking and grammar tools are allowed.

No. Submission dates and requirements are not flexible — late submissions are not accepted for any reason. Apply in the next cycle.

A per diem is a set amount per meal that varies by country. No meal receipts are needed — you complete a chart indicating which meals per event day are being claimed. Do not claim meals included with hotel stays or provided by the event.

CBH will ask you to complete a new event application for review. The new event must meet your original training need — a new training need cannot be used. If you have a different need, apply in the next cycle.

No. You must attest that you have not received other funding for the same training event.

By the time you submit your training award report. Some modules don't provide a certificate — take a screenshot to show completion. The IDP (Individual Development Plan) module is optional at this time.

Reports are not processed until after the reporting deadline — save receipts and documentation for at least 30 days after that deadline.

Ready to Apply?

Applications are submitted through the AwardSpring portal.

Apply on AwardSpring Full Details on bioinformatics.ca