ENRRICH Studentship 2024 - Frequently Asked Questions

We are very excited to have the second year of the ENRRICH summer studentship underway! You can find more information and the application form here. For those interested in applying, we have compiled a few frequently asked questions answered by studentship committee member Alana Slike. Please note, applications MUST be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. on April 5, 2024.

How do I find a supervisor?

ENRRICH researchers work on a wide range of research topics within neurodevelopment and rehabilitation in child health. Our team consists of basic science researchers, epidemiologists, and clinical researchers. To find a supervisor that matches your research interests, I highly recommend reviewing the researchers’ profiles on the ENRRICH website. Then you may email the researcher(s) that fit best with your interests to see if they’re currently accepting summer students. You may also reach out to the ENRRICH coordinator (Heather Normand, enrrich@chrim.ca) for assistance with choosing and contacting potential supervisors. For more advice about contacting a potential supervisor please see Dr. Protudjer’s blog post from last year.

If I am currently working with a researcher or in a lab, can I apply to work for them with this studentship?

The ENRRICH summer studentship aims to form new student/supervisor connections. Students are only eligible to apply with a supervisor and a lab that they haven’t worked with before.

When is the deadline?

The 2024 ENRRICH studentship application is due April 5th, 2024 at 4pm.

How many studentships are awarded?

This year up to six ENRRICH studentships will be offered for the summer of 2024.

When will I find out if I received a studentship?

Students will be notified by April 18th, 2024 and are required to accept or decline the award by April 30th, 2024. Studentships start in early May, but the exact start date can be determined with your supervisor.

How does the selection process (lottery) work?

Applicants are asked to write a cover letter including a self-declaration if they are Black, Indigenous and/or a racially marginalized person. Individuals with this statement will be included in the first round of the lottery. Students who were not selected in the first round of the lottery and students who did not self-declare as Black, Indigenous, and/or racially marginalized will be eligible for the second round of the lottery. Up to three students will be randomly selected in the first round. Up to three additional students will be randomly selected in the second round.

Why do I have to write so much if it is just a lottery?

Although the ENRRICH summer studentship is a lottery, a few writing pieces are required for the application. Applicants are also required to write a short essay outlining their career goals and relevant skills obtained through life, work, volunteer, or academic experiences. Applicants will not be chosen based on their responses; however, these responses will be carefully read to ensure this requirement was met. It’s important to put effort into this piece of writing as it shows your interest in the studentship. Additionally, it allows ENRRICH to learn more about the students who are interested in the summer studentship. It is also important to keep in mind that your potential supervisor will be reading this. It is necessary to make a good impression, and it is also good practice for future applications!

Can I hold two studentships concurrently?

If an individual wins both the ENRRICH studentship and another award (i.e. URA, CHRIM, etc.) they must choose only one award to hold for the summer. Your supervisor, or the ENRRICH Coordinator can help with decision making if it is not clear which award to keep.

What if I have a question that is not answered here?

Reach out! Ask your potential supervisor or contact our ENRRICH Coordinator at enrrich@chrim.ca. We’d love to hear from you.

About the Author

Alana Slike is a MSc student in Dr. Galen Wright's lab at the Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine. Alana completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Winnipeg with a B.Sc. Hons. in Neuroscience. She is currently pursuing a MSc at the University of Manitoba in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. For her MSc project, she is investigating FAN1, a gene implicated in DNA damage repair, as a genetic modifier in the neurodevelopmental disorder Rett syndrome.