Funding Categories:

Graduate Students

PCHR funding per year: $18,000 Master's; $21,000 (plus $1,000 research allowance) MD, PhD

Post-Doctoral Fellows

PCHR funding per year with benefits: $40,000 or $50,000 plus $5,000 research allowance

Community Learners

PCHR reimbursement to their employer for 7 hours per week of their time at their current rate of pay (not including benefits), up to $38.50 per hour (unless otherwise negotiated with Management prior to enrollment with PCHR).

All learners have access to a $1,500 education fund per their tenure with the program.

Policy on Earnings from Other Sources:

August 26, 2005

These policies are applicable to Post-Docs and Graduate Students who receive funding from PCHR (not Community Learners).

PCHR funding is a training award from CIHR, and is managed by UBC, so both CIHR and UBC policies are applicable.

1) CONCURRENT AWARDS

CIHR Policy: “Awardees may not hold both a training award and another federally funded training award.”

UBC Policy: No one can have “both an award and a fellowship salary at the same time”. PCHR funding is a fellowship salary. UBC’s definition of “an award” in this context is one that is processed through UBC (e.g., SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, MSFHR). As of August 26, 2005 this includes “University Graduate Fellowship” awards (UGFs).

Therefore full PCHR funding cannot be given to those with a SSHRC, an NSERC, another CIHR, a UGF, a MSFHR, or any other award that is processed through UBC. It is PCHR policy, however, that we can provide some “top-up” money to enhance one of these other awards as long as the total combined amount does not exceed the amount of a full PCHR award.

2) AWARD EXTENSIONS

Both CIHR and UBC require that at least one other application for other funding be submitted, before a PCHR extension can be considered. UBC requires this be to at least one of the following: SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, MSFHR (an application for a UGF is automatically included in a SSHRC, NSERC, or CIHR application). PCHR funding can only be extended if this application is unsuccessful.

3) CONCURRENT EMPLOYMENT

CIHR policy: “Awardees are expected to spend at least 75% of their time in research training. An awardee may, with the approval of the supervisor(s), earn additional amounts from other sources, including research grants. For example, they may engage in and accept remuneration for limited departmental activities that contribute to their development as independent researchers. Awardees may instruct for a maximum of 200 hours per year, provided that this does not interfere with their research training.”

On October 8, 2008, the PCHR Steering Council approved the creation of a policy for all PCHR Learners who take time off from program activities.  Time away from program activities could involve vacation, attending a conference, workshop, etc.  This policy only pertains to paid learners within the program.  Details of these guidelines as determined by PCHR Management are outlined below.

PCHR does not provide paid vacation time for Academic or Community Learners.  Stipends are paid based on the hours spent on PCHR activities as outlined in the PCHR Letter of Offer/Acceptance.

All PCHR Learners (Postdoctoral Fellows, Academic Learners, Community Learners) are required to inform PCHR Management of any leaves of 10 or more working days.  As a matter of courtesy, PCHR Management asks that they be informed of any leaves of less than 10 days.

Absences from PCHR that take place within a period of 10 or more working days will be unpaid unless a written request, and subsequent written authorization, is received from the Director, Dr. Jim Frankish.  Required hours per week are as outlined in the signed PCHR Letter of Offer/Acceptance, which is specific to each learner category.

Learners are encouraged to discuss any upcoming leave(s) with their Cluster Co-Convener, and if possible, agree upon a plan to make up the PCHR hours missed.  If the Cluster Co-Convener is in agreement, stipends will not be withheld.  This will be determined on a case-by-case basis, and will be discussed with PCHR Management.

PCHR acknowledges the time constraints that can be placed on learners in striving to achieve a balanced approach to their participation within the program.   Ultimately, our funding policies are dictated by the guidelines as set out by our Funder, CIHR, and UBC.