Preparing the Next Generation of Clinical Trials Professionals: Canadian Clinical Trials Training Platforms (CTTP) and SHRF Partnership
- Chelsea Cunningham for SHRF
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Full news release from CANTRAIN found here.
CANTRAIN (The Canadian Consortium of Clinical Trial Training), in partnership with CAN-TAP-TALENT (the Canadian Training Platform Leveraging Existing Networks), CBITN (the Canadian Behavioural Interventions & Trials Network), and StrokeCog (Innovative Clinical Trials Training Initiatives for STROKE and COGnition) have shared the results of the Canadian Clinical Trials Training Platforms (CTTP) Studentship/Fellowship Awards Program 2025-26 Competition.
The CTTP Studentship/Fellowship Awards Program fosters interest in and strengthens capacity for clinical trials in Canada by addressing a key challenge: ensuring access to resources and a strong understanding of methodologies, regulations, and reporting frameworks specific to the Canadian clinical trials ecosystem, while also attracting and retaining highly trained students by reducing financial barriers, expanding hands-on training opportunities, and improving access to mentorship and career development.
The CTTP have partnered with Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) and other provincial and national co-funders to award over $2.1 million in funding to 79 clinical research-focused graduate and postdoctoral awardees.
SHRF has co-funded three Saskatchewan-based studentships in the 2025-26 cohort.
Kylie Arsenault, University of Regina, CANTRAIN Doctoral Studentship recipient, shares: “I am honoured to be a recipient of the CANTRAIN 2025-2026 Doctoral Studentship! This opportunity will be instrumental to my growth as a researcher, equipping me with the knowledge and skills to lead patient-centred clinical trials aimed at improving the psychosocial well-being of adults living with cystic fibrosis. I am excited to collaborate with, and learn from expert clinical trialists, academic and patient-partner mentors, and fellow trainees over the coming year.”
The Funded Studentships:
Kylie Arsenault, University of Regina
CANTRAIN Doctoral Studentship
Supervisor: Kristi Wright
Feasibility and Effectiveness of an Adapted Virtual Group Cystic Fibrosis-Specific Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CF-CBT) for Adults with CF on Highly Effective Modulator Therapies: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial
Saba Salimuddin, University of Regina
CBITN Doctoral Studentship
Supervisors: Heather Hadjistavropoulos and Kelly Adlam
Enhancing Client Stories in Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Perinatal Birthing Parents: a Mixed Methods Study
Emma Finch, University of Saskatchewan
CANTRAIN Doctoral Studentship
Supervisor: Darryl Adamko
Targeted Urine Metabolomics for Enhanced Diagnosis of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy in Newborns
About Clinical Trials Training Platforms (CTTP) - A $250 million investment from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) through the Clinical Trials Fund, established in 2021, was designed to strengthen Canada’s clinical trials ecosystem by supporting research and infrastructure. This funding led to the creation of the Pan-Canadian Accelerating Clinical Trials Consortium (ACT) and seven Clinical Trials Training Programs (CTTP). Through this initiative, the federal government has made substantial contributions to enhancing coordination and collaboration across the clinical trial landscape, building training platforms to expand capacity, and directly supporting trials through operating grants.
CANTRAIN (Canadian Consortium of Clinical Trial TRAINing) was established in 2023 through a grant from CIHR’s Clinical Trials Fund, with the goal of creating a dedicated national training platform for clinical trials. Based at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) in Montreal, CANTRAIN provides competency-based, online learning and career development support nationwide to ensure all Canadians are better prepared to participate in clinical trial research.
CAN-TAP-TALENT (Canadian Training Platform for Trials Leveraging Existing Networks) is intended to meet the need for increased clinical trials capacity and expertise in Canada, in order to efficiently answer critical questions in the context of our own diverse population and unique healthcare systems, reduce redundancies, streamline state-of-the-art training of highly qualified personnel (HQP), and produce Canadian-led clinical trials with global impact.
CBITN (Canadian Behavioural Interventions and Trials Network) is a specialised panCanadian training platform to support the development, testing and delivery of behavioural interventions using innovative approaches and trial designs. CBITN’s vision is to be world leaders in promoting and advancing behaviour change interventions for the purpose of improving the health and quality of life of individuals and communities.
StrokeCog is an equity, diversity, inclusivity and accessibility (EDIA)-centered training platform that redefines how stroke clinical trials expertise is developed in Canada. StrokeCog’s vision is to innovate new approaches to clinical trials training that directly embed evidence-based EDIA principles at every stage, to create sustainable change in the systems of clinical trial design and conduct in Canada.
For more information contact:
Awards Committee at awards@wecantrain.ca or Valérie Simon (Communications Specialist, CANTRAIN) at valerie.simon@wecantrain.ca
About SHRF - Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) is the provincial funding agency that funds, supports and promotes the impact of health research that matters to Saskatchewan. SHRF collaborates with stakeholders to contribute to the growth of a high-performing health system, culture of innovation and the improved health of citizens by strengthening research capacity and competitiveness, increasing the investment in health research in Saskatchewan and aligning research with the needs of our stakeholders.
For more information, please contact:
Karen Tilsley, SHRF Director of Programs and Partnership