How to Apply

Applications for the award will be accepted from July 9 2026 to October 7, 2026 as part of the CLSA’s data access application process.

Application Deadline: October 7, 2026

Applications for this award are submitted to access@clsa-elcv.ca after you have completed your CLSA Data Access application through the Magnolia application portal.

Applicants must indicate their wish to be considered for the award by emailing access@clsa-elcv.ca with the project ID (for example: 2610XXX) of their newly submitted data access application and the following materials attached:

1. A Tri-Agency CV 
2. An application letter (500-1000 words) outlining the applicant’s suitability for the award. The letter must address: 
   1. How the proposed project aligns with Dr. Kirkland’s areas of research;
   2. The applicant’s relevant research achievements and impacts; and
   3. How receipt of the award will enable meaningful contributions to aging research in Canada.

Eligibility

The award is open to Canadian applicants who meet all of the following criteria:

• Are an Early Career Researcher, defined as within 7 years of their first independent research appointment;
• Are based at, or have their primary appointment at Canadian institution;
• Are eligible to access CLSA data under CLSA’s Data and Sample Access Policy;
• Have a clearly defined research project requiring CLSA data; and
• Demonstrate alignment with at least one of Dr. Kirkland’s areas of research or values, such as:
  • Healthy aging
  • Women’s health
  • Chronic disease prevention and management
  • Health equity and social determinants of health.

Applications from individuals belonging to equity‑deserving groups are strongly encouraged. 

Evaluation and Selection Process 

Applications will be evaluated by the CLSA Executive Committee based on the following criteria: 

1. alignment with Dr. Kirkland’s areas of research; 
2. the applicant’s relevant research achievements and impacts; and 
3. the potential for the proposed work to make meaningful contributions to aging research in Canada.

Requirements

Successful applicants will be required to: 

1. Acknowledge the award in all outputs related to the approved project using CLSA data;
2. Submit a brief summary report within 12 months of receiving their data, outlining: 
   1. Preliminary findings, and
   2. Any resulting abstracts, presentations, or publications;
3. Lead a knowledge‑mobilization activity in the form of a CLSA webinar presentation sharing findings emerging from the award-supported project.