Clinician Investigator Program

Get ready for a research career

Are you a surgical resident interested in pursuing a graduate degree during your training?
An email was sent to all Surgical Residents outlining requirements for thier Letter of Intent to apply for CIP - Your LOI letter is due to the Research Office On Friday October 3, 2025

Presently, The DOS has 4 residents enrolled in the CIP/graduate program.  Dr. Joel Bierer, CIP Resident, is finishing up his PhD Project and will be defending his thesis in late 2025:  Read about his PhD Project

This Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada-accredited training program will add the specialized knowledge and skills you need to pursue a career as a clinician-scientist or as a clinical investigator.

Upon completion, you will receive:

• Royal College certification
• an “Attestation of Completion,” signed by the CIP Director and the Associate Dean of Medicine
• A graduate degree

Is this program for me?

To be considered for acceptance, you must:

• be an MD enrolled in a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons specialty or subspecialty in the Dalhousie Postgraduate Medical Education Program
• Priority will be given to those enrolled in a Dalhousie-approved MSc or PhD program.
• Committ to time away from training to pursue graduate degree/work. (2 years for MSc, up to 5 years for PhD)
• Identified supervisor and consult with CIP FOM Director.
• After LOI is received, present research proposal and objective to DOS Reserach Committee.
• Secure salary support for graduate degree period, either through DOS CIP Support award, or other Dalhousie/National Granting Agencies. 
• The DOS Research Committee is here to help and Elaine will usher your application through the internal review process and continue to work with the FOM CIP office/Director on your behalf.

• DOS Research Application Process:

• Letter of Intent to Elaine Koziwka-Marsh in the Research Office no later than 4 pm on DUE Date posted.
• A meeting will be set up between interested resident and Dr. Bezuhly, Research Director, DOS.
• Must arrange a meeting with Dr. Ashley Drohan, CIP Director to discuss your research proposal.
• You must complete a CIP application for Research Committee Review
• You will be asked to present a 5 minute presentation to the Reserach Committee
• If successful for DOS Support, the DOS CIP applicant will recieve a letter detailing departmental salary support. 

Find out more

• Dalhousie’s Clinician Investigator Program.

Current CIP participants

Past CIP participants