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 2, 2026

Presently, The Department of Surgery has 4 residents enrolled in the CIP/graduate program. 

Dr. Joel Bierer, former CIP Resident, finished and successfully defended his PhD earlier this year. 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 at a meeting scheduled for November 2026.
• 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