Application Deadline: April 30th, 2024

Award recipient will be notified by: End of May 2024

The Canada FASD Research Network (CanFASD) Sterling Clarren Research Award has been named in honour of Dr. Sterling Clarren to recognize his pioneering contribution and leadership in the field of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The award is presented annually to a Canadian graduate student or early career researcher in recognition of a study that has made a substantial contribution to the FASD field. Projects may be conducted using a range of methodologies and paradigms, including but not limited to qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, community-based, and other approaches.

For this award, preference is given to studies conducted in the CanFASD priority areas of FASD prevention, diagnosis, intervention, child welfare, and justice, in CanFASD member jurisdictions (British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon). However, studies conducted in other areas of FASD research (e.g., epidemiology, biomedical, animal studies) and other Canadian jurisdictions will also be considered. All studies must clearly integrate FASD research, policy, and practice, and demonstrate relevance to the human dimensions of FASD.

Applications may be submitted by graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, or early career investigators (within 3 years of first Faculty appointment). The research must be complete or near completion (i.e., data collection and analysis phases are complete). Studies may be submitted for publication, in press, or published, however, but will only be considered within one year of publication date.

The following criteria will be considered in the review of all research award applications:

  • Quality of Writing: uses clear, coherent, and concise language
  • Research Activity: applicant demonstrates involvement in research activity and knowledge dissemination, through peer-reviewed publications and/or presentations, and involvement in the research community
  • References: provided by current or recent academic supervisors and/or a community partner or stakeholder who played a significant role in the project
  • Innovation: study is novel or unique, significantly advances the field, and inspires future research
  • Project Impacts: project is relevant to the CanFASD mandate in that it integrates FASD research, practice, and policy, and has clear impacts on the lives of people with FASD, their families, and/or communities
  • Academic Merit: fills a gap in the literature and employs a high-quality research design
  • Knowledge Translation: includes a clear and appropriate plan for how study findings have been and/or will be translated to knowledge users

The Sterling Clarren Research Award recipient will also be awarded a $2000 cash prize. As a condition of the award, recipients will also be required to submit a short plain language summary of their research findings suitable for a lay audience to be posted on the CanFASD website and social media outlets. To apply, please visit: https://canfasd.ca/researchers/grants-and-awards/fasd-research-award/