WCHC Hub Learner Awards
The WCHC Hub is dedicated to training and mentoring the next generation of researchers and leaders. Every year, the Hub allocates money to support students and community learners through research awards and exclusive internship opportunities to support research with and for women living with HIV.
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The WCHC Hub is now accepting learner award applications for 2026.
Please see the applications below and return the packages to amy.ly@wchospital.ca by the deadline.​
Summer Research Internship
The Summer Research Internship is meant to nurture meaningful collaborations between the Hub and learners who are interested in supporting innovative research with and for women living with (or affected by) HIV. The WCHC Hub believes that the full potential of this network is dependent on engaging learners to support the FUTURE of women and HIV research in Canada.
Applications are invited from WCHC Hub Co-Investigators and Collaborators who have identified a summer research project that would be suitable for completion by a research intern (academic or community learner) in the area of women and HIV. Applicants may also identify potential interns in their proposal, so long as they meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the application.
The duration of the award is 14 to 16 weeks on a full-time basis. The total amount available for this funding opportunity is $11,000, enough to fund 2 interns with $5,500 intern stipends.
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For the full project description, please download the application package below.
For this application, you must submit:
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Proposal
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Supervisor statement
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Intern CV (if applicable)
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Intern transcripts (if applicable)
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The deadline for the Summer Research Internship is March 2nd, 2026.
Please submit the application directly to amy.ly@wchospital.ca.​​​
Mentor-Mentee Awards
The WCHC Hub – Research Mentee-Mentor Awards recognizes learners (academic and community) as the future of women and HIV research. These annual awards aim to support and encourage mentorship and collaboration in the field of women and HIV research in Canada. Funds are intended to enhance and support the mentoring relationship, provide resources for research-related activities, or support educational goals. The award can also be listed on CVs.
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Applications are invited from academic and community learners (mentees) and WCHC Hub Co-Investigators or Collaborators (mentors) who have identified a research project related to women and HIV with a focus on research capacity development.
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Four annual awards of $500 each will be available and awarded to successful mentees.
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For the full project description, please download the application package below.
For this application, you must submit:
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Application form (see pages 2-3 of the application)
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Mentor’s Letter of Support (up to 2 pages)
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CV or Resume of Applicant
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Any Relevant Publications or Research Work (optional​)
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The deadline for the Research Mentor-Mentee Awards is March 31st, 2026.
Please submit the application directly to amy.ly@wchospital.ca.​​​
Meet Our 2024 Scholars!
The Hub was happy to have funded four summer students through the Summer Student Research Awards Program in its inaugural year. Read on to learn about their projects!
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Dileesha Fernando
is a University of Toronto graduate with a major in Human Biology and minors in Immunology and Medical Anthropology. In the fall, she will begin an MSc in Health Systems Research at U of T. She aspires to advance public health research at the PhD level and work in academia, committed to fostering equitable health outcomes.
Hub Project: Dileesha will work on a scoping review of STBBI testing and care for young women and lead knowledge mobilisation for the Ontario Sub-Hub.
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Anthony Olver
is a Métis man currently living in Treaty Six Territory, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Saskatchewan in 2022 and is now completing his medical degree at UofS. Anthony plans to graduate in 2027 and practice medicine in Saskatchewan.
Hub Project: Anthony’s project uses a community-based, peer-led approach to create educational resources by and for Indigenous women with HIV in Saskatchewan.
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Kayla Fong
is an undergraduate student at Simon Fraser University studying molecular biology and biochemistry. Her interests include women's health and sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Hub Project: Kayla is working on objective 3 of the WCHC Hub grant and is creating a national repository of women and HIV resources in Canada.
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Siya Sharma
is an undergraduate student at York University studying in the Honours Global Health Program and pursuing a Bachelor of Science. She will begin her second year in Global Health in the fall and hopes to pursue a career related to sexual and reproductive health research and community well-being.
Hub Project: Siya will compile resources for the Hub. In addition, she will learn to conduct qualitative interviews to generate feedback on an upcoming Hub resource.
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The Summer Student Research Awards Program is one of the ways in which the WCHC Hub aims to support the careers of young professionals and foster an interest in women-centred and community-based HIV care in alignment with our second objective: training and mentoring.
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Learn more about the Hub's 5 objectives!