Nursing Student Research Opportunities

Are you a Master of Nursing (MN) student interested in gaining hands-on research experience? Considering future graduate studies, such as a PhD?

The Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing is pleased to offer a Research Stream option for students in the MN Health Systems Leadership and Administration (HSLA) and Clinical streams. This competitive opportunity allows students to become embedded within a faculty member’s program of research during the academic year (September to March), followed by an intensive final research practicum in the final term of the MN program.

The MN Research Steam is designed to help students develop practical research skills, gain insight into academic and health research careers, and contribute to a research project under the mentorship of a faculty supervisor.  By the end of the program, students will have completed a research output.

What is Involved?

Year 1 Optional Participation in Rosenstadt Research Development Program

Students may optionally participate in the Rosenstadt Research Development Program (minimum of 70 hours, paid) to gain early exposure to research activities and mentorship opportunities

Year 2 Research Assistantship

During Year 2 of the MN Program, students will participate in the Rosenstadt Research Development Program (RRDP), completing

• A minimum of 100 hours and up to 200 hours of paid research experience time with a faculty supervisor; and
• Four one-hour research training sessions throughout the academic year (paid).

Final Research Practicum

Students will also complete a 160-hour unpaid research practicum [for NUR1179Y or NUR1169Y] with their supervisor . This placement will result in a research output, such as:

• Poster presentation
• Oral presentation
• Research paper
• Other scholarly dissemination activity

Possible Research Activities

Students may gain experience in:

• Conducting ethical research
• Literature searches and literature reviews
• Data collection and management
• Data analysis
• Interviewing research participants
• Knowledge translation and dissemination

Program Outcomes

Students who complete the MN Research Stream will receive:

• Hands-on research training and mentorship
• A Certificate of Completion
• A University of Toronto co-curricular record recognition that can be included in job or graduate school applications.

Compensation

Students participating in the Year 2 RRDP will be paid at a rate of $20.80/hour.

The 160-hour final research practicum is unpaid, as it is a required academic course component.

Eligibility:

Students must:

• Be enrolled full-time in Year 2 of the MN program in either the HSLA or Clinical stream; and
• Maintain registration in the MN Program throughout the Fall and Winter terms.

Ineligible Students

• Students enrolled in the MN-NP or Post-Master’s NP programs.

How to Participate

1. Review faculty profiles and research programs on the Faculty website.
2. Complete the statement of interest and submit your CV.
3. The Research Office will match students with faculty supervisors based on the student interests and supervisor availability.
4. Once matched with a supervisor, apply to the relevant position number through the University’s Work Study Portal, which opens to students on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 9:00 am, and closes Sunday September 20, 2026 at 11:59 pm.

Key Dates: 2026-2027

• Late Spring 2026: Program launch.
• Wednesday, July 15, 2026: Students statement of interest and CV submission deadline.
• July 15 – August 14, 2026: Student-supervisor matching period.
• Monday, August 31, 2026: Final decisions confirmed.
• September 2026 – March 27, 2027: RRDP research assistantship period.
• April – June 2027: Final research practicum placement.

Important Note: Positions are limited. While we hope to accommodate as many students as possible, participating in the program is competitive and placement cannot be guaranteed.

Faculty members interested in taking an MN Research Stream student

Prof. Mariana Bueno

Prof. Kristin Cleverley

Prof. Lisa Cranley

Prof. Cindy-Lee Dennis

Prof. Quinn Grundy

Prof. Laura Istanboulian

Prof. Lindsay Jibb

Prof. Tieghan Killackey

Prof. Samantha Mayo

Prof. Kelly Metcalfe

Prof. Kim Widger

Prof. Mandana Vahabi

Prof. Rosanra Yoon

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Find out about the Provost's Postdoctoral Fellows

The Provost's Postdoctoral Fellowship (PPDF) is an excellent opportunity for researchers from underrepresented groups to undertake funded research. This highly competitive fellowship enables postdoctoral researchers to develop their careers.

This University of Toronto-wide award is open to both domestic and international post-graduates who identify as Indigenous to Turtle Island and/or Black. Nominees must demonstrate academic excellence and high potential for success in their chosen fields; have obtained a doctoral degree (normally within the last five years from the start date of funding or at the time the fellowship begins); not have held the PPDF previously; and not concurrently hold another major fellowship.

Full details, including eligibility, selection criteria, and how to apply, can be found here.

Those interested in pursuing a PPDF at the Faculty of Nursing should first identify a faculty member with whom they wish to work.

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Bloomberg Nursing provides an annual funding opportunity designed to assist eligible Doctor of Nursing students through the Rosenstadt Doctor of Nursing Thesis Support Grant (to be awarded in the spring). This program supports research undertaken as part of the academic program to qualify for the Doctor of Nursing degree at the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing. It supports some of the data collection costs for students in good standing in the program, who are making timely progress towards their degrees. Students may receive only one DN grant throughout their program of study.

Application Requirements

Funding Available: Each award is valued at up to $1,000. The number of awards per competition may vary.

The Doctor of Nursing Grants program will be administered through the Office of Research & External Relations, LSBFON, using the grant administration guidelines of the federal granting agencies in Canada (https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/InterAgency-Interorganismes/TAFA-AFTO/guide-guide_eng.asp).

For more information, please contact research.nursing@utoronto.ca.

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Bloomberg Nursing provides a biannual funding opportunity designed to assist eligible PhD students through the Rosenstadt Doctoral Dissertation program. This program supports research undertaken as part of the academic program to qualify for a Doctor of Philosophy (Nursing) at the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing. The dissertation award supports some of the data collection costs for students in good standing in the program, who are making timely progress towards their degrees. Students may receive only one dissertation grant throughout their program.

Application Requirements

Funding Available: Each award is valued at $1,000. The number of awards per competition may vary. There is generally a competition in the fall and the spring.

Grant Administration Process:

The doctoral research dissertation grants program will be administered through the Office of Research & External Relations, LSBFON, using the grant administration guidelines of the federal granting agencies in Canada.

For more information, please contact research.nursing@utoronto.ca.

External doctoral student funding opportunities

If you belong to any professional association or are employed at a hospital, check their sites for funds available.

PhD students cannot hold funds as an independent researcher at the University – work with your supervisor to identify appropriate opportunities and when your supervisor or committee members should be included as co-principal investigator(s)

Always contact the Research Office (research.nursing@utoronto.ca) to find out about administrative requirements.

Please note: application deadlines and funds available may vary year to year. PhD students may also take advantage of our statistical consulting service and other supports, including budget, grant planning, editing, and CV.

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Bloomberg Nursing is the ideal setting for postdoctoral fellows to transition from graduate student studies to independent scholarship. Join our research-intensive environment with world-leading nursing scholars.

Apply to be a Bloomberg Nursing postdoctoral fellow

Applicants who wish to pursue postdoctoral training should contact a faculty members accepting trainees to discuss their interests and work with them to develop an appropriate faculty supervisor/postdoctoral fellow arrangement. Find a faculty member in our searchable directory by research interest.

Once the supervisor/postdoctoral fellow arrangement has been established, the applicant should compile the following items and submit them to Kelly Metcalfe, RN, PhD, FCAHS, FAAN, Associate Dean Research and External Relations, by email (research.nursing@utoronto.ca):

1. Statement of interest, identifying the supervisor, describing planned research projects and training goals, and naming two referees (five-page limit, single spaced)
2. Recent curriculum vitae (no page limit)
3. Letter from potential Bloomberg Nursing postdoctoral supervisor describing training plans, funding source and amount (two-page limit, single spaced)
4. Secure at least $50,000 per year (Employee Postdoc minimum effective March 15, 2024). The Fellow can secure funding from external granting agencies (government, health organization, etc.) or fellowship programs, or may be offered funding from their faculty supervisor’s grant or research resources, in the form of a salary. Possible sources for securing funding are listed in the postdoctoral funding section of the Awards & Financial Assistance table. Postdoctoral fellows cannot be a postdoc at U of T on their personal funds.

Postdoctoral fellows at Bloomberg Nursing are subject to the policies and procedures for postdoctoral fellows of the University of Toronto.

Postdoctoral fellows at the University of Toronto are represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (Local 3902, Unit 5).

Important Details

CUPE 3902 Unit 5

Postdoctoral Fellows and their contracts

Pay and Benefits

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The Rosenstadt Research Development Program at Bloomberg Nursing is a unique opportunity for undergraduate and graduate (MN) nursing students to be exposed to nursing research during the academic year - and be paid for it. The program is linked with the University of Toronto’s work-study program.

Overview

Nursing students are embedded within a faculty member's program of research from September to March and participate in formalized research development sessions. Attendance at all sessions earns students a certificate of Completion to add to their Learning Portfolio. Sessions are held in-person and/or virtually over lunch and are considered paid time. This is a part-time research opportunity: accepted students work roughly 10-12 hours per week over the program duration. Rate is $20.80 / hour.

Planned research development sessions*:

• Welcome to the RRDP: Orientation and meet your fellow students
• How to conduct a literature search
• Writing for publication/presentation
• The path to a PhD/DN

*Topics may vary year to year

Student Eligibility: The student must be enrolled for the fall and winter term in either the BScN Program (Year One or Two), or the Master of Nursing Program. PhD students are not eligible for the RDDP. The student must be enrolled in at least a 40% course load continuously from September to April, totalling at least 2.0 credits (minimum would be 0.5 credits in one session and 1.5 credits in the other). International undergraduate and graduate students studying on a full-time basis continuously from September to April, subject to federal government requirements (see Government of Canada website for rules and regulations) are eligible. Students may only accept one position.

We also have several positions available that have a strong educational and scholarship of learning approach - check them out here. Application is through the work study portal as well.

Sessional Dates

The 2026-2027 RRDP will open soon for applications.

Key dates

Student application period: Tuesday, August 4, 2026 (9 am) - Sunday, September 20, 2026 (11:59 pm).

Employment period: First day of classes (Tuesday, September 8, 2026) - Sunday, March 27, 2027.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the University of Toronto’s Work Study Program (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/students/overview.htm). Log into this portal and search for the position number(s) you are interested in (see below for position numbers) or click on the position link. Submit your application.  Applications sent to the research office or to individual faculty members will not be accepted.

For more information, please contact research.nursing@utoronto.ca.

What did our students say about the program?

"Being a part of the Rosenstadt Research Development Program was a wonderful experience and I would encourage all students to apply. The program allowed me to gain tangible research skills, such as conducting effective literature reviews as well as explore new topics in nursing and my career directions. The program challenged me to think about problems differently and I found myself applying these skills in course work, practice, and beyond." Larkin Davenport Huyer, BScN Student

Positions Available

Prof. Mariana Bueno. Project Title: Caregivers in the neonatal intensive care unit. Position number 265168.

Prof. Mariana Bueno. Project Title: Improving procedural pain in neonatal intensive care units. Position number 265169.

Prof. Charlene Chu. Project Title: Healthy aging at home. Position number 265801.

Prof. Charlene Chu. Project Title: Innovations in long-term care. Position number 265798.

Prof. Kristin Cleverley. Project Title: Postsecondary student mental health. Position number 265702.

Prof. Lisa Cranley. Project Title: Balancing infection prevention and control measures with person-centered care to support resident well-being in long-term care. Position number 265530.

Prof. Cindy-Lee Dennis. Project Title: Healthy Life Trajectory Initiative (HeLTI Canada). Position number 265408.

Prof. Cindy-Lee Dennis. Project Title: Paternal and maternal mental health relating to the perinatal period. Position number 265409.

Prof. Quinn Grundy. Project Title: Systematic gap mapping and evidence syntheses to inform policy decisions on the role and impacts of plastics in the pharmaceutical lifespan. Position number 266414.

Prof. Quinn Grundy. Project Title: Qualitative health policy research. Position number 266416.

Prof. Laura Istanboulian. Project Title: Essential care partner programs in acute care settings. Position number 265667.

Prof. Lindsay Jibb. Project Title: Advancing the psychosocial health care of children with cancer and their families. Position number 265690.

Prof. Lindsay Jibb. Project Title: Emotion and symptom-focused Engagement: A randomize controlled trial of a traumatic stress intervention for parents of children with cancer. Position number 265696.

Prof. Tieghan Killackey. Project Title: Reimagining equitable transitions for youth with congenital heart disease. Position number 265802.

Prof. Tieghan Killackey. Project Title: Supporting transitions in cardiovascular care through digital health interventions. Position number 265805.

Prof. Sam Mayo. Project Title: Evaluation of a web-app to address information needs among adults with hematological cancers. Position number 265978.

Prof. Kathy McGilton. Project Title: Transitional care programs: evaluation of performance and patient-oriented outcomes. Position number 265848.

Prof. Kathy McGilton. Project Title: Improving the care of older adults. Position number 265860.

Prof. Kelly Metcalfe. Project Title: Breast cancer and genetic screening. Position number 265456.

Prof. Kelly Metcalfe. Project Title: Breast cancer notification and support system for genetic testing. Position number 265460.

Prof. Monica Parry. Project Title: Patient Engagement Partnerships in Clinical Trials (PEP-CT). Position number 265709.

Prof. Monica Parry. Project Title: Mental health and wellbeing of unpaid caregivers. Position number 265719.

Prof. Martine Puts. Project Title: Comprehensive Health Assessment for My Plan: Initial implementation study. Position number 265211.

Prof. Martine Puts. Project Title: IMproving uPtake Of geRiaTric AssessmeNt reCommEndations: The IMPORTANCE study. Position number 265239.

Prof. Martine Puts. Project Title: Implementation of the practical geriatric assessment: The INTEREST study. Position number 265241.

Nursing Research. Project Title: Nursing Research among older adults. Position number 265432.

Nursing Research. Project Title: Nursing research among disadvantaged populations. Position number 265442.

Nursing Research. Project Title: New technologies in nursing research across the lifespan. Position number 265446.

Nursing Research. Project Title: Nursing research - pediatrics. Position number 265448.

Prof. Jennifer Stinson. Project Title: Understanding pain assessment practices in ambulatory care settings. Position number 265958.

Prof. Jennifer Stinson. Project Title: Empowering youth with sickle cell pain: National clinical implementation of an effective mHealth intervention. Position number 265975.

Prof. Robyn Stremler. Project Title: The SOmNI (Sleep Outcomes mHealth, wearable sensor and Nudging Intervention) randomized controlled trial: An mHealth intervention for sleep promotion in adolescents. Position number 265726.

Prof. Robyn Stremler. Project Title: Sleep anxiety - sleep regularity and associations with anxiety and parental anxiety. Position number 265808.

Prof. Mandana Vahabi. Project Title: Promoting cervical cancer screening through HPV self-sampling in marginalized and underprivileged populations in Ontario. Position number 266011.

Prof. Mandana Vahabi. Project Title: Community-engaged research on cervical cancer screening. Position number 265419.

Prof. Kim Widger. Project Title: Developing a guideline to support timely palliative care referrals in pediatric oncology. Position number 265980.

Prof. Rosanra Yoon. Project Title. Embedding patient experience measures in quality improvement and evaluation measurement for an Ontario health team evaluation framework. Position number: 265422.

Prof. Rosanra Yoon. Project Title: Developmental program evaluation research on a novel vocational employment support program for at-risk youth. Position number 265428.

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