LEAP Is Seeking Additional Trainees
Each year, NSERC CREATE LEAP program preferentially offers 10 additional trainee spaces for those based in Canada’s North to join its training program. LEAP also offers 10 additional trainee spaces to student researchers outside the program who wish to join in its online training components. Applications for additional trainee positions open in April and remain open until the end of August each year.
Additional trainees include:
- Students from northern universities and colleges,
- Northern professionals,
- Community members involved in research, and/or
- Academic trainees working with collaborators.
Information for additional trainees
What is the LEAP Online Training about?
The core objectives of the training program are to help graduate students and additional trainees to become leaders in Permafrost Thaw and Northern research through:
- Developing foundational knowledge across key disciplines in natural science and engineering as required for understanding and adapting to permafrost thaw.
- Building the professional skills, relevant experience, and personal relationships required for northern research, as well as more general professional skills.
- Applying foundational knowledge and professional skills to identify and solve complex real-world problems collaboratively and with Indigenous communities.
Who will be a good fit?
- Members of northern-based organizations, researchers, project managers and other professionals working on permafrost thaw or related issues in Northern Canada.
What does the training involve?
- Participation in weekly synchronous online learning sessions (1.5 hours each) on topics related to permafrost thaw and Northern research taught by our researchers and collaborators.
Are there any other activities or requirements for Northern-based additional trainees?
- No. However, additional trainees who complete the LEAP Online Training Course and additional assignments (e.g., contributing to weekly post-discussion reflections and questions, research/learning portfolio) will receive a Certificate for CREATE LEAP Online Training Course: Foundational Knowledge and Professional Skills in Permafrost Thaw and Northern Research.
- To get a certificate, additional trainees will need to have attended 80% of the synchronous sessions throughout the course and have completed additional assignments.
How many Northern-based additional trainee positions are available?
- There are 10 additional trainee positions available in the program each year for Northern-based participants.
Are there any fees for the Online Training Course?
- There are no fees for enrolling in the LEAP Online Training Course.
Are additional trainee positions funded?
- No. Additional trainees will not receive any funding/stipends to participate in the LEAP Online Course.
How long will the training last?
- The Online training is offered as a full academic year (Fall and Winter terms), starting in September and ending in April.
How To Apply
Those interested in joining this program can download, fill out, and return the attached Additional Trainee Application Form (below) via email to createleap@carleton.ca
Deadline: August 31, 2025 ( for 2025-2026 program year).
If you have any questions about what being an additional trainee would entail, please feel free to contact us via email: createleap@cunet.carleton.ca