APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Applications should be submitted via email to the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation at todd@canorth.org. The email subject line should state: RESEARCHER Application – [Last Name].
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION
February 28, 2026.Application submissions will be acknowledged via email within two (2) business days of submission. If you have not received notification by this time, please call the COF at 343-575-2142.
Award Decisions can be expected by late April 2026.
Please read this document in its entirety before submitting an application. For questions or concerns, please email todd@canorth.org or call 343-575-2142.
Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation
PO Box 1036, Toronto, ON M5K 1P2
Description
The premier award for orthopaedic research in Canada, the J. Édouard Samson Award, recognizes the best career orthopaedic research over a period of five (5) years or more at a Canadian centre. This $30,000 award is intended to promote further research by the recipient. The recipient will present their research at the Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association (presentation opportunity to be determined). The award consists of an educational grant and a personal research grant to be used by the recipient at the Canadian institution where they currently reside.
This award is decided based on review and recommendation by the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation’s Research Committee to the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Qualifications and Restrictions
- Applicant must be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant.
- Applicant must be an Orthopaedic Surgeon and must be a member of the Canadian Orthopaedic Research Society.
- Applicant must be working in a Canadian orthopaedic centre both at the time of application and at the award’s receipt.
- Eligibility extends to fifteen (15) years after the applicant obtains their fellowship in orthopaedic surgery from the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada, or completion of a subsequent research fellowship, MSc or PhD. Eligibility may be extended if personal leave was taken during the 15-year period (for example parental or medical leave). If you would like the review panel to take this into consideration, please include details regarding the date, duration, and type of leave.
- The research must be a significant body of work that has taken place over approximately five (5) years at a Canadian centre.
Application Procedures
The Samson Award recognizes a body of completed work; therefore, there is no application form. To request consideration for the Samson Award, submit the following, noting the quality of each of these components is considered equally:- A cover letter (2 pages maximum) that outlines: the evolution of the research hypothesis; most significant research observation; and the clinical significance and application of this research.
- A letter signed by the applicant, the department head, and the dean or designate of the university, containing the following statement: “The work in the attached research publication entitled [enter summary title of your research] represents novel research by the applicant and has been appropriately reviewed for conflicts of interest and ethical concerns.”
- The five (5) (maximum) most relevant peer-reviewed papers.
- A complete CV (CIHR format or other).
Items 1 and 2 above (letters) should be formatted in a font size of 12-point, black type. Do not use condensed/narrow font sizes, type density, or line spacing.
All Items should be submitted via email to the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation at todd@canorth.org. The email subject line should state: Samson Application – [Last Name].
With questions or concerns, please email todd@canorth.org or call 343-575-2142.
Disbursement of Award
The successful applicants are expected to arrange the method of funds disbursement through the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation. If funds have been awarded, but arrangements have not been made for disbursement or utilization of these funds three (3) months from the date of awarding of the grant, the funds will revert to the Foundation. The $30,000 Award may be used as follows:- Educational Grant – a minimum of $5,000 to be used specifically by the recipient for musculoskeletal education, and in a manner that aligns with the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation’s mission – to achieve excellence in bone & joint health and mobility by advancing musculoskeletal research, education and care –including, but not limited to:
- Registration fees or travel costs for the recipient to attend an orthopaedic educational meeting, within Canada, for the purpose of learning or presenting (for flight purchases, tickets must be economy only).
- Purchase of research/educational computer equipment to support the recipient’s orthopedic career/research.
- Recipient membership fees for the Canadian Orthopaedic Association, or other orthopaedic scholarly groups.
- Personal Research Grant – a minimum of $22,500 to be used by the recipient at the Canadian institution where they currently reside. This award is intended to promote further research by the recipient – either for the successful project for which they applied or for new musculoskeletal research project(s). All costs of research projects are allowable as outlined under the University policy where the applicant resides, including indirect (overhead) costs if applicable. Where overhead costs are included, the rate should be the COF’s standard rate of 15%, or the University’s standard rate, if lower.
Administration and Timing
- The start date of the Samson Award will be the date the award is issued.
- The end date will be December 31, two years from the start date.
- A high-resolution headshot of the recipient, a short bio (approximately 100 words), and a non-technical summary of the body of work for use in the Foundation’s public material must be submitted by the recipient.
- The Samson Award recipient will recognize the Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation, as well as any other applicable sponsor(s), in their presentation at the Canadian Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting. All relevant logos and other information will be provided to the recipient for use.
Educational Grant
- A financial report from the institution holding the grant is to be submitted to the Foundation upon (a) complete spend of the grant, or (b) 12 months from the date of grant award, and again 24 months from the date of grant award, if applicable.
Personal Research Grant
- A written progress report of the work carried out through the utilization of the grant and a financial report from the institution holding the grant are to be submitted to the Foundation 12 months from the date of grant award.
- Final financial and written scientific reports are to be submitted to the Foundation 24 months from the date of the grant award indicating what has resulted from grant support, future directions of the research project and any other significant information.
- It is expected that funds awarded will be spent as allocated within the 24-month period. If funds are remaining, an explanatory request for an extension should be included with the 24-month report. Extension requests will be decided by the Research Committee based on the explanation provided. If no extension is requested, the remaining funds are to be returned to the Foundation.