Research Training Centre
The Research Training Centre (RTC) is dedicated to developing the next generation of research leaders and science ambassadors. Each year, the RTC trains more than 100 post-doctoral fellows, students and staff through comprehensive technical, professional and career training that promotes research excellence and enhances the trainee experience at the Rotman Research Institute (RRI) and across the Baycrest campus.
Working in collaboration with Baycrest’s Centre for Education and Knowledge Exchange in Aging — the world’s pre-eminent distributor of knowledge regarding leading-edge practices in the care of older adults and aging solutions — the RTC delivers world-class, research-driven training that prepares participants to excel across academia, industry, healthcare, government and not-for-profit sectors.
The RTC offers a wide range of development opportunities, including workshops, lectures, conferences, internships and mentorship programs for internal and external audiences. In addition, the centre provides funding support and advocates for trainees, helping them build skills, confidence and connections to advance their careers and make a lasting impact in their field.
Student opportunities
Students and trainees can be exposed to diverse environments including academia, industry, government and the not-for-profit sector. This experience includes internships and fellowships that support them in pursuing any vocational future of their choice.
Through workshops, academic rounds, conferences and other educational offerings, trainees can join a close-knit learning community. They will develop their methodological, technical, teaching and presentation skills. Trainees can also stay abreast of cutting-edge research in the field and interact with leaders in neuroscience, aging and brain health. Educational offerings are developed in partnership with various academic and health institutions across the city.
Training at the RRI offers future leaders the chance to cultivate professional and transferable skills. Students and trainees from across diverse environments including academia, industry, government and the not-for-profit sector receive tangible work experience. This experience includes internships and fellowships that support them in pursuing any vocational future of their choice.
Graduate students at Baycrest’s Rotman Research Institute (RRI) have the opportunity to train alongside world-renowned scientists who are advancing the frontiers of cognitive neuroscience and brain health. Students are enrolled through affiliated university graduate programs and work under the supervision or co-supervision of an RRI scientist holding a faculty appointment. This unique partnership offers access to exceptional mentorship, cutting-edge facilities and a vibrant, interdisciplinary research community focused on understanding and promoting healthy brain aging. Details on available programs and application processes are available through individual university websites.
Researchers and trainees from around the world come to Baycrest to be part of a globally recognized centre for excellence in brain health and aging. Located in Toronto — one of the most diverse and dynamic cities in the world — Baycrest offers an unparalleled environment for discovery, collaboration and innovation.
Learn how to join our international community of scientists and students:
There are a number of funding opportunities available to students. These include internal, university, government and non-government, foundation and professional society opportunities. Students can also search for funding opportunities using the Pivot Funding Database.
Baycrest research trainees may also be eligible for a number of donor-supported internal scholarships, fellowships and travel awards, including:
- Ydessa Hendeles Graduate Student Fellowship
- Men’s Service Group Graduate Student Fellowship
- Finkler Graduate Student Fellowship
- Max and Ruth Wiseman Graduate Student Fellowship
- Marni and Mel Cappe Family Graduate Student Fellowship
- The Kent Cochrane Graduate Studentship
- Mynne and Harold Soupcoff Research Grants
- Jack and Rita Catherall Fund – Travel
- BARE Travel Award in Honour of Gordon Winocur
Internships offer invaluable opportunities for trainees to gain transferable skills.
The eight-to-12-week Mynne and Harold Soupcoff Internship is available to current RRI graduate students or postdoctoral fellows. Research trainees are employed on a part-time or full-time basis (up to 35 hours per week) at a partner organization or within Baycrest. Trainee stipends are paid by Baycrest during the course of the internship through a donor endowment fund.
The 12-week paid Summer Student Program internship is available for eligible undergraduate and medical students to work in the research laboratory of a RRI scientist.
Key objectives for the program include:
- Providing hands-on research experience
- Providing educational and career mentorship in aging, brain health and/or neuroscience research
- Expanding trainee research capacity at the RRI
Students will work on a project assigned by their supervisor. They are generally expected to work full-time hours (35 hours per week) for the full 12-week term and will be paid for their time.
Applications are accepted from mid-December to the end of February for the following summer.
Learn more about how to apply to the RRI Summer Student Program.