Strengthening Prairies Integrated Knowledge Exchange (SPIKE) Hub
Lead Region: Prairies
Overview
Part of the CTN+ Phase 2 Initiative, the Strengthening Prairies Integrated Knowledge Exchange (SPIKE) Hub is a CIHR-funded initiative focused on building regional and national capacity for the design and delivery of equitable clinical trials for key populations in HIV and STBBIs. The Hub operates across Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta, integrating the knowledge and lived experiences of people living with HIV, people diagnosed with STBBIs, and individuals representing key populations including Indigenous peoples, people who use drugs, people engaged in sex work, people experiencing homelessness, women, and people in rural and remote settings.
SPIKE-Hub, in partnership with IMPaCT, will develop a training and mentorship platform to strengthen regional and national capacity in the design and delivery of equitable clinical trials for key populations.
SPIKE Hub-IMPaCT Trial Leaders Fellowship Awards
2027–2028 cohort: Now accepting applications until October 16, 2026!
The SPIKE Hub will fund 4 training awards in 2027-28 for trainees, clinicians and community-based researchers ready to design, lead, and conduct inclusive, equity-focused clinical trials that address the needs and priorities of diverse populations affected by HIV and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) across Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba.
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Breakdown of Award
This provides direct support to the selected SPIKE Hub-IMPaCT Fellow to enable their full participation. The Fellows choose how best to use the funds. Options could include, but are not limited to:
During the training program, the fellow will acquire and develop competencies and skills in trial design, patient and community engagement, trial operations, and communicationsVE-STBBI academic training program is open to current graduate students (MSc, PhD), postdoctoral fellows, public health professionals, and early-career researchers (within 5 years of obtaining an independent research-related appointment).
- Financially supporting their salary
- Buy out clinical or teaching time
- Offset the time they would normally spend on research/admin activities through staff support
- During the training program, the fellow will acquire and develop competencies and skills in trial design, patient and community engagement, trial operations, and communications
Hands on experiential learning and professional development. Covers fees and costs for up to 3 immersive learning placements per fellow. At least one experience must be directly relevant to working with the key populations of interest.
Select examples of opportunities include:
- Specialized training in statistics, family engagement, cultural safety
- Conference attendance
In-person mentorship, skill building and networking:
- Summit registration, travel, food, and accommodations for in-person professional development and national networking
Dedicated support for patient partner mentorship and skill development:
- Patient partner mentor honorarium
- Professional Learning Management System-enabled training access
- Integrated training and partnership model
A supportive mentorship team that includes a trialist, HIV/STBBI expert, and a person with lived experience and/or patient engagement mentor:
- Mentorship
- Curriculum and Training
- Evaluation & Report
- Trials and Career Support
A well-developed funding application that addresses the needs and priorities of diverse populations affected by HIV and STBBIs to help turn your trial idea into a reality.
Award Details
The SPIKE Hub training awards are open to PhD students, post-doctoral fellows, early-career researchers, clinical fellow or faculty enrolled in a Master’s program, community-based researchers, clinicians.
- Mentorship: 3 on 1 mentorship (trialist, HIV/STBBI expert, person with lived experience and/or patient engagement mentor) to develop a trial funding proposal and provide career support
- Courses: 5 online IMPaCT courses and pre-requisites
- Group-based learning with IMPaCT leadership and peers though live sessions and webinars
- Networking and skill building at the annual IMPaCT Summit (November, Toronto)
- Immersive learning experience: e.g. clinical shadowing
Applications are due October 16th, 2026
Evaluation of Applications
Applications will be evaluated by the IMPaCT Selection Committee and approved by the SPIKE Hub Training Executive Committee. The process will be rigorous, open and transparent. Applicants must be living in or working with prairie populations most affected by current HIV and STBBI diagnoses in the Prairies: Indigenous people, women, people who use substances, in particular drug injection drug use, and people experiencing homelessness.
Timeline
Award applications open: August 1 – October 16, 2026
Selection & Mentor matching: Early 2027
Award notifications: March 2027
1-year fellowship period: April 2027 – March 2028
Research Capacity & Training Survey
Live until October 16th!
We invite organizations/departments to participate in the Research Capacity and Training Needs Assessment in the Prairies, developed collaboratively by SPIKE Hub, CTN+ Prairies, IMPaCT, AllTogether4IDEAS Research Consortium, NCCID, and the Women-Centred HIV Care Hub.
Complete the SurveyTogether, we are working to strengthen research, training, and clinical trial capacity across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, with a particular focus on HIV and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs). Given the disproportionately high and rising rates of HIV in the Prairie provinces, building local research and clinical trial capacity is an important step toward improving access to, and engagement with, effective HIV prevention and treatment for populations most affected.
The survey aims to better understand organizations’ current capacity to conduct and participate in research, including clinical trials, and to identify priority training and capacity-building needs. It takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete and may be completed by anyone with knowledge of your organization, department, section, area, or clinic.
If you would like to fill in the survey by hand, scan it and send it in, please contact alltogether@umanitoba.ca to receive a printable copy by email.