Faculty/Resident Development Initiatives Grant (FRDIG)
The FRDIG funds innovation or research projects that focus on faculty and resident teaching.
FRDIG Information Sessions
To learn more about the Faculty/Resident Development Initiatives Grant (FRDIG), join us for an information session.
2025 Call for Applications
Important Dates:
September 12, 2025: Applications are open for Letter of Intent (Link will be provided in September 2025)
October 12, 2025: Letter of Intent due by 11:59pm PT
October 24, 2025: Applicants invited to the full application stage
November 23, 2025: Full Application due by 11:59pm PT
December 12, 2025: Successful/all applicants are notified
Application Eligibility and Funding
Eligibility
The following applicants are eligible:
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- Persons holding a current faculty (academic or clinical) appointment in the Faculty of Medicine, UBC
- Residents must ensure they:
- have a faculty co-developer or co-investigator listed on the application, and
- complete the project by the end of their residency
- Projects that span multiple departments and/or sites, and those with broad applicability are preferred.
Please note: a person may apply to more than one priority area (see below) but is only eligible to receive a maximum of one grant per grant cycle.
Funding
Projects are funded from $2500-$5000, with a project lifecycle of up to 2 years (24 months).
Please note: the administrative management of funding is the responsibility of the grant recipient.
Focus
Projects must focus on faculty or resident teaching and include an element supporting equity, diversity, inclusion*, Indigenization, or decolonization**.
Types of Projects
The following types of projects can be submitted:
Innovation-focused projects with the following deliverables:
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- The development of one or more resources (such as a teaching tool, evaluation tool, video, module, website, case studies, interactive workshop, lesson plans, recommendations etc.)
- Supplementary materials so they can be used as a general faculty development resource once the grant lifecycle is completed
- A submission to This Changed My Teaching
Research-focused projects should aim for a publication or conference presentation and include the following deliverables:
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- A description of how the results advance faculty development related pedagogy and can help build more inclusive /equitable learning environments for diverse students (especially members of historically, systemically and persistently marginalized groups)
- An outline of how the research results can be applied to faculty development practice
- A submission to This Changed My Teaching
- A presentation (poster/oral) at CHES Celebration of Scholarship
Examples of acceptable projects:
Research exploring an aspect of faculty development, such as coaching relationships between faculty and residents and how their discussions may result in the effective goal co-construction and specifically support the inclusion and thriving of members of historically, persistently and systemically marginalized groups
A study exploring the impacts of teaching conflict engagement strategies in the classroom and how these sessions support feelings of belonging and inclusion for learners throughout the year
Creating resources that support peer-observation of teaching
Creating a guide on how to facilitate an event in which faculty share practices on how they have built more inclusive teaching practices with their students
Creating a set of recommendations on how to teach (e.g., history taking, pelvic exams) from a gender inclusive perspective
Development of recommendations and supportive resources on inclusive pedagogy through a community of practice
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Empty Accordion
What projects are excluded?
The FRDIG does not fund projects that focus on developing curriculum content or improving clinical practice. For example, proposals for creating specific topics to be included in Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) courses would not be funded. Nor would proposals for improving physicians’ skills in using ultrasounds for diagnosis.
Are there any budget restrictions?
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- No stipends for Principal Investigator and/or Co-investigators
- A 10% maximum of funds is intended to support travel, attendance at courses or conferences, or relevant meetings
- A reasonable portion of funds can be allocated to catering for events; Proposals with budgets allocated solely to catering do not fit the purpose of the FRDIG program
How do I apply?
How do I submit a full application?
LOIs that address priority faculty/resident development areas and help to meaningfully embed equitable and inclusive teaching practices will move onto the full application stage and will need to complete an application form.
Please complete all components and submit to fac.dev@ubc.ca by November 23rd, 2025, 11:59pm PT.
All applicants will be notified by December 12, 2025.
How will applications be adjudicated?
The submissions will be judged on:
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- The degree to which the project aligns with the priorities of the Office of Faculty Development
- The feasibility of the project given the proposed work, budget and timeline
- The quality of the evaluation plan or research protocol
- The degree of impact the project will have – i.e., the degree of transferability and generalizability to other departments and programs