Ward Family Summer Student Research Program
The Ward Family Summer Student Research Program is a highly prestigious student experience offered by the Bloorview Research Institute (BRI) giving undergraduate students an opportunity to experience a unique interdisciplinary mentorship within the field of childhood disability and developmental differences research.
Successful incumbents will work with a BRI scientist and their team on a research project, participate in lunch and learns and other activities to enhance both their training and research experience. The program will culminate with an opportunity for students to showcase their work at the 20th annual Anne & David Ward Family Summer Student Research Day, which will be held on July 21, 2026. To learn about the previous Ward Research Day, click here.
This year's 12-week program will run from May 4 to July 24, 2026.
Applications are to be completed through the Holland Bloorview Current Job Opportunities page.
The following scientists are recruiting students:
- Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou
- Dr. Danielle Baribeau
- Dr. Tom Chau
- Dr. Anne Kawamura
- Dr. Gillian King & Dr. Monika Novak Pavlic
- Dr. Sarah Munce
- Dr. Melanie Penner
- Dr. Shannon Scratch
Please note the application deadlines vary from Jan. 31 to Feb. 13, 2026. Please review the deadlines for each position carefully.
The program is generously supported by the Ward Family Foundation.
Sparking student Opportunities for Advancing inclusive childhood disability Research (SOAR)
To provide students experiencing structural disadvantages based on their identities, socioeconomic backgrounds and lived experience with invaluable research and mentorship opportunities, the Bloorview Research Institute has created SOAR positions within the Ward Family Summer Student Research program.
Like all positions within the Ward program, these opportunities will expose the successful candidates to the field of research and pediatric rehabilitation while providing them with a unique mentorship experience.
The SOAR positions are available through a partnership between the Bloorview Research Institute and the Community of Support-Research Application Support Initiative (COS-RASI). Administered by the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine, COS-RASI is a collaborative initiative that provides learners from underrepresented communities and who face structural barriers with mentorship and support at various stages of their research career journey.
These students include those who self-identify as Indigenous, Black, Filipino, Latin American, economically disadvantaged, non-traditional learners or who self-identify with having a disability. Interested students (from any university) who meet these criteria should email Mark Dennis (marks.dennis@utoronto.ca), copying Nadine Akbar (nakbar@hollandbloorview.ca), to register for COS-RASI. Mark will then assist applicants in applying through the COS-RASI portal once their profile has been created.
The following scientists are currently recruiting students for SOAR positions:
- Dr. Evdokia Anagnostou (two positions focused on the POND network, one position focused on Knowledge Mobilization and Family Engagement)
- Dr. Jan Andrysek
- Dr. Deryk Beal
- Dr. Jacob Ellegood
- Dr. Amy McPherson
- Dr. Melanie Penner
- Dr. Tim Ross
The application deadline for all SOAR positions is February 13, 2026.
SOAR is generously supported by the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation.
Questions?
Please contact Nadine Akbar (nakbar@hollandbloorview.ca) if you have any questions about the Ward Family Summer Student Research Program.
