Karl Kinanen Student Research Scholarship

These scholarship funds have been made possible due to the generous support of former McMaster faculty member Karl Kinanen, his wife, Beatrice Kemp and a number of friends and colleagues. Karl retired from McMaster University in 1992. As an Associate Professor in Social Work, Karl Kinanen taught the first Gerontology course in the mid-1970s and created the first Summer Institute on Gerontology in 1984. His work was instrumental in developing  social gerontology at McMaster, and in Canada, and marked the beginning of many continuing education events for the professional community.

In the past, these funds were used to support the Annual Karl Kinanen Public Lecture, which featured a prominent expert in the field of aging and gerontological research. The lecture was hosted by the Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging at a location in Hamilton, to foster the exchange of ideas and discussion among the public, stakeholders, local providers, academics, and older people.

The shift to a student-scholarship format is intended to utilize these generous donations in a new and more focused way.. The funds will be used to support the important research conducted by students in the department of Health, Aging and Society, while broadening the connection with community programs and partners to ensure the largest reach.

The Karl Kinanen Scholarship will be awarded annually to 1 Undergraduate student ($1500) and 1 Graduate student ($3000) from the department of Health, Aging and Society who, through their research are dedicated to improving the quality of care of older adults and to helping people stay connected in the Hamilton community.

Please refer below to the graduate application and criteria if applying as a graduate student, and the undergraduate application and criteria if applying as an undergraduate student (criteria is different for each level)

Criteria for the Graduate Application:

• Must be a graduate student in the Department of Health Aging and Society
• The research should be conducted in conjunction with a thesis or graduate project.
• A proposed statement of interest must be included with an application which includes – a description of the proposed research project, a rationale/short lit review for research, a proposed community partner, methods, and a timeline.
• A letter of reference from the student’s supervisor must also be included.

Components of the Graduate Scholarship:

• The chosen recipient is encouraged to connect with a Hamilton Community Partner and have this partner approved by the Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging.  This can be a new or existing relationship. The community partner should be informed of the research being conducted and utilized as a resource and/or source of recruitment.
• The successful recipient must complete a blog post/info sheet (min 300 words) on their research that will be shared publicly and used as knowledge mobilization. The Gilbrea Centre will post on our website and circulate.
• The recipient must complete and submit a final research report (min 3000 words) – this can include an overview of their research, review of literature, methods, findings/results, personal reflections, and/or conclusions etc.
•  The recipient of the Graduate Scholarship will be required to complete 1-hour public seminar on their research/findings as part of the Gilbrea Seminar Series.
• Any publications must provide reference to the Karl Kinanen Scholarship fund (in addition to any other funding sources).

Criteria for the Undergraduate Application:

• Must be an undergraduate student in the Department of Health Aging and Society
• The research can be conducted in conjunction with an undergraduate thesis or as an aging research interest project (for those not conducting a thesis)
• A proposed statement of interest must be included with an application which includes – a description of the proposed research project, a rationale/short lit review for research, a proposed community partner (if applicable), methods (if applicable), and a timeline.
• A letter of reference from the student’s supervisor or professor must also be included.

Components of the Undergraduate Scholarship:

• The chosen recipient is encouraged to connect with a Hamilton Community Partner and have this partner approved by the Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging. This can be a new or existing relationship. The community partner should be informed of the research being conducted and utilized as a resource
• The successful recipient must complete a blog post/info sheet (min 300 words) on their research that will be shared publicly and used as knowledge mobilization. The Gilbrea Centre will post on our website and circulate.
• The recipient must complete and submit a final research report (min 3000 words) – this can include an overview of their research, review of literature, methods, findings/results, personal reflections, and/or conclusions etc.
• Any publications must provide reference to the Karl Kinanen Scholarship fund (in addition to any other funding sources).

How to Apply

1. Download and fill out PDF Application
   
2. Submit application and reference letter via email to the Gilbrea Centre (gilbrea@mcmaster.ca) with the subject: Karl Kinanen Scholarship Application + your name.
3. After review, the Gilbrea Centre will reach out via email to indicate approval status and next steps.

Deadlines

• Undergraduate Students: Deadline October 30th 2024 by 11:59pm (2024-2025 Applications are CLOSED)
  
• Graduate Students: Deadline January 17th 2025 by 11:59pm