What is the CSC Fellowship?
The CSC Fellowship is a component of the Science Collaborative, which offers free opportunities for scientists, researchers, and trainees (graduate students and postdoctoral fellows) to build new skills in innovation. Through the initiative, participants build the capacity to confidently engage with stakeholders outside of academia—such as industry partners—and turn bold ideas into real-world impact.
Fellowship awardees receive $15,000 CAD in total support, including a $5,000 salary offset and $10,000 in project funding, to develop and deliver their project within six months. Beyond funding, Fellows gain access to a knowledge mobilization course, monthly learning series, CABHI’s acceleration services, and showcase opportunities.
Fellow Spotlight
Saiful Hoque, PhD, is among the inaugural cohort of CSC Fellows. He is a postdoctoral research fellow with over ten years of experience in textile materials engineering, product development, and testing, currently based at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto. He leads all smart textile research initiatives in his lab, with a focus on developing wearable solutions for healthcare applications.
We chatted with Saiful Hoque to learn about his experience as a CSC Fellow and how it has since impacted his work.
CABHI: Can you describe your CABHI-supported project?
Saiful: My project, "Staying Warm, Staying Safe," addresses the critical challenge of impaired thermoregulation in older adults, which is often exacerbated by aging and neurodegenerative conditions. To tackle this, my research focuses on developing thermoregulating smart textiles. Alongside the technology, I’m developing an educational video series that gathers perspectives from physicians, scientists, caregivers, and individuals with lived experience. This content is designed to raise long-term awareness about thermoregulation and its vital connection to healthy aging.
