The Annual C. Kingsley Allison Research Grant Competition

Deadline for Proposals: October 31 at 11:59 PM

The Developmental Disabilities Program in the Department of Psychiatry at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry is pleased to announce the call for submissions for the Annual C. Kingsley Allison Research Grant Competition. These grants are designed to support research that contributes to the understanding of Intellectual Disabilities.

Scope of Eligible Projects

Projects are not limited in scope and may include:

  • Basic science, clinical, or applied research
  • Investigations into the causes, diagnosis, and/or treatment of Intellectual Disabilities
  • Studies involving comorbid conditions (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorder, Epilepsy), only if the focus is on individuals with Intellectual Disability

Note: Proposals must explicitly state how the research relates to Intellectual Disability. A strong Relevance Statement is required (see Section 3 in the Application).

Eligibility

  • Open to trainees, faculty members, and employees of Western University
  • Also open to individuals in the London region who are not affiliated with Western, but work with agencies serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
  • In all cases, a Western University faculty member (eligible to hold research funds) must be listed as the Principal Investigator

Funding Details

  • Maximum award value: up to $9,000
  • Actual award amounts will depend on the number of funded proposals and the quality of each submission
  • Only one award per project or applicant within a three-year period
  • Funding will be released after ethics approval is received

Evaluation Criteria

Each submission will be scored out of 5 points in the following categories:

  • Applicant – Experience, ability to complete the project, resources, supervision
  • Project & Methodology – Scientific merit, feasibility, innovation
  • Relevance to Intellectual Disabilities – Clear and compelling connection to the population and field

Expectations for Grant Recipients

  • Present findings at a session of the Developmental Disabilities Clinical and Research Rounds or the Annual Developmental Disabilities Academic Research Day
  • Submit either:
    • Proof of publication in a peer-reviewed journal, or
    • A summary for publication in the Clinical Bulletin of the Developmental Disabilities Program

About C. Kingsley Allison (1905–1995)

In February 1951, five parents in London, Ontario came together to organize support for their children with what was then termed “mental retardation.” One month later, 30 parents met, and C. Kingsley Allison, an executive with the O-Pee-Chee Candy Company, was elected Vice President of the newly formed group. His daughter, Mary Beth, then six years old, was one of the first eight students in the classroom established by these parents. Her mother volunteered as one of the teachers.

In 1953, “King” Allison became President of the London Association for Help of Retarded Children. He brought his business acumen to the organization, helping it become one of the first in Ontario to focus on the educational and developmental needs of children with Intellectual Disabilities. That same year, the group expanded to 30 students and sought a more suitable location than the church basement where they had been operating. Mr. Allison secured a vacant school on Gore Road, and the O-Pee-Chee Candy Company began donating regularly to support the school.

Also in 1953, local associations across Ontario united to form the Provincial Association for Retarded Children (now Community Living Ontario), with Mr. Allison representing London on the provincial board.

Mr. Allison, his wife, and Mary Beth lived in London’s Sherwood Forest neighborhood. After his wife’s passing in 1985, he continued to live there with Mary Beth until his death in 1995. Mary Beth remained in their home until 2003, when she moved into a group home operated by Community Living London.

Mr. Allison’s will ensured that Mary Beth would be cared for without reliance on public funds. Upon her passing in 2008, the remainder of his estate was directed to support the Developmental Disabilities Program in the Department of Psychiatry at Western University, establishing a research scholarship in Intellectual Disabilities.

C. Kingsley Allison was a pioneer in advocating for services for people with Intellectual Disabilities in London. His lifelong commitment—through leadership, financial support, and influence—helped shape the landscape of care and education for this population. His legacy continues through this research grant, which bears his name and honors his enduring impact.

Submitting your Application

Download the Application Form Here

Please submit the application to ddprogramcoordinator@lhsc.on.ca 

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Jason Widdes