Your lived experience belongs at the centre of SCI Innovation.

A paid, part-time fellowship for people with SCI to build leadership skills and shape the future of spinal cord injury Innovation.

APPLY NOW

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Innovation  |  PLEX Fellowship 2026

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Praxis’ PLEX Fellowship is a professional internship for people with lived experience of SCI (PLEX) to build their skills and expertise integrated lived experience into health research and innovation to ensure solutions meaningfully address priority health issues. Through hands-on training and a 6-month curriculum, PLEX Fellows will shadow Praxis’ world-leading PLEX mentors to help facilitate engagement sessions and building the skills to take leadership roles in patient advocacy and help advance future health innovations.

“The program gave me confidence that I could continue working and showed me that people with SCI have a big spot at the table in research and product development.” — Jason Reimann, PLEX Fellow, North Vancouver.

1000+

R&D engagement with PLEX

51

Innovations informed
through lived experience

9

Transformative products now
available to Canadians

PROGRAM DETAILS

Duration: September 2026 – March 2027.

Time Commitment: 2-8 hours per week. Flexible schedule, primarily remote with virtual sessions.

Compensation: $40 per hour. Paid PLEX Fellowship with mentorship, training, and networking included.

Mentorship: weekly 1:1 coaching with an experienced PLEX mentor, cohort learning sessions, and supporting weekly innovation engagement sessions.

 

YOUR ROLE

What fellows do

  • Advise SCI research and innovation projects using lived experience
  • Co-facilitate engagement sessions with innovators and clinicians
  • Learn the path from idea to market for SCI-related health technologies
  • Build a professional network.

What You Will Gain (Lifelong Skills)

  • Patient advocacy and research leadership skills
  • Confidence engaging researchers, clinicians, and innovators as a peer
  • A track record in a globally recognized PLEX program

“I recognized that having access to a world-recognized research institution for SCI is unique in Canada, and I really wanted to be involved. Participating in PLEX programs helps me learn more about my injury and gain skills to communicate about it.” — Chantelle Grafton, PLEX Fellow, Prince George, BC.

ELIGIBILITY

Who should apply

Required: Lived experience of spinal cord injury. You don’t need a research or medical background — your experience is the credential.

Ideal Fit: Interest in SCI research, healthcare and innovation. Motivated to advocate for and with the SCI community at a leadership level.

Location: Open to applicants across Canada. The PLEX Fellowship is fully remote with flexible scheduling to accommodate a range of situations.

HOW TO APPLY

Review the details: Read through the program information and confirm eligibility and availability.

  1. Prepare your application: Share your background, interest in the program, and what you hope to contribute.
  2. Submit: Selected candidates will be contacted for interviews.
  3. Begin in September: Fellows start July 2026 for the six-month program running through March 2027.

Stay Connected with the PLEX Fellowship

Receive updates about the PLEX Fellowship, including application timelines, program announcements, and upcoming opportunities. By joining the PLEX engagement list, you may also hear about other Praxis initiatives related to SCI research, care, innovation, events, and community engagement.

JOIN THE INTEREST LIST