Family engagement in research (FER) course

Starting August 2026, the Healthy Trajectories team is excited to offer an Australian cohort of the Family Engagement in Research (FER) Course for researchers, clinician-researchers and family engagement partners.

Since 2018, this popular CanChild FER Course, offered through McMaster University, has equipped researchers and family members from 18 countries with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to partner together in child and youth health and disability research.

Applications for the 2026 cohort are now closed, however if you are interested in learning more about the course for future cohorts, you can access the brochures below.

Download the 2026 FER Australia brochure

Download the 2026 FER Australia brochure (plain text)

Timeline

Applications open

11 June 2026

Applications close

10 July 2026

Notification of outcome

14 July 2026

Course start date

24 August 2026

Course break

21 Sept - 4 Oct 2026

Course end date

15 November 2026

Course fees

1 Researcher or Clinician

$750

1 Person with lived experience

$250*

1 Researcher or Clinician &
1 Person with lived experience

$900

*Scholarships

We believe that family partners and people with lived experience should not face financial barriers to training and meaningful involvement in research. Alongside discounted fees for lived experience partners whose registration is covered by a researcher or clinician, we offer a limited number of full scholarships.

These scholarships are made possible through the generosity of our partners, Melbourne Disability Institute and CanChild FER Program. Scholarships are open to those who identify solely as people with lived experience and are not connected to a research team able to support them in this training. Selection is based on the strength of each application.

What is the FER course?

This 2026 course is offered by Healthy Trajectories in partnership with CanChild, McMaster University. It covers the principles and frameworks of family engagement in research alongside discussions of the practicalities and challenges of research partnership.

Who is the FER course aimed at?

Researchers working or aspiring to work in the field of child and youth health and disability research who would like to know how to partner with consumers genuinely and effectively in their research.
People with lived/living experience of child/youth-onset disability or other chronic health conditions (as a young adult or parent/caregiver) who are currently involved or would like to become involved in research as a family engagement partner (consumer).

What do participants do during the FER course?

The course design and content aim to create a supportive environment to share ideas, experiences, and practical working methods to help participants develop confidence and competence in both the theory and practice of family engagement in research. A unique component of the FER course is that individuals with lived experience of disability and researchers collaborate in small groups to create a Knowledge Translation (KT) tool.

What kind of KT tools do participants make?

The KT tools aim to highlight best practices in FER and are produced by small groups, but the exact format of the KT tool can vary from group to group. Below are some examples from previous years’ participants in the FER course – click on each tile to learn more.