Supporting Fellows involved with international aid efforts
Our International Development, Aid and Collaboration (IDAC) funding program, facilitated by Royal College International (RCI), is now supporting 20 Fellow-led projects in low- and middle-income countries. This funding supports projects aimed at improving health profession education and local capacity.
Since the program’s launch in October 2019, approximately 135 Fellows have participated in IDAC-supported projects spanning 16 countries and regions. This includes Fellows who will be participating in our newest group of grant-awarded projects.
“It is a privilege to help Fellows make a difference in communities of need around the world,” says Susan D. Moffatt-Bruce, MD, FRCSC, PhD, CEO of the Royal College. “Their hard work is truly inspiring, and I’m honoured that the Royal College and Royal College International are a part of that journey.”
Meet our new IDAC grant recipients
In early 2022, after a thorough review and evaluation process, 11 new Fellow-led projects were selected for IDAC funding. These projects now join our first cohort of IDAC grant recipients, bringing the total number of supported projects to 20. RCI funds IDAC projects through a portion of its consulting proceeds.
Our congratulations to
- Anne Aspler, MD, FRCPC
- Marissa Becker, MD, FRCPC
- A. Mark Clarfield, MD, FRCPC
- Vikram Dua, MD, FRCPC
- Carol Hitchon, MD, FRCPC
- Zahira Khalid, MBBS, FRCPC
- Dang Khoa Nguyen, MD, FRCPC
- Ronald Lett, MD, FRCSC
- Joel Parlow, MD, FRCPC
- Narendra Singh, MBBS, FRCPC
- Peter Wing, MBChB, FRCSC
Get to know the projects
Throughout 2022, we will be publishing stories on each newly funded project. These articles are an opportunity for members to learn more about the incredible, diverse and important international aid efforts being led by Fellows. We hope you will enjoy them.
The first three highlighted projects

Joel Parlow’s project to apply Anesthesiology knowledge in low-resource environments. His team includes Gregory Klar, MD, FRCPC; Melanie Jaeger, MD, FRCPC; Jon Bailey MD, FRCPC; Dylan Bould, MD; and Ana Johnson, PhD.

Marissa Becker’s project to strengthen research skills to improve maternal and child health in Pakistan. Her team includes Maryanne Crockett, MD, FRCPC, and Lisa Avery, MD, FRCSC.

Narenda Singh’s project to decrease infant mortality in Guyana. His team includes Andrea Hunter, MD, FRCPC; April Kam, MD, FRCPC; and Shirley Sit, MD, FRCPC.
For more information on IDAC, consult the program’s web page.