What is the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship program?

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program provides funding to the very best postdoctoral applicants and is available to both Canadian and international applicants who will positively contribute to the country's economic, social and research‑based growth. This fellowship is valued at $70,000 per two years with only 70 available annually across Canada. 

The fellowship program is administered by Canada's three federal granting agencies:

• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) 

• Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)

How are applicants considered?

Applicants must submit a Notice of Intent application package to fgps@wlu.ca by Laurier's internal deadline of Monday, July 13, 2020. 

A complete Notice of Intent Application Package includes:

• Canadian Common CV.

• All postsecondary education transcripts (unofficial transcripts accepted at this stage).

• Description of career aspirations and rationale for desire to pursue a postdoctoral research experience at Laurier and in association with the proposed supervisor. Highlight the benefits expected with respect to fulfilling career aspirations (maximum one page).

• Research proposal (maximum four pages), including:
  • The objectives and significance of your proposed research program.
  • The contribution that your research will make to the advancement of knowledge.
  • How the proposed research program is situated within relevant scholarly literature.
  • The theoretical approach or framework that will be used.
  • The research question(s) and/or hypothesis/hypotheses.
  • The methodology and why it was chosen.
  • The plan to disseminate the findings and/or enhance potential for impact.

• Submission from proposed supervisor (maximum three pages, email to fgps@wlu.ca) that includes the following:
  • Evidence for the suitability of the match with reference to the supervisor's area of research and contributions.
  • Proposed research environment (funding, facilities/resources and personnel available to support the applicant).
  • Demonstrated synergy between the applicant and institutional strategic priorities.

• One reference letter (submitted by someone other than the proposed supervisor, maximum three pages, email to fgps@wlu.ca)that includes the following:
  • An assessment of the applicant’s research excellence and demonstrated leadership.
  • An assessment of the merit of the proposed research.
  • Comment on the suitability of the proposed research environment.

What is the CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowship Program?

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Postdoctoral Fellowships support highly qualified applicants in the areas of health research to add to a recipient’s experience by engaging in health research in Canada or abroad. The value of this fellowship is $40,000 to $60,000 per year (taxable); non-renewable tenable for up to five years. See CIHR Fellowship website for more details. 

How are applicants considered?

Applicants must submit their applications to ResearchNet by Laurier’s set deadline (which will appear when you identify Laurier as the host institution (“Institution Paid”). A complete list of eligibility guidelines as well as applications instructions can be found on the  CIHR Fellowship website and ResearchNet.

What is the NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship Program? 

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Postdoctoral Fellowships support the most promising new Canadian scholars in natural sciences and engineering, and assist them in establishing a research base at an important time in their research careers. The value of this fellowship is $45,000 non-renewable for up to two years.

How are applicants considered?

Applicants must submit their applications to the NSERC online system by the advertised agency deadline. A complete list of eligibility guidelines as well as applications instructions can be found on NSERC’s website.

What is the OWHS Award?

The Ontario Women's Health Scholars (OWHS) Award recognizes postdoctoral fellows (as well as master’s and doctoral students) whose research will potentially contribute to the advancement of knowledge about women’s health. Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, scholars will excel in the creation of new knowledge about women’s health and its translation into improved health for women, more effective health services and products for women, and a strengthened health care system.

Up to two awards at the postdoctoral level are funded annually. The current value of these awards is $50,000 plus a $5,000 research allowance. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents as of the application deadline date (Jan. 31 annually), and must be sponsored by the Dean of Graduate Studies at the Ontario university at which they are undertaking postdoctoral research.

How are applicants considered?

By Dec. 1 annually, applicants must submit to the dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (via email to fgps@wlu.ca) electronic copies of the following documents:

• The completed application form.
• A curriculum vitae (including information concerning the eligibility criteria).
• For postdoctoral applicants: a brief summary of their doctoral thesis (maximum 300 words).
• A statement of research to be undertaken during the period of graduate study or postdoctoral research (maximum 1,000 words). There must also be an additional, non-technical summary (maximum 500 words). These statements must be written by the candidate.
• Confidential letters from four assessors. These appraisals should focus on an evaluation of the applicant’s research to date, and the research being undertaken during the postdoctoral period. The applicant must ask for the appraisals to be transmitted electronically directly to the dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Two of the assessors should preferably be from another university and must not have been associated with the candidate as either a supervisor, a member of the candidate’s supervisory committee, or a co-author.

For full details, see the Ontario Council on Graduate Studies website, or select "Ontario Women's Health Scholars Award" on Laurier's Graduate Funding and Awards: External Funding webpage.

 

What is the SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship Program?

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Postdoctoral Fellowships support the most promising Canadian new scholars in the social sciences and humanities, and assist them in establishing a research base at an important time in their research careers. The value of this fellowship is $40,500 non-renewable for up to two years.

How are applicants considered?

Applicants must submit their applications to the SSHRC online system by the advertised agency deadline. An institutional nomination letter is required as part of this application. The head of the department or department chair at the primary location of tenure should complete this form. A complete list of eligibility guidelines as well as applications instructions can be found on SSHRC’s website.

What is the Travel Assistantship Program?

The Travel Assistantship Program (login required) funding supports any non-domestic research-related travel by postdoctoral fellows, which could include attending a conference, travel to a field site, visiting a research collaborator, or travel to a remote site for specialized training.

How are applicants considered?

Applicants must complete a Postdoctoral Fellows Travel Assistantship Form clearly explaining the nature of the research-related travel and outlining the expected travel expenses​. Your supervisor must sign to verify that the purpose of the travel is related to your program of research. The maximum amount of support that will be provided is $800. Each postdoctoral fellow will be eligible to apply only once per year.

Questions and completed applications for the Travel Assistantship Program should be submitted to Cherie Mongeon.