Funding Opportunities
Postdoctoral funding is available from a variety of internal and/or external sources. While not a complete list, this page provides guidance and information on key award and fellowship opportunities
If you are interested in finding a postdoctoral position where you are paid by a faculty member’s grant, we recommend that you explore Toronto Met faculty and department websites. You are encouraged to reach out to faculty members whose research interests align with your own to ask if they are looking to hire a postdoctoral fellow. See current research staff opportunities. Though you may directly contact a faculty member with related research interests even if there are no current postings in that area.
Canada's three federal granting agencies, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), all provide funding for fellowship programs geared towards qualified applicants at the postdoctoral (post-PhD) stage of their careers.
CIHR’s Health Research Training Strategy (external link) aims to equip (external link) research trainees so that they emerge from their training as scientific, professional, or organizational leaders within and beyond the health research enterprise. Generating Research Leaders of tomorrow (external link) is a key objective for CIHR.
CIHR Fellowships provide support for highly qualified applicants in all areas of health research (external link) at the postdoctoral (post-PhD) degree or post-health professional degree stages to add to their experience by engaging in health research either in Canada or abroad.
Award Value and Duration: The awards consist of a stipend and a research allowance and are valued in Canadian dollars. The maximum amount awarded for a single award is up to $60,000 per annum for up to 5 years. The value and duration of each award is determined by the degree(s) held, licensure (where applicable), location of tenure and experience of the applicant.
Application details and eligibility criteria are available on the CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowship Program website (external link) and Office of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation.
NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowships provide support to a core of the most promising researchers at a pivotal time in their careers. The fellowships are also intended to secure a supply of highly qualified Canadians with leading-edge scientific and research skills for Canadian industry, government and academic institutions.
Award Value and Duration: $45,000 per year for two years.
Application details and eligibility criteria are available on the NSERC Fellowships Program website (external link) and Office of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation.
Based on the recommendations of the Anti-Black Racism (opens in new window) Campus Climate Review and (PDF file) Standing Strong (opens in new window) committee, and as part of a wider commitment to equity, TMU is offering up to four Postdoctoral Fellowships for Black Scholars valued at $70,000/year plus benefits.
Applications are now closed.
The Toronto Metropolitan University Postdoc Travel Fund is intended to encourage postdoctoral fellows to present their research at a regional, national or international conference or equivalent academic event. The Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies funds this initiative subject to budget availability.
Value
Up to $500 (a maximum of one award per year of contract.)
Deadline
There is no deadline to apply for this funding. Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis, as funds are limited. Complete applications must be approved prior to the date of travel or conference.
Eligibility
All full-time postdoctoral fellows at TMU.
Postdocs must be presenting a paper or poster at the conference.
The research being presented must have been conducted at TMU.
Postdocs will not be eligible for support if the conference takes place after the conclusion of the postdoctoral fellowship at TMU.
Application process and adjudication
Please complete the (google form) Postdoc Travel Fund Application form (external link) (Google form). You will need to include:
- Proof of presentation (e.g. copy of acceptance letter from conference organizers).
- A copy of your submitted abstract.
- Proof of payment of registration fee.
- All receipts or paperwork
Note: Paper submissions will not be accepted. Electronic submission only, please.
Payment
Payment will be made once travel is complete. Please email rachquel.thompson@torontomu.ca If you have any questions.
See Graduate Student Travel Fund to apply for travel funding as a graduate student.
The Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars (CAPS) (external link) provides valuable resources for Canadian postdoctoral fellows including, amongst many things, funding opportunities.
Mitacs is a national not-for-profit organization that works with institutions, companies and the federal and provincial governments to promote and support innovation. Postdoctoral opportunities available through Mitacs include the following programs: Globalink Research Award (external link) , Accelerate (external link) , Elevate (external link) and the Canadian Science Policy Fellowship (external link) .
Award Value and Duration: Various
Application details and eligibility criteria are available on the Mitacs website (external link) and Office of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation
The Nadir Mohamed Postdoctoral Fellowship
This fellowship includes a $10,000 (CAD) stipend for travel, research, and other expenses. Candidates must hold a PhD degree.
The Singer Family Doctoral Fellowship
This fellowship includes a $10,000 (CAD) stipend for travel, research, and other expenses. Candidates must hold or be working toward a PhD degree.
The Howard Tanenbaum Fellowship
This fellowship includes a $2,000 (CAD) stipend for travel, research, and other expenses. Candidates must hold or be working toward an MA degree.
The Elaine Ling Fellowship
This fellowship includes a $2,000 (CAD) stipend for travel, research, and other expenses. Candidates must hold or be working toward an MA degree.
Please visit The Image Centre (external link) for more information about fellowships.
