MENU

Find Funding

There are various sources and process by which Postdoctoral Fellows can find and receive funding. Although we have listed some of the common sources here, it is not an exhaustive list. 

Note: Some fellowships applications have internal SFU deadlines.

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC) Various Research Areas
 
Deadline: June for internal Letter of Intent; other due dates may apply

Learn more about this award →
 

Open To

Canadian & International

How to Apply

Through SFU Institutional Strategic Awards (ISA) at postdoc@sfu.ca  

For FAQs please see HERE

Deadline

SFU has internal process. Internal SFU deadline is June 24, 2024

Website 

https://banting.fellowships-bourses.gc.ca/en/home-accueil.html 

For information on SFU’s internal process:
https://www.sfu.ca/postdoctoral-fellows/fellowships-funding/find-funding/banting.html

 

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program provides funding to the very best postdoctoral applicants, both nationally and internationally, who will positively contribute to Canada's economic, social and research‑based growth.

Learn more about this award →

Fulbright Canada: Fulbright Scholar Award Various Research Areas
 
Deadline: Usually mid November

Learn more about this award →
 

Open To

Canadian & International

How to Apply

Directly to Fulbright Canada

Deadline

Usually mid November (Nov 15, 2024)

Website 

https://www.fulbright.ca/programs/canadian-scholars/traditional-awards.html

Traditional Fulbright awards are open to Canadian scholars in all fields and are designed to enable emerging and established scholars, post-doctoral researchers and experienced professionals to conduct research, teach, or undertake a combination of both activities for one semester or a full academic year at any university or research center of their choice in the United States.

While the competition is open to all disciplines, Fulbright Canada is particularly interested in encouraging research on contemporary issues relevant to Canada, the United States and the relationship between the two countries. Applicants should also clearly document the need to be in residence in the United States to carry out the project.

Learn more about this award →

Canadian Institutes of Health Research: CIHR Fellowship Health Sciences
Deadline: Usually early October

Learn more about this award →
 

Open To

Canadian and international applicants*

How to Apply

Through CIHR's ResearchNet System

Deadline

Usually early October  (Internal deadline Sept 30, 2024)  

Website 

Funding opportunity/eligibility listed in ResearchNet:
https://www.researchnet-recherchenet.ca

Instructions to apply:
https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/38886.html

Funding in the Health Sciences, Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada are eligible to hold a CIHR Fellowship award in Canada or abroad.

*Nominated Principal Applicants who are neither a Canadian citizen nor a permanent resident of Canada may only hold a CIHR Fellowship award at a Canadian institution.

Learn more about this award →

Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research: Research Trainee Program Health sciences
 
Deadline: Usually early December for Letter of Intent; other due dates apply

Learn more about this award →
 

Open To

Canadian citizens, permanent residents and foreign nationals. Foreign nationals must be sponsored by a BC supervisor who holds an academic appointment at a BC university.

How to Apply

Through MSFHR’s ApplyNet system

Deadline

Letter of intent due December 12th, 2024

Full application deadline by the applicants February 13, 2025

Important note: There is an SFU internal approval process. The postdoctoral affairs coordinator will review and submit applications forward by the deadline given by MSFHR.

Website 

https://healthresearchbc.ca/fundingprogram/research-trainee-program/  

MSFHR Funding provides 3 years of salary support for talented post-doctoral or health professional researchers to develop their health research careers. Funding helps post-doctoral researchers increase their, and their labs’, research productivity, and prepares them for successful careers in research, biotech, health policy and more.

Learn more about this award →

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada: Postdoctoral Fellowship Program Sciences & Engineering
Deadline: Usually mid October

Learn more about this award →
 

Open To

Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada or a protected person under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada)

How to Apply

Directly to NSERC using their Online System

Deadline

Usually mid October (October 17, 2024)

Website 

https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/PD-NP/PDF-BP_eng.asp

The NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowships (PDF) program provides 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.

Learn more about this award →

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council: SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships Social Sciences & Humanities
Deadline: Usually mid September

Learn more about this award →
 

Open To

Citizens or permanent residents of Canada or a “protected person” under subsection 95(2) of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act

How to Apply

Directly to SSHRC using their webapps system

Deadline

Usually mid September  (September 12, 2024)

Website 

https://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/programs-programmes/fellowships/postdoctoral-postdoctorale-eng.aspx#4 

These 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 purpose of these fellowships is to provide stipendiary support to recent PhD graduates who are:

  • undertaking original research;
  • publishing research findings;
  • developing and expanding personal research networks;
  • broadening their teaching experience;
  • preparing for research-intensive careers within and beyond academia; and
  • preparing to become competitive in national research grant competitions.

SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship awards are tenable at Canadian or foreign universities and research institutions.

Learn more about this award →

Mitacs: Multiple Funding Programs Various Research Areas
 
Deadline: Most programs accept applications anytime

Learn more about this award →
 

Open To

Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and international applicants

How to Apply

Directly to Mitacs

Deadline

Most programs are apply anytime

Website 

 https://www.mitacs.ca/en

Mitacs has a suite of programs designed to partner researchers with training, collaborative projects and internships with government decision makers and/or partnering organizations.

Learn more about this award →

Weston Brain Institute Various Programs
 
Deadline: Various; some programs are ongoing

Learn more about this award →
 

Open To

Funds can only be given to Canada Revenue Agency qualified donees located in Canada.

How to Apply

Directly to WBI using their Online Grant Application System

Deadline

Various, some programs are ongoing (apply anytime)

Website 

https://westonfoundation.ca/weston-brain-institute/

All funding programs support the investigation of novel lifestyle approaches that allow for the maintenance of optimal brain health and/or translational research to accelerate the development of therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases of aging. Note that WBI does not fund basic research; they fund translational research.

Learn more about this award →

Vice President Research & Innovation (VPRI) Postdoctoral Travel Award Various Research Areas
 
Deadline: rolling basis

Learn more about this award →
 

Open To

Canadian & International

How to Apply

By submitting the VPRI Postdoctoral Travel Award Application Form to postdoc@sfu.ca  

Deadline

Rolling basis, every 1st of the month

Website 

https://www.sfu.ca/postdoctoral-fellows/fellowships-funding/find-funding/PDFTravel.html

The Vice President Research & Innovation (VPRI) Postdoctoral Travel Award is designed to advance the professional development of SFU’s postdoctoral fellows (PDF) by providing supplemental financial support for travel to present or disseminate scholarly work at events (e.g., conferences, symposia, workshops). This initiative enables PDFs to showcase their research at national and international events, facilitating engagement with global experts and fostering the development of scholarly and professional networks

The awards are valued at maximum $500 for domestic travel and $1000 for international travel for eligible postdoctoral applicants. The application form must be submitted to postdoc@sfu.ca by every 1st of the month, with a decision to follow by no later than the end of the month of submission.

 

Health Research Foundation: Fellowships Health Sciences
 
Deadline: Various; some programs are oingoing

Learn more about this award →
 

Open To

Canadian Citizens

How to Apply

Directly to agency (see their website)

Deadline

Various; some programs are ongoing (apply anytime)

Website 

http://hrf-frs.com/en/home

The Health Research Foundation (HRF), is a non-profit organization, investing in academic centres across Canada which focus on innovative, and leading-edge research. The Health Research Foundation (HRF), is a non-profit organization, investing in academic centres across Canada which focus on innovative, and leading-edge research.

Learn more about this award →

BrightFocus Foundation: multiple funding programs Various Research Areas
 
Deadline: Various; usually October and November

Learn more about this award →
 

Open To

Canadian & International

How to Apply

Through the ProposalCentral application portal

Deadline

Varies by program, usually October and November

Website 

https://www.brightfocus.org

BrightFocus Foundation is at the forefront of brain and eye health, advancing early-stage, investigator-initiated research around the world. Programs fund research in the areas of Alzheimer's Disease, Macular Degeneration, National Gluacoma. 

Learn more about this award →

Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) Various Programs
 
Deadline: Various; some programs are ongoing

Learn more about this award →
 

Open To

TBD

How to Apply

Directly to CAMH using their system. Note: a CIHR academic CV is required using the Canadian Common CV (CVV)

Deadline

Various, some programs are ongoing

Website 

https://www.camh.ca/en/science-and-research/research-students-and-fellows

Prospective post-doctoral fellows may apply for positions through a dedicated post-doctoral fellowship program at CAMH. The deadline for these fellowships is typically toward the end of the calendar year, although other opportunities may arise throughout the year.

Learn more about this award →