FAQ - Postdoctoral Fellows - Simon Fraser University

Frequently Asked Questions

Need help? Find a list of FAQ’s to assist you in the application process.

Who completes the Fulfillment of Degree Requirements Form?
If you completed your PhD, health professional or equivalent degree at SFU, you can request the form be completed by Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies Staff (send the request to gpsreg@sfu.ca), otherwise contact the university at which you completed the degree.

Can Postdoctoral Fellows apply to grants as Principle Investigators?
If you are able to provide a rationale to howmeet all eligibility criteria outlined in the funding opportunity terms and conditions and your supervisor also deems your proposed research activity "exceptional". You must submit the " Postdoctoral Fellow as Principla investigator Approval Form" to postdoc@sfu.ca for approval before submission to the proposed granting agency.

How is my fellowship paid if I am a Trainee on a Fellowship or research stipend application? (Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships, CIHR, MSFHR, SSHRC)
If there isn’t an option to be paid directly from the agency,Download adn fill-in the "SFU Non-Research Funding Application". This form can be signed by your Chair/Director and Dean and submitted to Research Accounting (research_accounting@sfu.ca) for fund set up.
How is my fellowship paid if I’m the Principle Investigator on a grant application and conducting independent research?
Contact SFU’s Office of Research Services: ors@sfu.ca

Who signs the application/award/authorization forms?
If you are in a departmentalized program, it usually goes to the Chair of the Department; if you are in a non-departmentalized unit (like Faculty of Health Sciences), then it goes to the Dean.

Upcoming changes to Tri-agency award values
As you may be aware, Budget 2024 announced significant and exciting new investments in Canada’s research ecosystem, including a planned increase in the annual value of the Tri-agency Postdoctoral Fellowships (PDF) award to $70,000 per year. On Mar 31, 2024, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada further announced that this award increase will take effect for new and ongoing awards on September 1, 2024. These increases will be automatically applied to all new and ongoing awards. No action is required on the award holders and more information will be directly shared by the agencies.