External postdoctoral funding sources include the three federal granting agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Naturally, foreign nationals would benefit from checking first with agencies and foundations in their home country.
Canada Postdoctoral Research Award program (CPRA) from the Tri-agency (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC)
Objective
The Canada Postdoctoral Research Award (CPRA) program recognizes and supports the next generation of outstanding innovators, knowledge workers, creative thinkers and researchers at a pivotal time in their careers. The program provides funding and flexibility, empowering Canadian and international leaders in innovation and scholarship of tomorrow to develop the skills to build world-class research and drive Canadian prosperity and competitiveness.
Important information
Applications for the Canada Postdoctoral Research Award from international applicants are now being accepted. Please consult the funding agencies' website to determine your eligibility to apply.
Candidates interested in the Canada Postdoctoral Research Award program (CPRA) apply directly with their agency of choice by their deadline. There are no institutional quotas, and there is no internal competition.
Candidates applying with CIHR will need to have their application approved and submitted to CIHR by the university’s Research Management Services office. They recommend that candidates complete their application at least a few days before the CIHR deadline to allow their office the time to review the application and submit it to the agency on time.
Candidates applying with SSHRC will require the Institutional Nomination and Commitment form with their application which “should be completed by the department head (or designate) at the institution where the proposed postdoctoral research will take place”. It is recommended that you contact your postdoctoral supervising professor to consult with his or her department head and find out if they would like to receive your application by a specific date in order to provide the form to you before the agency's application deadline.
There are no university requirements to apply with NSERC.
Canada Postdoctoral Research Award program (CPRA)
Federal government fellowships
Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards
Government of Canada post-doctoral scholarships
Health Canada Fellowship Programs
National Research Council Canada Research Associate Program
Ontario government fellowships
Ontario Women's Health Scholars Award by the Council of Ontario Universities
The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) Awards
Fellowships from the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ)
Scholarships and grants from The Fonds de recherche du Québec - Nature et technologies (FRQNT)
Scholarships and grants from The Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture (FRQSC)
Scholarships and grants from The Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS)
Fellowships in medicine
Canadian Blood Services Research Funding Opportunities
The American Institute for Cancer Research’s Marilyn Gentry Fellowship
The Savoy Foundation Post-doctoral and clinical research fellowships
The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
Multidisciplinary fellowships
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) funding
Post-doctoral Mustard Fellowship in Work and Health
Smithsonian Fellowships and Internships
The Armand-Frappier Foundation
The Canada-U.S. Fulbright Program
The Davies Charitable Foundation research fellowship
The Getty Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships
The Graduate Women In Science (GWIS) National Fellowship Program
The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation Research Grant
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Funding
The Ireland Canada University Foundation (ICUF) Scholarships