The following fellowship/scholar programs are prestigious, multi-disciplinary awards that generally require letters of support and usually support a particular research project. Internal and external deadlines vary.
Traditional Scholar 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.
Value: The award is $12000 (USD) for four months in the United States (at a university, government or think tank).
Components: The application requires a proposal, CV, letters of recommendation, and a letter of invitation from the host institution.
Note: Institutional nomination is not required for Fulbright programs, but RSO may be able to review your application and provide feedback upon request. Applications are evaluated by multi-disciplinary evaluation committees.
The deadline is typically November.
For a comprehensive list of Fulbright Canada alumni, please visit the Fulbright Canada Alumni Database.
For more information, please visit the Fulbright Traditional Scholar Award webpage.
The John Simon Guggenheim Foundation offers Fellowships to further the development of scholars and artists by assisting them to engage in research in any field of knowledge and creation in any of the arts. They are intended for individuals who have already demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts. The application must be for a single project.
Value: The value of the fellowships varies.
Components: The application includes a career statement, a research proposal, list of work, names of references, and work samples (to be submitted at a later date).
The external deadline is typically mid-September (with the internal deadline for VPR approval the proceeding spring).
To see a list of all Guggenheim Fellows, please visit the Guggenheim Fellows database.
For more information, please visit the Guggenheim Fellowship program webpage.
The Sloan Research Fellowships seek to stimulate fundamental research by early-career scientists and scholars of outstanding promise. They are awarded in recognition of distinguished performance and a unique potential to make substantial contributions to their field. The subject areas covered include chemistry, computer science, earth system science, economics, mathematics, neuroscience, and physics.
Value: $75000 for two years.
Components: The application includes a nomination letter, a one-page research statement, letters of support, and a CV.
The external deadline is typically mid-September (with the internal deadline for VPR approval the proceeding spring).
For a comprehensive list of past fellows, please visit the Sloan Research Fellowship past fellows webpage.
For more information, please visit the Sloan Research Fellowship webpage.
Arthur B. MacDonald Fellowships recognize early-stage academic researchers in the natural sciences and engineering and support them to enhance their research capacity, so that they can become leaders in their field and inspire others. NSERC awards up to six MacDonald Fellowships each year.
Value: $250,000 over two years.
Evaluation Criteria: The nomination is evaluated according to the nominee’s research achievements and impacts (40%: originality and quality of achievements; impact of contributions); outreach, mentorship, and leadership (30%: public outreach and communication, training, leadership activities); future directions of their research (30%: research is original/innovative, will significantly advance the research area or have broader impact; is likely to succeed; has an appropriate approach to mentorship, and considers EDI in research and training).
Components: While this is technically a self-nomination (there is no nomination letter), the nomination must be endorsed by the university. At the University of Guelph, interested nominees must submit an EOI to the Honours and Awards Committee and, if selected to move forward, RSO will support the development of the nomination. The nomination package includes two statements (description of the nomination and future directions), NSERC personal data form, page 1 of the grant application form, and a list of external reviewers.
Note: The external deadline for the Fellowship is typically early June.
To view a comprehensive list of past winners and their profiles, see the NSERC MacDonald program past winners website.
See the NSERC MacDonald program website for more information.
CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars are outstanding early-career researchers, recognized as rising stars in their field for their potential as future research leaders. Representing a wide range of disciplines and countries, they are selected to participate for two years in one of CIFAR’s research programs. Applicants must be within the first five years of starting a full-time research position at an institution of higher education or research. Scholars' research interests must complement or contribute to the themes and goals of an eligible CIFAR research program. Every year, the programs that accept applications vary – be sure to check the Research Alert or website.
Value: $100,000 over two years in unrestricted research support, mentorship from a fellow in the program, and access to research catalyst funding opportunities.
Components: The application includes the application form (in which there are detailed written statements about your background, future research, and knowledge mobilization efforts) and letters of recommendation.
Note: Institutional nomination is not required for this program, but RSO may be able to review your application form and provide feedback upon request.
The deadline is typically late October.
For a comprehensive list of past scholars, please visit the current and past Azrieli Global Scholars webpage.
For more information, please visit the Azrieli Global Scholars Program webpage.
The National Humanities Center welcomes fellowship applications from scholars engaged in advanced humanities research regardless of citizenship or national origin. Each year, several scholars from countries other than the United States come to the Center, in North Carolina, as part of the cohort of Fellows and contribute to the rich intellectual and diverse environment of the fellowship program. Applicants must have a doctorate or equivalent scholarly credentials. Mid-career and senior scholars are encouraged to apply. Emerging scholars with a strong record of peer-reviewed work may also apply. The Center does not support the revision of doctoral dissertations.
Value: The Center seeks to provide half salary up to $65,000 with the expectation that the Fellow’s home institution covers the remaining salary.
Components: An application form plus the following documents: 1000 word project proposal, bibliography (up to 2 pages), CV (up to 4 pages), one page outline of the structure of the project, and letters of reference.
Note: Institutional nomination is not required for this program, but RSO may be able to review your application form and provide feedback upon request.
The deadline is typically early October.
For a list of past Fellows, please see the National Humanities Centre Fellowship past fellows website.
For more information, please see the National Humanities Centre Fellowship website.
Killam Research Fellowships provide support to scholars of exceptional ability by granting them time to pursue research projects of broad significance and widespread interest within the disciplines of the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences, engineering, or studies linking any of these disciplines.
Value: $70,000.
Note: The Killam Research Fellowship is currently suspended. Administration will transfer from the Canada Council to the National Research Council. This information will be updated when new details are made available.