Canada Postdoctoral Research Award Program

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Applications are now open for the new Canada Postdoctoral Research Award Program (CPRF) for the 2026/2027 academic year. This prestigious program, administered by Canada’s three federal granting agencies—the NSERC, CIHR, and SSHRC—supports highly promising postdoctoral researchers, both Canadian and international. The fellowship aims to foster scientific leadership and facilitate the transition to impactful research careers. The national deadline for submissions via the NSERC portal is October 17, 2025.

The CPRF provides a full funding package of CAD $70,000 per year for 24 months as part of a full-time postdoctoral research contract. It also covers health insurance, a relocation allowance, round-trip airfare, and additional language or family supplements based on specific needs. Additional financial support may be available for interdisciplinary projects or international research placements.

Canada Postdoctoral Research Award Program at a Glance

• Level of Study: Postdoctoral
• Deadline: September 11, September 17, or October 17, 2025 (depending on the agency)
• Funding: Fully funded
• Target Group: Canadian and International Researchers
• Host Country: Canada

Eligibility Criteria

Main eligibility requirements include:

• Hold (or be close to completing) a PhD or a professional health degree by the start date of the fellowship
• Not hold a tenure-track academic position and have completed all PhD requirements within the three years prior to September 1, 2025 (extensions possible for justified career interruptions)

International candidates must be enrolled in, or have completed, their doctorate at a Canadian institution, or currently hold a postdoctoral position at a Canadian institution. Up to 20% of the fellowships are available for international researchers.

Application Process

To apply for the Canada Postdoctoral Research Award Program, follow the guidelines provided on the website of the relevant agency:

• SSHRC: Register and Log In | Instructions
• NSERC: Online System | Instructions
• CIHR: ResearchNet | Instructions

Contact

For more information, contact the relevant agency:

• SSHRC: [email protected]
• NSERC: [email protected]
• CIHR Contact Centre: [email protected]

Official Website