Welcome to the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy Trainee Funding Opportunity Index. LDFP trainees may qualify for several funding and fellowship opportunities. Please ensure that you review the guidelines for each opportunity and discuss the funding opportunity with your supervisor. Feel free to reach out to the research office for additional questions (Mike Folinas, Sam D’Alfonso, or Lia Cardarelli)

Search Pivot Funding Opportunities Database

Search for various funding opportunities by entering a search term into the Pivot search widget below. Please note this will open up a new tab and may require a login or the creation of an account.

You can take full advantage of all the features Pivot has to offer.  Register for an account to make searching for new and updated funding opportunities easier; you can even set up weekly email notifications that are based on your profile to ensure you do not miss any relevant opportunities.

Graduate Students & Postdoctoral Fellows

• Demonstrate academic excellence and high potential for success in their chosen fields;
• Identify as Indigenous to Turtle Island and/or Black – Indigenous and/or Black researchers only;
• Have obtained a doctoral degree, at the time the fellowship commences and normally within the last five years from the start of the fellowship; and
• Not have held a Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship previously.

Award Explorer

Are you interested in awards at the University of Toronto? Whether you’re thinking of coming to U of T – or you are a current student pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies – this tool can help you explore the diverse funding opportunities that recognize your achievements and financially support your studies.

The graduate and Postdoctoral Awards databases are available here.

Canadian Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Foundation (CAAIF) Operating and Graduate Awards

Canadian Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Foundation (CAAIF) has open calls for applications for 3 Operating Grants and 4 Graduate Student/Fellowship Awards.

Note: Some grants/awards have a secondary sponsor; Canadian Lung Association and Asthma Canada and require applicants to register before submitting an application.   

An MRA is required for all applications and MRAs should be submitted at least one week before the application deadline.

Graduate Student/Fellowship Awards

Graduate Student Awards in Asthma 

• Application Deadline: March 18, 2026 at 11:59 pm 
• Two awards for PhD students valued at $30,000 each; One award for MSc students valued at $15,000 

CAAIF Graduate Student Research Grant in Asthma Supported by AstraZeneca

•  Application Deadline: March 18, 2026 at 11:59 pm
• One grant for a PhD student valued at $30,000 

CAAIF-CLA Research Fellowship 

• Deadline to Register: March 25, 2026
• Application Deadline: April 8, 2026

CAAIF-CLA Allied Health Fellowship 

• Deadline to Register: March 25, 2026
• Application Deadline: April 8, 2026
• Full-time student: $5,000 + equal matching from supervisor; Part-time student: $2,500 + equal matching from supervisor 

If you have any questions, please contact Kitishia-Trista Cordner kitishia.cordner@utoronto.ca 

Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s (CIHR) - Free online training on patient engagement

Click here to start any module of the course

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s (CIHR) Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA) has developed a set of online, self-directed, free modules related to Patient Engagement (PE) in research! IMHA’s patient partners identified a need for more training in patient engagement and set to work filling the gap for practical tools and resources to help people do patient engagement in research. Modules must be completed in chronological order; after completing each module, you will receive a certificate. While the modules have been developed by IMHA, they are not disease- or condition-specific and are applicable to any research where patient partners are engaged.

Course: A How-to Guide for Patient Engagement in Research

• Module 1: What is patient engagement?
• Module 2: The research process: (a) Understanding the research process for patient partners and (b) Supporting patient partners throughout the research process for other members of the research team
• Module 3: Setting up a research project for successful partnership

• Module 4: Patient engagement for research teams: (a) Being part of a research team for patient partners and (b) Engaging patients on your research team for other members of the research team

If you have any questions about the training or accessing the modules, please contact imha-iala@cihr-irsc.gc.ca and follow @CIHR_IMHA for related announcements! 

Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards - Postdoctoral Awards

On December 9, the Government of Canada announced the Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative, which aims to support universities in attracting new postdoctoral fellows from abroad. Part of this broader initiative is the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards.

These awards are a one-time initiative designed to recruit international or returning Canadian postdoctoral fellows to Canada in eight priority research areas, helping build capacity, strengthen the research ecosystem, and enhance Canada’s global competitiveness.

The priority research areas for this initiative are the following:

1. Advanced digital technologies (AI, quantum, cybersecurity)
2. Health, including biotechnology
3. Clean technology and resource value chains
4. Environment, climate resilience, and the Arctic
5. Food and water security
6. Democratic and community resilience
7. Manufacturing and advanced materials
8. Defence and dual-use technologies

Nationally, 400 postdoctoral awards have been distributed across Canadian institutions based on each institution’s share of Tri-agency funding. The University of Toronto, in turn, has allocated its share of these awards to its academic divisions and affiliated hospitals to administer.  The Faculty of Pharmacy has been allocated 1 (one) nomination for this competition.

Eligibility

The federal government has established baseline eligibility criteria for this program. The following requirements reflect the criteria for nominations submitted through the University of Toronto’s allocation.

Nominators (all Faculty members/Principal investigators) must:

1. Hold an eligible active Tri-agency grant (see list of eligible grants) and receiving a payment or have a planned payment between April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2027); and
2. Be conducting research within one of the eight priority research areas.

Additional Requirements for Nominators

Nominators recruiting postdoctoral researchers must:

• Commit to supervising the nominee to completion of their postdoctoral engagement; and
• Have received endorsement from the Research Office where the postdoctoral fellow nominee will be engaged (for U of T based postdocs).

Nominees (Doctoral Students and Postdoctoral Researchers):

1. Must not be affiliated with a Canadian institution at the time of nomination;
2. Must be currently studying or working abroad; and
3. Proposed research is in one of the eight priority research areas.

Additional Requirements for Nominees

Postdoctoral Researcher Nominees must:

• Be eligible to commence a postdoctoral (trainee) engagement before March 31, 2027

Value

Postdoctoral awards are valued at $70,000 per year for 2 years.

Deadline

The deadline is February 17, 2026, by 11:59 pm EST.

Application Requirements

1. Secure a Supervisor 

To identify a potential supervisor please see the following link on our website:

https://www.pharmacy.utoronto.ca/faculty 

A supervisor must agree to offer you a Postdoctoral position before you can submit an application for the Canada Impact + Trainee Award. Once you have found a researcher with whom you would like to work you need to e-mail them directly. Your e-mail should include the following: 

• Attach your CV
• Specifically address the work they are doing and explain why you would like to work in their group. 
• Give examples of your previous experience and skills and explain why it would help their research. 
• Explain what you would like to learn working in their research group.

2. Complete the application form (Link below) to which you will upload items 3, 4, 5, and 6 listed below. 

3. Independent Research Proposal from the Candidate (Max two pages, plus up to two additional pages for references/citations) 

• The independent research proposal should clearly articulate how the proposed work represents a significant departure from or advancement beyond your doctoral research. The proposal should also outline the anticipated long-term impact of the research, including how it contributes to the field and aligns with U of T’s strategic research priorities.

4. Learning Statement from the Candidate (Max 1 page)

• The statement should describe your professional, academic, and extracurricular experiences/achievements and how these contribute to your learning success and ability to develop and implement an independent research plan (1/2 page); and
• How the learning you expect to acquire will contribute to your productivity and to the research goals you hope to achieve. Indicate why you decided upon the proposed learning location and what you expect to learn from the learning experience (1/2 page).

5. Supervisor's Statement

• Describe the complementarity between the research interests/background of the supervisor and candidate, how the proposed research complements the supervisor’s ongoing projects and/or new research directions, and the anticipated mutual benefits; this includes how the collaboration will support the candidate’s transition to research independence and long-term career success.
• Reveal information specific to the field of study (e.g., benchmarks of excellence, publication norms/standards/practices, impact factor of research contributions) that would otherwise not be known outside the discipline.
• Provide details regarding the candidate’s proposed research environment, clearly stating the supervisor’s and graduate unit’s commitment. Examples of commitment include (but are not limited to) mentorship, opportunities for collaboration, dissemination, and/or knowledge translation, resources (e.g., funding, facilities, personnel) that will be available to support the candidate as they carry out their proposed research; and how these resources will enable the candidate to establish a sustainable, independent research program.
• Illustrate the supervisor’s commitment to the applicant’s academic and professional trajectory and development of an independent research program, clearly indicating the resources and/or mentoring activities that are available through the learning environment to support career development.

6. Candidate's C.V. (No page restriction)

• NIH Biosketch format recommended.

*All documents must be prepared in one PDF, single-spaced Times New Roman 12-point font with margins of 2.5cm.  Please use the following naming convention lastname_firstname_CITA_2025-26.
**Postdoctoral Fellows are required to secure a supervisor before submitting this application**

How to Apply

Interested candidates can submit their applications using the link below. For additional information, contact Sam D'Alfonso at sam.dalfonso@utoronto.ca.

Apply Here

 

Centre for Global Disability Studies - Small Grants Fund

The Centre for Global Disability Studies (CGDS) at the University of Toronto Scarborough has grants available for faculty, graduate students, and researchers in your unit.   These easy-to-apply-for grants of $500-1500 can be used for accessible research, knowledge dissemination or community engagement, improving access to academic events, or any aspect of hosting a disability studies event on campus.

Common Questions:

Is my project sufficiently related to disability studies?
The Centre for Global Disability Studies promotes transdisciplinary research that understands disability as a social and political formation and ableism as a historical system of oppression with intersections with racism, colonialism, sexism, and classism. We do not fund medical research or clinical studies. We do fund social science and humanities projects that have a relationship to questions about ableism in the world.

You can see what folks have used small grants for in the past on the website if you need some inspiration. You can also get creative! Here are some ideas:

• Do you want your published article to be open access but need to pay a fee?
• Do you need an RA to update your website that helps community members find your research? 
• Do you need an RA to help you organize a meeting or prepare a letter or video to communicate research findings with research participants or the broader community
• Do you want to purchase a piece of technology that will help you communicate with research participants? 
• Do you need a piece of software that will make organizing your research more accessible for you?
• Do you want to pay a research participant to serve as a community expert consultant for your project? 
• Do you want to pay a community disability advocate to speak in your working group or department? 
• Do you want your department colloquium to have live captioning?
• Do you need to improve the accessibility in the grad student lounge in your department?
• Are you organizing a campus event on a theme related to disability justice with another organization and need a cosponsor? 

Is my research “global” enough?

• The small grants are flexible. Please apply. You might hear back suggestions about how you could revise your research plan to be better aligned with anti-racist and anti-colonial justice, but, if you are already considering ableism as a pervasive, transnational system of oppression, your research is eligible. However, grant proposals for research that takes a curative approach to disability and/or does not substantively engage with disability studies will be returned for revision. Moreover, accessible events grants do not need to pertain only to disability studies but can be requested for any campus event.

 Click here to learn more or to apply.

Human Research Ethics Unit Info Sessions

Join the Human Research Ethics Unit for the upcoming information sessions that will address all types of research involving human participants. These info sessions will feature a comprehensive presentation and provide opportunities for Q&A.   

Research Ethics in the Social Sciences, Humanities and Education Info Session  
February 12, 2026, 10:00am-11:30am  
Session Details and Registration 

Research Ethics in the Health Sciences Info Session  
February 17, 2026 10:00am-11:30am  
Session Details and Registration 

Faculty members, graduate students and staff are invited to attend. Info sessions include a presentation by Research Ethics Managers with opportunities for questions and discussion.    

Learning objectives include broadening and deepening understanding of:  

• History and principles behind research ethics review  
• Procedures under Tri-council policy statement: Ethical conduct for research involving humans  
• UT’s risk matrix for assessing participant vulnerability and research risk  
• Free & informed consent, privacy & confidentiality, conflict of interest, inclusion/exclusion criteria  
• Questions and discussion relating to specific projects and methods  

To find out about additional training and events, join the CRIS mailing list or visit our Programs Page. Questions about how to join sessions can be directed to cris@utoronto.ca 

John Charles Polanyi Prizes

To honour the achievement of John Charles Polanyi, recipient of the 1986 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the Ontario Government established a fund to award John Charles Polanyi Prizes annually to up to five outstanding researchers or scholars who are in the early stages of their careers and at Ontario universities. The prizes have a value of $20,000 each and are available in the areas broadly defined as Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Economic Science.

Deadline

February 17, 2026 by 5 pm EST.

Value

The value of this award is $20,000.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an award, applicants must:

1. Be normally resident in Ontario;
2. Have received their doctoral degree from any recognized university in the world on or after September 1, 2022, or, if the doctoral degree has not yet been awarded, be confident that they will have completed all degree requirements by May 31, 2026 (an applicant who was on parental leave between the time of completion of the doctorate and the time of application may have their period of eligibility extended by six months);
3. Either be planning to continue to post-doctoral studies, or hold a faculty appointment, in a recognized publicly assisted university in Ontario.

   Important: Nominating units must ensure candidates have been or will be offered a full-time postdoctoral position or faculty appointment that will be accepted before signing the application form.

Enquiries about these criteria may be directed to ExecDirectorQA@oucqa.ca.

Application Process

All applicants must submit to their graduate unit or their supervisor’s affiliated graduate unit (not the Dean of Graduate Studies as indicated in the COU announcement) an electronic copy of the following documents in a single PDF package by the graduate unit deadline:

1. The completed application form – downloadable from the Council of Ontario Universities’ (COU) website;
2. Curriculum vitae (no page restrictions), including information concerning the application. Updates to curriculum vitae will not be accepted after submission;
3. A summary of the doctoral thesis (1 page max, to be written by the applicant);
4. A brief statement of research or scholarship to be undertaken during the period of the award, prepared by the applicant (maximum of 2 pages, an additional 1 page is allowed for diagrams, bibliography, etc.);
5. A non-technical summary of the statement of research or scholarship, written by the applicant (maximum 500 words);
6. Confidential letters (on letterhead and signed) from four assessors (emailed directly to the nominating unit’s graduate administrator before the unit deadline).

• Mandatory arm’s length assessors: All applications must have two arm’s length assessors from among the four assessors. Eligible arm’s length assessors include those who have read the applicant’s work, seen them present at conferences, but have not actually been involved with the applicant. The arm’s length assessors cannot be:
  • a relative or close friend, or have a personal relationship with the applicant;
  • in a position to benefit from the funding of the application;
  • affiliated with the applicant’s current and/or proposed institutions;
  • professionally affiliated with the applicant, as a result of (but not limited to): being their supervisor or trainee; collaborating, publishing or sharing funding with the applicant, or having plans to do so in the immediate future.
• Letters should focus on an evaluation of the applicant’s research or scholarship to date, and the research or scholarship being undertaken. In particular, the assessor should explain why the research is worthy of a John Charles Polanyi Prize, paying particular attention to the selection criteria outlined below. Assessor should also provide a short description of the relationship, if any, with the applicant.
• Assessors must read and comment on the statement of research (or writing) being submitted as part of the application.
• Note: COU allows external thesis examiners act as arm’s length assessors

Notes:

Applicants do not need to obtain the Dean’s signature or endorsement when submitting the application. The Graduate Awards Office will provide this endorsement to those applications selected by SGS to put forth to COU.

Postdoctoral fellows located at an affiliated hospital should apply through the graduate unit where their supervisor is appointed.

Selection Criteria

John Charles Polanyi prizes recognize truly outstanding researchers and scholars for their work during their doctoral program and, where relevant, in their research and scholarship after doctoral study. The Selection Committee, when it makes its decisions about the applicants to be awarded the prizes, reviews both the record of research and publications and the description of planned research; neither, alone, is sufficient for recognition with a Polanyi Prize.

Results

April 2026: The SGS Graduate Awards Office will notify those forwarded to SGS the University competition results.

Late August/Early Sept 2026: The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) will notify successful recipients confidentially of the Ontario competition results.

January/February 2027: The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) will announce the official results to the public.

Contacts & Resources

Please direct all questions regarding the John Charles Polanyi Prizes competition or nomination process at the University of Toronto to:

Sarah Pickering
Postdoctoral Administrative Officer
Phone: 416-946-5254
sgs.postdoc@utoronto.ca

COU Inquiries

ExecDirectorQA@oucqa.ca
Phone: 416-979-2165, extension 235

COU Polanyi Prizes webpage

Note: the COU does not provide advice on improving an application or provide feedback on an application.

 

 

LDFP Postdoctoral Competitive Research Award (PCRA) 

The Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy Postdoctoral Competitive Research Award (PCRA) is a prestigious funding opportunity offered by the University of Toronto to support outstanding postdoctoral scholars in advancing their research careers. This program is designed to provide postdoctoral fellows with the autonomy and resources necessary to develop and lead an independent research agenda that is distinct from, yet complementary to, their supervisor’s work. 

The primary goal of the PCRA is to bridge the critical gap between doctoral training and independent academic careers. By offering financial support and recognition, the award enables postdoctoral scholars to strengthen their research expertise, build leadership skills, and position themselves for future faculty appointments or research-intensive roles in academia, industry, or government. 

Recipients of this award will benefit from access to world-class research facilities, collaboration with leading faculty members, and tailored professional development opportunities. The program fosters innovation, creativity, and scholarly excellence within an inclusive and vibrant academic community. Ultimately, the PCRA aims to empower postdoctoral researchers to make significant contributions to their fields while establishing themselves as independent investigators. 

Eligibility 

This award is open to both domestic and international candidates. The following criteria are the minimum LDFP eligibility requirements for applicants and successful recipients.  

Applicants must: 

• Be engaged, or expect to be engaged as a postdoctoral fellow (employee or trainee) of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy (teaching hospital postdocs are not employees of the university); 

• Have demonstrated academic excellence, capacity to conceptualize and execute independent research beyond their doctoral work, and evidence of intellectual leadership in their chosen field (as defined by LDFP); and

• Complete all doctoral degree requirements by the time the award commences and normally be within five years from the completion of their doctoral degree,.

Award recipients must: 

• Be engaged as a postdoctoral employee/trainee of the University of Toronto with an engagement end date of no less than 12 months from the award start (teaching hospital postdocs are not employees of the university); 

• Be hired by an LDFP supervisor (primary appointment) ; 

• Register and remain registered with the Postdoctoral Office at the School of Graduate Studies (SGS); and

• Not hold a faculty position or be on leave from such position.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion 

The Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy is strongly committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable academic environment. We recognize that diversity in perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds enriches research and innovation. As part of this commitment, we strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify as members of underrepresented groups, including but not limited to women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minority communities, and members of sexual and gender minority groups. 

Our goal is to ensure that all qualified candidates have equal access to opportunities and resources that support their success. Applicants are invited to highlight any aspects of their experience or proposed research that contribute to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within the academic community. The Faculty values initiatives that promote inclusive research practices, broaden participation in scholarly activities, and address barriers faced by marginalized groups. 

Award Value and Duration 

The LDFP Postdoctoral Competitive Research Award (PCRA) provides a total funding amount of $10,000 for each successful applicant. This funding is intended to directly support the postdoctoral scholar’s independent research project and must be used in accordance with the guidelines outlined below.  The award is available for the full term of the postdoctoral engagement, which typically spans up to two years. The eligible and ineligible expenses include: 

Eligible Expenses 

• Research consumables and materials 

• Software and licenses 

• Data collection and participant costs 

• Research-related travel  

• Publication costs  

Ineligible Expenses 

• Salary top-ups  

• General lab operating costs  

• Capital equipment purchases without prior approval 

• Professional development 

• Conferences without prior approval 

The purpose of this award is to provide postdoctoral scholars with the autonomy and resources necessary to advance their research agenda, distinct from their supervisor’s program, while ensuring feasibility within the timeframe of their engagement. All expenditures must comply with University of Toronto financial policies and be processed through the appropriate divisional reimbursement mechanisms. 

Competition Deadline 

The LDFP Postdoctoral Competitive Research Award (PCRA) will be offered annually through the 2027/28 academic year. The application deadline for each competition cycle is March 12, 2026. If this date falls on a weekend or a statutory holiday, the deadline will automatically move to the next business day. 

All application packages must be received by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the deadline date. Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances.  

Application Process 

To apply for the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy Postdoctoral Competitive Research Award (PCRA), applicants must submit a complete application package by the competition deadline. All materials should be combined into a single PDF document and submitted via email to the designated contact. 

Your application must include the following: 

1. Research Proposal (maximum 3 pages): 
        - Clearly state the objectives and significance of your proposed research. 
        - Describe the methodology and demonstrate feasibility within the award period. 
        - Explain how the project is distinct from your supervisor’s research program and will advance your independent research. 
        - Include an expected outcomes section and a knowledge mobilization plan outlining how results will be shared. 

2. Bibliography (maximum 1 page): 
        - Provide references cited in your proposal using a consistent citation format. 

3. Budget and Justification (maximum 2 pages): 
        - Detail how the $10,000 award will be allocated. 
        - Ensure all expenses align with the eligible cost categories outlined in the award guidelines. 

4. Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Biosketch (maximum 5 pages): 
        - Highlight academic achievements, publications, and evidence of research independence. 

5. Supervisor Letter of Support (maximum 2 pages): 
        - Confirm the supervisor’s commitment to providing resources and mentorship. 
        - Explain how the proposed research complements but remains independent from the supervisor’s program. 

6. Proof of PhD Completion Date  
        - unofficial transcript or copy of diploma with date 

Submit your application to Sam D’Alfonso (sam.dalfonso@utoronto.ca). The document must be saved as one PDF file using the following naming convention: last_name_first_name-PRCR-Date. 

Review Committee 

A committee from within the Faculty of Pharmacy will be established to review all applications from members of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.  Each LDFP Postdoctoral Competitive Research Award application will be reviewed and ranked by the committee. To be successful, applicants must write their applications for non-specialist reviewers. Applications written in a highly specialized or technical prose may receive a lower ranking.  It is expected that a decision will be rendered within 60 days of the application deadline.   

Evaluation Criteria 

Applications for the LDFP Postdoctoral Competitive Research Award (PCRA) will use the following weighted criteria. Each criterion is designed to ensure that awards are granted to candidates who demonstrate excellence, independence, and potential for impact. 

Criterion	Weight
Academic Excellence & Leadership – Reviewers will evaluate the applicant’s academic record, including publications, presentations, and other scholarly contributions. Evidence of research independence and intellectual leadership will be considered, such as the ability to conceptualize and execute projects beyond doctoral work. Strong indicators include high-quality publications, awards, and leadership roles in research collaborations.	30%
Quality & Independence of Proposal – The proposed research must be original, well-structured, and clearly articulated. Reviewers will assess whether the project demonstrates creativity and scholarly rigor, and whether it is distinct from the supervisor’s research program. The proposal should outline clear objectives, a sound methodology, and a compelling rationale for the research.	30%
Feasibility & Environment – The committee will consider whether the proposed research can realistically be completed within the award period. This includes evaluating the timeline, milestones, and access to necessary resources and facilities. The supervisor’s letter of support should confirm that the applicant will have the required infrastructure and mentorship to succeed.	20%
Impact & Career Trajectory – Reviewers will assess the potential of the proposed research to generate meaningful outcomes, such as publications, datasets, or knowledge mobilization activities. The committee will also consider how the project will advance the applicant’s career, positioning them for future faculty appointments or leadership roles in research-intensive environments.	20%

 

2026 Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

The University of Toronto Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship program provides funding to Graduate Faculties to increase opportunities for hiring postdoctoral fellows from underrepresented groups, specifically Indigenous and Black researchers only. These fellowships will enable postdoctoral researchers to grow their scholarly profiles, undertake academic work at the University of Toronto, and strengthen the research environment at the University with diverse perspectives.

 

This funding is designed to help the University compete with peer institutions for top-tier candidates, and to support the University in meeting its institutional goal of fostering increased diversity and representation at all levels of teaching, learning and research. Nominees must be nominated by their prospective Faculties/divisions following the timeline and processes outlined below. While the nomination/application process will normally begin with faculty advisors/mentors, funding for the successful nominees will be provided to their respective Faculty Research Office for administration.

 

Read about the recipients of the Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellows on the PPFP webpage.

 

Deadline: The Faculty of Pharmacy has set an internal deadline for complete nomination packages by Wednesday, March 11, 2026 by 5pm EST.  Nomination packages will be reviewed and ranked before being submitted to SGS for inclusion in the PDF competition.

 

Value and Duration:

Funding will be available to engage seven postdoctoral fellows per year for up to twenty-one postdoctoral fellows over the three year program.

 

Each award will provide $80,000 per year to Faculties to support up to two years of postdoctoral salary and benefits. This level of funding exceeds the median postdoctoral salary at the University of Toronto, and is in keeping with Canada’s most prestigious postdoctoral awards. Successful postdoctoral fellows will also receive a start-up (salary) fund of $5,000 per year, funded through the faculty advisor.

 

Eligibility:

The award is open to both domestic and international post-graduates.

Nominees must:

• Demonstrate academic excellence and high potential for success in their chosen fields;
• Identify as Indigenous to Turtle Island and/or Black Indigenous and/or Black researchers only. The terms and conditions for award holders will align with any University processes and policies around Indigenous identity substantiation;
• Have obtained a doctoral degree, at the time the fellowship commences and normally within the last five years from the start of the fellowship; and
• Not have held a Provost's Postdoctoral Fellowship previously. 

Recipients must:

• Begin the fellowship by January 2027, following the competition; 
• Be engaged as a postdoctoral employee of the University of Toronto; 
• Be hired by a UofT supervisor appointed to a graduate unit; 
• Register and remain registered with the Postdoctoral Office at SGS;
• Not hold concurrently another major fellowship;
• Not hold a faculty position or be on leave from such a position;
• Establish an IDP (Independent Development Plan) and submit to SGS within the first three months of the fellowship. The IDP should be reviewed annually and the revised copy sent to the Postdoctoral Office at SGS; and  
• Submit proof of completion of degree no later than three months after the fellowship commences if they had not fulfilled all requirements for their degree at the time of nomination. 

At the University of Toronto, we strive to be an equitable and inclusive community, rich with diversity, protecting the human rights of all persons, and based upon understanding and mutual respect for the dignity and worth of every person. We seek to ensure to the greatest extent possible that all students and employees enjoy the opportunity to participate as they see fit in the full range of activities that the University offers, and to achieve their full potential as members of the University community. Additional information about the selection or the program can be found at the Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.

 

Selection Criteria:

Nominations will be evaluated based on the following selection criteria:

• Research or Scholarship Proposal;
• Applicant Track Record;
• Scholarly Potential;
• Feasibility.

Applicants, supervisors, graduate units/departments, and faculties are encouraged to consider these criteria when developing their applications and when selecting nominees to be forwarded.

The committee will adjudicate the two self-identification categories independently. 

Application Process

Applicants must be nominated by their Faculty (e.g., Arts and Science, Social Work) to SGS. 

Potential nominees interested in the Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program should contact the nominating supervisor. ​ Supervisors wishing to support a candidate’s application must contact Sam D'Alfonso (sam.dalfonso@utoronto.ca). 

Nomination Packages must be submitted to Sam D'Alfonso by Wednesday, March 11, 2026 by 5pm EST.

For full Nomination Instructions and Rubrics please see the Provost's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program page. 

Nomination Packages:

The nomination package for each nominee should be scanned as a single PDF file, containing all application materials in the order as listed below:

A nomination letter from the graduate unit/department Chair (max. two pages). The letter should:

1. address how the nominee meets the selection criteria, clearly state which underrepresented group (Indigenous and/or Black) the nominee identifies as, and confirm that the nominee intends to accept the offer if funding is made available;
2. illustrate the synergy between the research proposal and the research goals of the supervisor/unit/department, as well as the mission of the University; and
3. outline support of the nominee by describing how the applicant and Faculty/unit/department will mutually benefit from this engagement.

A supervisor statement from the faculty advisor/mentor (max. two pages). The statement should:

1. describe the complementarity between the research interests/background of the supervisor and nominee, how the proposed research complements the supervisor’s ongoing projects and/or new research directions, and the anticipated mutual benefits;
2. reveal information specific to the field of study (e.g., benchmarks of excellence, publication norms/standards/practices, impact factor of research contributions) that would otherwise not be known outside the discipline;
3. provide details regarding the applicant’s proposed research environment, clearly stating the supervisor’s and department’s commitment. Examples of commitment include (but are not limited to) mentorship, opportunities for collaboration, dissemination, and/or knowledge translation, resources (e.g., funding, facilities, personnel) that will be available to support the nominee as they carry out their proposed research; and
4. illustrate the supervisor’s commitment to the applicant’s academic and professional trajectory, clearly indicating the resources and/or mentoring activities that are available through the training environment to support career development.

Research or scholarship proposal from the nominee (max. two pages, plus up to two additional pages for references/citations); Training statement from the nominee (max. 1 page). The statement should describe:

1. their professional, academic, and extracurricular experiences/achievements and how it will contribute to their training success (1/2 page); and
2. how the training they expect to acquire will contribute to their productivity and to the research goals they hope to achieve. Indicate why they decided upon the proposed training location and what they expect to learn from the training experience (1/2 page).

Nominee’s C.V. (no page restriction); and A short personal biography written by the nominee (max. 1/3 page), which may be used on the SGS Postdoctoral Fellows website or other communications, should they be successfully selected as a Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellow.

Results

Results of the competition will be made available and communicated to Faculty Research Offices in mid-June 2026.

Contacts & Resources

Sam D'Alfonso
Administrative Assistant, Research Office
sam.dalfonso@utoronto.ca

Sarah Pickering
Postdoctoral Administrative Officer
Postdoctoral Office, School of Graduate Studies
sgs.postdoc@utoronto.ca

 

Research Excellence Postdoctoral Fellows Program

The Research Excellence Postdoctoral Fellows Program (REPFP) is a university-wide initiative launched in 2025 to strengthen postdoctoral recruitment, mentorship, and professional development across all three campuses. The program aims to position the University of Toronto as a leading destination for emerging independent scholars, supporting both research excellence and pathways to academic and research leadership careers. The program will support 100 postdoctoral fellows over two years. The program provides structured professional development, mentorship, and access to research resources to support transition to faculty or other research leadership roles.

Deadline

The deadline is February 17, 2026, by 11:59 pm EST.
 

Eligibility

This award is open to both domestic and international candidates. The following criteria are the institutional eligibility requirements for successful engagement as a Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy (LDFP) Research Excellence Postdoctoral Fellow. 

Candidates must: 

Be engaged as, or seeking a position as, a postdoctoral employee of the University of Toronto (teaching hospital postdocs are not employees of the university); Have demonstrated academic excellence, proven capacity to conceptualize and execute independent research beyond their doctoral work, and evidence of intellectual leadership in their chosen field; Expect to complete all doctoral degree requirements by the time the fellowship commences, and normally be within five years from the completion of their degree;  Not have previously engaged in more than one postdoctoral appointment at the University of Toronto or elsewhere; and Not have applied to the REPFP at more than one division.

 

*All documents must be prepared in PDF, single-spaced Times New Roman 12-point font, including citations, if applicable, with 2.5cm margins.
**Postdoctoral Fellows are required to secure a supervisor before submitting this application.

How to Apply

Interested candidates can submit their applications using the link below. For additional information, contact Sam D'Alfonso at sam.dalfonso@utoronto.ca.

Apply Here

6. Candidate's C.V. (No page restriction)

NIH Biosketch format recommended. 

5. Supervisor's Statement

Describe the complementarity between the research interests/background of the supervisor and candidate, how the proposed research complements the supervisor’s ongoing projects and/or new research directions, and the anticipated mutual benefits; this includes how the collaboration will support the candidate’s transition to research independence and long-term career success. Reveal information specific to the field of study (e.g., benchmarks of excellence, publication norms/standards/practices, impact factor of research contributions) that would otherwise not be known outside the discipline. Provide details regarding the candidate’s proposed research environment, clearly stating the supervisor’s and graduate unit’s commitment. Examples of commitment include (but are not limited to) mentorship, opportunities for collaboration, dissemination, and/or knowledge translation, resources (e.g., funding, facilities, personnel) that will be available to support the candidate as they carry out their proposed research; and how these resources will enable the candidate to establish a sustainable, independent research program. Illustrate the supervisor’s commitment to the applicant’s academic and professional trajectory and development of an independent research program, clearly indicating the resources and/or mentoring activities that are available through the learning environment to support career development.

4. Learning Statement from the Candidate (Max 1 page)

The statement should describe your professional, academic, and extracurricular experiences/achievements and how these contribute to your learning success and ability to develop and implement an independent research plan (1/2 page); and How the learning you expect to acquire will contribute to your productivity and to the research goals you hope to achieve. Indicate why you decided upon the proposed learning location and what you expect to learn from the learning experience (1/2 page).

2. Complete the application form (Link below) to which you will upload items 3, 4, 5, and 6 listed below. 

3. Independent Research Proposal from the Candidate (Max two pages, plus up to two additional pages for references/citations) 

The independent research proposal should clearly articulate how the proposed work represents a significant departure from or advancement beyond your doctoral research. The proposal should also outline the anticipated long-term impact of the research, including how it contributes to the field and aligns with U of T’s strategic research priorities.

To identify a potential supervisor please see the following link on our website:

https://www.pharmacy.utoronto.ca/faculty 

A supervisor must agree to offer you a Postdoctoral position before you can submit an application for the REPFP. Once you have found a researcher with whom you would like to work you need to e-mail them directly. Your e-mail should include the following: 

Attach your CV Specifically address the work they are doing and explain why you would like to work in their group.  Give examples of your previous experience and skills and explain why it would help their research.  Explain what you would like to learn working in their research group.

Application Requirements

1. Secure a Supervisor 

Value

$80,000 in salary per year (plus benefits) for up to two years of postdoctoral research, plus an additional $10,000 in annual independent research funding.  Total cost breakdown: ~60% - Institutional Funds & ~40% - P.I. Supervisory Grant. 

The structure of the award is as follows:

The postdoctoral employee is hired at a salary rate of $80,000 per year for two years. An additional $10,000 in funding is provided annually for independent research; and Sufficient funds to cover the annual employer costs; e.g., in 2025, this includes an annual salary increase payable at a rate of 1.8%, the Standard Benefit Rate (SBR) at 10.5% and the PDF Levy, payable at a rate of 7.75%. The total value of this award is structured as follows: 60% is provided through institutional support, while the remaining 40% is funded via the Principal Investigator's supervisory grant. 

Award Recipients must:

Have completed all degree requirements before the start of the fellowship; Be engaged as a postdoctoral employee of the University of Toronto (teaching hospital postdocs are not employees of the university); Be hired by an LDFP supervisor appointed to a graduate unit; the lab must be located at the University of Toronto; Register and remain registered with the Postdoctoral Office at the School of Graduate Studies (SGS); Not concurrently hold another major fellowship (if selected); Not hold a faculty position or be on leave from such position during the fellowship term; and Establish an Individual Development Plan (IDP) and submit it to the Postdoctoral Office at SGS within the first three months of the fellowship. The IDP should be reviewed annually and the revised copy sent to SGS. Begin postdoctoral position within 12 months of the award letter (Fellowship Commence: April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027*)

*Note: Applications from scholars who are not already post-docs at LDFP or the University of Toronto more broadly, and/or who have earned their graduate degrees from institutions other than the University of Toronto, will receive priority consideration.*

Supervisors:

Proposed supervisors must have a tenured or tenure-track appointment at LDFP.  Cannot be the applicant’s current or former Ph.D. supervisor.  A faculty member with a primary budgetary appointment at LDFP should be the primary supervisor. Co-supervision, where a second supervisor is a faculty member at LDFP will be considered, although preference will be given to applications listing as primary supervisor, a faculty member who holds their budgetary appointment at LDFP.  The proposed LDFP supervisor (primary or co-supervisor, if applicable) needs to hold a graduate faculty membership with a graduate unit at LDFP.  

Schwartz Reisman Fellowships

The Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society (SRI) is pleased to announce its 2026 call for graduate fellowships, open to University of Toronto graduate students whose work explores the social impacts of new technologies.

We encourage applications from scholars investigating issues at the intersection of advanced technologies and society through interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches, as well as those with an emerging interest in these areas. Graduate fellowships provide $7,500 in support over one year, with an opportunity to renew as an affiliate.

For more information and to apply, please visit our website.

Application deadline: February 8, 2026, 23:59 ET

About the Schwartz Reisman Institute
The Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society supports and integrates world-class research across sectors and disciplines to deepen our understanding of advanced technologies, law, institutions, regulatory structures, and social values. The integrative research we conduct rethinks technology’s role in society, the contemporary needs of human communities, and the systems that govern them. We are investigating how best to align technology with human values, and deploy it responsibly. In doing so we seek to support existing fields of inquiry as well as to identify and nurture new research agendas by introducing researchers to the concepts and framing used by different disciplines to analyze problems.

Questions?
Contact us directly at sri.research@utoronto.ca.