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
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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
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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
- 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
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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
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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!
- Cancer Research Society - Doctoral Research Awards
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The Cancer Research Society’s Doctoral Research Awards Program is a strategic investment in the future of cancer research. By supporting students involved in innovative projects, it encourages the next generation of scientists to excel in cutting-edge research and innovation. This support helps young researchers develop their skills and actively contribute to advancing knowledge about cancer.
Value of the Award
The amount of a doctoral research award is $70,000 over 2 years ($35,000 per year).
Key Deadlines
Application deadline: April 29, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET
Funding decision: September 2026Elligibility
Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or hold a valid student permit, and must reside in Canada for the full award period. Must have completed 12–36 months of full‑time doctoral study at a Canadian university by September 1, 2026.
Contact Information
For inquiries, email grants@src-crs.ca or visit the website
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- Cancer Research Society - Next Generation of Scientists Awards
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Unique in Canada, the Next Generation of Scientists Awards is an innovative program from the Cancer Research Society that provides crucial support to early-career researchers. It helps them establish their laboratories, build their teams, and launch groundbreaking projects to advance cancer research.
Since its creation in 2013, it has enabled 31 scientists to become established researchers in Canada. This program fosters the emergence of new discoveries and helps attract and retain talent in oncology research.
Value of the Award
Part 1: Postdoctoral fellowship
$50,000 over 1 year
Part 2: Operating Grant
$140,000 over 2 yearsDeadlines
Application deadline: April 22, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET
Funding decision: September 2026
Eligibility
Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
- Part 1 – Postdoctoral Fellowship: Minimum 2 years of postdoctoral training at the time of accepting the award.
- Part 2 – Operating Grant: Must obtain a faculty position at a Canadian university or accredited research institute.
Contact Information
For program questions: grants@src-crs.ca or visit the website.
- Centre for Global Disability Studies - Small Grants Fund
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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.
- LDFP Postdoctoral Competitive Research Award (PCRA)
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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:
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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);
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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
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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:
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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);
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Be hired by an LDFP supervisor (primary appointment) ;
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Register and remain registered with the Postdoctoral Office at the School of Graduate Studies (SGS); and
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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
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Research consumables and materials
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Software and licenses
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Data collection and participant costs
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Research-related travel
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Publication costs
Ineligible Expenses
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Salary top-ups
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General lab operating costs
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Capital equipment purchases without prior approval
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Professional development
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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:
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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. -
Bibliography (maximum 1 page):
- Provide references cited in your proposal using a consistent citation format. -
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. -
Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Biosketch (maximum 5 pages):
- Highlight academic achievements, publications, and evidence of research independence. -
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. -
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%
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- 2026 Provost’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
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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.
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:- 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;
- 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
- outline support of the nominee by describing how the applicant and Faculty/unit/department will mutually benefit from this engagement.
- 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;
- 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 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
- 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.
- their professional, academic, and extracurricular experiences/achievements and how it will contribute to their training success (1/2 page); and
- 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).
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 - Schmidt Sciences – FirstLight Awards
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The FirstLight Awards, launched by Schmidt Sciences, provide a new funding opportunity for early career astrophysics researchers who are poised to lead bold, collaborative, high-impact astrophysics research. This award supports researchers who will leverage the emerging Eric and Wendy Schmidt Observatory System—a coordinated network of space-based facilities including Argus, DSA, Lazuli, to tackle transformative scientific questions.
Program Highlights
- Focus: High-impact astrophysics research that makes unique use of multi-wavelength, high-cadence, and open-data observatories within the Schmidt Observatory System.
- Purpose: To empower the next generation of scientific leaders, advance an open-science culture, and develop community infrastructure and software that broadens global participation in astronomy.
- Award Value: Up to USD $500,000 per year for five years to support a research group, including postdocs, students, engineers, and software developers.
Eligibility
- Early-career researchers within 10 years of their PhD, or those with justified career interruptions. Applicants must commit to remaining at their host institution for the full five-year award period.
- UofT applicants must hold an appointment that allows them to apply for and hold research funding at the University.
Application Process & Key Dates
- Applicants must first register here for virtual office hours before gaining access to the submission portal.
- The letter of support required for the application should be provided by the applicants Department/Unit Chair or Dean, as applicable.
- Internal Deadline: April 14, 2026
- Sponsor Deadline: April 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST.
By the internal deadline, the application must be submitted through the University’s My Research system for institutional approval.
For more information, please see the FirstLight program page.