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Application Instructions—SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships
On this page
- Documents to read before applying
- Application process and deadline
- Application profile
- Teaching appointment letter (if applicable)
- Program of work
- Bibliography and citations
- Diversity considerations in research design module
- Program information
- Tenure location
- Areas of study
- Referees
- Allowable inclusions (if applicable)
- Research contributions (mandatory)
- Supplement justification (if applicable)
- Contact information
Documents to read before applying
- SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships funding opportunity description
- Regulations Governing Fellowship and Scholarship Applications
- General Guidelines for the Eligibility of Subject Matter at SSHRC
- Definitions of terms SSHRC uses in the application process.
- Guidelines for the Merit Review of Indigenous Research (if applicable)
- Guide to Including Diversity Considerations in Research Design for Doctoral and Postdoctoral Award Applicants
- Guidelines for Effective Research Training
- Resource Centre
We suggest that you print and consult this web document and Help with Online Forms for reference while you are completing your online application. You can also refer to this document by clicking “Instructions” at any time within a screen.
Application process and deadline
Accessibility
If you need help completing online application forms due to circumstances arising from a disability, contact your institution (scholarship liaison officer, research grant office or other applicant support office) as early in the application process as possible to investigate available supports. If your institution cannot provide help, or needs SSHRC to collaborate on a solution, contact SSHRC at accommodations-adaptation@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca. You can also contact SSHRC if you have questions or are seeking specific adaptation arrangements. You do not need to share your medical or sensitive personal information, and, to protect your privacy, should avoid doing so.
Frequently requested accommodations include, but are not limited to:
- one-on-one phone or video appointments to clarify funding program information or the application process, or to receive technical support;
- alternative formats of online materials to enable access using assistive technology; and
- submission of the application (in full or part) through alternate means or format (e.g., hard copy, voice recording or data entry by SSHRC staff on the applicant’s behalf).
Applicant responsibilities
Applicants must complete and verify the online SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships application form and their SSHRC web-based curriculum vitae (SSHRC web CV).
Applicants must click “Preview” and “Verify” for each page of their application as they complete it, and well ahead of the deadline. SSHRC’s online system will not accept applications that contain unverified sections. If applicants make changes to a page, they must click “Verify” again for that page to confirm that SSHRC’s online system will accept the new information when they submit their application. The criteria for final verification of the application as a whole can be stricter than for individual modules. Applicants might, therefore, need to adjust previously validated sections of the application. Note that validation confirms only that mandatory sections (including uploads and letters) have been completed; it does not validate application content.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to:
- verify content;
- ensure all required application components are submitted, that is:
- the applicant’s SSHRC web CV;
- two Letter of Appraisal forms;
- the Research Appraisal form;
- the Institutional Nomination and Commitment form; and
- all PDF attachments; and
- provide all attachments, including letters of appraisal, in English or French only.
SSHRC’s online system will not accept incomplete applications.
The complete application, including the PDF attachments (uploads) and the SSHRC web CV, can be viewed and printed, but must be submitted electronically to SSHRC before 8 p.m. eastern, September 15, 2021. If a deadline falls on a weekend or a Canadian public holiday, the online application system will remain open until 8 p.m. (eastern) on the next business day.
After 8 p.m., the “Submit” button will disappear from an applicant’s portfolio, and no further changes or submissions will be possible.
Notes:
- SSHRC strongly encourages applicants to submit applications ahead of the deadline date. Typically, the online system handles a very high volume of users on the last day, which could create delays and put timely submission at risk.
- Applicants requiring assistance while preparing their application are encouraged to communicate with SSHRC’s Research Training Portfolio at fellowships@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca well in advance of the application deadline.
- Under no circumstances will applications be accepted after the deadline.
Follow these steps:
- Complete the application and SSHRC online CV.
- Upload all mandatory PDF documents required for your application.
- Provide application contributors with your program of work and related documents well in advance of the application deadline.
- Ensure that all referees have completed the referee form (i.e., two Letter of Appraisal forms and Research Appraisal form), so that the status for the Referee module reads “Referee form completed.”
- Ensure the department head has read SSHRC’s Guidelines for Effective Research Training and completed the Institutional Nomination and Commitment form (status on Referee module reads “Referee form completed”).
- Verify and correct the data until the Verification Report indicates successful verification.
- Click “Submit.”
Note: Once the application has been submitted, its status will first be updated to “Received,” before being set to “Forwarded.” Both statuses confirm that the application has been properly submitted.
Attaching a document
Many modules in your application will require you to attach, or upload, a PDF document. You must follow the specified requirements for margins and for font and font size (Times New Roman 12-point) or your application will be deemed ineligible. Modules that exceed the stated maximum page counts will not be accepted. They will be removed from the application and will not be submitted to the selection committee for review.
Save the document as a PDF file (.pdf extension) or, if necessary, scan the document and save it as a PDF file. Locate the file on your computer by clicking “Browse,” and attach it to the application by clicking “Attach.” An error message will appear if the file you are trying to attach does not meet the required specifications for page length and page size. Once you have successfully attached the PDF file, we recommend you click “View attached file” to ensure you have attached the proper file and that it is not corrupted.
Acknowledgement of receipt of applications
After SSHRC receives your verified and completed application form, the data provided in your application and CVs are then transferred to SSHRC’s corporate database. SSHRC will acknowledge receipt of your electronic application form once it has been processed, and will assign you an application number. Cite this number in all correspondence with us.
The email acknowledging receipt will be sent to your primary email address as entered in the CV, and will arrive four-six weeks after the deadline date. If you do not receive an email from the Research Training Portfolio six weeks after the deadline date, contact us at fellowships@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca.
Application profile
Application title
Provide a short, descriptive title for your program of work in non-technical terms. Restrict use of acronyms (e.g., UN, NATO, etc.). Use upper case only for the first word of the title, proper nouns and acronyms. Your application title will automatically be included in the “Activity details” screen.
Preferred selection committee
Based on the subject and discipline(s) of your program of work, choose a committee using the “List…” button.
The disciplines represented by each committee are as follows:
Committee 1 (7561) | Fine arts, literature (all types) |
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Committee 2 (7562) | Classical archaeology, classics, classical and dead languages, history, mediaeval studies, philosophy, religious studies |
Committee 3 (7563) | Anthropology, archaeology (except classical archaeology), criminology, folklore, sociology |
Committee 4 (7564) | Education, linguistics, psychology, social work |
Committee 5 (7565) | Economics, industrial relations, law, management, business, administrative studies, political science |
Committee 6 (7566) | Archival science, communications and media studies, demography, environmental studies, geography, library and information science, urban and regional studies |
If your main discipline is women’s studies, choose the committee based on the aspect of women’s studies you are working in. For example, if your research involves women’s literature, you should choose Committee 1.
If your main discipline is interdisciplinary studies, choose the committee based on the most prevalent discipline among those related to your research. Committee membership is composed of experts in the disciplines listed for each committee; however, SSHRC cannot guarantee expertise in each discipline listed. When selecting a committee, therefore, select the committee that lists areas most relevant to your research proposal and career trajectory. All decisions regarding committee selection rest with the applicant.
Supplement
If you wish to be considered for a supplemental award and meet the eligibility criteria, select the supplement from the drop-down menu. For each supplement selected, provide a maximum one-page justification. Successful candidates will be notified.
Joint or special initiative
If you wish to be considered for a joint or special initiative, and meet the eligibility criteria, select the initiative from the drop-down menu. For each initiative selected, provide a maximum one-page justification or other required information or form, as applicable. Successful candidates will be notified.
Note: By indicating you wish to be considered for a supplement and/or a joint or special initiative, you are agreeing to have SSHRC share information with the partner organization.
Does your proposal involve Indigenous research, as defined by SSHRC?
The community of merit reviewers with experience and expertise in Indigenous research will judge the extent to which the guidelines can be applied to a particular research proposal or program of study or program of work. For more information, consult the Indigenous Talent Measures page.
Select “Yes” if you wish to signal to the selection committee that your application should be reviewed in the context of SSHRC’s definition of Indigenous research and its Guidelines for the Merit Review of Indigenous Research. Selection committee members will be instructed to consult and follow these guidelines during the evaluation of your application.
Do you hold a teaching appointment?
Indicate whether or not you hold a teaching appointment of any kind. If “Yes,” you must attach a PDF copy of a letter from a university official confirming that you do not hold a tenure or tenure-track position (see the Teaching appointment letter section of the application form).
Applicant
The information listed in this section has been automatically transferred from your SSHRC web CV. Use the “Current position” screen in the SSHRC web CV to make any necessary changes to your current place of employment or institutional affiliation. If you wish to have a different affiliation on record for this application, use this section to enter it.
Teaching appointment letter (if applicable)
If you hold a teaching appointment of any kind, you must attach a PDF of a letter from a university official confirming that you do not hold a tenure or tenure-track position.
Program of work
Maximum four pages
Attach a PDF copy of your program of work. Write your proposal in clear, plain language. Avoid discipline-specific jargon, acronyms and highly technical terms when writing your program of work. Your application will be reviewed by members of a multidisciplinary selection committee, not all of whom will be familiar with your area of research.
Prepare your program of work as follows:
- State the title and subject of your doctoral thesis, and discuss the relationship of your doctoral thesis to your proposed research. If the two areas of research are closely related, explain how your proposed research will develop or expand on your thesis. If the areas of research are not related, describe your proposed area of research.
- Outline your plans for achieving your research objectives. Clearly describe your theoretical approach, your methodology and how your proposed research will contribute to the advancement of knowledge.
- Justify your choice of the proposed university or research institution based on the purpose of the fellowship, including activities beyond the original research to be undertaken. See the Tenure location section of the application form for additional information.
- If applicable, indicate any other organizations with which you will be affiliated, and provide a justification for this choice. You must clearly identify your primary place of affiliation and outline how your work at the secondary location(s) of tenure will intersect with and enhance your research at the primary location of tenure.
- If your proposed research overlaps with areas funded by other granting agencies, justify your submission of this proposal to SSHRC rather than to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) or the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), based on the General Guidelines for the Eligibility of Subject Matter at SSHRC. If in doubt about the eligibility of your proposed research for SSHRC funding, consult SSHRC staff by emailing fellowships@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca before preparing your application.
- If your proposal involves Indigenous research, refer to the section Does your proposal involve Indigenous research, as defined by SSHRC? before preparing your program of work.
- If your project uses a research-creation approach, indicate clearly the research component of your proposed work. Outline the objectives of your research and the context, methodology and contribution to the advancement of knowledge.
- Do not use footnotes and endnotes in the program of work. Items should be cited in the bibliography.
Bibliography and citations
Maximum 10 pages
Attach a PDF file of:
- a bibliography for your proposed program of work; and
- bibliographic details for all citations included in your program of work (ensure that these are clear and complete, to allow reviewers to locate the sources easily).
SSHRC recognizes and allows the use of different referencing styles.
Diversity considerations in research design module
Once you’ve answered the question “Do diversity considerations apply to your proposed research design?”, use the text box provided (maximum 1,700 characters) to indicate how diversity considerations are applicable or not to your research proposal.
Before completing this module, make sure to carefully read the Guide to Including Diversity Considerations in Research Design for Doctoral and Postdoctoral Award Applicants.
Note: Although mandatory, this module is not subject to merit review and is not shared with committee members.
Program information
Support requested
Number of months of support requested
Indicate the number of months of support sought through this application. Fellowship tenures can be requested for 12 or 24 months. Early terminations are permitted. Extensions are not available.
Expected start date of the award
Indicate when you expect to start your award. The award can begin on the first of any month between May 2022 and January 2023.
Note: You cannot start your award until after you have successfully completed all the degree requirements for your doctoral degree, including the successful defence and submission of the corrected copy of your doctoral dissertation. These requirements must be completed by December 31, 2022, at the latest.
Languages
Specify the language(s) required to carry out your proposed program of work. Indicate your current proficiency in each.
Tenure location
Identify the organization and department/division where you plan to hold the award by clicking the “List…” button. If your organization and department/division are not listed, select “Other/Unknown” from the list and type the information into the box provided.
You can propose to affiliate with more than one organization. If applicable, identify the secondary location of tenure by clicking the “List…” button in the section “Secondary tenure location” and selecting the appropriate organization and department/division. If your organization and department/division are not listed, select “Other/Unknown” from the list and type the information in the box provided. Secondary locations of tenure can include, for example, academic, not-for-profit or community/cultural organizations, as well as organizations from the private sector.
In the “Tenure location” and the “Secondary tenure location” sections of the application form, you can list up to two places of affiliation. If you propose to affiliate with more than one organization, indicate it in your program of work and justify your choice for each host institution.
Note: If you earned your PhD at a foreign university, you can only hold the award at a Canadian university. If you earned your PhD at a Canadian university, you can hold the award at either a Canadian or a foreign university.
Areas of study
The information provided in this section refers to your research/study.
Ethics
State whether or not your proposed research/study involves human beings as research subjects. If it does, select “Yes” and consult the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans and submit your proposal to the research ethics board of the institution where you will undertake your graduate or postdoctoral studies. Note that you need not submit your proposal to the research ethics board prior to submitting your application.
Keywords
List keywords, separated by semicolons, that best describe your proposed research/study.
Select appropriate entries under each of the sections below using the “List…” button. Duplicate entries are not permitted.
Disciplines
Indicate and rank up to three disciplines relevant to your research/study, with Entry 1 the most relevant and Entry 3 as the least relevant.
For entries 2 and 3, if an applicable discipline is not listed, you can select an entry such as “Other (relevant discipline)” (e.g., Other Psychology, Other Anthropology, Other Sociology) from the list, and provide the information in the box provided.
You can choose “Other (relevant discipline)” only once. For instance, you cannot choose “Other Psychology” in Entry 2 and choose it again in Entry 3. Also, you can choose “Other” (with an explanation) only once.
Example:
Entry 1 | Sociology |
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Entry 2 | Other Psychology |
Entry 3 | “Other” |
Areas of research
Indicate and rank up to two areas of research related to your research/study, with Entry 1 the most important and Entry 2 the least important.
Temporal period
If applicable, indicate the historical period covered by your research/study.
Geographical regions
If applicable, indicate and rank up to two geographical regions covered by or related to your research/study, with Entry 1 the most important and Entry 2 the least important.
Countries
If applicable, indicate and rank up to five countries covered by or related to your research/study, with Entry 1 the most important and Entry 5 the least important.
Referees
Instructions for requesting support letters
Enter the family name, given name and email address of each referee. After the data are saved, the system will automatically generate an email to each person, inviting them to verify and complete a referee form. Inform your referees that they will receive an email with the subject line “Invitation to evaluate an application—Invitation à évaluer une demande.” It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that each invited person verifies and completes the form in advance of the application deadline.
If the referee declines the invitation, you will be notified by email. The status will also change to “Referee unable to complete the form.” You can then remove the person from the application by clicking “Clear entry.” You can then add a new referee.
If the referee deletes the system-generated email by error, the applicant can click “Resend email” to send the invitation again.
If the referee accepts the invitation to evaluate the application, the status will change to “Email sent—Referee form not yet created.” Referees who have accepted will be able to view an electronic version of your application form to inform their reference. Once the referee has completed the form (and the status, therefore, becomes “Referee form completed”), it will be attached electronically to your application once your application has been submitted to SSHRC. However, your application will not be successfully verified until each referee’s form has been successfully verified and completed.
Note: You will not be able to view the appraisals at the time you complete and submit your application.
It is your responsibility to ensure that all required application components have been submitted (including all attachments and letters). The system does not accept incomplete applications.
Notify your referees in advance that they will be receiving an invitation, as firewalls and/or spam filters might limit their ability to receive the official system email inviting them to complete a referee form.
Make sure you give your referees enough time to complete and submit their support letter so that your application can be submitted in advance of the deadline date. Typically, the online system handles a very high volume of users on the last day, which could create delays and put timely submission at risk.
Letters of appraisal
Provide information about the two referees who will each complete a Letter of Appraisal form:
- one of the letters must be completed by an arm’s-length referee; and
- the other letter must be completed by someone who can comment on your past and potential contributions to research (normally, your doctoral thesis supervisor).
Arm’s-length referee
The purpose of the arm’s-length referee is to provide the selection committee with an impartial review of the application. The arm’s-length referee should be an expert in the field(s) of the proposed research and should be able to assess the research proposal and
The arm’s-length referee cannot be:
- a relative, friend or anyone else with whom the applicant has a personal relationship;
- in a position to benefit from the funding of the application;
- affiliated with the applicant’s current and/or proposed institution(s); or
- professionally affiliated with the applicant (currently, in the past or in the immediate future), as a result of but not limited to:
- being the applicant’s supervisor or trainee, or
- collaborating, publishing or sharing funding with the applicant.
The absence of an arm’s-length assessment could adversely affect the review of the application.
Referees will be asked to provide the following information in their letter:
Track record: Comment on the applicant’s past and potential contributions to scholarly research. Explain the importance to the discipline of the journals in which the applicant has published and/or assess the candidate’s prospects for publication.
Program of work: Assess the originality, the significance and feasibility, and the strengths and weaknesses of the applicant’s proposed program of work, and the appropriateness of the proposed institutional affiliation(s). If applicable, comment on the applicant’s proficiency in the language(s) necessary to pursue the program of work.
Referee comments should focus on the proposal, its theoretical framework, the relation of the proposal to the field and the methodology.
Research appraisal
Provide information about the research supervisor at the organization where you plan to hold the award.
If you propose to affiliate with more than one institution, ask the supervisor at the primary location of tenure to complete the research appraisal. Research appraisals from supervisors at secondary host institutions are not required and will not be accepted.
Your research supervisor will be asked to provide the following information:
In writing the research appraisal, describe how the applicant’s project relates to the research interests and strengths of your department. Describe also how you will serve as mentor to this applicant and what the candidate will be able to offer as a research fellow. When writing your comments, bear in mind that applications are reviewed by members of a multidisciplinary selection committee, some members of which might not be familiar with the field or sub-field in which the candidate proposes to work.
Institutional nomination and commitment
Provide information about the department head or designate at the proposed institution of affiliation.
If you propose to affiliate with more than one institution, the department head or designate at the primary location of tenure should complete the Institutional Nomination and Commitment form. Secondary host institutions do not have to complete this form.
Note: If the department head and the research supervisor are the same person, they should provide the information requested for the Institutional Nomination and Commitment form as well as that requested for the Research Appraisal form.
The host institution will be asked to outline how it will support effective research training and career development for the applicant based on SSHRC’s Guidelines for Effective Research Training.
Allowable inclusions (if applicable)
Maximum one page
If applicable, attach a PDF document indicating your allowable inclusions.
SSHRC asks its selection committees to take into consideration special circumstances that could have affected applicants’ research, professional career, record of academic or research achievement, or completion of degrees. Relevant circumstances might include administrative responsibilities, maternity/parental leave, child-rearing, illness, disability, cultural or community responsibilities, socio-economic context, health-related family responsibilities, trauma and loss, or the COVID-19 pandemic. Specify the dates for any delays or interruptions.
As part of SSHRC’s Indigenous Talent Measures, Indigenous applicants are encouraged to use the “Allowable inclusions” section of their application form to describe special circumstances that could have had an impact on their academic or career paths.
All information provided to SSHRC is subject to the Privacy Act. Applicants are reminded that the information included in the “Allowable inclusions” section of their application will be shared with selection committee members for consideration as part of their application. SSHRC merit reviewers cannot share this information outside of the merit review process, which is subject to the Tri-Agency Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality Policy. For more information, see the principles for SSHRC merit review.
Note: Applicants who completed their doctorate between September 2015 and September 2018 must describe in this section the career interruptions or delays experienced since completion of their doctorate.
Applicants who completed their doctorate after September 2018 can also choose to describe relevant career interruptions or delays should they wish to do so.
Research contributions (mandatory)
Maximum two pages
You must attach a PDF copy of your research contributions. For each contribution:
- Identify refereed publications with an “R” in the left margin. A refereed work is assessed:
- in its entirety—not merely an abstract or extract;
- before publication; and
- by appropriately independent, anonymous, qualified experts (“independent” in this context means at arm’s length from the author).
- Provide complete bibliographic notices as they appear in the original publication (including co-authors, title, publisher, journal, volume, date of publication, page numbers, number of pages, etc.).
- Research-related contributions can refer to: presentations, performances, artistic or community exhibits, interviews and media relations, websites, video and film, or festivals.
- Specify your role in co-created works.
- For publications in languages other than English or French, provide a translation of the title and the name of the publication.
From this list, choose your three most significant contributions, and describe to the selection committee the significance in terms of influence on the direction of thought and activity within the target community and in terms of significance to, and use by, other researchers and knowledge users.
Note: Do not include your PhD dissertation unless it has been reworked for publication.
Group your contributions by category in the following order, as applicable, listing your most recent contributions first:
Refereed contributions
Examples include books (where applicable, subdivide according to those that are single-authored, co-authored and edited works), monographs, book chapters, articles in scholarly refereed journals and conference proceedings.
Other refereed contributions
Examples include papers presented at scholarly meetings or conferences and articles in professional or trade journals.
Non-refereed contributions
Examples include book reviews, published reviews of your work, research reports, policy papers and public lectures.
Forthcoming contributions
Indicate one of the following statuses: “revised and submitted,” “accepted” or “in press.” Provide the name of the journal or book publisher and the number of pages. Contributions not yet accepted for publication should not be listed.
Creative outputs
List your most significant achievements, starting with the most recent. Examples of creative outputs can include exhibitions, performances, publications, presentations, and film, video and audio recordings.
Note: Contributions in the context of Indigenous research can be listed within these or additional categories, in line with the Guidelines for the Merit Review of Indigenous Research.
Supplement justification (if applicable)
Provide a maximum one-page justification per supplement selected in the “Application profile” section.
Bora Laskin National Fellowship in Human Rights Research
- A $10,000 supplement is awarded yearly to a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship recipient conducting research in the field of human rights.
Jules and Gabrielle Léger Fellowship
- A $10,000 supplement is awarded yearly to a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship recipient conducting research on the historical and contemporary contribution of the Crown to the life of the country.
Specific requirements for joint or special initiatives (if applicable)
Provide a maximum one-page justification per initiative selected in the “Application profile” section. Different requirements apply to the Mitacs Elevate Fellowships and Alice Wilson Award initiatives. Refer to the instructions specific to each initiative.
Department of National Defence MINDS Scholarship Initiative
- SSHRC and the Department of National Defence (DND) are partnering to offer postdoctoral fellowships to individuals conducting social sciences and humanities research in areas related to the Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS) Policy Challenges and/or Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged. Postdoctoral fellowships are valued at $45,000 per year and are tenable for 12 or 24 months. Further information can be found on the MINDS Scholarship Initiative webpage.
- Applicants must select the “MINDS Scholarships Initiative” option from the drop-down menu in their application form.
- Applicants must also use the “MINDS—Justification” section in the form’s left-hand menu to explain how their proposed research project is related to one or more of the MINDS Policy Challenges and/or Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation-SSHRC Housing Research Training Awards Program
- SSHRC and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) are partnering to offer postdoctoral fellowships to individuals conducting social sciences and humanities research in areas related to housing. Each fellowship is valued at $45,000 per year and is tenable for 12 or 24 months. Further information can be found on the CMHC Housing Research Scholarship Program website.
- Applicants must select the “CMHC-SSHRC Training Awards” option from the drop-down menu in their application form.
- Applicants must also use the “CMHC-SSHRC—Justification” section in the form’s left-hand menu to explain how their proposed research project aligns with one or more of the CMHC National Housing Strategy’s priority areas for action.
Initiative for Digital Citizen Research
Through the Initiative for Digital Citizen Research, Canadian Heritage and SSHRC are partnering to offer postdoctoral fellowship supplements, valued at $10,000, to individuals who are conducting research related to online disinformation and its impact in the Canadian context. Comparative approaches to these themes that are inclusive of, but extend beyond, the Canadian context are also eligible for supplementary funding.
To be considered for funding under this initiative, applicants must:
- select the “Initiative for Digital Citizen Research” option from the drop-down menu in their application form; and
- use the “Initiative for Digital Citizen Research—Justification” section in the form’s left-hand menu to explain how their proposed research project addresses one or more of the specific areas of research listed under the “Eligible projects” section of the Joint Initiative for Digital Citizen Research webpage.
To be offered a postdoctoral fellowship supplement under this initiative, applicants must first be successful in the SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships competition, and they must be affiliated with a SSHRC eligible Canadian postsecondary institution during their award tenure.
Sport Participation Research Initiative
- SSHRC partners with the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Sport Participation Research Initiative to provide postdoctoral award supplements.
- To be considered, applicants for a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship must select the “Sport Participation Research Initiative” option in their application form.
- Applicants are also required to use the “Sport Participation—Justification ” section in the form’s left-hand menu to explain how their research meets the Sport Participation Research Initiative’s objectives .
Mitacs Elevate Research Management Training Initiative
- As part of a joint initiative and partnership with Mitacs, SSHRC is offering exclusive access and additional travel support to SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship holders who wish to participate in the Mitacs Elevate research management training initiative. This program consists of in-person and online networking and training activities focusing on developing skills in leadership and management, communication and relationship building, and personal and professional management over a two-year period.
- To express their interest in being considered for this training opportunity, SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship candidates must select the “Mitacs Elevate Research Management Training” option from the drop-down menu in their SSHRC application form.
- Applicants must also use the “Mitacs Elevate—Justification” section in the form’s left-hand menu to indicate how participation in this initiative aligns with, and might enhance, their professional development goals. To upload their justification to the SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship application form, they must click on the “Mitacs Elevate Justification” option from the form’s left-hand menu.
- A maximum of 25 SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship holders will be selected for this training opportunity on the basis of their relative rank in the competition and the alignment of their professional development goals, as outlined in their justification, with this initiative.
Note: Candidates do not need to apply for the Mitacs Elevate fellowship to be considered for the Mitacs research management training initiative, as the initiative is separate and distinct from the fellowship.
Mitacs Elevate Fellowships
- SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship applicants working with Canadian business and/or not-for-profit organizations are invited to apply for a Mitacs Elevate fellowship.
- Eligible applicants must select the “Mitacs Elevate’’ option from the drop-down menu in their SSHRC application form.
- They are also required to complete an abridged Mitacs Elevate application form. To access the form, they must contact a Mitacs business development representative. Candidates are required to upload the Mitacs Elevate form to their SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship application by clicking on the “Mitacs Form” section in the left-hand menu of the SSHRC application form.
- When completing the “Tenure location” and the “Secondary tenure location” sections of their SSHRC application form, applicants must identify their host university as their primary institution of affiliation and their partner organization for their Mitacs application as their secondary institution of affiliation. In addition, they must include the required institutional affiliation justification, as outlined in the Program of work instructions.
Alice Wilson Award
- A $1,000 award is offered yearly by the Royal Society of Canada to three women of outstanding academic qualifications in the arts and humanities, social sciences, or science who are entering a career in scholarship or research at the postdoctoral level. The recipients are chosen from the current year’s top-ranked women who are winners of postdoctoral fellowships from the three granting agencies—NSERC, SSHRC and CIHR.
- The top-ranked postdoctoral fellowship applicants, who have self-identified as women in their SSHRC online user profile (“My Account”), will be automatically considered for the Alice Wilson Award. However, SSHRC will seek the consent from potential nominees to provide their names to the Royal Society of Canada, who will make the final determination.
Contact information
Note: It is the intent of SSHRC staff to respond to inquiries as quickly as possible during normal business hours. In the weeks preceding application submission deadlines (peak periods), response times could be delayed.
For help with technical difficulties, contact the Helpdesk:
- Phone: 613-995-4273
- Email: webgrant@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca
For more information about SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships, visit the Resource Centre.
If you have additional questions, contact:
SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships
Toll free: 1-855-275-2861
Email: fellowships@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca
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