Canada Postdoctoral Research Award for Canadian and International Candidates

The Canada Postdoctoral Research Award (CPRA) program honors and helps the upcoming generation of exceptional researchers, knowledge workers, innovators, and creative thinkers at a critical juncture in their careers. The initiative gives Canadian and global leaders in innovation and scholarship of the future the money and freedom they need to establish world-class research and boost Canadian competitiveness and prosperity.

Host Country	Canada
Host Institute	Various universities in Canada
Level	Postdoc
Eligible Nationality	All
Fellowship Type	Fully Funded
Benefits	$70,000 per year
Duration	2 years
Application Deadlines	CIHR: September 17 NSERC: October 17 SSHRC: September 11

What is the CPRA?

The Canada Postdoctoral Research Award (CPRA) is the Government of Canada’s brand-new, harmonised postdoctoral fellowship administered jointly by CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC. It replaces legacy programs such as the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships and the NSERC PDF scheme, consolidating tri-agency postdoc funding into a single, streamlined competition designed to “recognise and support the next generation of outstanding innovators, knowledge workers, creative thinkers and researchers.”

Main Features of the Canada Postdoctoral Research Award

Launched in 2025 as part of the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS), the CPRA funds both Canadian and international scholars in all research fields covered by the three councils, including interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary work.

Benefits of the CPRA Program

Following are the benefits of the Canada Postdoctoral Research Award:

• Provides a competitive annual stipend of $70,000, supporting living and research expenses.
• Offers a two-year funding period, allowing for in-depth research and skill development.
• Enables tenure at eligible Canadian or international institutions, facilitating international research collaborations.
• Enhances the recipient’s profile and competitiveness for future academic and research positions.
• Supports career development towards becoming an independent investigator.

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Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the CPRA program, applicants must:

• Hold or expect to hold a doctorate (PhD) or health professional degree before the award start date.
• Not hold or be on leave from a tenure-track or tenured faculty position.
• Have completed all degree requirements no more than three years before September 1, 2025, with possible extensions for career interruptions such as caregiving, illness, conflict, socioeconomic barriers, clinical training, or relevant non-academic work (up to 36 months extension).
• For international applicants, either have completed or be enrolled in a doctoral/health professional degree at a Canadian institution, or be currently conducting postdoctoral research at a Canadian institution.

Applicants must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons under Canadian law if applying through NSERC or SSHRC streams.

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Research Areas and Committees

CPRA applications are reviewed by two multi-disciplinary committees based on the scientific area of the proposed research:

• Committee A (PT1): Focuses on biomedical and clinical research, assessing applicants’ potential as independent investigators in these areas.
• Committee B (PT2): Focuses on health services research and social, cultural, environmental, and population health research.

Application Deadlines

The large number of people accessing the online application systems as the application deadline draws near could result in delays that keep you from submitting your application on time. You are accountable for making sure you adhere to the guidelines in order to submit an application by the due date. There will be no acceptance of late applications.

Following are the deadlines:

• CIHR: September 17
• NSERC: October 17
• SSHRC: September 11

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Application and Review Process

• Applications are submitted through the online ResearchNet platform.
• Each application is assigned to one of the two committees based on the research area.
• Each application is reviewed by three independent reviewers.
• The review process is a single-stage, written review without a committee meeting.
• Reviewers evaluate applications based on two main criteria:
  1. Research Potential and Experience (50%)
     • Honours, awards, academic distinctions
     • Research-related contributions and activities
     • Sponsor’s assessment of the applicant’s abilities
  2. Quality of Proposed Research Program (50%)
     • Training expectations
     • Proposed research project
     • Research training environment.

Reviewers are guided by principles that emphasize the impact and significance of scholarly contributions over publication metrics, taking into account applicants’ diverse career paths and personal circumstances.

Apply here.

Application Preparation Tips

• Ensure your CV clearly highlights honours, awards, and significant research contributions.
• Develop a well-structured research proposal with clear objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.
• Secure strong letters of support from sponsors or supervisors who can attest to your research ability and potential.
• Familiarize yourself with the review criteria and tailor your application to address them explicitly.
• Be mindful of eligibility deadlines and prepare documentation for any career interruptions if applicable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Who can apply for the Canada Postdoctoral Research Award?
A1: Applicants must hold or expect to hold a doctorate or health professional degree, not be in a tenure-track or tenured position, and have completed their degree requirements within three years before the award start date (with possible extensions for interruptions). International applicants must be affiliated with a Canadian institution.

Q2: What is the value and duration of the award?
A2: The award provides $70,000 per year for a duration of 24 months (2 years).

Q3: Where You Can Hold the Award?
A3: Academic, provincial or research hospitals, colleges, Indigenous organisations, NGOs – in Canada or abroad (but not federal government labs). For an international host you must be a Canadian citizen, PR, or protected person and have earned your PhD in Canada.

Q4: How are applications evaluated?
A4: Applications are assessed by two committees based on the research field, focusing on research potential and experience (50%) and the quality of the proposed research program (50%). Each application is reviewed by three independent reviewers.

Q5: Can international applicants apply?
A5: Yes, international applicants can apply if they are enrolled in or have completed their doctoral degree at a Canadian institution or are currently conducting postdoctoral research at a Canadian institution.

Q6: What are the deadlines for application?
A6: Deadlines vary by agency; for example, CIHR’s deadline is typically in September. The harmonized CPRA under CRTAS is expected to open for applications in summer 2025, with full instructions available after July 2025.

Q7: Are there any restrictions on previous awards?
A7: Applicants must not have previously received a postdoctoral award from NSERC, CIHR, or SSHRC, including the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship.

Q8: How can I prepare my application?
A8: Start early by confirming eligibility, preparing a detailed CV, drafting a strong research proposal, and securing sponsor support. Reviewers value impact and potential over publication metrics, so emphasize the significance of your work.

This comprehensive overview provides a detailed understanding of the Canada Postdoctoral Research Award program, its eligibility, application process, evaluation criteria, and benefits to prospective postdoctoral researchers. The CPRA is a valuable opportunity for early-career researchers aiming to advance their careers and contribute significantly to their fields.

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