About the Fellowships
The SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships aim to support the most promising Canadian new scholars in the social sciences and humanities and assist them in establishing a research base at an important time in their research careers.
The purpose of these fellowships is to provide stipendiary support to recent PhD graduates who are:
- undertaking original research;
- publishing research findings;
- developing and expanding personal research networks;
- broadening their teaching experience;
- preparing for research-intensive careers within and beyond academia; and
- preparing to become competitive in national research grant competitions.
These awards are tenable at Canadian or foreign universities and research institutions. SSHRC encourages applications that involve Indigenous research, and research-creation.
Joint Initiatives and Supplements
SSHRC offers supplementary funding to fellowship holders through joint initiatives with various organizations. SSHRC collaborates with organizations from across the not-for-profit, private and public sectors to support and promote training, research and connection activities in the social sciences and humanities. These initiatives are aligned with SSHRC’s strategic objectives, inform decision-makers, and often address specific needs of its partners.
Learn more about joint initiatives. For a complete list of available supplements and joint initiatives, see SSHRC’s funding search tool.
No separate application process is typically required, but candidates must express their interest in their application.
Future Challenge Areas
Applicants are invited to consider addressing one or more of the 16 future global challenges identified by SSHRC’s Imagining Canada’s Future initiative in their research proposals. This is not an evaluation criterion for merit review and does not offer additional or dedicated research funds for this funding opportunity.
Overview of Fellowship:
- Value: $70,000 per year
- Duration: 2 years
- Application Deadline: September 12, 2024 (8 p.m. Eastern)
- Results Announced: February 2025
- Apply: Web CV, application and instructions
These taxable, non-renewable fellowships can commence on the first of any month between May 2025 and January 2026.
Eligibility Requirements
Subject Matter: Most SSHRC funding is awarded through open competitions. Proposals can involve any disciplines, thematic areas, approaches or subject areas eligible for SSHRC funding. See subject matter eligibility for more information. Projects focused on adapting a doctoral thesis for publication, textbook editing, translation, or foreign language acquisition are not eligible.
Indigenous talent measures: Among its measures intended to support research by and with Indigenous Peoples, SSHRC’s Indigenous Talent Measures are aimed at supporting graduate students and postdoctoral researchers applying to the Canada Graduate Scholarships—Doctoral Program, SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships or SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships.
Applicant Eligibility:
- Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a “protected person” under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
- Cannot hold a permanent faculty position or a faculty position leading to permanency.
- Must have secured affiliation with a recognized university or research institution.
- Must not have applied more than twice before to the SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships funding opportunity.
- Cannot have previously received a postdoctoral award (including a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship) from SSHRC, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) or the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
- Must not be applying in the 2024-25 academic year to the NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowships Program or the CIHR Fellowship funding opportunity.
Eligibility Window:
- Those whose doctorate is currently in progress are eligible.
- Those who completed their doctorate in September 2021 or later are eligible.
- Those who completed their doctorate between September 2018 and September 2021 must provide explanations for any career interruptions or delays. Allowable inclusions
Foreign Tenure
Applicants are eligible to apply to hold their award at a foreign university only if their PhD was earned at a Canadian university. Applicants with a PhD from a foreign university are eligible to apply only if they wish to hold their award at a Canadian university.
Application Process
- Applicants must complete the application form in accordance with the accompanying instructions.
- Applications must be submitted electronically directly to SSHRC. Requests to submit late applications will not be accepted.
- All referees and institutional nominators must use SSHRC’s online application system to submit their supporting letters before the deadline.
- Application components include CV, two Letter of Appraisal forms, Research Appraisal form, and Institutional Nomination and Commitment form.
- Applicants needing help while preparing their application should contact SSHRC well in advance of the application deadline.
Black postdoctoral researchers
- The Government of Canada has deployed additional funds to increase direct support for Black student researchers.
- SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships applicants who self-identify as Black and provide consent in their application to be considered for funds designated to specific groups may be eligible to receive an award as part of this initiative.
- Consult the Frequently asked questions about the new Black scholars funding page for more information.
Contact Information
For more details:
- Toll-free: 1-855-275-2861
- Email: fellowships@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca
Visit the website for information on Merit review and Regulations, policies and related information.