The call for applications for the 2024-2025 academic year for the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships Program is currently open. Canadian institutions are invited to submit applications on behalf of eligible candidates.
Overview of the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program is designed to offer financial support to outstanding postdoctoral candidates, irrespective of their national or international background. The aim is to foster individuals who will make significant contributions to the economic, social, and research-driven advancement of the country.
Objectives of the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program include:
- Attracting and retaining exceptional postdoctoral talent on a national and international scale.
- Cultivating the leadership potential of postdoctoral fellows.
- Positioning fellows for future success as influential research leaders.
Eligibility Criteria for the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
This fellowship program is specifically designed for postdoctoral researchers and is not intended for students, including Health Professionals working towards completing a degree. Before applying for a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship, ensure that you and your proposed host institution meet the following criteria:
- Applicant Eligibility:
- The fellowship is open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and foreign citizens.
- Applicants who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents must conduct their Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship at a Canadian institution.
- Canadian citizens or permanent residents who earned their PhD, PhD-equivalent, or health professional degree from a foreign university must also hold their fellowship at a Canadian institution.
- Canadian citizens or permanent residents who obtained their PhD, PhD-equivalent, or health professional degree from a Canadian university can hold their fellowship at either a Canadian institution or an institution outside of Canada.
- Eligibility Window for Degree Completion:
- Applicants must have fulfilled all degree requirements for a PhD, PhD-equivalent, or health professional degree between September 15, 2020, and September 30, 2024 (inclusive).
- The degree must be completed before the start date of the fellowship.
- If all degree requirements have not been met at the time of application, proof of completion must be submitted no later than October 15, 2024.
- Multiple Degrees:
- For applicants with more than one PhD, PhD-equivalent, or health professional degree, the eligibility window applies to the most recent of these degrees.
Applications that do not meet all the specified eligibility criteria will be deemed ineligible for the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program.
Allowable Extensions to Eligibility Window for the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
The eligibility window for the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships can be extended under specific circumstances. A cumulative maximum of three years is allowed for extensions due to extenuating circumstances, such as:
- Career Interruption:
- Career interruptions for reasons like parental leave, illness, health-related family responsibilities, mandatory military service, disruptions due to war, civil conflicts, natural disasters, socio-economic reasons, lack of research opportunities, pandemic-related issues, etc., can extend the eligibility window.
- The extension is only for the duration of the eligible delay(s)/interruption(s).
- “Career interruption” refers to a period when the applicant was not working (full-time or part-time), and their research output was completely interrupted.
- Post-Degree Clinical Training for Health Professionals:
- For health professionals engaged in post-degree non-research-related clinical training (e.g., residency), the eligibility window can be extended by the duration of this training.
- Other Professions with Post-Degree Training:
- For professions requiring post-degree, non-research-related training certified by a professional body, consult the Vanier-Banting Secretariat to confirm if an extension is allowable.
- Interruptions After Degree Completion:
- Interruptions used to extend the eligibility window must have occurred after fulfilling degree requirements and before the application submission deadline.
- Justification for extensions must be provided in the Special Circumstances attachment.
- Degree Requirements Fulfillment:
- “Fulfilled all requirements of the degree” refers to the date when the applicant completed all steps required for obtaining their degree, including thesis defence corrections and thesis deposition. Convocation is not considered a degree requirement.
Host Institution Eligibility:
- Eligible host institutions include Canadian and foreign universities, affiliated research hospitals, colleges, and not-for-profit organizations with a strong research mandate.
- Canadian governments (federal, provincial, municipal) and for-profit organizations are not eligible to host Banting postdoctoral researchers.
Any questions about institutional eligibility should be directed to the Vanier-Banting Secretariat well in advance of the submission deadline.
Other Eligibility Restrictions for Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships:
- CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships:
- Applicants currently holding or having held CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC postdoctoral fellowships are eligible to apply if the term officially ends on or before September 30, 2024, and before the Banting Fellowship start date.
- Early termination of agency-specific postdoctoral awards for Banting application purposes is not allowed.
- Simultaneous Applications:
- Applicants can apply to both Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships and other agency-specific postdoctoral fellowships programs simultaneously.
- Research proposed in each application must fall within the mandate of the federal granting agency to which it is submitted.
- Successful applicants in both competitions must choose which award to accept.
- Tenure-Track or Tenured Faculty Positions:
- Applicants must not hold a tenure-track or tenured faculty position, nor be on leave from such a position.
- “Tenure or tenure-track” generally refers to an open-ended academic position involving research group formation, principal investigator status, and teaching.
- Staying at the Same Institution or Research Environment:
- Rare circumstances permit Banting Fellowships for applicants staying at the same institution or within the same research environment where they completed their degree.
- A solid justification is required, such as scientific reasons, family reasons, health reasons, Indigenous community research, or community/cultural responsibilities.
- Indigenous Community Research:
- Indigenous communities broadly defined as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis individuals, groups, organizations, and populations.
- Justifications related to Indigenous community or cultural responsibilities are considered valid.
- Application Limit:
- Applicants can submit only one application per competition year to the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program.
- Fellowship Terms:
- Banting Fellowships are tenable only at the institution supporting the original application.
- They must be taken up between April 1st and October 1st following the application year.
- Fellowship duration is two years.
- They cannot be held concurrently with another tri-agency training award.
- Banting Fellowships can only be held once in a lifetime.
Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships Application Guide:
1. Application Responsibility:
- Applicants must prepare and submit their applications.
- Ensure the application is complete, including host institution documents and referee assessments.
2. Self-Contained Information:
- Application package information must be self-contained.
- Avoid including links to external websites or documents hosted on drives.
3. Selection Committee Guide:
- Read the Selection Committee Guide before starting the application.
- Understand the three evaluation criteria and write the application for a non-specialist research audience.
4. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion:
- Review the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion page before application preparation.
5. DORA (Declaration on Research Assessment):
- Agencies have signed DORA, emphasizing the value of a broad range of contributions.
- Quality and impact are prioritized in research assessment.
6. Language of Submission:
- Individual documents can be submitted in English or French.
- If another language is used for a specific idea, provide an explanation in English or French.
7. Research Proposal Page Limit:
- English applications: Maximum of 4 pages for the Research proposal.
- French applications: Maximum of 5 pages for the Research proposal.
8. Language Provisions:
- French applications are allowed an additional page for the Research proposal.
- This provision ensures equitable space, considering that French documents typically require about 20% more space.
9. Page Limit Enforcement:
- Any pages exceeding the allotted limit will be removed without further notification to the applicant.
10. Application Completion Tasks:
- The application is completed through various tasks, ensuring all required components are addressed.
Applicants should adhere to these guidelines and ensure compliance with language provisions and page limits for a successful application.
Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships Application Tasks:
Task 1: Confirm Eligibility
- Verify that you meet all eligibility criteria outlined by the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program.
- Ineligibility may result in the rejection of the application.
Task 2: Contact Desired Host Institution/Supervisor
- Initiate contact with institutions or supervisors aligned with your research interests.
- Confirm eligibility of the desired institution to host a Banting postdoctoral researcher.
- For Canadian institutions, consult the Universities Canada website for a list of eligible institutions and their research areas.
- For foreign institutions, follow the instructions in the application guide.
- Collaborate fully with the potential host institution in completing the application.
- If already affiliated, provide justification for remaining in the same research environment (refer to Special Circumstances).
- Obtain endorsement from the institution’s president or equivalent.
- Be aware of internal deadlines set by the institution for application review and endorsement.
- Ensure referees and the host institution receive necessary documents for reference letters.
- Discuss details of the fellowship appointment, benefits, financial obligations, research support, rights and responsibilities, and relevant policies.
- Carefully select the appropriate selection committee for reviewing the application.
- Consideration should be given to research-related policies and protocols, especially those involving Indigenous Peoples of Canada and approvals for research involving humans, animals, or biohazards.
Task 3: Register and Complete Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Self-Identification Questionnaire
- Register for a ResearchNet account, a web-based application tool for the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program.
- Obtain a CIHR PIN, a unique identifier necessary for program application.
- Register for a Canadian Common CV (CCV) account, a tool for managing CV data.
- Complete the mandatory Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Self-Identification Questionnaire before the deadline.
- Submitted personal information may be used for program design, results measurement, and reporting.
Task 4: Create CCV and Link to ResearchNet Application
- Create a Vanier-Banting academic CCV on the CCV website.
- Follow the instructions in “Completing the Common CV (CCV)” carefully, noting input limits.
- Ensure compliance with CCV instructions to avoid negative impact on application evaluation.
- CCV is required regardless of the applicant’s citizenship.
- Save CCV progress, and obtain a confirmation number from the CCV website.
- Link the CCV to the ResearchNet application by inputting the confirmation number.
Applicants should pay close attention to CCV guidelines and ensure accurate completion to facilitate seamless integration with the ResearchNet application. Failure to follow instructions may adversely affect the application evaluation process.
Task 5: Start a ResearchNet Application
- Launch an application in ResearchNet and log in using your ResearchNet account.
- Navigate to the main Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships application menu.
- Ensure you have only one Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships application.
- If you have a current application, find it in the Current Activities tab under Applications in your ResearchNet account.
Task 6: Identify Area of Research
- Determine your Proposed Field of Research to assign your application to the appropriate selection committee (CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC).
- Consult the Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency for guidance.
- If uncertain, email banting@cihr-irsc.gc.ca with a one-page research summary for a recommendation (response time: up to 5 business days).
Task 7: Identify Participants
- Enter personal information, including a CIHR PIN (if not auto-populated) and institution details.
- Input the confirmation number of the CV created in the Canadian Common CV system to link it to the Banting application.
Task 8: Attach Documents
- Under this task, you’ll attach specific documents with the following details:
- Significance of research contributions (Maximum 1 page)
- Significance of leadership contributions (Document not specified)
- Fulfillment of degree requirements form (Document not specified)
- Special circumstances (Document not specified)
Attachment: Significance of Research Contributions
- Prepare a document (maximum 1 page) following specified instructions for presentation standards.
- Agencies recognize diverse research contributions beyond published journal articles, encompassing various forms and impacts.
- Choose up to three significant research contributions and describe their influence on the community and utilization by researchers and knowledge users.
- Contributions may include publications, artistic contributions, presentations, interviews, media relations, intellectual property, etc.
- Directly addresses the selection criterion: “Applicant’s research excellence and leadership in the research domain.”
- Reviewers will evaluate research excellence broadly, avoiding journal-based metrics, and prioritize scientific content over publication metrics.
Attachment: Significance of Leadership Contributions
- Prepare a document (maximum 1 page) following specified instructions for presentation standards.
- Choose up to three activities/memberships significant to your proposal and professional intent.
- Describe their significance in terms of demonstrating leadership and influence at institutional and broader levels.
- Discuss the impact and importance of these activities in relation to your career aspirations.
- Clarify how “leadership” is being defined if needed.
- Activities/memberships can include teaching, supervisory, administrative, advisory, assessment, review, participation, community and volunteer, knowledge and technology translation, international collaboration, committee memberships, and other memberships from your CCV.
- Directly addresses the selection criterion: “Applicant’s research excellence and leadership in the research domain.”
Attachment: Fulfillment of Degree Requirements Form
- Upload the Fulfillment of Degree Requirements Form (PDF, 67 KB) completed by the institution conferring the PhD, PhD-equivalent, or health professional degree entered in the application.
- Applicants completing their degree by September 30, 2024, must also upload a Fulfillment of Degree Requirements Form from the conferring institution.
- For applicants expecting to complete their degree, a second form must be submitted by the conferring institution after completion but before October 15, 2024.
- It’s the applicant’s sole responsibility to submit the form. Email the form to banting@cihr-irsc.gc.ca before 8:00 p.m. (EDT) on October 15, 2024, or the application will be withdrawn.
Attachment: Special Circumstances
- Prepare a document (maximum 1 page) adhering to specified instructions for presentation standards.
- Discuss any personal circumstances that might have delayed or interrupted academic/career advancement, scientific research, dissemination of results, training, etc.
- Examples include parental leave, child rearing, illness, disability, cultural/community/family responsibilities, socio-economic factors, access to research/leadership opportunities, or relocation of your research environment.
- Include post-degree training that is not research-focused (e.g., clinical training, residency) in this section.
- Provide specific dates for delays/interruptions and exact durations (months or days).
- Justify any extension to the eligibility window for degree completion based on eligible delays/interruptions.
- Applicants seeking postdoctoral training in the same institution or research environment as their PhD must provide a strong justification for exceptional circumstances.
- Justification should be provided for affiliations with the proposed host institution exceeding six months at the time of application.
- The longer the affiliation duration, the stronger the justification required.
These attachments contribute to the equitable assessment of applicants’ research achievements and productivity, addressing the selection criterion related to research excellence and leadership.
Task 8: Identify Referees
- Collect information on three referees for the application. Note language preference for assessments (English or French).
- Enter referee names, contact details, and set the deadline for assessments through ResearchNet.
- ResearchNet sends email requests with a secure link for online assessment completion.
- Referees cannot upload documents; assessments must be submitted online.
- Applicants manage the assessment deadline, ensuring completion before their deadline.
- Applicants can modify referees before submission but cannot access the content of submitted assessments.
- Mandatory: Arm’s Length Referee
- At least one referee must be at arm’s length, providing an impartial review of the application.
- The arm’s length referee should be an expert in the proposed research field.
- Examples include external examiner from the applicant’s doctoral defense or a specialist met at a conference.
- Arm’s length referee cannot be a relative, friend, or have personal/professional affiliations with the applicant or proposed supervisor.
- Identify the referee as “Arm’s length referee” in the Relationship to the Candidate question.
- Failure to provide an arm’s length assessment may adversely affect the application review.
Task 9: Enter Degree Information
- Collect details on your PhD, PhD-equivalent, or health professional degree.
Task 10: Enter Proposal Information and Supporting Documents
- Four sub-tasks to gather information related to your research project.
Sub-Task 1: Overview
- Title of Research Proposal (max 640 characters).
- Lay Title for public awareness (max 200 characters).
- Lay Abstract for promotional purposes, written in clear, non-technical language (max 2000 characters).
Sub-Task 2: Details
- Describe your proposed research project in detail, including objectives, methods, and anticipated outcomes.
Sub-Task 3: Descriptors/Keywords
- Provide descriptors and keywords related to your research project.
Sub-Task 4: Attachments
- Attach supporting documents related to your research project.
Ensure compliance with presentation standards for attached documents.
Note: For the subsequent tasks, additional details and instructions would be provided, and specific actions would need to be taken by the applicant as they progress through the application process.
Task 10 (Continued): Enter Proposal Information and Supporting Documents
Note on Research Involving Indigenous Peoples:
- If your research involves and engages Indigenous communities, include a statement at the beginning of the lay abstract.
- Examples and definitions of research respectfully involving Indigenous communities are provided.
Details:
- Enter information on the Host Institution endorsing your application.
- Provide the expected Start Date to take up the award.
- Specify the Language in which your Research Proposal is written.
- If the proposed institution is not listed, verify its eligibility and enter it in the Other box. Confirm eligibility via banting@cihr-irsc.gc.ca if uncertain.
Certification Requirements:
- Indicate certification requirements relevant to your proposed research.
- Answer questions related to the Impact Assessment Act (IAA) and exemptions from Health Canada under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
These steps contribute to ensuring that your application aligns with the necessary legal and ethical considerations.
Note: The subsequent tasks will likely involve further details about the proposed research, budget information, and additional documents required for a comprehensive evaluation of the application.
Additional Details:
- Indicate if the application proposes research involving Indigenous Peoples. This information is for statistical purposes.
- If the proposed research involves Indigenous Peoples, consult the “Ethics of Health Research Involving First Nations, Inuit and Métis People.”
- Indicate whether sex (biological) and/or gender (socio-cultural) considerations are taken into account in the study. Describe how these considerations will be integrated into the research design or why they are not applicable.
Descriptors/Keywords:
- Provide descriptors/keywords to describe your research proposal. Use drop-down menus for subsequent fields to choose the most relevant options.
Attachments: Under this sub-task, attach the following documents:
- Research Proposal: Maximum of 4 pages for English applications and a maximum of 5 pages for French applications, including graphs and images. Follow the presentation standards provided in the instructions.
Note: Ensure that all documents meet the specified presentation standards to enhance the clarity and quality of the application.
The subsequent tasks may involve attaching additional documents such as a bibliography, institutional letter of endorsement, and supervisor’s statement.