The Ontario Post-Doctoral Fellowship Program

In the 2006 Budget, the Province announced a new Post Doctoral Fellowship Program. The Ministry of Research and Innovation released further information on this new matching program, the purpose of which is to recruit and retain outstanding young scientists to spend two years as PDFs in Ontario research institutions and to support them through a provincial network.

A number of awards are allocated to each Ontario university. The allocation to the University of Toronto is 14 Fellowships. Each institution is responsible for selecting and appointing its PDFs through an annual competitive process that is consistent with MRI program guidelines (attached). At the UofT, the competition
is an open call for applications in the following key priority sectors:
- environmental science and technologies
- health and related technologies
- digital media and information and communication technologies.
(The economic, social and cultural aspects of the above categories are eligible)

The PDF awards are two year awards valued at least $50,000/annually, of which MRI will provide $25,000. Eligible expenses are limited to salary, benefits and a research allowance of up to $5,000/year. Matching funding can come from any source (excluding other provincial funding), including research grants. Matching funds must be secured at the time of the PDF application.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Individuals interested in applying for one of these Fellowships should submit the following documentation by no later than April 15th to the Institutional Initiatives Office, McMurrich Building, 3rd Floor, 12 Queen's Park Crescent West, attention Elaine Footman:

1. a curriculum vitae of the post doctoral fellow;
2. an Ontario PDF Application Form (attached), duly completed and signed;
3. a lay summary of no more than 500 words describing the research activity to be undertaken;
4. a letter from the proposed faculty supervisor in support of the candidate, detailing the source and secured status of the required matching funding.

All applications received by the deadline will be adjudicated by a committee established by the Vice-President, Research in accordance with the program guidelines. This is a highly competitive program with over 100 applications received last year for 15 awards. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS

Applicants and their supervisors will be notified of the outcome of the competition in early June. Fellowships must begin on or before 31 December 2009.

QUESTIONS?

Please contact Elaine Footman (elaine.footman@utoronto.ca ; 946-0447) if you have any questions.