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Western Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
Western Research, on behalf of the Vice-President (Research), invites applications from all eligible individuals for the Western Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. This program is administered by Western Research.
Grounded by the guiding principles of the Western Research strategic plan, Mobilize for Impact!, the Postdoctoral Fellowship program aspires to:
- Attract diverse postdoctoral talent from a global candidate pool, who will contribute positively to research excellence;
- Enhance support for promising research programs that advance Western's strategic goals for research success; and
- Foster a vibrant and inclusive environment for scholars and position them for success as early career researchers.
Streams
Subject to available funding, Western Research is pleased to offer three streams of Western Postdoctoral Fellowship awards for the 2025 competition:
- Stream 1: Postdoctoral fellowship awards
- Stream 2: For projects in biotherapeutics (up to 3 awards)
- Stream 3: For projects that support PIs with an active SSHRC Insight Grant (up to 2 awards)
Value
Fellowships will provide a minimum stipend of $70,000/year (pending any association agreement changes), plus recoverable benefits and a $5,000/year research allowance for two years.
Matching requirement: Western Research will contribute 50% of the base fellowship (stipend and recoverable benefits), plus a $5,000/year research allowance for a total maximum contribution of $90,997 over the term of the postdoctoral fellowship (maximum 2 years). The host faculty and/or supervisor is responsible for securing, at minimum, the remaining 50% of the stipend/benefits.
Dates & Deadlines
| Date & Time | Events & Required Steps |
|---|---|
| March 2025 | Program launch |
| April 29, 2025 | Submit your ROLA proposal. |
| May 6, 2025, 3 p.m. EDT | Submit your application, including referee letters. |
| May-June 2025 | Selection committee review |
| June 2025 | Communication of results |
| July 2025 – June 2026 | Successful candidates' start dates |
- Internal program applications must be accompanied by a completed ROLA proposal, reviewed and approved by department chair and faculty dean.
- Program applications must be received by the Western Research internal grants online submission portal before the posted deadline.
Final Reports
Final reports are to be submitted by both the postdoc and the supervisor, no later than 3 months after the completion of the award. Please click here to access the final report feedback form.
How many applications will be funded?
Number of awards will depend on the budget available and the amounts requested in the list of fundable applications.
Is there a two-phase review process this year?
Applications will be submitted directly to internal grants via the online submission portal for review by a central adjudication committee. A two-phase review process is no longer required.
Is each Faculty guaranteed one successful WPDF?
Applications to be awarded are no longer allocated one per faculty.
If my Letters of Support are submitted directly to my proposed supervisor and/or the faculty research office, how will I attach them to my application?
Letters of Support will be attached to your application by the proposed supervisor, so there is one master file for your application to be submitted to Western Research.
How do I submit my application?
Full applications, including Letters of Support are to be submitted by your proposed supervisor.
When will results be available?
The Western Research application deadline is May 6, 2025 @ 3pm EDT. We expect final decisions to be available in June 2025.
Western Research, in consultation with an Associate Vice-President (Research), reserves the right to exclude from competition any submissions that are incomplete or inconsistent. Excluded applications will not be presented to reviewers for consideration.
Contact Us
For more information please contact intgrant@uwo.ca.