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NSERC Arthur B. McDonald Fellowships

The Arthur B. McDonald Fellowships are prestigious, $250,000 grants awarded over two years to recognize early-stage academic researchers in the natural sciences and engineering and support them to enhance their research capacity so that they can become leaders in their field and inspire others. Six Fellowships are awarded annually to scientists or engineers earning a strong, international reputation for original research. Fellows are relieved of teaching and administrative duties for two years to devote their time and energy to research.

The Fellowship normally also includes a contribution of $90,000 per year to the institution toward the Fellow's salary. As part of the Fellowship agreement, the university is expected to fund a replacement for the Fellow's teaching and administrative responsibilities or to enhance the research environment of the Fellow's department.

NSERC Information Page

Eligibility

Please note that candidates must:

have held an independent academic position* for 10 years or less as of December 1, 2026. Eligibility calculations may incorporate career interruptions;
currently hold a grant from NSERC;
conduct research primarily in the fields of the natural sciences and/or engineering; and
self-nominate, however, Western must certify each nomination and can only certify six.

*An independent academic position is a position that:

is a university faculty appointment (tenured or non-tenured);
requires that the researcher engages in research that is not under the direction of another individual;
authorizes the researcher to supervise or co-supervise the research of students registered in an undergraduate or graduate degree program, or postdoctoral fellows.

The 10-year eligibility window is adjusted to take into account eligible delays in research or periods of inactivity (for example, due to parental leave, bereavement, illness, delays related to COVID-19). NSERC will credit double their total duration.

As an eligible candidate, you may self-nominate by preparing the nomination materials listed below.

Nomination Process

Western Internal Process

Notice of Intent to Self-Nominate: September 10, 2026 (via email to the Awards & Distinctions Team)

Internal Adjudication submission deadline : October 1, 2026.

Note: Western must certify its support for your nomination. The institution confirms that you are eligible and explains how the institution will fully relieve you of teaching and administrative responsibilities while you hold the award.

Expression of Interest

Western may submit up to six nominations for the competition. As such, please send an email to the Awards & Distinctions Team by the end of the day on September 10, 2026, expressing your intention to submit a self-nomination. This will allow time to manage the quota and prepare for internal adjudication, if necessary.

Internal Adjudication

Should more than six EOIs be received an internal adjudication process will be used to determine which six nominations will be certified by the institution. Applicants must submit the following by October 1 , 2026 , to the Awards & Distinctions Team :

Draft of the Future Directions Document (3-4 pages): summary of the research that would be pursued during the tenure of the Fellowship (see details below)
List of 5-7 internationally recognized experts (Canadian or international) in your field who can provide an assessment of your work
Draft TCV

NSERC Nomination Process

The successful internal candidates can move forward with self-nomination and must prepare the following materials:

A Tri-agency CV Template;
Future Directions (max. four pages) which includes describing your:
- Research Vision: how your research represents an original or innovative concept or line of inquiry and how it will advance a research area or areas in the natural sciences and engineering, and if applicable, its policy- or technology-related impact.
- Proposed Research: how the research you propose to carry out for the duration of the award. Considering equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the research process promotes research excellence by making research outcomes more ethically sound, rigorous, reproducible and useful. It is important to consider EDI through each stage of the research process including, the research questions, design, methodology, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of results and integrate these considerations where relevant.
- Training of HQP: your approach to training and mentoring HQP and to ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion in the research and training environment.
- Proposed Outreach, mentorship, and leadership activities: your outreach, mentorship and leadership activities you propose to carry out for the duration of the award.
A tri-agency CV Appendix
Form 101 part 1 (“Application for a Grant”). Note:
- Signatures are not required
- Sensitive Technology Research Areas - the nominee must indicate whether research activities supported by this grant will aim to advance any of the listed areas in the Sensitive Technology Research Areas (STRA) List. For more information, please read the Tri-agency Guidance on the STRAC Policy.
Impact Assessment Form (Appendix A), if required;
External Reviewer Suggestions Form: Must be completed to provide names and contact information of 5-7 internationally recognized experts (Canadian or international) in your field who can provide an assessment of your work;
An Attestation for Research Aiming to Advance Sensitive Technology Research Areas form, only if you answered "Yes" to the following question in Form 101, "Will the proposed research activities supported by this grant aim to advance any of the listed sensitive technology research areas?"
A signed Terms and Conditions Form for Nominees.

Program Resources

Deadline and Submission

Date	Required Steps
September 10, 2026	Notice of Intent to Self-Nominate – email the Awards & Distinctions Team.
October 1, 2026	Internal Adjudication submission due by email to the Awards & Distinctions Team.
November 30, 2026	If you are receiving institutional coordination and support on your nomination, submit drafts (Word version) of all of your required nomination documents noted above to the Awards & Distinctions Team.
December 14, 2026	Final submission deadline to NSERC.

EDID Supports

Western Research offers support and resources for knowledge mobilization, Indigenous Research, and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization. You can complete a request for support form to receive more information or request additional support. If you are unsure if your project involves Indigenous research, it is recommended that you contact Western Research early for determination and support.

Contact Us

Interested parties are encouraged to contact rwprizes@uwo.ca regarding this award and the nomination process.