Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship: Eligibility & Application Process (2025)

Last Updated on December 13, 2024

One of the most esteemed opportunities for young researchers to study in Canada and around the arena is the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship. The fellowship, which has considerable finances and assets, is intended to help postdoctoral scholars in lots of disciplines by advancing their careers and encouraging excellence in research. However, getting this fellowship can be tough; you need to recognize all of the requirements and ensure your application is completed successfully. In this article, we go into the details of the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship, examining its stipulations for qualifying and supplying advice on the way to follow.

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Understanding the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship

Each year, the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships are granted to outstanding scholars who contribute significantly to Canada’s advancement in economic, social, and research domains, fostering a research-driven career path. A total of 70 fellowships are conferred annually, each carrying a taxable stipend of 70,000 CAD. 

These prestigious fellowships are evenly distributed among Canada’s three prominent research agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Applicants must specialize in either Health research, Natural sciences and/or engineering, or Social sciences and/or humanities to be considered for this esteemed opportunity.

Eligibility Criteria

Before applying, candidates must make sure they and the host institution fit the requirements for the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship. The following is a list of the fellowship’s eligibility requirements:

1. Nationality: Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or international students
2. Degree Finalisation Eligibility: Satisfied all prerequisites for a Ph.D., Ph.D. equivalent, or a degree as a health professional. The degree must be finished before the beginning of its award, between September 15, 2018, and September 30, 2022.
3. Universities to study in Canada are eligible to host an institution.

• Overseas colleges
• Affiliated academic institutions, hospitals, and nonprofits that conduct research.
• If the applicant has previously received a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship, they will be deemed ineligible.

Applications will be considered ineligible if they do not satisfy all of the requirements. It is not the goal of this fellowship for students to earn a degree, especially health professionals.

Application Process

It is recommended that applicants thoroughly review the Application Handbook before starting the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship application process. The candidate must complete the following actions to apply:

1. Verify Eligibility: Make sure the applicant meets the requirements to be considered for a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship.
2. Contact Desired Institution Host:

• Need to be a host institution that qualifies.
• The applicant needs to verify the host institution’s eligibility.
• Two papers that must be included in the ResearchNet.

3. Register for Canadian Common CV (CCV) and ResearchNet accounts: They are given to students by the host school.

• CCV account- an online resource for creating resumes.
• The  Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship program uses a web-based application tool and database called ResearchNet Account.

4. Establish a ResearchNet link and a CCV (Vanier-Banting academic template):

• Regardless of the applicant’s citizenship, a CCV is necessary.
• After the CCV is verified, a confirmation number will be given.
• ResearchNet must be used to link CCV to the application for a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship using the confirmation number.

5. Launch the ResearchNet software: After a successful login, a list of actions that must be finished before applying will appear.
6. Determine the Research Area: The designated selection committee is determined by the proposed field of research. It will be allotted according to the research topic.
7. Determine Participants: It is necessary to supply information such as the applicant’s name and the name of their institution at the time of application. Additionally, enter the CV confirmation number.
8. Add Documents:

• Research contributions’ significance
• Importance of contributions made by leaders
• Meeting the prerequisites for the degree
• Unique conditions

9. Determine Officials: It is necessary to cite three sources. Either French or English must be used for the references.
10. Information about Degree: Details about a Ph.D., Ph.D. equivalent, or degree as a health professional.
11. Details of the Proposal and Related Documents

Submission of information on the research project is required; it must contain an overview, specifics, descriptors or keywords, and attachments.

12. Agree and Send in Application: Permission regarding the terms found in ResearchNet. An email with the subject line “Successful Submission-Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship program/ Soumission acceptée – Programme de bourses postdoctoral Banting” will be sent following a successful submission.
13. Verify that the documents attached adhere to the presentation standards. All materials that are submitted must adhere to the guidelines. Failure to do so may result in the application being rejected.

A single PDF file including all of the aforementioned application requirements must be submitted. Candidates must ensure that they thoroughly review the information on the official website. A single application may be submitted by candidates annually.

Selection Process

The selection committee reviews every application for an eligible Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship. The applications are first sorted before being forwarded to the appropriate government funding agencies.

• Applications related to health research will be forwarded to the selection committee of the (CIHR).
• Applications to the (NSERC) selection committee in the fields of engineering and/or natural sciences
• Applications about the humanities and/or social sciences should be sent to the SSHRC selection committee.

Three equally weighted selection criteria are used to choose a candidate:

1. Based on prior records, the applicant’s research excellence displayed leadership abilities in his or her field and a research contribution to the target groups.
2. The caliber and promise of the applicant’s suggested research projects, as well as the expected social effects of the projects if they are completed effectively.
3. The applicant’s relationship and the research-oriented environment of the host institution.

The Vanier-Banting Secretariat notifies the candidates of the results in February after receiving clearance from the selection committee. A letter of decision is uploaded to the relevant ResearchNet account.

Canada Intakes:

Winter Intake in Canada 

Fall Intake in Canada

Summer Intake in Canada

Conclusion

Early-career academics have a superb opportunity in addition to their academic careers and guide innovative research and study in Canada via the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship. To enhance their possibilities of being awarded this extremely aggressive fellowship, prospective postdoctoral students must familiarise themselves with the eligibility requirements and apply with ease. Banting Fellows have the chance to noticeably improve their fields and impact the course of superb Canadian research.

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