UWaterloo's CIHR postdoc application process
Please note: Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) is aware of the recent changes in fellowship funding for postdoctoral scholars announced in the recent federal budget. Once CIHR updates the information on their website, the content below will be updated to reflect the changes.
Overview
The CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowships program equips research trainees so that they emerge from their training as scientific, professional, or organizational leaders within and beyond the health research enterprise. Stipend levels and maximum duration depend upon the background of the applicants; trainees holding a PhD may receive stipend of up to $40,000 per year for up to 3 years (plus benefits), and licensed health professionals may receive up to $50,000 per year for up to 5 years (plus benefits). All CIHR fellowships receive $5,000 per year research allowance. Successful applicants at UWaterloo are also provided with extended health benefits, which are paid for centrally by the University.
Applications and eligibility
If you are applying for the CIHR postdoctoral fellowship, you must complete an application in the CIHR portal, ResearchNet, which is electronically directed to the proposed host institution for review and electronic approval. More information on the submission and review by UWaterloo can be found below under “submitting an application”.
Please note that if you are also interested in applying for a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship, you can apply for both the Banting and CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowships at the same time, but separate applications must be submitted – an application for the Banting does not automatically submit an application to the agency-specific postdoctoral fellowship program.
We understand that many postdocs, while applying for CIHR funding, may also be applying to other funding sources. Per the Tri-Agency Research Training Award Holder’s Guide, the tri-agency does not place restrictions on outside sources of funding that an award holder would hold concurrently*. Recipients, however, will need to know what the regulations are for other funding being issued.
*Recipients cannot hold a Banting and a tri-agency postdoctoral fellowship at the same time.
Full eligibility details are available each year within the most recent version of the open competition CIHR Fellowship funding opportunity in ResearchNet, and can be accessed through the CIHR Health Research Training Award Programs webpage once the competition opens.
Submitting an application
If you identified Waterloo as the “Institution Paid” (i.e., your host institution), then you must submit your application to ResearchNet by Waterloo’s set deadline, which is 24 hours in advance of CIHR's deadline. This deadline will appear when you identify Waterloo as the host institution (“Institution Paid”). University of Waterloo’s Office of Research will then review your application for eligibility and compliance with the guidelines, prior to submitting it to the national level competition on your behalf. There is no quota of awards, so all eligible applications are submitted.
Please note that because the CIHR fellowship uses the e-submission process for applications, an “ink” signature is not required; however, the electronic signature of the host supervisor is required.
Application support and review
It is best to have your host supervisor review your application and research proposal as they are best suited to ensure your documents align with the proposed arrangements. We also recommend having your colleagues review your materials to ensure completeness and appropriate writing style.
The Office of Research may also be able to provide a strategic review if resources are available. Please contact the CIHR team in the Office of Research and provide your application at least three weeks in advance of the CIHR deadline.
Successful applicants
If you are successful in this competition, you will receive an offer of award through ResearchNet, along with instructions for accepting the fellowship.
CIHR fellowships are paid through the host institution. If your application is successful, an ‘authorization for funding’ document will be issued from CIHR to the Office of Research. The Office of Research will contact you to finalize any conditions of the fellowship (e.g. requirement of research ethics approval, start date, etc.). Once finalized, the Work-order (funding account) will be provided to the Host Supervisor. This allows the supervisor to provide you with a formal letter of appointment (required by Human Resources) to arrange payment through payroll, provide you with benefits (paid by the University of Waterloo), and make the research allowance available to you.
Each year, the host institution is also requested to issue T4As. Additional details and instructions regarding payment of fellowships can be found in the Tri-Agency Research Training Award Holder’s Guide.
For more information on next steps for postdocs, please visit the Incoming Postdocs section of our website.
Who to contact
Please contact the CIHR team in the Office of Research if you have any questions about the CIHR Fellowships.