Awards & Funding

The University of British Columbia offers and administers programs that provide financial help to Postdoctoral Fellows. Some of these funding opportunities are external to UBC, however others can be applied to a UBC PDF appointment.

Award Highlights

Killam Postdoctoral Fellow Research Prize
The Killam Postdoctoral Fellow Research Prizes are awarded annually for excellence in research. Established in 2011, the Killam PDF Prize is in memory of Izaak Walton Killam and his wife, Dorothy Johnston Killam, who together created the Killam trusts. Two prizes in the amount of $5,000 each are awarded to fulltime Postdoctoral Fellows at UBC in recognition of outstanding research and scholarly contributions while at UBC. Read more...
Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
The Killam Scholarship and Prize Programmes were established in memory of Izaak Walton Killam through the Will of his wife, Dorothy Johnston Killam, and through gifts made during her lifetime. Their primary purpose is to support advanced education and research at five Canadian universities and the Canada Council for the Arts. Read more...
PDF Travel Awards
The Postdoctoral Fellows Office (PDFO) offers a quarterly travel award competition for Postdoctoral Fellows currently appointed through UBC Vancouver. These awards are intended to assist UBC-appointed Postdoctoral Fellows with the costs associated with attending conferences to present research performed during their UBC Postdoctoral Fellowship. Read more...

Funding Agencies

Canada's Tri-Agencies - CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC

Canada's three federal research funding agencies—the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)—provide a variety of funding opportunities for Postdoctoral Fellows. 

CANADA POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH AWARD (CPRA)

Canada’s three federal research funding agencies —the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) — administer a federal research talent investment program as part of the Canada Research Training Awards Suite. Launched in 2025, this program, called the Canada Postdoctoral Research Award, recognizes and supports the next generation of outstanding innovators, knowledge workers, creative thinkers and researchers at a pivotal time in their careers. The program provides funding and flexibility, empowering Canadian and international leaders in innovation and scholarship of tomorrow to develop the skills to build world-class research and drive Canadian prosperity and competitiveness.

Please refer to the links below for information about the Canada Postdoctoral Research Award competitions for each tri-agency:

CANADA IMPACT+ RESEARCH TRAINING AWARDS

The Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards are a one-time initiative designed to recruit international or returning Canadian students and postdoctoral researchers to Canada. These awards support the recruitment of doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers in priority areas, helping build capacity, strengthen the research ecosystem and enhance Canada’s global competitiveness. The Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards (CIRTA) will provide 400 postdoctoral fellowships across Canada to recruit international candidates. Postdoctoral Fellowships are valued at $70,000 per year for two years.

CIHR Research Excellence, Diversity, and Independence (REDI) Early Career Transition Award

First launched in 2022, the CIHR Research Excellence, Diversity, and Independence (REDI) Early Career Transition Award is available to trainees, such as post-doctoral researchers, clinicians, and research associates, from specific underrepresented groups to help them launch their research faculty careers in Canada. Through its two-phase model, which begins with mentored career development of trainees and is followed by support to establish and sustain an independent research program, REDI develops the next generation of health research leaders.

Canadian Funding Agencies
  • Michael Smith Health Research BC - British Columbia's health research agency. Health Research BC is working toward a future where BC is recognized worldwide for its vibrant, coherent, inclusive and globally competitive health research system that improves the health of British Columbians, the health system and the economy.
  • Mitacs - Through unique research and training programs, Mitacs is developing the next generation of innovators with vital scientific and business skills. In partnership with companies, government and academia, Mitacs is supporting a new economy using Canada's most valuable resource – its people. MITACS offers multiple funding opportunities, several of which are applicable to postdocs.

Other Canadian Funding Sources

American Funding Agencies

Searchable Funding Databases

International Funding Agencies

Applying for Funding

Prior to applying for funding, please refer to UBC Policy AP10, Postdoctoral Fellows, for UBC postdoctoral eligibility requirements.

Please visit Funding Opportunities for a listing of funding opportunities that may be available to you.

Some funding opportunities require institutional endorsement of applications. Unless otherwise specified, please follow the procedures outlined in the UBC Office of Research Services website. 

Please consult with your appointing department/unit and faculty to determine if there are any internal deadlines.