Eligibility Criteria for Visiting Fellows

• You must have received a doctoral degree in the natural sciences or engineering from a recognized university within the past five years. Your application will be accepted if you are currently enrolled in a doctoral program at a recognized university; however, you must expect to complete all requirements for your degree (including the thesis defence) within six months of submitting your application.
• If you have withdrawn from the workforce and active research for maternity leave, or to raise a child for at least one year, after you received your doctorate, NSERC will extend the eligibility period to six years.
• You can apply only twice for a Visiting Fellowship in Canadian Government Laboratories.
• You must not have been barred from participating in NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR, or any other research funding organization programs for reasons of breach of standards of ethics or integrity (including financial or scientific misconduct).

You will not be allowed to take up your award until confirmation of completion of degree requirements is received. You may hold only one Visiting Fellowship.

There are no restrictions on the nationality of applicants, but awards are subject to a citizenship quota: two-thirds of awards must be made to Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Successful candidates who are not Canadians or permanent residents of Canada must satisfy Canadian immigration requirements. The Department of National Defence can consider applications from Canadian citizens only.