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NSERC announces inaugural competition for McDonald Fellowships
Formerly known as E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowships, these prestigious grants date back more than 50 years.
Program news Professors
April 15, 2021
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is launching its first ever competition for the rebranded Arthur B. McDonald Fellowships, which support top-flight early stage researchers. The grants were formerly known as E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowships, and were renamed last year in honour of Dr. McDonald, a Nobel laureate in physics (2015).
Last year, NSERC revised the eligibility and selection criteria as part of NSERC’s commitment to examining its programs through the lens of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). Any candidate who has taken up their first independent academic position within the last ten years is now eligible. In addition, the eligibility period is now extended by two months for each month of delay to research including delays due to COVID-19. As well, candidates can now self-nominate, as long as they are certified by their host institutions. Institutions can certify up to six nominations.
The new selection criteria (and their weightings) are
- research achievements and impacts (40%)
- outreach, mentorship and leadership (30%)
- future directions (30%)
The Arthur B. McDonald Fellowships recognize the achievements of early stage science and engineering researchers and provide them with extra support to enhance their research capacity, so that they can become leaders in their field and inspire others. The support includes research funding and a release from teaching and administrative duties for two years.
Nominations must be submitted by June 7, 2021.
For more information, please refer to the program description.
