Who? | Early-stage academic researchers in the natural sciences and engineering |
How much? | $250,000 total |
How long? | Two years |
Contact | mcdonald@nserc-crsng.gc.ca |
Application deadline | December 14, before 8:00 p.m. (ET). If the deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, your nomination must reach NSERC before 8:00 p.m. (ET) the following working day. |
If you are an early-stage academic researcher, meaning that you have held an independent academic position for 10 years or less as of December 14 of the competition year and currently hold a grant from NSERC, you can prepare a nomination for this award.
An independent academic position is a position that:
For example, to be eligible, a candidate submitting a nomination in December 2024 would need to have started their appointment on or after December 14, 2014.
The ten-year eligibility window is adjusted to consider instances where a researcher has had an eligible delay in research. For all eligible delays or leaves of absence (e.g., maternity and parental leave, personal illness, chronic illness, mental illness, or disability associated with reduced research activity, leave taken for family‑related illness, bereavement, extraordinary administrative duties, delays related to COVID-19), NSERC will credit double their total duration. For example, a candidate who took a 7‑month parental leave after starting their appointment would have their eligibility window extended by 14 months. Professional leaves (e.g., training, sabbatical, administrative) are not credited.
NSERC reserves the right to rule on the eligibility of nominees and any reported delays in research, if applicable.
Your research must be primarily in the fields of the natural sciences and/or engineering.
If your nomination is successful, you will receive a research grant of $250,000 over two years, held at a Canadian university or affiliated research institution. You will also be relieved from teaching and administrative duties so that you can devote your time and energy to research.
In addition, NSERC normally contributes up to $90,000 per year to the university toward your salary. NSERC expects the university to fund a replacement for the McDonald fellow’s teaching and administrative responsibilities, as part of the McDonald Fellowship agreement. NSERC reduces the contribution to the university if the McDonald fellow already holds another federal award that has a salary component, such as a Canada Research Chair or an Industrial Research Chair.
The start date of the McDonald Fellowship must be between April 2025 and March 2026, on the first day of the month.