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External Funding and Fellowships
Postdoctoral scholars may come to Western with funding secured through external fellowship or award programs. These opportunities are typically competitive and portable, with Western serving as the host institution.
This page provides guidance on identifying external funding opportunities and outlines what you need to know before applying with Western as your proposed host.
Identifying a Supervisor
If you are considering bringing external funding to Western, the first step is to identify a faculty supervisor whose research aligns with your interests.
To explore potential supervisors:
- Browse departmental websites and faculty profiles
- Explore Western’s Research Institutes, Centres, and Groups
- Review current research projects and methodologies
Once you have identified a strong match, contact the potential supervisor with:
- a brief introduction
- a summary of your research background
- your reason for wanting to work with them
- how your expertise aligns with their work
Early outreach helps establish fit and confirms whether Western can serve as your host institution.
Understanding External Funding
External postdoctoral funding may come from:
- national funding agencies
- international mobility programs
- private foundations
- discipline‑specific or thematic awards
Funding must be secured before a postdoctoral appointment can begin. Compensation levels, benefits, and appointment conditions vary depending on the funding source and appointment type.
If you are looking for postdoctoral positions hosted and funded at Western, please visit:
Postdoctoral Opportunities at Western →
Preparing an External Fellowship Application
Before submitting an external funding application with Western as your proposed host, you should:
- confirm supervisor support
- review the program’s eligibility requirements
- understand internal Western deadlines
- discuss appointment classification and timelines
Not all funding programs are compatible with all appointment types, so early consultation is strongly recommended.
Institutional Requirements for External Applications
Most external funding applications require institutional review and approval before they can be submitted.
When applying with Western as your host institution, please ensure the following steps are completed.
Research On‑Line Administration (ROLA)
Your supervisor must create and submit a corresponding ROLA proposal for the funding competition.
If the opportunity is not listed in ROLA, email the funding program guidelines and deadline to: rolahelp@uwo.ca
Application Review by Research Services
A complete PDF of your full application must be submitted to the Office of Research Services at least five business days before the agency deadline.
Include all documents that form part of the application package.
Email submissions should be sent to: researchoffice@uwo.ca
Institutional Signatures
All required internal approvals must be completed before Western can release an institutional signature.
Once the application has been reviewed and approvals collected through ROLA, the signature page will be returned to you for final submission to the funding agency.
Finding External Funding Opportunities
Because external funding programs change frequently, postdoctoral scholars are encouraged to rely on maintained sources rather than static lists.
Useful starting points include:
- national and international funding agency websites
- professional and disciplinary associations
- foundation and government fellowship portals
- supervisor recommendations based on field‑specific knowledge
Fellowship Programs
There exist several fellowship programs offered to prospective and current postdoctoral scholars each year. Interested applicants are encouraged to review all application information to confirm their eligibility.
The Tri-Agency scholarship and fellowship programs administered by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) have been streamlined into a new harmonized program called the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS).
| SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship | CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowship | NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $70,000/yr | $70,000/yr | $70,000/yr |
| Duration | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
| Eligibility criteria and instructions | Click here | Click here | Click here |
| Application Portal | Registration and login | ResearchNet | Online System |
| Western/ROLA deadline (MANDATORY) | September 3, 2026 | September 3, 2026 | October 6, 2026 |
| Agency deadline (MANDATORY) | September 10, 2026 | September 16, 2026 | October 17, 2026 |
| Results announced | March 31, 2027 | March 31, 2027 | March 31, 2027 |
The Accelerate program provides research-based internships that foster applied research collaboration and knowledge transfer between post-secondary students and postdoctoral fellows, industry, and academic researchers.
Value: $20,000/four months with $5,000 for research support | Internship start at four months and can scale up as much as you need
Number of Awards: Varies each year
Field(s): Varies each year
Application Details: Program Description
Contact: Mihaela Harmos
Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, a Scholar Awards Program in Women's Health has been established to ensure that Ontario attracts and retains pre-eminent women's health scholars.
Value: $40,000/year with $5,000 for research support | One-year duration
Number of Awards: One
Field(s): Women's health
Application Details: Program Description
Contact: Mihaela Harmos
The objective of Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships is to support researchers’ careers and foster excellence in research. The Postdoctoral Fellowships action targets researchers holding a PhD who wish to carry out their research activities abroad, acquire new skills and develop their careers. Postdoctoral Fellowships help researchers gain experience in other countries, disciplines and non-academic sectors.
Value: Living allowance, a mobility allowance if applicable, family, long-term leave and special needs allowances. In addition, funding is provided for research, training and networking activities management and indirect costs for 1-3 years.
Application Details: Program Description
Contact: Mihaela Harmos
Agencies
Below are some external agencies that offer funding for postdoctoral appointments, however several other sources of funding are available. Postdoctoral scholars are encouraged to seek out all potential avenues of funding.
Support and Contact
For guidance on external funding compatibility, appointment requirements, or institutional processes, contact:
Mihaela Harmos
Postdoctoral Services Coordinator
School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
mharmos@uwo.ca