University of Alberta Grant Notley Memorial Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027

The Grant Notley Memorial Postdoctoral Fellowship is provided by donations from friends of Grant Notley, matched by the Province of Alberta.

The University of Alberta is committed to supporting diverse research environments for all scholars and is working to drive deeper cultural change in our research ecosystem. We encourage applications from diverse applicants. One Fellowship per year will be awarded for research in politics, history, economy, society, or related fields, of Canada, with preference given to research of Western Canada.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Interview Process
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineJanuary 15, 2027
• Study LevelPostdoctoral Fellowships
• SponsorUniversity of Alberta
• City to studyEdmonton
• School to studyUniversity of Alberta
• Course to studyHistory , Politics , Economy
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• valued at $50,000 per year for up to two years
• includes a one-time $4,000 research allowance during the tenure of the fellowship 
• covers the cost of the University Postdoc Supplemental Health Insurance Plan

Requirements

• Available for research in politics, history, economy, society, or related fields, of Canada, with preference given to research of Western Canada. Western Canada is defined as Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia and may include Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon.
• Open to citizens of any country
• At the time of nomination submission to GPS, the applicant must not already hold a postdoc position at the University of Alberta or be employed at the University of Alberta
• Applicants must have completed a doctoral degree within three years from GPS's nomination submission deadline date of January 15, 2027 (i.e. on or after January 15, 2024) or will do so prior to commencing fellowship. Doctoral degrees obtained from the University of Alberta are eligible, however, no preference will be given
  • Fulfillment of all degree requirements refers to the date that the applicant completed all the steps required for obtaining their degree. Although these requirements may vary by institution and degree type, they normally include thesis defense corrections and thesis deposition. It is not the convocation date.
  • The window of eligibility can be extended by a cumulative maximum of two years if the applicant had their career interrupted for one or more of the following reasons:
    • parental leave
    • illness
    • health-related family responsibilities
    • mandatory military service
    • disruptions due to war, civil conflicts and/or natural disasters in the country of residence

Career interruption refers to a period of time when the applicant was not working (fulltime or part-time) and when their research output was completely interrupted. Additionally, for health professionals who have engaged in post-degree non-research related clinical training (e.g., residency), the eligibility window can be extended by the duration of this training.

Interruptions used to extend the eligibility window for degree completion must have occurred after the fulfillment of your degree requirements and before the application submission deadline. Details of the interruption must be included on a Special Circumstances document that is to be submitted with the Fellowship application.

• Fellowships may be awarded in departments without doctoral programs, but only where facilities are adequate and doctoral caliber research is being carried out.
• Fellowship holders should be likely to contribute to the advancement of learning or to achieve distinction in their profession, should not be a one-sided person, and each scholar's special distinction should be founded upon sound character and collegiality.
• The regulations of the fellowship prohibit recipients from holding two major awards (value of $13,000 or greater) at the same time. Refer to the Acceptance/Decline, Renewals, and Final Reports section for complete details.

Selection Process

The GPS convenes the Postdoctoral Fellowship Committee in March to select fellowship recipients. Adjudication criteria includes:

1) Proposed Research – Does the proposal clearly state the impact, novelty, and knowledge mobilization of the research? Are the objectives achievable based on the information provided? Is the methodology clearly explained? Does the proposed research incorporate diversity in multiple forms (i.e. GBA+ assessment)?

2) Research Experience – Does the applicant demonstrate the experience to carry out the objectives?

3) Community Engagement – Does the applicant engage with the community at large, both as part of their research and personally?

4) Research Dissemination, Honours and Awards – Does the applicant demonstrate strong dissemination of their previous research (including publications and other forms of knowledge transfer)? Have they been recognized through prestigious awards?

Note: Adjudicators are encouraged to keep in mind that each research specialty has differing criteria on what is considered a productive researcher.

5) Letters of Appraisal – Do the letters clearly state why the applicant is considered an emerging leader in their field? Does it communicate the impact the proposed research could have? Does the letter of appraisal from the Supervisor highlight the synergy between the applicant’s research and their own research program?

6) Departmental Appraisal – Does the departmental letter of support highlight the synergies between the applicant, supervisor, department, and institution? How does the proposed research contribute to the University’s Signature Areas?

Application Deadline

How To Apply

• Prospective aapplicants are to confirm their eligibility and read all information and application instructions prior to preparing an application.
• Applicants are to first contact a Faculty member in the Department to which they wish to apply, who is willing to act as a potential supervisor for the Fellowship.
• If supported by a proposed supervisor, applicants are to complete the Izaak Walton Killam & Grant Notley Memorial Postdoctoral Fellowships Application Form and Required Document Attachments as one package, and submit to their proposed Department by the Department's internal deadline. Applicants are responsible for reaching out to their proposed Department regarding any internal Department deadlines.
• Important Note for Applicants:
  Do NOT submit your application directly to GPS or complete the Department Nomination Google Form. The online portal is restricted to Department Administrators for official nominations only. Applicants who send their application directly to GPS by email, or submit through the Department Nomination Google Form will not be accepted.
• Applicants must be nominated to GPS by their proposed Department by January 15, 2027.
• Applicants are to contact their proposed Department regarding their application status and whether they have been nominated to GPS or not.

For more information, visit University of Alberta scholarship webpage.