The Canada Postdoctoral Research Award (CPRA) is a prestigious, fully funded fellowship designed to support outstanding early-career researchers at a critical stage in their academic journey. The programme is offered by the Government of Canada and jointly administered by:
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research
The CPRA aims to strengthen Canada’s research ecosystem while promoting international collaboration and academic excellence.
Programme Overview
- Host Country: Canada
- Host Institutions: Canadian and eligible international universities
- Programme Type: Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Duration: 24 months (2 years)
- Funding Type: Fully Funded
- Deadline: 11 September 2026
Financial Benefits
The fellowship offers comprehensive support, including:
- CAD $70,000 per year stipend
- Funding for living and research-related expenses
- Opportunity to conduct research in Canada or at approved international institutions
- Access to advanced research training and career development programmes
- Prestigious recognition as a Government of Canada (Tri-Agency) award holder
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Hold (or expect to obtain) a PhD or equivalent professional degree before the fellowship start date
- Have completed all PhD requirements within the last three years (extensions may apply in certain cases)
- Must not hold a tenured or tenure-track academic position
- Must not have previously received a Banting or other Tri-Agency postdoctoral fellowship
- Proposed research must be:
- Original and innovative
- Clearly distinct from the applicant’s PhD research
- Applicants may apply up to three times
Research Scope
The CPRA supports a wide range of disciplines, including:
- Natural sciences and engineering
- Social sciences and humanities
- Health and biomedical research
The programme encourages interdisciplinary and globally relevant research that contributes to innovation and knowledge development.
