The Vice-Principal Research Portfolio is calling for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the , which recognizes early-stage academic researchers in the natural sciences and engineering and supports researchers to enhance their research capacity, so that they can become leaders in their field and inspire others. NSERC awards up to six McDonald Fellowships each year and Queen's can certify up to six nominees.
Fellows will receive a research grant of $250,000 over two years and be relieved from teaching and administrative duties to devote time and energy to research. The start date of the McDonald Fellowship must be between April 2027 and March 2028, on the first day of the month.
NSERC is acting on the evidence that achieving a more equitable, diverse and inclusive Canadian research enterprise is essential to creating the excellent, innovative and impactful research necessary to advance knowledge and understanding, and to respond to local, national and global challenges. ºÚÁϳԹÏ×ÊÔ´ is committed to equity and diversity in the workplace and research environment, and nominations of Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity or expression are strongly encouraged.
NSERC uses the term ‘certified’ to indicate that the application has the required institutional support to be considered eligible as a nominee.
Eligibility
Eligible nominees must meet the following criteria:
- Be an early-stage academic researcher (holding an independent academic position for 10 years or less); and
- Hold a grant from NSERC
Eligibility window:
- A candidate submitting a nomination in December 2026 would need to have started their appointment on or after December 14, 2016, adjusted for eligible delays.
- Adjustment for eligible delays: The 10-year eligibility window is adjusted to consider instances where a researcher has had an . For all eligible delays or leaves of absence (for example, parental leave, personal illness, chronic illness, mental illness, or disability associated with reduced research activity, leave taken for family-related illness or responsibilities, bereavement, extraordinary administrative duties, or 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 (for example, training, sabbatical or administrative leave) are not credited.
Additional Information
Funding for nominee: $250k research grant over two years.
Funding for institution: Up to $90k per year to the university as salary contribution; reduced contribution if the fellow already holds another federal award with a salary component, such as a Canada Research Chair or an Industrial Research Chair.
Research areas: Research must be primarily in the fields of the natural sciences and/or engineering.
Note: On January 16, 2024, the Government of Canada published its This funding opportunity is in scope of this new policy, wherein grant applications that involve conducting research that aims to advance a sensitive technology research area will not be funded if any of the researchers involved in activities supported by the grant are currently affiliated with, or in receipt of funding or in-kind support from, a . This prize is considered a research grant for the purposes of this policy. Please read the to understand how this policy may impact your grant application.
How to apply
Expression of Interest (EOI) - Due September 14
Submit a non-adjudicated Expression of Interest on or before the EOI deadline to Mona Rahman (Research Awards Officer) simply stating your interest in pursuing a self-nomination and attach: (1) a copy of your CV in any format, and (2) a 250 word synopsis of your proposed project.
- for preparation of nomination materials are being updated and will be available from NSERC in early September. Candidates are strongly encouraged to consult those instructions prior to submitting an EOI.
- ºÚÁϳԹÏ×ÊÔ´ may certify up to six candidates for consideration by NSERC. An internal process will be used to determine the candidates selected to proceed to certification using your CV and proposal summary. Certified nominees will be selected by October 5 and, thereafter, invited to prepare a Full Nomination Package. The VPR Office / University Research Services will work with nominees to finalize their Full Nomination Package.
Full Nomination Package - Internal deadline: November 9
Certified nominees will submit additional materials to create their Full Nomination Package. As part of the granting councils’ to gradually transition to a new narrative-style CV, for the 2027 McDonald Fellowships competition (deadline December 14, 2026), all McDonald Fellowship nominees will be required to submit a Tri-agency Narrative CV . As a result, the following changes will be applied to the structure of the nomination package:
- Form 100 and the three-page description of the nomination (first section of the nomination letter) will be removed.
- One page will be added to the Future directions section of the nomination letter for nominees to describe their proposed outreach, mentorship and leadership activities (past achievements must be included in the tri-agency CV).
- Nominees will be required to submit a and a .
- Updated instructions will be posted by early September when the call is launched. For more information and resources on the tri-agency CV please consult the
Note: we encourage that nominations be sent to the for External Review; feedback is given within two weeks of the final submission deadline.
Full Nomination Package - Agency deadline: December 14
Certified candidates must submit their Full Nomination Package to NSERC by this date using the
Presentation Guidelines
Your nomination documents must follow . Documents that do not meet the presentation standards may be rejected or be at a disadvantage compared with those that meet the standards. Only the documents requested by NSERC will be given to the selection committee. For nominations in engineering or applied sciences, you should consult .
Assessment Criteria
Nominations received by NSERC will be reviewed by a selection committee of distinguished academic, government and industry research representatives from a variety of disciplines. The committee will recommend the successful candidates to NSERC. The committee will review the Full Nomination Packages according to the following selection criteria (pending any revisions posted after the official launch in September 2026):
Research achievements and impacts (40%)
- Originality, quality and impact of the candidate’s contributions to date
- Impact of candidate's contributions: whether they have led to ground-breaking advances in the research area(s) and/or a technology or policy that addresses socioeconomic or environmental needs
Outreach, mentorship and leadership (30%)
The following aspects should include both past achievements and potential for the future:
- Communication of research to non-specialist audiences and/or involvement in public outreach activities
- Mentorship of the next generation
- Leadership in activities related to the above and/or to their research area and/or the broader natural sciences and engineering context
Future directions (30%)
Whether the nominee’s research vision, proposed research and description of HQP training:
- represent an original or innovative concept or line of inquiry
- will significantly advance the research area and/or have a policy- and/or technology-related impact
- are primarily in the natural sciences and/or engineering
- integrate equity, diversity and inclusion considerations in the research process, where relevant
- are likely to succeed given the proposed work and the research environment (including resources and HQP)
- define a highly appropriate approach to training and mentoring HQP
- consider equity, diversity and inclusion in the research and training environment
Contact fellowship sponsor
NSERC Arthur B. McDonald Fellowship Contact: mcdonald@nserc-crsng.gc.ca