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Research Excellence Postdoctoral Fellows Program

Call for Applications

The 91直播 (OISE) invites applications from outstanding early-career scholars interested in being considered for nomination to the Research Excellence Postdoctoral Fellows Program to work under the supervision of an OISE faculty member. OISE faculty conduct research in a wide range of disciplines, including education, psychology, and related fields in the social sciences and humanities.

The Research Excellence Postdoctoral Fellows Program at the University of Toronto is a prestigious opportunity for early-career scholars to develop and expand their research expertise at one of the world鈥檚 most distinguished public research universities. The program will empower postdoctoral scholars with the autonomy to pursue an ambitious research program, while bene铿乼ting from close collaboration with leading faculty and access to tailored professional and career development supports. The program is designed for exceptional postdoctoral scholars eager to contribute to an innovative, vibrant and inclusive academic community. Up to three fellowships will be held at OISE under this program. 

Value & Duration

Each award will support a postdoctoral salary of $80,000 per year, plus benefits, for two years. The salary may be inclusive of teaching up to one course per year, subject to funding discussions with the prospective supervisor. In addition, fellows will be provided with $10,000 per year in funding for independent research. The two-year fellowship must begin within 12 months of the date of offer.

Eligibility

To be considered for the award, candidates must: 

  • Have demonstrated academic excellence, proven capacity to conceptualize and execute independent research beyond their doctoral work, and evidence of intellectual leadership in their chosen field;
  • Expect to complete all doctoral degree requirements by the time the fellowship commences and normally be within five years from the completion of their degree;
  • Not have previously engaged in more than one postdoctoral appointment; and
  • Have the support of an OISE faculty member in a closely related research area who is willing to nominate the candidate and to serve as supervisor.

To take up the award, recipients must:

  • Have completed all degree requirements prior to the start of the fellowship;
  • Be engaged as a postdoctoral employee of the University of Toronto;
  • Be hired by a U of T supervisor appointed to a graduate unit;
  • Register and remain registered with the Postdoctoral Office at the School of Graduate Studies (SGS);
  • Not concurrently hold another major fellowship;
  • Not hold a faculty position or be on leave from such position; and
  • Establish an Individual Development Plan (IDP) and submit it to the Postdoctoral Office at SGS within the first three months of the fellowship. The IDP should be reviewed annually and the revised copy sent to SGS.

Applications from both Canadian and non-Canadian applicants are welcome. We especially welcome applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, people of diverse sexual and gender identities, and others who may strengthen OISE鈥檚 academic mission with diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise.

Application Procedure & Timeline

  1. Applicants should identify a faculty member in one of OISE鈥檚 four departments who is willing to support the nomination and to serve as supervisor if the nomination is successful. There should be a close fit between the research interests of the faculty member and the applicant. In the selection of a potential supervisor, applicants should keep in mind that fellows are expected to develop and lead their own independent research agenda, distinct from but complementary to their supervisor鈥檚 work.

    Applicants are invited to browse OISE faculty profiles and contact information: 
    • By research area
    • By department:
    • Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact a potential faculty supervisor as early as possible to allow sufficient time for preparation of other application materials, including the supervisor鈥檚 nomination letter. Please note that supervisors who agree to support nominations must submit materials by April 1, 2026, so it is in the applicant鈥檚 interest to contact potential supervisors well before that date.
       
  2. Once an OISE faculty member has agreed in principle to support the nomination, the applicant should submit the following materials to the faculty member:
    • A detailed and current CV;
    • An independent research proposal from the candidate (max. 2 pages, plus up to two additional pages for references/citations). The independent research proposal should clearly articulate how the proposed work represents a significant departure from or advancement beyond the candidate's doctoral research. The proposal should also outline the anticipated long-term impact of the research, including how it contributes to the field and aligns with OISE and U of T鈥檚 strategic research priorities.
    • Learning statement from the candidate (max. 1 page), which should describe:
      • Their professional, academic and extracurricular experiences/achievements and how these contribute to their learning success and ability to develop and implement an independent research plan (1/2 page); 
      • How the learning they expect to acquire will contribute to their productivity and to the research goals they hope to achieve. Indicate why they decided upon the proposed learning location and what they expect to learn from the learning experience (1/2 page); and
    • Required only if supervisor and candidate have agreed that the postdoctoral fellowship will include teaching duties: Teaching statement from the candidate (max. 2 pages), outlining their teaching philosophy, teaching experiences, and how they envision their teaching integrating with their research and professional goals.
    • Required only if candidate has not yet completed doctoral degree requirements: Timeline for completion of doctoral degree requirements, outlining remaining requirements and expected dates of completion, with written confirmation from the doctoral supervisor.
       
  3. If the OISE faculty member supports the nomination, they should forward the application materials together with a supervisor statement and budget proposal to the OISE selection committee by April 1, 2026. Information and procedures for OISE faculty.
     
  4. The OISE selection committee will evaluate eligible applications according to the selection criteria outlined below and select up to three outstanding nominees for the award. 
     
  5. Final results of the competition are expected to be known by late April 2026, and applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria. The selection committee may also request an interview as a supplemental component of the application. 

  • Has the candidate identified a promising independent research agenda?
  • Does the research plan demonstrate clear intellectual independence from the candidate's doctoral work and supervisor's existing research portfolio?
  • Are the ideas put forward in the research plan innovative and/or original?
  • Is the research plan relevant to the candidate鈥檚 research career objectives?
  • Does the research plan have the potential of significantly advancing our understanding of the area?
  • Does the research plan clearly identify areas of cross-disciplinary collaboration?
  • Academic and research training received by the candidate
  • Awards or acknowledgments of academic achievement
  • Scholarly activity as relevant to discipline (e.g., publications, chapters, presentations, community-engaged work, public scholarship, creative practice and related scholarly activity)
  • Research accomplished to date 鈥 has the candidate started to demonstrate independence and originality? Contributions to team research?
  • Quality of candidate鈥檚 training, mentorship and supervisory activities
  • Teaching accomplishments 鈥 does the candidate have the experience necessary to carry out the proposed teaching outlined by the supervisor at OISE standards? Has the supervisor demonstrated how the teaching will be integrated with the candidate鈥檚 research agenda and advance the candidate鈥檚 professional development?  (Required only if supervisor and candidate have agreed that the postdoctoral fellowship will include teaching duties). 
  • Scholarly potential in the field can be demonstrated through the candidate鈥檚 engagement as a mentor, their ability to manage research, to contribute novel ideas to their research program, to make decisions that are crucial to the success of a research program, to lead cross-disciplinary and collaborative research and to have excellent working relationships with those around them, etc.
  • Will the candidate make meaningful contributions while a postdoctoral fellow at OISE? Will the postdoctoral fellow be launched into a meaningful career trajectory?
  • Does the research or scholarship plan provide evidence of the candidate鈥檚 leadership in the design and conduct of the proposed research?
  • How might the proposed research advance OISE's excellence in the area over the longer term?
  • Has the supervisor demonstrated support for the scholarly development of the candidate and their independent research program?
  • What institutional arrangements or structures will be in place to support the candidate鈥檚 development of an independent scholarly program?
  • What space, operating funds, infrastructure and/or other resources will be available to the candidate and how will these supports set the research program up for success?
  • Does the graduate unit or supervisor demonstrate leadership in the candidate鈥檚 chosen field?
  • How will the candidate be set up for career success beyond the period of the fellowship?

Further Information

Program details may be found on the SGS website: . Questions on OISE procedures may be directed to oise.research@utoronto.ca.