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Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program provides funding to the very best postdoctoral applicants, both nationally and internationally, who will positively contribute to the country's economic, social and research-based growth.

The objective of the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program is to:

  • Attract and retain top-tier postdoctoral talent, both nationally and internationally.
  • Develop their leadership potential.
  • Position them for success as research leaders of tomorrow.

An applicant to the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program must complete their application in full collaboration with the proposed host institution.

Current or prospective postdoctoral fellows interested in holding a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship at another institution should check their website for process and deadlines.

Complete details on the program can be found on the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships website.

  • Eligibility

    Eligibility requirements for the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program are set by Banting and are available on the Eligibility section of the Banting website. Applicants and the proposed host institution must meet specific eligibility criteria within several categories. Applications that do not meet all of the eligibility criteria will not be accepted. 

    Justification to remain at the same institution

    While candidates already conducting research as postdoctoral fellows at Ontario Tech University are eligible, you must provide an extensive justification for the decision to remain at the same institution. There should be a direct correlation between the strength of the justification and the amount of time already spent at the institution.

    Only in exceptionally rare circumstances will a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship be awarded to an applicant who is staying at the same institution or within the same research environment where they completed their PhD, PhD-equivalent or health professional degree.

  • Value and duration
  • Deadlines
    • Internal university application deadline: July 29, 2024 (12 noon EDT)
    • External Tri-agency application deadline: September 13, 2024 (8 p.m. EDT)

    Applicants must first apply for the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program through the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) by the internal university deadline. Only candidates that are successful in the internal university competition will be endorsed by Ontario Tech for the Tri-Agency competition.

  • Application process

    While the detailed application guide can be found on the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships website, below is a brief overview of the university’s process:

    The university’s internal application deadline includes the submission of a copy of your referee’s letters, sent directly by the referee to gradstudies@ontariotechu.ca.

    The university does not have access to the online ResearchNet application system.

    Applicants and supervisors are strongly encouraged to review in detail the relevant sections in both the Application Guide and Selection Committee Guide posted on the Banting website while paying special attention to the selection criteria section to ensure the application fully addresses each of the criteria evaluated by the committee members.

    University endorsement letter

    The majority of the application can be completed, with the exception of the institutional endorsement letter. This will only be provided to the candidate(s) successful in the university selection process. Successful candidates will then be able to complete their application by the September 13, 2024 Tri-Agency deadline.

    It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that all components of the application are complete (including references) and the application is submitted via ResearchNet by the application deadline.

  • Referee letters

    The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies does not have access to letters of reference submitted through the ResearchNet application system.

    Referees should be instructed by the applicant to submit a confidential copy of their letter to postdocs@ontariotechu.ca by the internal application deadline of July 29, 2024 at 12 noon (EDT) for the university selection process. SGPS will not accept reference letters submitted directly by the candidate.

    Referees submitting online to the applicant’s ResearchNet application should keep an electronic copy of their submitted letters.

    It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide referees with the information that they need in order to complete their assessments and ensure submission to the university prior to the university’s internal deadline.

    Refer to Information for Referees section for instructions provided to referees.

    Reminder - Mandatory arm’s length referee: All applications must have at least one arm’s length referee from among the three invited referees.

    The arm’s length referee cannot be:

    • a relative, friend, or anyone else with whom the applicant has a personal relationship;
    • in a position to benefit from the funding of the application;
    • affiliated with the applicant’s current and/or proposed institution(s); or
    • professionally affiliated with the applicant (currently, in the past, or in the immediate future), as a result of but not limited to:
      • being the applicant’s supervisor or trainee,
      • collaborating, publishing or sharing funding with the applicant;
    • affiliated with the proposed supervisor, either personally or professionally.
  • Information for Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships Recipients

    Please be advised that Banting Postdoctoral Fellows are considered employees at Ontario Tech and therefore are subject to deductions; the $70,000 annual stipend does not cover this cost.

    Should the candidate be nominated and successful, the supervisor would be responsible for covering the cost of any mandatory deductions and Health Spending Account (HSA) expenses in accordance with the Postdoctoral Fellows (PDF) Collective Agreement.

    Successful candidates should be aware that as members of the PDF Collective Agreement, they will be responsible for union dues as outlined in the collective agreement.

  • Additional information

    The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships:

    • Cannot be held by a tenured or a tenure-track faculty member, nor can they be on leave from such a position.
    • Are tenable only at the institution which supported the original application for the program.
    • Must be taken up no earlier than April 1 and no later than October 1 following the year of application.
    • Are for two years.
    • Cannot be held concurrently with another Tri-Agency training award.
    • Can only be held once in a lifetime.

    The university is committed to consideration for equity and diversity at all levels of the selection/recruitment, endorsement and review processes of a Banting application.

    For more information on equity, diversity and inclusion visit the EDI page on the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships website.


General Inquiry FAQ


Eligibility FAQ


Finding a Supervisor FAQ

  • How do I find a supervisor?
    Prior to beginning the application process for the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship, you are strongly encouraged to connect with Faculty members at the University working in your field of research. You may review a list of faculty members and their research interests on each of our faculty websites or through the university's Expert Centre.
  • I don’t have a supervisor. Can I still submit an application?

    No, all applicants must have a proposed supervisor. Applications without a proposed supervisor will not be accepted. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS) is not responsible for finding a supervisor for prospective Banting applicants.


Ontario Tech Internal Banting Competition FAQ


Ontario Tech Nominees FAQ

  • I have been selected as a nominee by Ontario Tech. Now what?
    Ontario Tech Banting nominees will receive a copy of the Institutional Letter of Support required by Banting in PDF format by email prior to the Banting final submission deadline.  

    In some years, the University Selection Committee will provide suggestions to the nominee or the nominees proposed supervisor to strengthen the application.

    All required documents must be uploaded by the Ontario Tech nominees to ResearchNet in order to complete the Banting application process. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all components of the application including the Letter of Endorsement and appropriate referee assessments are submitted by the final deadline.
  • How do I get the Institutional Letter of Support?
    Applicants selected for endorsement by Ontario Tech will be notified and will receive a completed and signed Institutional Letter of Support in PDF format by email prior to the Banting final submission deadline.
  • Can I update my application after receiving an institutional nomination?
    In some years, the University Selection Committee will provide suggestions to the nominee or the nominees proposed supervisor to strengthen the application. While you may make minor adjustments, over and above any suggestions from the USC, it is expected that Ontario Tech nominees will not make major adjustments prior to final submission as the institutional endorsement was adjudicated based on the initial documents provided.

FAQ for Supervisors

  • Can a Supervisor/PI support more than one Banting applicant?
    Yes, however, if all applicants are successful in the National competition, the Supervisor/PI must be prepared to provide the necessary resources.
  • I am a Supervisor/PI who has agreed to supervise a Banting applicant. What is required of me as a supervisor?

    Supervisors must prepare the Supervisor’s Statement for the application and are strongly encouraged to support the candidate in the preparation of the Banting application package prior to submission to the internal competition.

    Be advised that Banting Postdoctoral Fellows are considered employees at Ontario Tech and therefore are subject to deductions; the $70,000 annual stipend does not cover this cost.

    Should the candidate be nominated and successful, the supervisor would be responsible for covering the cost of any mandatory deductions and Health Spending Account (HSA) expenses in accordance with the Postdoctoral Fellows (PDF) Collective Agreement.

    Successful candidates should be aware that as members of the PDF Collective Agreement, they will be responsible for union dues as outlined in the collective agreement.


The above frequently asked questions are intended to provide additional support as you complete your application for a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship through Ontario Tech. For more information about the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program, visit the Banting website.

The internal application and review process is governed by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS). Should you have questions about the internal process not answered below, contact gradstudies@ontariotechu.ca.

For any questions pertaining to the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships Program, including questions about eligibility, please contact Banting directly