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Source verified July 8, 2026
H.L. Holmes Award for postdoctoral studies
Postdoctoral research support in Canadian science
Offered by
Funding available
Varies by project
Deadline
March 20, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
The H.L. Holmes Award for postdoctoral studies supports Canadian citizen researchers in Canada with funding of up to $100,000 CAN per year for 1 to 2 years. It funds postdoctoral research in chemistry, physics, biology, or mathematics applied to medical and biological sciences, including salary and approved project costs.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Attract or retain talent
- Conduct research and development activities
- Conduct research or evaluation activities
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- 2SLGBTQI+
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Postdoctoral research conducted under the direction of renowned scientists in Canadian universities or research institutes.
- Research in chemistry, physics, biology, or mathematics applied to medical and biological sciences.
Documents Needed
- A comprehensive research project description, maximum 10 pages total, including the research location, project timeline, budget, knowledge-mobilization plans, and an impact statement.
- The applicant’s curriculum vitae confirming eligibility.
- 3 letters of recommendation from supervisors of the applicant’s studies or work, sent directly by the referees to HolmesAward@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.
- A letter of support from the host organization confirming that it will host the applicant and administer the award.
- Proof of Canadian citizenship, a diploma from a recognized Canadian university, and a doctorate obtained within the previous 5 years.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian citizen candidates.
- NRC employees who meet the award criteria.
- Candidates with a doctorate from a Canadian or foreign university within the previous 5 years.
Eligible expenses
- Costs of approved research projects, including salary.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Travel expenses.
Selection criteria
- Research experience demonstrated by student record, field experience, awards, publications, and other knowledge-mobilization strategies (25 points).
- Scientific value of the proposed project, including strategic importance, creativity, originality, novelty, work-plan rigor, feasibility, and potential impact (40 points).
- Opinions of people familiar with the candidate’s work, based on 3 letters of recommendation and the quality and importance of previous research (25 points).
- Agreement and support of the host organization, including expertise and leadership in the discipline and support from the host institute (10 points).
How to apply
- Submit the application directly by email, or be nominated by a Canadian university or recognized Canadian research organization.
- Include the required application documents.
- Send all required documents by email to HolmesAward@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca by 20 March 2026 at 23:59 ET.
Processing and Agreement
- The selection committee reviews and evaluates the applications.
- Recipients must submit an annual research report to the selection committee for review and evaluation.
- Recipients will be invited to give a presentation to CNRC staff at the end of their 1- or 2-year term.
Additional information
- Recipients must acknowledge the CNRC and the H.L. Holmes Award when submitting journal articles about research completed with the award.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the H.L. Holmes Award for postdoctoral studies Program
What is the H.L. Holmes Award for postdoctoral studies?
The H.L. Holmes Award for postdoctoral studies supports Canadian citizen researchers in Canada with funding of up to $100,000 CAN per year for 1 to 2 years. It funds postdoctoral research in chemistry, physics, biology, or mathematics applied to medical and biological sciences, including salary and approved project costs.
Who is eligible for the H.L. Holmes Award for postdoctoral studies program?
To be eligible for the H.L. Holmes Award for postdoctoral studies program, you must:
The candidate must be a Canadian citizen.
The candidate must hold a doctorate from a Canadian or foreign university within the previous 5 years, with possible extensions for relevant work or leave interruptions.
The research project must be in chemistry, physics, biology, or mathematics and apply to medical or biological sciences, and the candidate must be able to conduct research.
What expenses are eligible under H.L. Holmes Award for postdoctoral studies?
Postdoctoral research conducted under the direction of renowned scientists in Canadian universities or research institutes.
Research in chemistry, physics, biology, or mathematics applied to medical and biological sciences.
Who can I contact for more information about the H.L. Holmes Award for postdoctoral studies?
You can contact National Research Council Canada (NRC) by email at HolmesAward@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca or by phone at none.
Where is the H.L. Holmes Award for postdoctoral studies available?
The H.L. Holmes Award for postdoctoral studies program is available across Canada.
Is the H.L. Holmes Award for postdoctoral studies a grant, loan, or tax credit?
H.L. Holmes Award for postdoctoral studies is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the H.L. Holmes Award for postdoctoral studies?
H.L. Holmes Award for postdoctoral studies is funded by National Research Council Canada (NRC)