Welcome to the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy Trainee Funding Opportunity Index. LDFP trainees may qualify for several funding and fellowship opportunities. Please ensure that you review the guidelines for each opportunity and discuss the funding opportunity with your supervisor. Feel free to reach out to the research office for additional questions (Mike Folinas, Sam D’Alfonso, or Lia Cardarelli)

Search Pivot Funding Opportunities Database

Search for various funding opportunities by entering a search term into the Pivot search widget below. Please note this will open up a new tab and may require a login or the creation of an account.

You can take full advantage of all the features Pivot has to offer.  Register for an account to make searching for new and updated funding opportunities easier; you can even set up weekly email notifications that are based on your profile to ensure you do not miss any relevant opportunities.

Graduate Students & Postdoctoral Fellows

Alfred P. Sloan Foundation & Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) - Metascience and AI postdoctoral fellowship

The Sloan Foundation is pleased to be partnering with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada, which will support up to four additional Canadian postdoctoral fellows at eligible Canadian institutions with awards of CAD $140,000 over two years. Canadians are asked to submit their application to the Sloan Foundation, which will undertake the peer review process and make recommendations to SSHRC for funding. 

This opportunity will support early career researchers in the social sciences and humanities (with particular emphasis on philosophy, sociology of science, and metascience) who are interested in building a career in understanding the implications of AI for the science and research ecosystem.

AI (currently understood as a set of technologies including machine learning, deep learning, and foundation models) could accelerate scientific discovery, whether through narrow applications like DeepMind’s AlphaFold, or general applications such as advances in AI-enabled lab robotics, evidence synthesis, or statistical inference. There are many practical and technical challenges to solve before society has fully-fledged autonomous ‘AI scientists’. Nevertheless, it seems inevitable that over the coming years public and private R&D funders will make significant investments both to diffuse and adopt AI technologies, and to solve technical challenges, in the direction of a more heavily AI-mediated research.

This program will support a cohort of postdoctoral researchers to deepen their understanding of AI technology and pursue career paths which evaluate the phenomenon of AI-mediated science and guide its pursuit, covering one or more of the following objectives:

  1. building our understanding of how the growing adoption of AI is changing the research landscape and the day-to-day work of researchers;

  2. building our understanding of the epistemic, metascientific, ethical and/or socioeconomic implications of these changes; and

  3. building understanding of how governments, industry, and/or funding organizations should respond to improve our research landscape.

Areas of Interest:

The following are some indicative examples of topic areas of interest: 

  • The impact of AI on the topics and methods of scientific research, and how this varies across disciplines 
  • AI and the pace of scientific progress
  • Explainability and alignment in scientific AI
  • The skills and training implications of scientific AI
  • The role of humans in AI-driven science
  • Epistemic and ethical considerations concerning the application of AI in the production of research outputs and the assessment of research

Value and Duration:

This postdoctoral fellowship program will provide one award of $250,000 USD over 2 years and 4 awards of $140,000 CAD over 2 years for eligible Canadian Institutions.  Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) provides support for the Canadian awards.

The duration of this award is up to 2 years, not to extend beyond Summer 2027. Fellowships must start by September 30, 2025.

Key Dates:

  • Internal Deadline: Tuesday April 8, 2025
  • Sponsor Deadline: Thursday April 10, 2025, 5pm ET

Application:

The application can be found here and is due by April 10, 2025, 5pm ET.  Note the internal deadline is April 8, 2025

Eligibility:

The funding opportunity is open to early career researchers who will have completed their PhD by the start date of the fellowship or who can demonstrate equivalent research or innovation experience, and who do not yet hold a permanent or tenure-track academic position.

This fellowship program is intended for researchers who are uniquely interested in AI’s impact on science, rather than general AI ethics, safety and society-related topics (as these are covered substantially elsewhere).

Additional Information:

Addiitonal information about the program can be found on the on the Call for submissions: Metascience and AI postdoctoral fellowship .  

Please direct any questions to technology@sloan.org, titled “Metascience AI”. Please note that we do not have the capacity to take calls regarding individual submissions. 

Award Explorer

Are you interested in awards at the University of Toronto? Whether you’re thinking of coming to U of T – or you are a current student pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies – this tool can help you explore the diverse funding opportunities that recognize your achievements and financially support your studies.

The graduate and Postdoctoral Awards databases are available here.

Azrieli International Visiting PhD Fellowship

The Azrieli International Visiting PhD Fellowship is now hosting an open call for applications. This program offers outstanding international PhD candidates the opportunity to conduct short-term research in Israel, fostering academic collaboration and strengthening global research ties. Fellows will work closely with leading Israeli researchers, gaining valuable experience in world-class academic institutions. 

Eligibility: 

The fellowship is open to PhD candidates from all countries and academic disciplines who: 

  • Are enrolled at an accredited institution outside of Israel and have completed at least one year of their PhD studies at the time of application. 
  • Have not had prior academic experience in Israel. 
  • Have secured an academic host, who is a faculty member at one of the eligible Israeli institutions listed in the guidelines. Hosts may only sponsor one candidate per application cycle. 

Important Dates: 

  • Application deadline – April 22, 2025. 
  • Award notification – June 2025 

Value & Duration:   

The fellowship is valued at ILS 12,000 per month and is offered for three to four months. 

Visit this web page for full program details and instructions on how to apply. 

Faculty are encouraged to review U of T’s safeguarding research resources when developing their proposals. 

Do not use MRA to submit this application. 

Canadian Cancer Society - Research Training Awards

The Canadian Cancer Society’s (CCS) Research Training Awards program aims to support growth and innovation in the next generation of diverse cancer researchers across Canada at the master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral levels. This program seeks to build inclusive capacity in all areas of cancer research, while fostering interdisciplinary learning, knowledge translation, mentorship, and patient & community* engagement opportunities. By supporting a diverse pool of talented researchers, the program will contribute to reshaping cancer research to be more equitable, inclusive, and impactful.

This program was co-developed and revised with guidance from CCS advisors, including Black and Indigenous community members, and is continuously reviewed to monitor and improve its impact.

Institutional racism and colonialism have disproportionately impacted First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Black people, having a significant impact on cancer research and care. Furthermore, too few studies are being conducted by or in partnership with these communities. Engaging Indigenous and Black researchers is crucial for addressing these gaps and contributing to collective action toward health equity and research excellence. Recognizing that marginalized groups face structural and systemic barriers to inclusion and are underrepresented in the field of cancer research, CCS specifically invites Black and Indigenous trainees to submit applications for the 2025 competition in order to positively alter the research landscape.

This special mandate is a direct response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, CCS’s commitment to Advancing Health Equity Through Cancer Information and Support Services, and the overarching goal of the Research Training Awards program to develop initiatives that improve support for research trainees. The mandate aims to address current gaps in health outcomes, training, and treatments for Black and Indigenous communities, and to empower the next generation of researchers who are at the forefront of cancer research excellence through collective action.

Eligibility, Application and Evaluation Criteria

Please review the eligibility and requirements, application guide, tip sheets, and rating scales. The guide includes further information on formatting, as well as a step-by-step guide for navigating the application portal.

Funding

Funding will be available according to the following funding table (maximum amounts described):

Training level - Master's  
Amount $30,000/year
Training budget $2,500/year of master’s requested
Duration Up to 2 years
Training level - PhD transfers  
Amount An additional $30,000 can be requested for applicants continuing in a PhD program (see website for more details)
Training budget No additional training budget awarded after the PhD transition
Duration 1 additional year (only supports the first year of PhD)

 

Important Dates

Program launch date: November 25, 2024
EGrAMS launch date: December 11, 2024
Informational Webinar #1 (webinar information and sign-up below) Jan. 7, 2025 (2:00 - 3:00 PM EST)
Abstract due (mandatory for all applicants): Feb. 19, 2025 (5:00 PM EST)

Informational Webinar #2 (for applicants only):

 Feb. 25, 2025 (2:00 - 3:00 PM EST)
Full application due date: April 16, 2025 (5:00 PM EST)
Results announcement: Early August 2025
Anticipated start date: September 1, 2025

Additional Information

Please visit the Canadian Cancer Society website for more information.

Cancer Research Society - 2025 Next Generation of Scientists Awards

The Next Generation of Scientists Award is an innovative two-pronged grant that aims to support the most promising postdoctoral fellows in becoming the next generation of cancer researchers in Canada.

The program includes a one-year postdoctoral salary award (part 1), to enable postdoctoral fellows to obtain a research position at an eligible Canadian institution. Once this position is obtained, the candidate will be offered a 2-year Operating Grant (part 2).

This exceptional program supports postdoctoral fellows in transitioning to independent researcher positions with $185,000 in funding over three years to establish their own laboratories, build teams, and advance cancer research in Canada.

Exciting News! This year, CRS is proud to announce a partnership with Ovarian Cancer Canada to co-fund up to two (2) innovative ovarian cancer projects aimed at driving groundbreaking research and progress in the field.

Key Details

  • Application Deadline: April 22, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (EST)
  • Application Process: Applicants must register and submit their applications exclusively through the CRS Research Portal, ProposalCentral 
  • More Information: Consult the Program Guidelines on our website.

Eligibility

Part 1: Postdoctoral fellowship
Must have completed at least 2 years of postdoctoral training at the time of accepting the fellowship.

Part 2: Operating Grant
Must obtain a faculty position in a Canadian university or affiliated accredited research center.

Budget

Part 1: Postdoctoral fellowship
$50,000 over 1 year

Part 2: Operating Grant
$135,000 over 2 years

Application Process

Applicants must submit a full application, which will be evaluated by a peer review committee. Forms and guidelines are available here. 

Cancer Research Society - Doctoral Research Awards

The Cancer Research Society (CRS) is proud to announce the launch of the 2025 Doctoral Research Awards Competition. This program provides $70,000 in funding over two years, supporting doctoral students as they advance groundbreaking cancer research across Canada.

In 2024, CRS set a new record by awarding 40 Doctoral Research Awards, selected from 190 applications nationwide. These doctoral students, conducting innovative research, exemplify excellence in the field and are helping to push the boundaries of cancer science.

Thank You to Our Partners! We are pleased to continue our collaboration with like-minded partners who share our vision for advancing cancer research by supporting the training of future experts in the field. This year, projects will be co-funded in partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research -Institute of Cancer Research (CIHR-ICR), Ovarian Cancer Canada, Brain Canada, and RBC Royal Bank.

Eligible Projects: 

The following cancer research areas are eligible:

  •  Fundamental and basic research;
  • Early translational research, including preclinical research, i.e. before a treatment is brought to a patient, including, for example, cellular or animal models, biomarkers for diagnostics and prognosis, and imaging; 
  • Research studying the environmental causes of cancer including viruses, pollutants, work environment, lifestyle and diet

Value and Duration:

The Doctoral Research Award (DRA) provides funding of $35,000 per year for a maximum of 2 years, totaling $70,000. Doctoral Research Awards are non-renewable.

Eligibility:

The eligibility requirements include:

  • Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or hold a valid student permit and must be residing in Canada for the entire period of the award. Proof of status is required. 
  • Must have completed at least 12 months of full-time study but no more than 36 months* in a Canadian university doctoral program on September 1st 
  • The training MUST be carried out in a Canadian university or eligible Canadian research institution.

Application Proces:

Applicants must register and submit their application before 11:59PM ET on April 29, 2025 using the online grant management system, CRS Research Portal, ProposalCentral, click HERE. There will be no appeal for late submissions.

All information required for the evaluation of the application must be submitted electronically through ProposalCentral. Receipt of the application will be acknowledged by
automated email notification.

Additional Information:

More Information: Consult the Program Guidelines on our website. 

Centre for Global Disability Studies - Small Grants Fund

The Centre for Global Disability Studies (CGDS) at the University of Toronto Scarborough has grants available for faculty, graduate students, and researchers in your unit.   These easy-to-apply-for grants of $500-1500 can be used for accessible research, knowledge dissemination or community engagement, improving access to academic events, or any aspect of hosting a disability studies event on campus.

Common Questions:

Is my project sufficiently related to disability studies?
The Centre for Global Disability Studies promotes transdisciplinary research that understands disability as a social and political formation and ableism as a historical system of oppression with intersections with racism, colonialism, sexism, and classism. We do not fund medical research or clinical studies. We do fund social science and humanities projects that have a relationship to questions about ableism in the world.

You can see what folks have used small grants for in the past on the website if you need some inspiration. You can also get creative! Here are some ideas:

  • Do you want your published article to be open access but need to pay a fee?
  • Do you need an RA to update your website that helps community members find your research? 
  • Do you need an RA to help you organize a meeting or prepare a letter or video to communicate research findings with research participants or the broader community
  • Do you want to purchase a piece of technology that will help you communicate with research participants? 
  • Do you need a piece of software that will make organizing your research more accessible for you?
  • Do you want to pay a research participant to serve as a community expert consultant for your project? 
  • Do you want to pay a community disability advocate to speak in your working group or department? 
  • Do you want your department colloquium to have live captioning?
  • Do you need to improve the accessibility in the grad student lounge in your department?
  • Are you organizing a campus event on a theme related to disability justice with another organization and need a cosponsor? 

Is my research “global” enough?

  • The small grants are flexible. Please apply. You might hear back suggestions about how you could revise your research plan to be better aligned with anti-racist and anti-colonial justice, but, if you are already considering ableism as a pervasive, transnational system of oppression, your research is eligible. However, grant proposals for research that takes a curative approach to disability and/or does not substantively engage with disability studies will be returned for revision. Moreover, accessible events grants do not need to pertain only to disability studies but can be requested for any campus event.

 Click here to learn more or to apply.

Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s (CIHR) - Free online training on patient engagement

Click here to start any module of the course

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s (CIHR) Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA) has developed a set of online, self-directed, free modules related to Patient Engagement (PE) in research! IMHA’s patient partners identified a need for more training in patient engagement and set to work filling the gap for practical tools and resources to help people do patient engagement in research. Modules must be completed in chronological order; after completing each module, you will receive a certificate. While the modules have been developed by IMHA, they are not disease- or condition-specific and are applicable to any research where patient partners are engaged.

Course: A How-to Guide for Patient Engagement in Research

  • Module 1: What is patient engagement?
  • Module 2: The research process: (a) Understanding the research process for patient partners and (b) Supporting patient partners throughout the research process for other members of the research team
  • Module 3: Setting up a research project for successful partnership

  • Module 4: Patient engagement for research teams: (a) Being part of a research team for patient partners and (b) Engaging patients on your research team for other members of the research team

If you have any questions about the training or accessing the modules, please contact imha-iala@cihr-irsc.gc.ca and follow @CIHR_IMHA for related announcements! 

Institute for Pandemics 2025 Postdoctoral Fellowships

The University of Toronto Institute for Pandemics (IfP) is pleased to announce a new call for Postdoctoral Fellowships.

Overview

Value: Expecting to award 3 fellowships at $70,000 each (plus benefits)

Duration: One year from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026

Note: Extension availability is dependent on IfP receiving additional funding.

Purpose: The IfP Postdoctoral Fellowships aim to support the next generation of researchers through interdisciplinary research training in PHE and pandemic readiness, resilience and/or recovery.  Recent doctoral graduates or current postdoctoral fellows who are conducting research in such areas are encouraged to apply. Interdisciplinarity is vital to advance such research, so this fellowship must represent a new collaboration between at least two IfP members from different disciplines. Applications will be considered based on scientific merit of the research, novelty and interdisciplinarity, relevance to IfP’s research themes, communication and leadership abilities of the applicant. 

Successful applicants will be expected to contribute to the development and execution of IfP programming and activities, workshops and seminars, present their research at IfP events, and network with IfP members across divisions and campuses at the University of Toronto.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2025, 23:59 ET

How to Apply: Full competition details can be found on the IfP website.

About the Institute for Pandemics

The Institute for Pandemics (IfP) brings together transformative researchers and educators from across disciplines and around the world to address the complex, global public health challenges posed by pandemics and public health emergencies (PHE). Our work centers around three pillars: ‘readiness’ to prevent and track evolving pandemics and epidemics; ‘resilience’ of health systems and communities, and to improve public health policies and interventions during PHEs; and equitable ‘recovery’ to reduce health disparities, and to build back stronger and more fairly. Situated in Canada’s leading school of public health, IfP serves as a knowledge nexus informing public health responses, helping to strengthen systems, and equip future health leaders with a multi-faceted skillset to combat pandemics and PHE.

Contact: Questions pertaining to the Postdoctoral Fellowship competition can be sent to Tedd Konya, Associate Director at ifp.dlsph@utoronto.ca.

Medicine by Design: Summer by Design

How do you move innovative discoveries out of the lab efficiently and effectively so patients benefit sooner? What are the steps involved in translating and commercializing regenerative medicine discoveries? What career opportunities exist beyond academia?

At Summer by Design, an eight-day, intensive program for PhD students and post-doctoral fellows from Canadian and international universities, participants will:

  • Learn from experts across the technology translation continuum
  • Explore Toronto’s dynamic life sciences hub by meeting with clinical and industry leaders in regenerative medicine
  • Connect with Summer by Design participants to strengthen networks of international peers   

Check out testimonials of Summer by Design alumni!

                                                               Learn more and apply

Summer by Design is hosted by the University of Toronto's Medicine by Design with lead partner, CCRM, as well as Stem Cell Network, and the Rotman School of Management.