The University of Toronto Mississauga Postdoctoral Fellowship Award (UTM PDF Award) is an initiative of the Office of the Vice-Principal Academic & Dean (OVPAD) that supports up to three two-year postdoctoral fellowships annually. The program is designed to attract outstanding domestic and international scholars to UTM.
UTM is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from members of visible minority groups, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, members of sexual and gender minority groups, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. UTM views these Fellowships as an important tool to ensure diverse groups have access to research support at this important early career stage.
Award Overview
- Award Category: Postdoctoral Awards, International Awards
- Applications open: September 9, 2026
- Applicant due date to UTM Department: set by each department – applicants are encouraged to confirm this due date with their department, as may be much earlier than November 9
- UTM Department due date to OVPAD: November 9, 2026
- Value & duration: $58,000 per year for up to two years of postdoctoral research; up to 3 recipients annually
- Required legal status: Domestic / International
- Results: February 2027
- Funding Source: UTM's Office of the Vice-Principal Academic & Dean (OVPAD)
Value and Duration
The UTM PDF Award is designed to engage up to 3 exceptional postdoctoral scholars at UTM annually. The duration of the award is two years.
The structure of the award is as follows:
- $58,000 per year to be used towards a PDF’s salary
- The salary of a UTM PDF will be determined by the faculty supervisor in accordance with departmental norms and the requirements identified in the collective agreement between the University of Toronto and CUPE 3902, Unit 5. Support for the PDF’s salary can be assembled from various funding sources (i.e. internal and/or external).
- Top up funds may be contributed by supervisors
- The fellowship funding is not to be used towards employer costs (e.g. benefits) or the PDF levy and must be used fully to support the PDF’s salary.
Purpose
The UTM PDF Award provides a valuable post-PhD training opportunity, enabling recent doctoral graduates to develop independent research programs while benefiting from the guidance and mentorship of an experienced postdoctoral supervisor. The program supports outstanding postdoctoral scholars seeking to make meaningful contributions to a diverse, innovative, and thriving academic community.
These fellowships also help early-career researchers expand their professional networks beyond their home institutions, fostering new collaborations and strengthening their research profiles.
Eligibility
All eligibility criteria are included in the Fall 2026 UTM Postdoctoral Fellowship Competitions Intake.
Results
Past competition results are available here.