2025 Western Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (WPDF)

Omran Aburayya
May 2
3 min read

If you're a recent PhD graduate aiming to advance your research career within a dynamic and inclusive academic environment, the 2025 Western Postdoctoral Fellowship Program at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada, presents an exceptional opportunity. Applications are now open for this prestigious fellowship, designed to attract diverse postdoctoral talent from around the globe and support their professional development as early-career researchers.

🎓 Scholarship Summary

Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Host Institution: Western University
Academic Level: Postdoctoral
Target Group: Recent PhD graduates (within the last 5 years)
Fields of Research: All disciplines; specific streams include Biotherapeutics and SSHRC Insight Grant-supported projects
Award Value and Coverage: Minimum stipend of $70,000 CAD/year plus benefits and a $5,000/year research allowance
Award Duration: 2 years
Application Deadline: May 6, 2025, 3:00 PM EDT
Start Date: Between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026
Eligible to: Domestic and international applicants meeting the eligibility criteria

🧾 Scholarship Overview

The Western Postdoctoral Fellowship Program aims to:

Attract diverse postdoctoral talent from a global candidate pool, who will contribute positively to research excellence.
Enhance support for promising research programs that advance Western's strategic goals for research success.
Foster a vibrant and inclusive environment for scholars and position them for success as early-career researchers.

The program offers three streams:

General Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards: Open to all disciplines.
Biotherapeutics Projects: Up to 3 awards for projects in biotherapeutics.
SSHRC Insight Grant-Supported Projects: Up to 2 awards for projects that support Principal Investigators with an active SSHRC Insight Grant.

Successful applicants will engage in full-time, research-intensive projects and participate in professional development and mentorship programs through the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

💰 Fellowship Benefits

Stipend: Minimum of $70,000 CAD per year, subject to annual increases as per collective agreements.
Benefits: Approximately 14% of the stipend amount.
Research Allowance: $5,000 CAD per year.
Total Award Value: Approximately $171,994 CAD over two years.
Funding Structure: Western Research contributes 50% of the base fellowship (stipend and recoverable benefits) plus the research allowance, totaling a maximum of $90,997 CAD over two years. The host faculty and/or supervisor is responsible for securing the remaining 50% of the stipend/benefits.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

PhD Completion: Applicants must have been granted a PhD (or equivalent) within five years prior to the proposed start date. Extensions may be considered for documented career interruptions.
Previous Positions: Applicants who currently hold or have previously held a postdoctoral position at Western University are not eligible.
Faculty Positions: Applicants cannot currently hold a permanent faculty position or a position leading to permanency.
Supervisor Commitment: Applicants must secure a written commitment from a qualified faculty member at Western University to act as their host supervisor.
International Applicants: Must secure all necessary permits, visas, or documentation required by relevant jurisdictions.

📝 Application Procedure

ROLA Proposal: Complete a ROLA (Research On-Line Administration) proposal, reviewed and approved by the Department Chair and Faculty Dean, by April 29, 2025.
Application Submission: Submit the full application package via Western's Internal Grants online submission portal by May 6, 2025, 3:00 PM EDT.
Required Documents:
- Completed WPDF Application Form.
- Research Project Proposal (maximum 4 pages).
- Bibliography/References (maximum 2 pages).
- Supervisor Statement (maximum 3 pages).
- Curriculum Vitae (maximum 5 pages).
- Most Significant Contributions (maximum 1 page).
- Two referee letters.

Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.(Western University)

📅 Important Dates

Program Launch: March 2025
ROLA Deadline: April 29, 2025
Application Deadline: May 6, 2025, 3:00 PM EDT
Selection Committee Review: May–June 2025
Communication of Results: June 2025
Start Date for Successful Candidates: Between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026

📌 Additional Information

Final Reports: Both the postdoctoral fellow and the supervisor are required to submit final reports no later than three months after the completion of the award.
Teaching Responsibilities: In cases where postdoctoral scholars are also retained by Western to teach one or more courses, the proposed fellowship will be reduced proportionally to the remunerated teaching, evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Contact Information: For immigration or appointment-related issues, applicants may contact Mihaela Harmos at mharmos@uwo.ca.(Western University, Western University)