Notice Board

The University of Lethbridge invites Expressions of Interest for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)'s 2026 Arthur B. McDonald Fellowships. These prestigious fellowships recognize outstanding early-stage academic researchers in the natural sciences and engineering and support them to enhance their research capacity. Fellows receive a research grant of $250,000 over two years and are relieved of teaching and administrative duties to fully focus on research for the two-year period. 

Eligibility

Open to early-stage academic researchers. Eligible candidates must have held an independent academic position for 10 years or less as of Dec. 14, 2025, and currently hold a grant from NSERC. The 10-year eligibility window may be adjusted to take into account eligible delays in research or periods of inactivity (for example, due to parental leave, bereavement, illness, or delays related to COVID-19). More information on eligibility can be found on the NSERC website.

Candidates interested in applying for the McDonald Fellowships must submit a complete expression of interest (EOI) by Sept. 15 at 11:59 p.m. via the EOI submission form. The successful candidates will receive endorsement from the University of Lethbridge for their nomination, as required by NSERC, and additional support in preparing their nomination packages..

Note that selected candidates will be required to obtain approval from their faculty Dean to move forward in the nomination process. 

Important Dates

EOI Deadline: Sept. 15 by 11:59 p.m. MST through the EOI submission form.

Notification of EOI Approval: Oct. 10, 2025

Application Deadline for Internal Review: Dec. 1, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. MST

NSERC Nomination Deadline: Dec. 14, 2025, before 8:00 p.m. ET 

Internal Selection

The University may only endorse up to six nominations per year. To be considered, candidates must submit an EOI via Microsoft Forms, including the following documents: 

1. Candidate CV
2. Rationale for the nomination (two to three pages): Outlining why the candidate deserves consideration for the McDonald Fellowship, as per the selection criteria: 

1. research achievements and impacts; 
2. outreach, mentorship, and leadership.

3. Future directions statement (two to three pages): Describing the original or innovative aspects of the candidate's research, their proposed research for the duration of the Fellowship, including an explanation of how EDI will be addressed in the research design, and the nominee's approach to training and mentoring HQP and ensuring EDI in their training environment.
4. Returning applicants (only): Include a one- to two-page outline on how they will address reviewers' comments to improve the application. 

Submissions will be reviewed by an internal committee for adjudication, and the results will be announced by Oct. 10, 2025. The selected candidates will receive institutional support in preparing their nomination packages.

More Information 

For detailed information, please consult the NSERC website

Call for Expressions of Interest – NSERC Arthur McDonald Fellowships