The UBC Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is one of Canada’s most respected awards for early-career researchers. Established in memory of Izaak Walton Killam through the generosity of his wife Dorothy Johnston Killam, the fellowship exists to bring the world’s most promising scholars to the University of British Columbia to carry out groundbreaking research. With an annual stipend of $60,000 and a duration of up to two years, this award gives talented researchers the time, resources, and environment they need to do their most important work.
This fellowship is for people who have recently completed their PhD and are ready to push the boundaries of their field. It welcomes applicants from any country in the world, across nearly all fields of research. The selection committee is not simply looking for good researchers. They are looking for exceptional scholars who show strong character, intellectual curiosity beyond their specialty, and the potential to make a real contribution to their academic community and the wider world.
This post will walk you through everything you need to know about the Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, including who is eligible, what documents you need, how to apply step by step, key deadlines, and practical tips to help you put together the strongest possible application.
Scholarship Overview
| Field | Information |
| Host Country | Canada |
| Degree Level | Postdoctoral |
| Funding Type | Full stipend fellowship (no tuition component) |
| Deadline | November 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM Pacific Time (department nomination deadline) |
| Who Can Apply | Recent PhD graduates from any country (PhD completed within 24 months of fellowship start) |
| Benefits Summary | $60,000 annual stipend for up to two years |
Eligibility
To be considered for the UBC Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- Citizenship: Applicants may be citizens of any country. There are no nationality restrictions. However, successful candidates must be able to meet all Canadian immigration requirements before taking up the fellowship.
- Academic qualifications: You must have completed all requirements of your PhD no more than 24 months before the anticipated start date of the fellowship. Completion means the date you finished all steps required to obtain your degree, including thesis defense corrections and thesis deposition. It is not your convocation date.
- Career interruptions: If your career was interrupted or delayed after completing your PhD due to childrearing, illness, or health-related family responsibilities, the 24-month eligibility window may be extended by the length of the interruption, up to a maximum of one additional year. You must provide justification in a Special Circumstances document attached to your application.
- Prior UBC studies: You must not have completed your PhD-level studies at any campus of the University of British Columbia.
- Current appointment at UBC: If you have already begun a postdoctoral appointment at UBC, you must provide a written rationale for why continuing your appointment at UBC is appropriate. This rationale must be submitted as a Special Circumstances document.
- Current faculty position: You must not currently hold a tenure-track or continuing faculty position at any university or college. Applicants holding temporary, term, or non-tenure track faculty appointments are eligible to apply.
- Research base: If awarded the fellowship, you must make your UBC campus the primary base of your research activities. Research trips away from UBC are allowed but must not exceed three months in any single year of the fellowship.
- Supervisor requirement: You must have a proposed supervisor who is a continuing faculty member with a tenure-track appointment at UBC. Your supervisor must commit to supervising your research for the full 24 months of the fellowship.
- Work experience: There is no specific professional work experience requirement, though your research record and contributions to your field will be central to how your application is assessed.
Eligible Countries
The Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is open to applicants from any country in the world. There are no nationality restrictions. Successful applicants must be able to meet Canadian immigration requirements.
This includes applicants from all regions, including but not limited to:
- Africa: Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Cameroon, Senegal, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and all other African nations
- Asia: India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore, and all other Asian nations
- Americas: United States, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and all other non-Canadian nations in the Americas
- Europe: United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Netherlands, and all other European nations
- Middle East: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Turkey, Israel, and all other Middle Eastern nations
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and all other Pacific nations
Eligible Fields of Study
This fellowship is open to most fields of research. The original spirit of the Killam Endowments encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, and the programme actively welcomes proposals that cross traditional academic boundaries.
Priority is given to research that is genuinely innovative, ground-breaking in scope, and likely to establish the applicant in a leadership position within their academic or broader professional community.
Benefits
The Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship provides the following:
- Stipend: $60,000 per year for a maximum of two years. This is a research stipend and is the primary financial benefit of the award.
- Duration: The fellowship supports your research for up to 24 months in total.
- Tuition fees: This is a postdoctoral fellowship, not a degree programme. Tuition fees are not applicable.
- Living allowance: The $60,000 annual stipend is intended to cover living expenses during the fellowship period.
- Research environment: Fellows benefit from access to UBC’s research facilities, academic community, and the support of a committed UBC supervisor.
- Enrichment and community: Fellows join a distinguished community of scholars connected to the broader Killam network across five Canadian universities and the Canada Council for the Arts.
Required Documents
The exact document list is provided in the official application form and guide available from UBC. Based on the information available, the following documents are typically required. [NEEDS VERIFICATION] Confirm the complete list using the official 2026-2027 Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Application Guide.
- Completed Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship application form (available from the UBC website or your proposed department)
- Official PhD transcripts from your degree institution
- Confirmation of PhD completion date (thesis defense corrections and thesis deposition date, not convocation date)
- Full academic CV including publications, awards, and research history
- Research proposal outlining your proposed project at UBC
- Letters of reference from academic supervisors or senior researchers in your field
- Proposed supervisor’s written commitment to supervise your research for 24 months
- Special Circumstances document (required only if applying for a career interruption extension or if you have already started a postdoctoral appointment at UBC)
How to Apply
The Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship requires coordination between you, a UBC faculty supervisor, and your proposed UBC department. Follow these steps carefully.
Step 1: Confirm your eligibility. Check that your PhD was completed no more than 24 months before your intended fellowship start date, that you did not complete your PhD at UBC, and that you do not hold a tenure-track position. If you have had a career interruption, assess whether you qualify for the extended eligibility window.
Step 2: Identify a potential UBC supervisor. Your proposed supervisor must be a continuing faculty member with a tenure-track appointment at UBC. Reach out early to discuss your research interests and confirm their willingness and availability to supervise you for the full 24 months of the fellowship.
Step 3: Identify the UBC department or unit you are applying to. The fellowship is administered at the department level. Review the list of nominating units available on the UBC Killam fellowship page to find the department most appropriate for your research.
Step 4: Contact the department directly. Each UBC department sets its own internal application deadline, which is typically in October 2025. Contact the department as early as possible to find out their specific internal deadline and submission requirements.
Step 5: Download the application materials. Access the 2026-2027 Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Application Form and Application Guide from the UBC website. Read the guide thoroughly before starting your application.
Step 6: Prepare all required documents. Gather your transcripts, CV, research proposal, reference letters, and any other materials specified in the application guide. Allow sufficient time for your referees to prepare their letters.
Step 7: Submit your complete application to your chosen UBC department by their internal deadline. Do not wait for the final university deadline. Departments will not accept late applications from individual candidates.
Step 8: Your department reviews and nominates. If your department selects you, they will submit a nomination to UBC’s central fellowship office. The department nomination deadline is November 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM Pacific Time.
Step 9: Await the outcome. After the nomination deadline, UBC’s selection committee will review all nominated applications and make final decisions.
Step 10: Meet Canadian immigration requirements if selected. If you are offered the fellowship, ensure you begin the process of securing the appropriate Canadian study or work permit as early as possible, as processing times vary by country.
Key Dates and Timeline
| Milestone | Date |
| Application opens | To be Determined |
| Internal department deadline (applicants) | Typically October 2025 (check with your UBC department) |
| Department nomination deadline (to UBC) | November 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM Pacific Time |
| Shortlisting | To be Determined |
| Interviews | To be Determined |
| Final results announced | To be Determined |
| Fellowship begins | 2026 (exact start date to be confirmed with department) |
Application Deadline
The department nomination deadline is November 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM Pacific Time (PT).
This is the deadline by which your UBC department must submit its nomination to the central Killam fellowship office. Your own application to the department will typically be due earlier, often in October 2025. Contact your proposed department immediately to find out their specific internal deadline for receiving candidate applications.
Applications submitted after the stated deadline will NOT be accepted.
Selection Criteria
The Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship uses a weighted evaluation process. Here is how applications are assessed:
Excellence in scholarly work and independent research (60% of evaluation):
- Quality and significance of your research contributions to date
- Scholarships and awards you have previously held
- The duration of your graduate studies, considered in the context of your programme type and any personal circumstances
- Your demonstrated ability to complete projects within appropriate timelines
- Evidence of critical thinking, sound judgment, and initiative
- Resilience and flexibility, particularly in how you adapted your research during periods of disruption
Quality of proposed research project (30% of evaluation):
- Originality of your research agenda
- Merit, potential significance, clarity, and feasibility of the proposed project
- How well your experience and academic training align with the proposed research
- The quality of the research environment at UBC, including your proposed supervisor and available facilities
Personal qualities (10% of evaluation):
- Character: integrity, collegiality, and respect for colleagues
- Communication skills
- Leadership demonstrated through employment, community engagement, athletic or artistic achievement, or volunteering
Additional preference: The selection committee gives preference to applicants who have not previously held a postdoctoral award or fellowship. If this is your first postdoctoral fellowship application, highlight that clearly.
The committee is explicit that they are looking for candidates whose work goes beyond “excellent.” The research must be convincingly ground-breaking.
Important Tips
- Contact your proposed UBC supervisor before anything else. You cannot apply without a supervisor, and identifying the right one early shapes every other part of your application. Reach out months in advance with a clear, concise description of your research interests and why you want to work with them specifically.
- Find out your department’s internal deadline immediately. Departments typically set their own deadline in October, well before the November 7 university deadline. Missing the department deadline means your application never reaches the university, regardless of how strong it is.
- Take the research proposal seriously. This section carries 30% of your evaluation. Be specific about what you want to research, why it matters, and why UBC is the right place to do it. Vague proposals do not succeed at this level.
- Demonstrate intellectual breadth. The Killam philosophy specifically prizes scholars who are not one-sided. Show in your application that your curiosity and engagement extend beyond your narrow area of expertise. Reference community involvement, leadership, or other interests where genuine.
- If you have had a career interruption, document it carefully. The eligibility extension for childrearing, illness, or health-related delays requires a Special Circumstances document. Be thorough and factual. This is not a weakness in your application; it is a recognised and accommodated circumstance.
- Emphasise what makes your research genuinely ground-breaking. This word appears explicitly in the selection criteria. Do not simply describe your research as excellent. Articulate clearly why it opens new ground, challenges existing assumptions, or has the potential to redirect understanding in your field.
- Secure strong reference letters early. Give your referees as much time as possible, ideally several months. Brief them on the Killam’s specific criteria so their letters speak directly to what the selection committee is looking for, particularly your research independence, character, and leadership.
- If this is your first postdoctoral fellowship, say so clearly. The committee gives preference to first-time postdoctoral applicants. Do not assume this will be noticed. State it explicitly where the application allows.
- Read the official Application Guide in full before starting. The guide contains detailed instructions and expectations that will shape how you present your materials. Skipping it is a risk you cannot afford at this level of competition.
- Follow up with your department. After you submit your application internally, confirm receipt. Stay responsive and professional throughout the process, as your department is your advocate at the next stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply if I completed my PhD more than two years ago?
Generally no. Your PhD must have been completed no more than 24 months before the anticipated fellowship start date. However, if your career was interrupted or delayed after your PhD due to childrearing, illness, or health-related family responsibilities, the eligibility window may be extended by up to one additional year. You must document this in a Special Circumstances attachment.
Can I apply if I did my PhD at UBC?
No. Applicants who completed their PhD-level studies at any campus of the University of British Columbia are not eligible for this fellowship.
Does my nationality affect my eligibility?
No. The fellowship is open to applicants from any country in the world. However, you must be able to meet Canadian immigration requirements before taking up the fellowship, so begin the immigration process early if you are offered the award.
Do I apply directly to UBC or to the department?
You apply to your chosen UBC department or unit, not directly to the central university. Each department sets its own internal application deadline, typically in October. The department then nominates selected candidates to UBC’s central fellowship office before the November 7 deadline.
How many fellowships are awarded each year?
Between four and six new Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowships are awarded each year.
Can I hold the fellowship if I already have a postdoctoral appointment at UBC?
It is possible, but you must provide a written rationale explaining why continuing your appointment at UBC is appropriate. This rationale must be submitted as part of your Special Circumstances document.
Can I hold a tenure-track faculty position and apply at the same time?
No. Applicants who currently hold a tenure-track or continuing faculty position at any university or college are not eligible. Applicants with temporary, term, or non-tenure track appointments are eligible.
Who should I contact if I have questions about the fellowship?
Enquiries about the Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship can be directed to killam.fellowships@ubc.ca.
Official Link
For the official fellowship page, application forms, and application guides, visit the University of British Columbia’s Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship page:
https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/killam-postdoctoral-research-fellowship
