NSERC Arthur B. McDonald Fellowships

 

Eligibility

Please note that candidates must:

  • have held an independent academic position* for 10 years or less as of December 14, 2025. Eligibility calculations may incorporate career interruptions;
  • currently hold a grant from NSERC;
  • conduct research primarily in the fields of the natural sciences and/or engineering; and
  • self-nominate, however, Acadia must certify each nomination.

*An independent academic position is a position that:

  • is a university faculty appointment (tenured or non-tenured);
  • requires that the researcher engages in research that is not under the direction of another individual;
  • authorizes the researcher to supervise or co-supervise the research of students registered in an undergraduate or graduate degree program, or postdoctoral fellows.

The 10-year eligibility window is adjusted to take into account eligible delays in research or periods of inactivity (for example, due to parental leave, bereavement, illness, delays related to COVID-19).

As an eligible candidate, you may self-nominate by preparing the nomination materials listed below.

 

Nomination Process

Acadia Internal Process

Internal Adjudication submission deadline: 12 December 2025

Note: Acadia must certify its support for your nomination.

Expression of Interest

IF you are interested in submitting an application, please contact the Office of Research and Innovation, researchoffice@acadiau.ca by the end of the day on 12 December 2025, expressing your intention to submit a self-nomination. This will allow time to prepare for internal adjudication, if necessary.

Internal Adjudication

Should more than one EOIs be received an internal adjudication process will be used to determine which nominations will be certified by the institution. Applicants must submit the following by 12 December 2025:

  • a completed NSERC Personal Data Form (Form 100).
  • a draft of the three-page summary of the research that would be pursued during the tenure of the Fellowship (see details below)

NSERC Nomination Process

The successful internal candidates can move forward with self-nomination and must prepare the following materials:

  1. Nomination letter with two sections:
    1. Rationale for the nomination (max. three pages) that describes why you are a candidate for the Fellowship and addresses your research achievement and impacts, and outreach, mentorship, and leadership
    2. Description of your future research directions (max. three pages) that describes the original or innovative aspects of your research, your proposed research for the duration of the Fellowship with an explanation of how EDI will be addressed in your research design, and your approach to training and mentoring HQP and ensuring EDI in your training environment.
  2. Completed NSERC Personal Data Form (Form 100), including a complete list of research contributions. Ensure that the section; Most significant contributions to research and/or to practical applications is completed. You do not need to limit contributions to those in the last six years (no page limit - additional pages to be manually appended);
  3. Form 101 part 1 (“Application for a Grant”). Notes:
    1. signatures are not required
    2. Sensitive Technology Research Areas - the nominee must indicate whether research activities supported by this grant will main to advance any of the listed areas in the Sensitive Technology Research Areas (STRA) List.  For more information, please read the Tri-agency Guidance on the STRAC Policy.
    3. An Attestation for Research Aiming to Advance Sensitive Technology Research Areas form, only if you answered "Yes" to the following question in Form 101, "Will the proposed research activities supported by this grant aim to advance any of the listed sensitive technology research areas?"
  4. Impact Assessment Form (Appendix A), if required;
  5. External Reviewer Suggestions Form: Names and contact information of 5-7 internationally recognized experts (Canadian or international) in your field who can provide an assessment of your work;
  6. A signed Terms and Conditions Form for Nominees.

 

EDIA Resources

Please reach out to the Office of Research and Innovation for more information.

 

Deadline and Submission

Notice of Intent to Self-Nominate: 12 December 2025 (via email to researchoffice@acadiau.ca).

Internal Adjudication submission deadline: 12 December 2025

Final submission deadline to NSERC: 14 December 2025