University of British Columbia (UBC) Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2026, Canada
The Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is one of Canada’s most prestigious fully funded postdoctoral opportunities. Funded by the Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Fund, this fellowship supports outstanding early-career researchers from around the world who demonstrate exceptional academic excellence, leadership potential, and strong personal character.
Each year, only 4–6 scholars are selected, making this fellowship highly competitive and internationally respected.
Degree Level
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Available Subjects
The Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is open to most academic disciplines, including but not limited to:
Natural Sciences
Engineering & Technology
Social Sciences
Humanities
Health Sciences
Interdisciplinary Research Fields
Applicants must propose innovative and original research aligned with UBC’s academic strengths.
Benefits
Successful Killam Postdoctoral Fellows receive:
CAD $60,000 annual stipend (taxable)
Funding for up to two years
Access to UBC’s world-class research facilities
Opportunity to collaborate with leading global scholars
Strong academic prestige that enhances future faculty and research careers
Eligible Nationalities
All nationalities are eligible
There are no citizenship restrictions, but selected fellows must meet Canadian immigration requirements and hold their fellowship appointment at UBC.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, applicants must:
Have completed all PhD requirements within 24 months of the fellowship start date
Not have earned their PhD from UBC
Not hold a tenure-track or permanent faculty position
Demonstrate outstanding research ability and leadership potential
Be willing to reside at UBC during the fellowship period
Provide justification if already holding a postdoctoral position at UBC
Show strong character, collegiality, and integrity
Eligibility Extension:
Applicants with career interruptions (childcare, illness, family responsibilities) may receive an extension of up to one year with proper documentation.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are assessed using the following weightage:
Research Excellence – 60%
Research output & impact
Awards and scholarships
Independence and originality
Critical thinking and resilience
Research Proposal Quality – 30%
Originality and innovation
Feasibility and clarity
Alignment with UBC research environment
Personal Qualities – 10%
Leadership skills
Communication abilities
Community engagement
Professional integrity
Note: Preference is given to applicants who have not previously held a postdoctoral fellowship.
Important Deadline
Department Nomination Deadline: Friday, 7 November
(Internal departmental deadlines may be earlier—usually October.)
Application Procedure
The Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship follows a department-nomination process:
Identify a UBC Supervisor
Must be a tenure-track or continuing faculty member at UBC.
Prepare Application Documents
Completed application form
Research proposal
Academic CV
Supporting documents (as outlined in the official guide)
Submit to UBC Department/Unit
Each department sets its own internal deadline (usually October).
Departmental Nomination
Departments nominate candidates to UBC centrally.
Final Selection
UBC selects 4–6 fellows based on excellence and potential.
Important: Applicants cannot apply directly to the central office—department nomination is mandatory.
