H.L. Holmes Award for postdoctoral studies

Interested individuals may apply directly by email, or may be nominated by recognized Canadian universities or research organizations that are willing to help the candidates conduct their proposed research during the nomination period.

Information for applicants

The objective of the H.L. Holmes Award is to enhance Canadian research in areas of strategic importance through post-doctoral studies at Canadian graduate schools or research institutes, under the supervision of outstanding researchers, and in fields related to medical and biological processes. Recipients must acknowledge the NRC and the H.L. Holmes Award when submitting research papers to journals for work accomplished while receiving support from the award.

Eligibility

Recipients will be chosen according to the following eligibility criteria:

• The candidate must be a Canadian citizen
• The candidate must have graduated from a recognized Canadian university
• The candidate must hold a doctoral degree from either a Canadian university or an outstanding foreign university, received within 5 years immediately before the application deadline
  • Extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis for relevant employment in industry or government
  • Extensions may also be granted for career interruptions due to extenuating circumstances, or parental, medical or family-related leave
• The proposed research must pertain to chemistry, physics, biology or mathematics as they relate to medical and biological processes
• The candidate must have demonstrated research ability

Selection criteria

The NRC, informed by the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), recognizes that scholarly contributions are not limited to published journal articles, but can also include, amongst other contributions, article preprints, datasets, software, protocols, well-trained researchers, societal outcomes and policy changes resulting from research. For others, this may include community engagement initiatives or educational mentorship programs.

Recognizing that impact and knowledge mobilization can be different for each research project, candidates are required to include 2 new components in their research proposal:

• A proposed knowledge mobilization strategy to share and communicate their research beyond traditional modes of scholarly output
• An impact statement describing the strategic importance of the proposed work, its potential impact and the proposed indicators to measure research outcomes

In evaluating applications, the H.L. Holmes Award Selection Committee will consider the following criteria:

• The candidate's demonstrated research experience (25 points)
  • Academic record
  • Experience in the field
  • Scholarships and awards
  • Publications and other knowledge mobilization strategies
• The scientific merit of the proposed research (40 points)
  • Strategic importance (medical/biological processes)
  • Creativity and originality
  • Novelty of approach
  • Soundness of the work plan
  • Feasibility
  • Potential impact
• The assessments of the candidate by persons familiar with the candidate's work (25 points)
  • Three letters of endorsement
  • Quality and significance of past research
• The acceptance and support of the host organization (10 points)
  • Discipline-related expertise and leadership available within the organization
  • Support from the host institute

Applications

Interested individuals may apply directly. Candidates can also be nominated by Canadian universities or other research organizations willing to support the candidate in carrying out their proposed research. Applications must include:

• A detailed description of the proposed research (maximum 10 pages total) that includes:
  • The proposed location of research
  • The project timeline
  • The project budget
  • The candidate's knowledge mobilization plans, including, where possible, non-traditional ways to disseminate knowledge and information new
  • An impact statement describing the strategic importance of the work, its potential impact and the proposed indicators to measure research outcomes new
  • (Optional) A candidate statement describing how the researcher would benefit from the award at this point in their career new
    • Note: If an applicant would like to note career interruptions or special circumstances, they should do so in the candidate statement. We encourage candidates to be concise and fact-based in their comments, sharing only those details they wish to be considered by external reviewers and selection committee members.
• The candidate's CV confirming the above eligibility criteria
• Three letters of endorsement assessing the candidate's research ability from persons under whom the candidate has trained or worked
  • Note: Letters should be sent directly by the endorsers to Holmes.Award@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca. We don't recommend including a letter of endorsement from the proposed research supervisor.
• A letter from the host organization confirming willingness to accept the candidate and administer the award funds, and describing the level of support the organization will provide to the candidate
  • Note: A letter from the proposed research supervisor is not sufficient. This letter should be provided by a representative of the host organization's department or faculty.
• Proof of Canadian citizenship, graduation from a recognized Canadian university, and a doctoral degree received within the 5 years immediately before the application deadline

Send all required documents by email to HolmesAward@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca by March 20, 2026, at 11:59 pm (ET).

Conditions

The monetary value and number of awards granted will be established by the selection committee on an individual basis. Each award will cover a 1 or 2-year period, depending on available funding and the research proposal. An award can have a monetary value of up to $100,000 per year.

The award will support all costs directly related to the approved research including a salary, but not including travel expenses. Host organizations must also provide support to the candidate. NRC employees are eligible for the H.L. Holmes Award, provided they meet the selection criteria.

When applying for the H.L. Holmes Award, researchers should intend to start using the funding on the specified start date (typically January 1). Postponement of the funding start date due to leave or extenuating circumstances will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

The H.L. Holmes Award can be held concurrently with other postdoctoral funding.

The selection committee reserves the right to terminate an award at any time if the recipient does not remain at the host organization.

Research reports

Recipients of the H.L. Holmes Award will be asked to submit annual research reports to the selection committee for review and evaluation. In addition, recipients will be invited to make a presentation to NRC staff at the end of their 1 or 2-year term.

Payment method

The host organization will establish a separate account to administer the award funds. The host organization will receive the funds for each year based on a payment plan it establishes in consultation with the award recipient. The host organization will allocate those funds to the award recipient in accordance with this payment plan.