The provide support to scholars of exceptional ability by granting them time to pursue research projects of broad significance and widespread interest within the disciplines of the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences, engineering or studies linking any of these disciplines. A Dorothy Killam Fellow is a leading, mid-career researcher whose superior, ground-breaking, best-in-class research stands to have significant impact on a national or global scale. A Fellow is someone who also reflects some of the Killam attributes: Inclusive collaborator, Barrier breaker, Research leader.
Program details
Between 5 and 8 Fellowships are awarded annually. The fellowships are awarded to individuals, but the funds are paid to and administered by the Canadian university or research institute where the individual is employed.
Application process:
Applicants must complete the online application form, and provide the following documents: an Abstract (250 words), Research Proposal (up to 1500 words), Candidate statement (up to 1000 words), an optional Community Research Supplement (up to 500 words), Curriculum Vitae (up to 30 pages), and two Letters of Support (up to 1000 words each). To facilitate expert review, a preliminary research abstract (150 words) is now required and must be submitted through the portal by April 30, 2025. Applicants will have the opportunity to provide an updated research abstract at the time of submission. Details for each are available at the .
Terms and conditions:
The Dorothy Killam Fellowships are valued at $80,000 CAD per year for a total of up to $160,000 for 2 years. Dorothy Killam Fellowships are intended as release time from employment for established scholars who have demonstrated outstanding research ability. Typically, a Fellowship recipient is a faculty member at a Canadian university with significant teaching and/or administrative responsibilities.
Eligibility criteria:
A Dorothy Killam Fellow is relieved of teaching and administrative duties for the period of the fellowship. The funds are intended to assist the institution to cover the costs of replacement of the applicant while still paying regular salary and benefits during the 2-year fellowship period. Recipients must obtain support for research and laboratory costs from other sources. All fellowship dispersals are administered to the existing research institution of the applicant. Eligible candidates are mid-career researchers (usually completed their PhD no more than 15 years prior, though special circumstances may result in being more or less than this).
Key dates:
Internal deadline:
- If you are interested in applying for the Dorothy Killam Fellowship, please contact Dr. Mona Rahman, Research Awards Officer of Research Services at rahmanm@queensu.ca with your intent by April 1, 2025.
Preliminary abstract due:
- April 30, 2025
Submissions close:
- May 22, 2025 at 23:59 h (applicant local time)
More information on the funding model, program guidelines and eligibility criteria can be found by visiting the .
Contact the National Killam Program at KillamProgram-ProgrammeKillam@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca, or you may reach out to Dr. Mona Rahman, Research Awards Officer of Research Services at rahmanm@queensu.ca.