Black Research Network Postdoctoral Award

The BRN launched in October 2021 at the University of Toronto. We support Black excellence by enhancing the visibility and impact of Black-led research, sustaining a cross-divisional, interdisciplinary network of Black scholars and facilitating robust research engagement across U of T. 

The BRN Postdoctoral Award provides $15,000 in funding support. The award may be allocated in one of two ways: 

• Salary and employer costs*: $12,875.54 allocated toward the postdoctoral scholar’s gross salary and $2,124.46 allocated toward applicable employer costs; or 

• Salary only: The full $15,000 allocated toward the postdoctoral scholar’s gross salary. In this case, the Faculty/Unit/Supervisor is responsible for covering any applicable employer costs 

*Employer costs for 2026–2027 include the Standard Benefit Rate (SBR), payable at a rate of 10.50%, and the PDF Levy, payable at a rate of 6% 

• A limited number of awards are available each fiscal year, subject to funding availability  

• The award provides funding for one year only. No additional funding will be provided beyond the one-year award term.

• Applications must be submitted by the faculty supervisor of the postdoctoral scholar 

• Faculty supervisors must hold an appointment at one of the University of Toronto’s three campuses (St. George, Scarborough, or Mississauga) 

• Faculty supervisors are responsible for ensuring that total compensation, including this award, meets or exceeds University of Toronto postdoctoral funding requirements and complies with applicable collective agreement provisions, including benefits coverage 

• Faculty supervisors and units are responsible for confirming that the postdoctoral scholar’s appointment and employment arrangements comply with university policies and applicable requirements 

• Self-identify as Black  

• Have completed all requirements for a doctoral degree prior to the start of the award and be within five years of completing their degree at the time of application. 

• Starting a new postdoctoral appointment that aligns with University of Toronto policies and standard appointment timelines (e.g., July, September, or January start dates).  

• Be engaged as a postdoctoral employee / trainee of the University of Toronto with an engagement end date of no less than 12 months from the award start (teaching hospital postdocs are not employees of the university). 

• Be hired by a University of Toronto supervisor appointed to a graduate unit  

• Be eligible to work in Canada. Successful international candidates must meet all applicable Canadian immigration and work authorization requirements prior to the start of the award. The host department and faculty supervisor are responsible for confirming eligibility for appointment and ensuring that all institutional and immigration requirements are satisfied. 

• Not hold a tenured or tenure-track faculty position, or be on leave from such a position, at the time of appointment or during the award period. 

• Register and remain registered with the Postdoctoral Office at the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) 

The faculty supervisor is responsible for submitting the completed application package in collaboration with the postdoctoral scholar. All required application components must be combined into a single PDF document and uploaded through the application form. Applications must be submitted through the online application form. 

• A formal letter confirming that (prepared by the faculty supervisor):  
  – The scholar’s total compensation, including this award, meets or exceeds University of Toronto postdoctoral funding requirements 
  – The appointment complies with applicable collective agreement provisions, including required benefits coverage 

• Research Proposal (prepared by the postdoctoral scholar, maximum two pages, plus up to two additional pages for references/citations) 
  
  An overview of the proposed research project that outlines: 
  – Research objectives 
  – Methodology 
  – Significance of the proposed research 
  – Expected outcomes 

• Supervisor Statement (prepared by the supervisor; maximum two pages): 
  
  A statement describing: 
  – The alignment between the applicant’s expertise and the proposed research program. 
  – The research environment and resources that will be available to support the postdoctoral scholar. 
  – The supervisor’s commitment to mentorship and professional development. 

• Candidate Profile (prepared by the postdoctoral fellow, maximum one page): 
  
  A statement highlighting: 
  – Academic achievements 
  – Research contributions 
  – Important note: The postdoctoral scholar must provide a brief written confirmation that they meet the eligibility requirements for the award outlined under the “Postdoctoral Scholar Eligibility” section.  

• Curriculum Vitae (CV): A current curriculum vitae (prepared by postdoctoral scholar)
  
  Note: A copy of the signed engagement letter must be provided to BRN for record-keeping purposes. 

Applications will be evaluated based on candidate strength, the quality and potential impact of the proposed research, the suitability of the research environment and mentorship plan, and alignment with the purpose of the award. 

Reviews and committee deliberations will be conducted in confidence. Individual scores and/or rankings will not be provided. General feedback on the review process may be made available following completion of the review process. 

Funding will be transferred to the postdoctoral scholar’s administrative department/unit, which will be responsible for administering the award and ensuring that funds are provided in accordance with the approved funding arrangement. 

Recipients of the award will be required to complete a final report and participate in the annual survey, as applicable. Reminders regarding submission deadlines will be provided. Please note that failure to complete these requirements may be considered when assessing eligibility for future BRN funding opportunities. 

The BRN offers a range of resources and programming to support researchers, including sessions on effective grant writing, navigating academia, and other research development opportunities. Learn more about these resources.  

If you have any questions or require any clarifications, please do not hesitate to email us at brn@utoronto.ca