$34.5M in Vanier, Banting scholarships announced

Quebec City, QC – A total of 165 new recipients of the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and 70 new recipients of the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships were announced today. These awards provide the best doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers from Canada and from around the world studying in Canada with the support they need to conduct world-class research while enhancing Canada’s standing as a global centre of excellence in research, innovation and higher learning.

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships and Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships are Canada’s most prestigious programs for doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers, respectively, working in the health sciences, natural sciences and engineering, and social sciences and humanities. Both programs are funded through the three federal research granting agencies – Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

“These programs demonstrate Canada’s commitment to promoting research excellence and to helping Canadian universities attract the best and brightest doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers,” said Dr. Alain Beaudet, president of CIHR, on behalf of the three federal research granting agencies. “Over the next few years, the recipients of these awards will be advancing knowledge in health sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities and natural sciences and emerging as leaders in their fields on the world stage.”

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program is designed to strengthen Canada’s ability to attract and retain world-class doctoral students. Vanier Scholars demonstrate exceptional leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement. Scholarship recipients receive $50,000 per year for up to three years of research. The 165 new Vanier Scholars represent students from Canada, the United States, Europe, the Middle East, South America, Africa and Asia pursuing doctoral degrees at universities across Canada. In total, funding of $24.7 million over three years was announced today. The list of 2013 recipients is available here.

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program is designed to attract and retain world-class postdoctoral talent, develop their leadership potential and position them for success as the research leaders of tomorrow. Fellowship recipients receive $70,000 per year for up to two years of research. The 70 new Banting Fellows represent postdoctoral researchers from Canada, the United States, Europe, South America, the Middle East and Asia who will be carrying out innovative research projects at Canadian universities as well as leading research institutions abroad. In total, funding of $9.8 million over two years was announced today. The list of 2013 recipients is available here.