Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships Program Now Accepting Applications

Edmonton, Alberta, August 19, 2010 — Top researchers can now apply for the prestigious new Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships. Details on how the successful fellows will be selected, as well as how researchers can submit an application, were announced by Mike Lake, Member of Parliament for Edmonton–Mill Woods–Beaumont, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), and the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, while speaking at the University of Alberta.

"Our government is investing in science and research to keep Canada's economy strong," said Mr. Lake. "The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships will help us develop, attract and retain the world's best researchers here in Canada."

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, in the company of renowned scientist Stephen Hawking, announced the program last month at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics in Waterloo, Ontario.

Seventy fellowships will be awarded each year to Canadian and international researchers beginning in 2011, and each fellow will receive $70 000 per year for two years. Applications for the first competition will be accepted until November 3, 2010. Interested persons can learn more at the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships website

All applications will be evaluated by peer review committees working with Canada's research granting councils: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

Banting Fellowship applicants not only must demonstrate track records of achievement in research and leadership, but also must be endorsed by the institutions that will become their professional home. In turn, institutions must show that the applicants' work is in line with their strategic priorities.

To be eligible, applicants must have fulfilled PhD or health professional degree requirements between November 3, 2007, and December 31, 2010.

At full program maturity, the fellowships will annually support 140 promising women and men. The Banting Fellowships Program, first announced in Budget 2010, is one of a few such elite programs around the world. These fellowships are expected to become the most prestigious, sought-after award for postdoctoral research in this country.

For further information (media only), please contact:

Gary Toft
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
Minister of State (Science and Technology)
613-943-7599

Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502

Media Relations
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
613-941-4563
613-808-7526 (cell)