Frequently Asked Questions
The Fellowships and Awards (F&A) program designs, manages, and administers IDRC-funded training awards. While F&A manages most of IDRC’s awards programs for individuals, other IDRC programs also offer specific awards competitions. A complete list of IDRC-funded awards can be viewed on the IDRC Awards for Graduate Students page.
1) Who can apply for an IDRC award?
Most IDRC awards are granted to Canadians, permanent residents of Canada, and developing-country nationals conducting research directly related to and in the context of IDRC’s programs. Awards are granted to individuals. Please visit the IDRC Awards for Graduate Students page for information on IDRC’s awards and eligibility criteria.
2) I would like to apply for a scholarship to pay for my studies in Canada or another country. How can I apply?
IDRC supports a limited number of full-study scholarships for developing-country nationals studying at universities in developing countries through the IDRC International Fellowships Program only. Otherwise, IDRC does not fund tuition fees or coursework.
3) I am a citizen of a developing country and I am doing my master’s or PhD in a country other than Canada. Can I apply for an award?
The IDRC International Fellowships Program supports developing-country nationals pursuing research and studies in institutions in developing countries, in select fields where there is particular need for building capacity. Please check our website for current opportunities and fields of study. The program, now active in East, Southern, and West Africa and South and South-East Asia, is expanding to Latin America and the Caribbean in 2012 and includes a number of post-doctoral fellowships, internships, and support for policy training. Citizens from developing countries can also apply for an internship through the IDRC Research Awards program. To check eligibility requirements of other IDRC awards, please visit the IDRC Awards for Graduate Students page.
4) I am a Canadian citizen and I would like to pursue an internship in a developing country. Can you help me with funding?
IDRC does not provide this type of support. We do, however, offer a 12-month paid internship in research and research management at our head office in Ottawa, Canada, and occasionally in one of our six regional offices. The IDRC Research Awards program is open to Canadians, permanent residents of Canada, and developing-country nationals.
5) Do you provide awards to institutions?
Fellowships and Awards grants individual awards. For information on IDRC funding to institutions, consult the How to Apply for Funding page.
6) Does Fellowships and Awards support participation in conferences or workshops?
No, we do not support participation in conferences or workshops.
7) Do you offer post-doctoral awards?
8) How do I apply for a Sabbatical Award?
Candidates interested in a Sabbatical Award need to identify the area of interest within IDRC’s thematic priorities, and contact the appropriate Program Area Director. These awards are granted on a limited basis to senior Canadian or developing-country academics.
9) I am a citizen of a developing country living and/or studying in a developing country. I don’t see my field of study offered under the current IDRC International Fellowships Program. Can I still apply?
Awards offered through the IDRC International Fellowships Program are granted in fields linked to IDRC’s thematic priorities. The fields of study, regions, and local institutions who manage the awards competitions are identified by IDRC program staff and regional offices. Selection is based on regional needs to build individual research capacity in particular areas of study. The program is now active in East, Southern, and West Africa, South and Southeast Asia and will expand to Latin America and the Caribbean in 2012.
10) What are IDRC’s current thematic priorities?
11) Does IDRC register international students in Canadian universities?
No, IDRC does not register any students in Canadian universities. Please contact the appropriate university directly for registration information. For information on Canadian universities, consult the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada website.
12) If granted an IDRC Research Award, am I guaranteed a visa to enter Canada?
If granted a research award, IDRC will issue you a letter confirming the award, in support of your visa application. However, as an award recipient, you are responsible for requesting and securing your visa. The final decision lies with Canada’s Department of Citizenship and Immigration.
13) Can you let me know if my research proposal is relevant before I submit my application?
We do not provide feedback to applicants prior to their application. We advise you to be well-informed of the research currently being supported by IDRC’s thematic priorities and become familiar with the objectives of each award.
14) I’ve submitted my application but have not received any acknowledgement. Can I phone or send an email to find out whether my application was received?
After submitting your application, you will receive an auto-reply confirming the submission of your documents. If clarifications are needed, we will contact you with additional questions. If your application is incomplete or submitted late, it will not be considered.
15) I missed the deadline for an award competition. Do you accept late applications?
Deadlines are firm and no exceptions are made for late applications. Each competition has a different schedule and frequency. Please consult the IDRC Awards for Graduate Students page to check the deadline for each competition.
16) Do you allow joint proposals, that is, when two students or more work on the same project?
No, joint proposals are not eligible under Fellowships and Awards competitions.
17) How do I apply for an award?
For details on how to apply, see information listed in the Checklists, found under each award listed on the IDRC Awards for Graduate Students page.
18) Can I apply for an award if I have other sources of funding for my field research?
For all awards other than the IDRC Research Awards, you may apply if you have other sources of funding. You must provide details of all other funding sources and specify what items are being covered by these sources in the budget submitted to IDRC.
19) Can I receive two awards from IDRC in the same year?
No, it is not possible to receive multiple awards from IDRC in the same year. However, you can receive one award in one year and another in a separate year.
20) My name appears on your web site under "Recommended for an Award". What does this mean?
This means that your application for the competition has been successful. You will receive an official letter by email which includes follow-up information. Some candidates are recommended for an award on a "conditional" basis. In this case, candidates are requested to address issues raised by the evaluators. The award will only be granted upon receipt of a satisfactory response.
21) Do you offer summer internships?
IDRC offers a 12-month paid internship through the IDRC Research Awards program, which is managed by Fellowships and Awards. In addition, IDRC has a summer employment program managed by the Human Resources Division. For more information, please visit IDRC’s Student Opportunities.
22) Do you have a volunteer program?
No, we do not host a volunteer program.
23) I would like to apply for a position at IDRC. Where should I apply?
For a career with IDRC, check out our Current Opportunities.
24) Is the amount received for an award taxable?
By law, IDRC must annually report the amount paid to an individual for a research grant, scholarship, fellowship, bursary or prize to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), on T4A Statements of Pension, Retirement, Annuity, and Other Income. However, with the exception of Research Awards and Professional Development Awards, IDRC does not withhold tax at the source. Ultimately, tax matters are the responsibility of the award recipient.
25) Do you know of other organizations that offer grants, awards and scholarships?
The following are the names of some other institutions that grant awards and scholarships:
Other resources you may wish to consult:
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