These awards were formerly known as the IDRC Internship Awards.
IDRC offers these research awards annually to Canadians, permanent residents of Canada, and citizens of developing countries pursuing master’s or doctoral studies at a recognized university or having completed a master’s or doctoral program at a recognized university.
As a research award recipient, you will undertake a one-year paid program of research on the topic you submitted when competing for the award. During part of the time (often around 50%), you will be trained in research management through hands-on experience with your chosen program. You will work under the mentorship of a program officer.
These awards focus on research carried out in one or more developing countries. Most research awards positions are for 12 months and are based at IDRC’s head office in Ottawa, Canada. A few take place in one of IDRC’s six regional offices. Candidates must conduct their research in areas corresponding to IDRC's research priorities.
The IDRC research awards aim to provide exposure to research for international development through a program of training in research management and grant administration under the guidance of IDRC program staff. They are designed to provide hands-on learning experiences in research program management, and in the creation, dissemination, and use of knowledge from an international perspective.
You will be expected to provide support to management and program staff in some of the following areas:
• synthesize project outcomes
• produce publications and dissemination materials or activities on research results
• participate in team meetings
• carry out research to locate, review, and synthesize relevant material
• prepare state of the art reviews
• prepare correspondence, reports, and presentations
• help organize meetings, workshops, and seminars
• prepare minutes
• update and maintain databases
• maintain the program’s web pages
• exchange with other institutions working on a broad range of issues related to programming.
In principle, IDRC supports research in all developing countries. At this time, however, we do not support awards that involve research in Burma, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Eastern Europe, or Central Asia.
Who can apply
The program is aimed at candidates who, through demonstrated achievements in academic studies, work or research, have shown interest in creating and using knowledge from an international perspective.
To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:
• be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, or a citizen of a developing country
• be either currently enrolled at a recognized university at the master's or doctoral level or have completed a master's or doctoral degree at a recognized university. These awards may be part of an academic requirement.
• your proposed research must focus on one or more developing countries
Award holders
To read about former IDRC Research Award Recipients and their research topics, go to Candidates Recommended for an Award.
Duration
This competition is for positions starting in early 2012.
Research awards are normally held for 12 months. They are tenable, on a full-time basis, for a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 12. They normally start in January and must be completed by the end of December.
Number of awards
The number of awards varies each year. Approximately 15 awards will be offered in 2012. (See Section below – Details on research award positions offered by IDRC’s programming units.)
Employment status
Research award recipients holding award tenure in Canada in 2011 receive a salary ranging from CA$37,035 to CA$42,873 per year, depending on qualifications and experience. (The updated salary range for 2012 will be available in the fall of 2011.) As research award recipients, you are considered to be full-time term employees of the Centre. Benefits include contributions to Employment Insurance, Employer Health Tax, the Canada Pension Plan, and 4% of your salary in lieu of vacation leave. Some travel and research expenses will also be supported, up to a maximum of CA$10,000. The salary range and benefits for research award recipients located in our regional offices may vary according to regional conditions.
Deadline
September 12, 2011 (awards will be announced in December 2011)
To apply
• Complete two forms: the checklist and the budget form. You must also provide all the documents requested in the checklist.
• Your application must be complete, submitted electronically, and received at the Centre by the deadline. Incomplete applications will NOT be considered.
• Your application should be submitted in English or French ONLY (Canada’s two official languages).
The application must show how you will reach a set of learning objectives. IDRC requires applicants to specify only one IDRC programming unit in which they wish to work. At its discretion, IDRC may forward your application to a second programming unit.
The specifications for IDRC research awards are linked to current program priorities and structure. IDRC reserves the right to change program priorities and structure: this may determine the final choice and allocation of the awards.
Due to the high volume of applications, no acknowledgement of receipt will be sent to applicants. However, when submitting your application, you will receive a general autoreply from the IDRC Fellowships and Awards program. Please accept this autoreply as an acknowledgement of receipt.
Learn about the Evaluation process
Conditions of awards
IDRC will not grant an award without first obtaining:
• Evidence that you are registered in a graduate program (master’s or doctoral) or have completed the entire program
• Proof of your citizenship or permanent residency
• Your acceptance of the award contract terms and conditions.
Note that candidates cannot receive any other government scholarship, award, subsidy, bursary, or honorarium, or hold any federal government contract in support of a research/work project for the duration of the award.
Announcement of results
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only candidates recommended for an award will be advised by email. Their names will also be added to the list of Candidates Recommended for an Award.
Work permit for non-Canadians
If you are a non-Canadian residing, relocating or studying in Canada and are recommended for an award, you will be required to obtain a valid work permit to work at IDRC before starting your position.
For more information, contact us at [email protected].
Details on research award positions offered by IDRC’s programming units
The links to the 2012 research award positions (approximately 15 positions) will be posted below starting in May 2011. They will bring you to each programming unit’s specifications. You can only apply for the posted positions.
Visit this section regularly as new links will be added periodically.
