The Courtois Fellowship Scholarship 2027 in Canada is an exciting opportunity for recent PhD graduates who want to pursue advanced postdoctoral research in materials science and related interdisciplinary fields. Hosted by the Institut Courtois at Université de Montréal, this fully funded fellowship supports ambitious researchers working at the intersection of chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, artificial intelligence, and materials science.
The fellowship offers funding for three years and provides an annual salary of CAD 63,819, with total annual compensation of approximately CAD 76,000 including benefits. Fellows may also receive up to CAD 30,000 per year for research expenses, making this an attractive opportunity for researchers seeking the resources and independence needed to develop innovative research programs.
With access to advanced laboratories, internationally recognized researchers, and a highly collaborative interdisciplinary environment, the Courtois Fellowship is designed to help emerging researchers make meaningful contributions to the future of materials discovery and technology.
The Courtois Fellowship is a three-year postdoctoral research position offered through the Institut Courtois at Université de Montréal in Canada. It is intended for talented researchers who have recently completed their PhD and want to undertake an innovative research project aligned with the institute's areas of expertise.
Unlike conventional scholarships that primarily support tuition or living expenses, this fellowship is structured as a funded postdoctoral research position. Fellows receive a competitive salary, employment benefits, research funding, laboratory access, and opportunities to collaborate with established researchers.
The fellowship places particular emphasis on interdisciplinary research. This makes it suitable for applicants whose work connects multiple fields and contributes to the development, understanding, modeling, or application of advanced materials.
The Institut Courtois is a research centre within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Université de Montréal. It brings together researchers from disciplines including chemistry, physics, computer science, and mathematics.
Its research environment is focused on accelerating materials discovery through advanced experimental techniques, computational approaches, automation, and artificial intelligence.
For postdoctoral researchers, this interdisciplinary structure provides an opportunity to work beyond the boundaries of a single academic discipline. Fellows can collaborate with internationally recognized faculty members while developing their own independent research programs.
The institute's broader mission is to advance cutting-edge materials research while strengthening Canada's and the institute's international position in scientific innovation.
The Courtois Fellowship Scholarship 2027 offers substantial financial and academic support for successful applicants.
The postdoctoral position is funded for three years, subject to annual review and satisfactory progress. This provides researchers with sufficient time to develop and execute a substantial research program.
Selected fellows receive an annual salary of CAD 63,819. Including benefits, the total annual compensation is approximately CAD 76,000.
Fellows can receive up to CAD 30,000 per year for eligible research expenses. This additional funding can support research activities, equipment, materials, travel, and other approved project-related costs.
Successful candidates gain access to world-class interdisciplinary laboratories and research infrastructure at Université de Montréal and the Institut Courtois.
The fellowship provides opportunities to collaborate with internationally recognized faculty members and researchers working across several scientific disciplines.
International applicants are welcome to apply. Selected candidates who require authorization to work in Canada can receive support with the relevant visa or work permit process.
One of the most valuable aspects of the fellowship is the opportunity to develop an independent research program while working within a strong interdisciplinary research environment.
Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements before preparing their application.
To be considered for the Courtois Fellowship 2027, applicants must:
The three-year PhD eligibility window may be extended in certain circumstances, particularly where applicants have experienced justified career interruptions or breaks.
International researchers should not be discouraged from applying because of their current location. The fellowship specifically provides support for eligible international candidates who need to obtain Canadian work authorization.
The Courtois Fellowship supports innovative research connected to materials science and interdisciplinary technology. Applicants should ensure that their proposed project fits naturally within the expertise and research priorities of the institute.
Potential research areas include:
The fellowship also welcomes research connected to:
The strongest applications are likely to demonstrate not only scientific excellence but also a clear connection between the proposed research and the expertise available through Institute Courtois.
Applicants should begin preparing their documents well before the deadlines. A complete application requires several academic and research materials.
The required documents include:
Prepare a detailed academic curriculum vitae highlighting education, research experience, publications, awards, grants, presentations, and other relevant achievements.
Applicants must develop a substantial research proposal of up to six pages. The proposal should clearly explain the research problem, objectives, methodology, expected results, significance, and connection to Institute Courtois.
Include a description of previous research activities. Focus on achievements and experiences that demonstrate your ability to successfully undertake the proposed project.
Provide a list of publications as well as relevant academic awards, distinctions, achievements, and other evidence of research excellence.
Applicants must identify three referees and provide their names and contact information. The referees will be required to send recommendation letters directly to the institute.
The complete application should also include an official doctoral transcript, bibliography, research budget and budget rationale, and a support letter from the proposed Institute Courtois mentor.
The application process involves several important steps, so candidates should not wait until the final deadline to begin.
Applicants must first complete the Notice of Intent online by 10 September 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
The Notice of Intent requires information such as the proposed project title, 10 keywords, PhD details, three referees, and mentor or co-mentor information.
Identify a suitable mentor whose research expertise aligns with your proposed project. Your research idea should have a clear scientific connection to the institute's research environment.
Develop a focused research proposal of no more than six pages. Explain what you intend to investigate, why the research matters, how you will conduct it, and what contribution it could make to materials science.
Contact three referees early and ask them to prepare recommendation letters. The letters must be sent directly to: institut-courtois@umontreal.ca
Giving referees sufficient notice can help prevent last-minute problems.
Develop a detailed research budget and provide a clear justification for the requested expenses. Attach your CV, official doctoral transcript, bibliography, publications, and other required documents.
Your proposed Institute Courtois mentor must provide a support letter for your application.
Combine the required materials into one PDF file and submit the complete application by email to: institut-courtois@umontreal.ca
The final application deadline is 28 September 2026.Applicants should carefully check every requirement before submitting their application.
There are two major dates candidates need to remember:
Because the application requires a research proposal, mentor support letter, budget, transcript, CV, and three recommendations, applicants should start preparing several weeks before the deadlines.
A competitive application should go beyond listing academic qualifications. Your research proposal should clearly communicate the scientific importance and originality of your project.
First, demonstrate a strong connection between your research interests and the Institut Courtois research environment. Second, explain how your proposed work could contribute to materials discovery, artificial intelligence, computational science, or another supported research area.
Your proposal should also demonstrate independence. The fellowship is designed to help researchers develop their own programs, so clearly explain your research vision and how the project could develop into a meaningful research direction.
Finally, proofread every document carefully. Ensure that your CV, proposal, budget, transcript, referee information, and mentor letter are complete and consistent before submitting the final PDF.
Yes. The fellowship provides a salary of CAD 63,819 per year, approximately CAD 76,000 in total annual compensation including benefits, and up to CAD 30,000 per year in research expenses.
Recent PhD holders can apply if their doctorate was obtained within the required three-year period before the funding start date. Eligible career-break extensions may apply.
Yes. The fellowship is open to international applicants. Selected candidates who require Canadian work authorization can receive support with the visa or work permit process.
The fellowship is funded for three years, subject to annual review and satisfactory progress.
The Notice of Intent must be submitted by 10 September 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
The complete application must be submitted by 28 September 2026.
Fellows may receive up to CAD 30,000 per year for research expenses.
Research areas include quantum materials, energy transition materials, sustainable materials, AI for materials discovery, computational materials science, materials modeling, chemistry, physics, computer science, mathematics, automation, and robotics.