IDRC 2023-2024 Research Awards for Canada & Developing Countries

This year IDRC will offer research awards related to these development areas or themes: 

• Climate-Resilient Food Systems,  
• Democratic and Inclusive Governance, 
• Education and Science,  
• Ethics in Development Research, 
• Global Health,
• Policy and Evaluation, and 
• Sustainable Inclusive Economies.

All awards will be based in Ottawa except for the Global Health award that will be based in Nairobi.

If your research proposal is selected, you will join IDRC as a Research award recipient for a period of 12 months with a salary in Canadian dollars between CA$42,033 to CA$48,659 to undertake research on the topic you have submitted. You will receive hands-on experience in research and program management and support, grant administration, and the creation, dissemination, and use of knowledge from an international perspective. Meet some or our former IDRC Research award recipients.

For payroll purposes, you will be considered a full-time non-union employee of IDRC. Benefits include employer contributions to employment insurance, employer health tax, the Canada Pension Plan, and paid vacation leave. Some travel and research expenses are also supported, up to a maximum of CA$15,000.

• Table of Content
• About International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
• IDRC Research Awards
• Aim and Benefits of IDRC Research Awards
• Requirements for IDRC Research Awards Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About International Development Research Centre (IDRC)

As part of Canada’s foreign affairs and development efforts, IDRC champions and funds research?and innovation?within?and alongside developing?regions?to?drive global change. Our head office is located in Ottawa, Canada, while five regional offices keep us close to our work. They are located in Montevideo, Uruguay; Nairobi, Kenya; Dakar, Senegal; Amman, Jordan; and New Delhi, India. IDRC is governed by a board of up to 14 governors, whose chairperson reports to Parliament through the Minister of International Development. IDRC was established by an act of Canada’s parl... continue reading

IDRC Research Awards

Aim and Benefits of IDRC Research Awards

Salary for one year in Canada: CA$42,033 to $48,659

Requirements for IDRC Research Awards Qualification

• Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and citizens of developing countries with a work permit valid for full-time work (37.5 hours per week) in Canada until 30 April 2023
• Students from low or middle-income countries who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada who have a valid student work permit and are enrolled in a Canadian university 
• Students who are enrolled in or who have completed a master’s program from a recognized university within the last three years or students enrolled in a PhD program with a recognized university
• Preference will be given to students who have completed a master’s degree or who are enrolled in their first two years of a PhD program

Additional eligibility requirements

• The proposed research must focus on one or more developing countries.
• These awards may be part of an academic requirement.
• The specific eligibility criteria of each research theme must be satisfied.

Please note: Successful award recipients cannot receive any other Canadian 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. This includes any other IDRC award and any award managed by another institution but supported in whole or in part by IDRC, such as the Queen Elizabeth Advanced Scholars program.

Research proposal evaluation criteria

• Relevance of the proposal to IDRC’s mission and mandate
• Relevance of the proposal to selected development outcome area
• Clarity and quality of the proposal
• Clarity and appropriateness in addressing the ethical considerations and gender dimension of the proposed research
• Applicant’s capacity to conduct the proposed program of research including academic qualifications, local language abilities, and related experience 
• Applicant’s capacity to conduct program of work, including related employment experience

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Completed Research proposal submission and Academic information and professional qualifications form and a copy of your valid student work permit or full-time work permit valid at least until 30 April 2023, if applicable, which must be uploaded as part of the application process (Note: If these documents are not uploaded your application will not be considered) 

For more details, visit IDRC website.