Proposed projects must demonstrate alignment with one or more NRC Challenge program and may be technical, based on knowledge exchange, or exploratory.

The Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowship may support a specific collaborative project, a knowledge exchange initiative, a novel multidisciplinary collaboration, or other scholarly pursuits that advances knowledge.

A Challenge program is a portfolio of programs administered by the National Research Council that provide funding to researchers. Through Challenge programs, the NRC partners with private and public sector, academic and other research organizations in Canada and internationally to advance transformative, high-risk, high-reward research that address Canadian priorities. The Challenge programs are a component of the NRC’s collaborative research and development programs. Project proposals for Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowships must align with 1 or more challenge programs.

The co-PIs may be collaborating for the first time on this project or they may build on an existing collaboration. If the latter, the joint project proposal must clearly demonstrate the extent to which this project builds upon or is different from existing projects.

The Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowships encourage collaboration using a co-Principal Investigator (co-PI) model. Submissions to the program must propose one co-PI (the Fellow) employed outside of the NRC, and one co-PI (NRC co-PI) employed by the NRC. The NRC co-PI can have an affiliation with the Fellowship co-PI’s institution, however, the main employer of the NRC co-PI must be the NRC.

There are no discipline restrictions with regards to who can apply to the Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowship. However, proposed projects must demonstrate alignment with one or more NRC Challenge program and may be technical, based on knowledge exchange, or exploratory.

The Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowship may support a specific collaborative project, a knowledge exchange initiative, a novel multidisciplinary collaboration, or other scholarly pursuits that advance knowledge.

Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowships support scholars who are mid- to late-career researchers. Typically, mid-career researchers have completed their PhD no more than 15 years prior, though special circumstances may result in applicants being more or less than 15 years post-PhD. Typically, Late-career researchers are over 15 years past their PhD, and have evidence of active ongoing scholarly research and publications. There is no specific year cut-off for the fellowship; applicants can note how they fit into the mid- to late-career definition in their CV with Candidate Statement as part of the submissions.

The career stage of the Fellow and NRC co-PI do not need to match. The NRC co-PI can be at any career stage. The Fellow should be mid-to-late career, although researchers at earlier career stages may be considered in some cases.

The Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowship provides support to a distinguished scholar, granting them time to pursue a novel project in collaboration with an NRC researcher, leveraging NRC facilities. The funds are intended to cover release time and to support the Fellow and the project.

Release time funding assists the institution with replacement costs of the Fellow while still paying their regular salary and benefits during the fellowship period.

Individual circumstances vary with some Fellows requiring release from teaching workloads and others from administrative workloads, or a mix of both teaching and administration.

Recipient Institutions are responsible for providing a release plan when confirming acceptance of the fellowship. This plan is subject to approval by the National Killam Program Office.

The Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowship is open to individuals who have previously received a Killam Prize or a Dorothy Killam Fellowship (formerly Killam Research Fellowship). Once an individual receives a Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowship, they cannot receive the Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowship again. Once an individual receives a Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowship, they remain eligible for a Dorothy Killam Fellowship and Killam Prize.

For the Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowship, the following are examples of eligible activities for this funding opportunity:

1. Release from teaching and/or administrative duties to pursue collaborative R&D projects and can include planning, research, development, prototype development, feasibility studies, demonstrations and capacity building intended to support research, development, adoption and/or adaptation of innovative or technology-driven new or improved products, services or processes in Canada up to their commercialization; and/or
2. Collaboration and knowledge dissemination activities to pursue projects and initiatives including support for science or innovation-based conferences, workshops, symposia, coordination or other outreach and partnership development activities as well as costs related to the travel to such events by non-government employees

It is possible for the Fellow to hold other grants/awards at the same time. However, if the other grant/award is also intended to cover the applicant's salary in order to grant them release time, it may be incompatible with the Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowship. Please contact the National Killam Program Office to discuss specific cases.

To be eligible for the Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowship, the applicant must be willing and able to travel to an NRC location or locations in Canada to collaborate with the NRC co-PI as required. There is no defined amount of time required for in-person collaboration. The additional funding of up to $50,000 CAD is intended to cover costs related to travel, accommodations, and knowledge dissemination. For full eligibility criteria, please consult the guidelines.

Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellows may complete their Fellowship while on sabbatical provided their institution supports the submission and provides a release plan when confirming acceptance of the fellowship. This plan is subject to approval by the National Killam Program Office.

Those who win Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowships in the 2027 program cycle (apply spring 2026, notified of award early in 2027), typically begin no later than January 1, 2028. This means that when applying for the Fellowship, researchers should have the intention of beginning the fellowship by January 1, 2028. However, we understand that life happens, postponements due to leave are addressed as the situations arise.

Most research organization are eligible for the Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowship. Please note that proposed collaborations and research must align with the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (science.gc.ca)

Former NRC employees are eligible for the Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowship provided they meet all other eligibility criteria and are in alignment with the NRC’s Conflict of Interest Policy.

Projects funded through the Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowship can build upon an existing collaboration, but must be distinct and different from existing work. It is important that the unique aspects of the fellowship project are made clear in the submission. The release time funding is intended to enable the researchers to explore new area of research and/or a new project.

An Expression of Interest is not mandatory. This is a service provided by the National Killam Program Office in the event that a prospective Fellow needs assistance in identifying a potential NRC investigator. Fellowship candidates who are already connected with a potential NRC investigator do not need to complete an Expression of Interest.

Applications to the Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowship are submitted through the portal. Submission materials can come from either of the co-PIs, and their institutional contact. A summary of what is required as part of a submission is below:

• Joint collaborative research abstract: can be uploaded by either co-PI
• Joint project proposal: can be uploaded by either co-PI
• Joint knowledge mobilization plan: can be uploaded by either co-PI
• Joint community research supplement: can be uploaded by either co-PI
• Two letters of support: can be uploaded by either co-PI, or the institutional contacts themselves
• Two CVs with Candidate Statements: Must be uploaded by each co-PI
• Attestations: Must be completed in the portal by each co-PI and each institution contact

The Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowships encourage collaboration using a co-Principal Investigator (co-PI) model. Submissions to the program must propose one co-PI (the Fellow) employed outside of the NRC, and one co-PI (NRC co-PI) employed by the NRC. The co-PI applicants are responsible for submitting the application themselves with support from their institutions in the form of a letter of support and attestation.

Yes, for applications to the Fellowship, the attestation can be completed by a different person than the individual providing the letter of support.

We do not have a list of NRC collaborators. Fellowship candidates who need help connecting with an NRC investigator, can complete an Expression of Interest form and return via email to the National Killam Program Office (NKPO). The NKPO will consult internally and respond to your inquiry within 10 business days. The Expression of Interest form is available beginning on February 20, 2026. Please note that proposed projects must demonstrate alignment with one or more NRC Challenge programs and may be technical, based on knowledge exchange, or exploratory.

The budget component of the Joint Project Proposal is expected to be high-level, following the simple format outlined in the guidelines. The budget should include costs for the Fellowship applicant related to travel, accommodation and knowledge dissemination.

The budget does not count towards the word count of the joint project proposal.

The budget is not formally assessed during the evaluation process. The information is provided for administrative purposes. If successful, Fellows can be asked to submit a more detailed budget that is in accordance with Government of Canada travel and meal allowance rates.

The budget is not formally assessed during the evaluation process. The information is provided for administrative purposes. If successful, Fellows will submit a more detailed budget that is in accordance with Government of Canada travel and meal allowance rates.