Nursing Student Research Opportunities

Find out about the Provost's Postdoctoral Fellows

The Provost's Postdoctoral Fellowship (PPDF) is an excellent opportunity for researchers from underrepresented groups to undertake funded research. This highly competitive fellowship enables postdoctoral researchers to develop their careers.

This University of Toronto-wide award is open to both domestic and international post-graduates who identify as Indigenous to Turtle Island and/or Black. Nominees must demonstrate academic excellence and high potential for success in their chosen fields; have obtained a doctoral degree (normally within the last five years from the start date of funding or at the time the fellowship begins); not have held the PPDF previously; and not concurrently hold another major fellowship.

Full details, including eligibility, selection criteria, and how to apply, can be found here.

Those interested in pursuing a PPDF at the Faculty of Nursing should first identify a faculty member with whom they wish to work.

Bloomberg Nursing provides an annual funding opportunity designed to assist eligible Doctor of Nursing students through the Rosenstadt Doctor of Nursing Thesis Support Grant (to be awarded in the spring). This program supports research undertaken as part of the academic program to qualify for the Doctor of Nursing degree at the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing. It supports some of the data collection costs for students in good standing in the program, who are making timely progress towards their degrees. Students may receive only one DN grant throughout their program of study.

Application Requirements

Funding Available: Each award is valued at up to $1,000. The number of awards per competition may vary.

The Doctor of Nursing Grants program will be administered through the Office of Research & External Relations, LSBFON, using the grant administration guidelines of the federal granting agencies in Canada (https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/InterAgency-Interorganismes/TAFA-AFTO/guide-guide_eng.asp).

For more information, please contact research.nursing@utoronto.ca.

Bloomberg Nursing provides a biannual funding opportunity designed to assist eligible PhD students through the Rosenstadt Doctoral Dissertation program. This program supports research undertaken as part of the academic program to qualify for a Doctor of Philosophy (Nursing) at the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing. The dissertation award supports some of the data collection costs for students in good standing in the program, who are making timely progress towards their degrees. Students may receive only one dissertation grant throughout their program.

Application Requirements

Funding Available: Each award is valued at $1,000. The number of awards per competition may vary. There is generally a competition in the fall and the spring.

Grant Administration Process:

The doctoral research dissertation grants program will be administered through the Office of Research & External Relations, LSBFON, using the grant administration guidelines of the federal granting agencies in Canada.

For more information, please contact research.nursing@utoronto.ca.

External doctoral student funding opportunities

If you belong to any professional association or are employed at a hospital, check their sites for funds available.

PhD students cannot hold funds as an independent researcher at the University – work with your supervisor to identify appropriate opportunities and when your supervisor or committee members should be included as co-principal investigator(s)

Always contact the Research Office (research.nursing@utoronto.ca) to find out about administrative requirements.

Please note: application deadlines and funds available may vary year to year. PhD students may also take advantage of our statistical consulting service and other supports, including budget, grant planning, editing, and CV.

Bloomberg Nursing is the ideal setting for postdoctoral fellows to transition from graduate student studies to independent scholarship. Join our research-intensive environment with world-leading nursing scholars.

Apply to be a Bloomberg Nursing postdoctoral fellow

Applicants who wish to pursue postdoctoral training should contact a faculty members accepting trainees to discuss their interests and work with them to develop an appropriate faculty supervisor/postdoctoral fellow arrangement. Find a faculty member in our searchable directory by research interest.

Once the supervisor/postdoctoral fellow arrangement has been established, the applicant should compile the following items and submit them to Kelly Metcalfe, RN, PhD, FCAHS, FAAN, Associate Dean Research and External Relations, by email (research.nursing@utoronto.ca):

1. Statement of interest, identifying the supervisor, describing planned research projects and training goals, and naming two referees (five-page limit, single spaced)
2. Recent curriculum vitae (no page limit)
3. Letter from potential Bloomberg Nursing postdoctoral supervisor describing training plans, funding source and amount (two-page limit, single spaced)
4. Secure at least $50,000 per year (Employee Postdoc minimum effective March 15, 2024). The Fellow can secure funding from external granting agencies (government, health organization, etc.) or fellowship programs, or may be offered funding from their faculty supervisor’s grant or research resources, in the form of a salary. Possible sources for securing funding are listed in the postdoctoral funding section of the Awards & Financial Assistance table. Postdoctoral fellows cannot be a postdoc at U of T on their personal funds.

Postdoctoral fellows at Bloomberg Nursing are subject to the policies and procedures for postdoctoral fellows of the University of Toronto.

Postdoctoral fellows at the University of Toronto are represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (Local 3902, Unit 5).

Important Details

CUPE 3902 Unit 5

Postdoctoral Fellows and their contracts

Pay and Benefits

The Rosenstadt Research Development Program at Bloomberg Nursing is a unique opportunity for undergraduate and graduate (MN) nursing students to be exposed to nursing research during the academic year - and be paid for it. The program is linked with the University of Toronto’s work-study program.

Overview

Nursing students are embedded within a faculty member's program of research from September to March and participate in formalized research development sessions. Attendance at all sessions earns students a certificate of Completion to add to their Learning Portfolio. Sessions are held in-person and/or virtually over lunch and are considered paid time. This is a part-time research opportunity: accepted students work roughly 10-12 hours per week over the program duration. Rate is $20.80 / hour.

Planned research development sessions*:

• Welcome to the RRDP: Orientation and meet your fellow students
• How to conduct a literature search
• Writing for publication/presentation
• The path to a PhD/DN

*Topics may vary year to year

Student Eligibility: The student must be enrolled for the fall and winter term in either the BScN Program (Year One or Two), or the Master of Nursing Program. PhD students are not eligible for the RDDP. The student must be enrolled in at least a 40% course load continuously from September to April, totalling at least 2.0 credits (minimum would be 0.5 credits in one session and 1.5 credits in the other). International undergraduate and graduate students studying on a full-time basis continuously from September to April, subject to federal government requirements (see Government of Canada website for rules and regulations) are eligible. Students may only accept one position.

Sessional Dates

The 2025-2026 RRDP program is now closed for applications. Check back in this space for applications for the 2026-2027 program in early August 2026. And check out our Work Study Program - summer applications will open in early April 2026.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the University of Toronto’s Work Study Program (https://clnx.utoronto.ca/students/overview.htm). Log into this portal and search for the position number(s) you are interested in (see below for position numbers, in bold) or click on the position link. Submit your application.  Applications sent to the research office or to individual faculty members will not be accepted.

For more information, please contact research.nursing@utoronto.ca.

What did our students say about the program?

"Being a part of the Rosenstadt Research Development Program was a wonderful experience and I would encourage all students to apply. The program allowed me to gain tangible research skills, such as conducting effective literature reviews as well as explore new topics in nursing and my career directions. The program challenged me to think about problems differently and I found myself applying these skills in course work, practice, and beyond." Larkin Davenport Huyer, BScN Student