Funded Fellowship in Canada 2027 Worth Up to CAD 60,000

McMaster University invites current graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and recent graduate alumni to apply for the John Whelen Family Innovation Advancement Fellowship, a funded opportunity to work with a startup using McMaster ideas or research. Fellows work with a participating company for four to twelve months, while the stated award support totals $45,000 to $60,000 over 12 months, depending on academic level and the applicable funding model. Applications are due by 11:59 PM on December 13, 2026.

About the McMaster Whelen Innovation Fellowship

The fellowship connects graduate-level talent with startups seeking to develop McMaster innovations into real-world applications. Eligible participating companies include those that have received investment from the McMaster Seed Fund and other startups using McMaster-based research or ideas that have secured early seed funding from other sources. Startups must also be vetted and approved by the Office of the Vice-President, Research.

The fellowship is awarded through a competitive application process. Recipient selection is managed by the Executive Director of the McMaster Industry Liaison Office (MILO) and the Associate Director, New Ventures, in consultation with the McMaster Seed Fund investment committee. Funding includes a $15,000 base award, a contribution from the participating startup, and matching funding through Mitacs under the applicable model, such as Mitacs Accelerate or BSI.

During the work term, fellows complete a tailored entrepreneurship training program. Depending on the agreed plan, this may include workshops, learning modules, or mentorship through partners such as the Forge, Innovation Factory, the Clinic, or Lab2Market. The fellow’s supervisor, the startup, and the accelerator partner agree on the training components together. Startup work plans are expected to define goals and milestones, and the company is expected to assign a dedicated supervisor and support training and mentorship participation.

Past fellowship projects have included work on medical imaging technology, wearable rehabilitation technologies, and a pre-clinical pipeline related to precision medicine. These examples illustrate the range of past startup collaborations; they are not stated as required fields for applicants. Applicants interested in similar research and professional funding can explore other fellowship opportunities and browse opportunities for youth across different fields.

Who Should Apply

This opportunity is for current McMaster master’s or PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and people who completed a master’s or PhD within the past 12 months. Applicants may come from any academic discipline. The fellowship is particularly suited to candidates who want to explore innovation and commercialization, bring relevant technical skills to a startup, and are ready to contribute in a fast-paced environment. Communication, teamwork, organization, and willingness to take part in training and mentorship are also valued.

Key Highlights

• Work term of four to twelve months with a participating startup.
• $45,000 to $60,000 in stated support over 12 months, depending on academic level and the applicable funding model.
• Funding components include a $15,000 base award, startup contribution, and Mitacs matching funding.
• Entrepreneurship training may include workshops, modules, or mentorship.
• Deadline: December 13, 2026, at 11:59 PM.