IDRC 2023 John G. Bene Fellowship for Researchers

IDRC has helped graduate students undertake thesis research in the field of international development since 1982. The Bene fellowship, a bequest from the estate of John G. Bene, is offered annually to Canadians and permanent residents of Canada pursuing master’s or doctoral studies at a Canadian university. Candidates should have an academic background that combines an interest in forests with social sciences (e.g., forestry/agroforestry/natural resources management/environmental sciences/climate science).

We offer this fellowship to facilitate field research on the relationship between forest resources and the social, economic, cultural, and environmental welfare of people in developing countries, particularly in the face of changing climate conditions. The successful candidate will propose research that benefits less privileged people in developing countries, aiming to increase the resilience of individuals and forest communities facing difficult contexts and challenges. Note that work focused on genomics and/or genetic modification is not eligible.

• Table of Content
• About International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
• John G. Bene Fellowship
• Aim and Benefits of John G. Bene Fellowship
• Requirements for John G. Bene Fellowship 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

John G. Bene Fellowship

Aim and Benefits of John G. Bene Fellowship

One award of a maximum of CA$23,000

Requirements for John G. Bene Fellowship Qualification

This call is open to Canadians and permanent residents of Canada pursuing master’s or doctoral studies at a Canadian university. The award under this call will cover costs of field research conducted for a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation in one or more countries of the Global South.

Who can apply: Candidates must meet the following requirements to be eligible:

• you must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
• you must be enrolled at a Canadian university at the master’s or doctoral level (you must have completed several courses of the program, but not necessarily all courses, when you submit your application);
• you must have an academic background that combines an interest in forests with social sciences. Applicants from interdisciplinary programs are eligible, provided their programs contain the specified elements;
• your research proposal must be approved by your thesis supervisor and you must provide proof;
• your proposed field of research must be conducted for a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation and must take place in one or more developing countries (see exceptions below);
• you must provide evidence of affiliation with an institution or organization in the developing region(s) in which the research will take place;
• doctoral students must have completed coursework and passed comprehensive exams before taking up the award; and
• you may not be in receipt of two or more active IDRC awards at the same time, which includes the IDRC Research Awards. No time overlaps will be permitted. If you are in receipt of IDRC funds from another source (e.g. a Queen Elizabeth Advanced Scholars award or through a professor’s IDRC research grant) for activities that will still be active when and if you take up the John G. Bene Fellowship, you will be asked to demonstrate how funds from each are not being used towards the same objective.

Additional eligibility requirements

If you are selected for an award, you have up to 12 months from the date of the final selection to start your field research.

You must plan to spend a minimum of 10 consecutive weeks in the field when your research involves one or more countries in one region. The regions are: Middle East, North Africa, West Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Far Eastern Asia, Caribbean, Central America, South America, Oceania.

When your research involves more than one region, you must plan to spend a minimum of five consecutive weeks in the field in each region.

This award will cover research costs for a maximum of 12 months in the field. If your field research exceeds 12 months, you must cover additional costs from another source of funding.

It will be your responsibility to ensure that you follow all Government of Canada travel advisories when applying, when planning your field research trip, and while in the field. IDRC will reject any application that proposes travel to a country or region for which there is an advisory to “Avoid all travel” at the time of application.

If you are selected and an advisory to “Avoid all travel” is introduced for the country or region of research, you will be required to follow the advisory even after a contract is signed.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit IDRC website.