Distinguished Visiting Fellowships and Postdoctoral Fellowships

The Jackman Humanities Institute (JHI) invites applications for two postdoctoral fellows in 2027-28.

Fellows will be in residence at the JHI from July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2028, joining an intellectual community that also includes faculty researchers, distinguished visiting fellows, graduate and undergraduate students. Fellows are expected to reside in Toronto and contribute to the JHI’s programming and activities.

This is an open call for scholars in the humanities or qualitative social sciences.

Eligibility

• Open to applicants who hold a doctoral degree in a humanities or humanistic social science discipline, earned between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2027
• The JHI interprets “Humanities” as a broad category, including political theory, interpretive social sciences, music, and the arts
• If you will be enrolled as a full or part-time student during any part of the fellowship period, you are not eligible to apply
• If you hold a tenure-track appointment at a degree-granting university, you are not eligible to apply
• Doctoral candidates and graduates of the University of Toronto are eligible to apply
• The JHI Postdoctoral Fellowship is open to citizens of all countries

Funding and Benefits

The postdoctoral fellowship is an award of $75,000 CAD plus benefits.
The JHI will provide:
• Membership in the year’s Circle of Fellows
• 24/7 use of a dedicated office as well the JHI’s meeting spaces and office facilities
• University of Toronto Library access
• Faculty mentoring
• Administrative support
• Note: Financial support for moving expenses is not provided

Responsibilities and Expectations

As a residential fellow, the JHI Postdoctoral fellows will

• Relocate to a dedicated office at the JHI for the fellowship period
• Work at the JHI during the period of fellowship activity (early September until the end of April); the office is yours from July 1, 2027 until June 30, 2028, but you are not required to be in Toronto during the summer months.
• Contribute to JHI events, including the weekly Circle of Fellows Seminar, workshops, lectures, and public events
• Present your research at the weekly Circle of Fellows seminar
• Produce a brief report summarizing your fellowship research by the end of May 2028, for inclusion in JHI’s Annual Report
Teaching is not a component of this fellowship, but the incumbent may apply for sessional positions in their home disciplines as available.
Engagement as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto is covered by the terms of the CUPE 3902 Unit 5 Collective Agreement.

Application Components

All applicants must complete the online application form and upload the following documents as a single PDF:
• Project proposal: 4-6 pages
• Curriculum Vitae
• Writing sample: published, peer-reviewed academic article preferred; alternatively, a dissertation chapter or non-peer-reviewed article may be provided
You will be asked to provide information for external referees: two names with email addresses.. Your referees will receive an emailed request for a letter of reference as soon as you submit your application. Please ensure that they are aware of your application and that they should expect a request to provide a letter of reference. Letters of reference are due Tuesday, November 17, 2026, three weeks after the application deadline (Tuesday, October 27, 2026).

You will also be asked to provide a biography and project summary (maximum 100 words each). If you are selected for a fellowship, these texts will be used for publicity and reporting.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated by an adjudication committee based on the:
• Promise and demonstrated excellence in research and scholarship
• Originality, creativity, and scholarly merit of the proposed research
• Capacity to engage in intellectual exchange beyond one’s own discipline

Important Dates

• Applications can be submitted as of Tuesday, August 18, 2026
• Application deadline: Tuesday October 27, 2026 at 4:00pm
• Reference letter deadline: Tuesday November 17, 2026 at 4:00pm
• Results: early January 2027
• Fellowship Period: July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2028
Contacts and Additional Resources
• Please see our FAQs below
• Questions about this fellowship opportunity? Contact Kimberley Yates, JHI Associate Director
• Technical questions about the application form or process? Contact Sonja Johnston, JHI Communications Officer

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility

I intend to defend my thesis before July 1, 2027, but I am not sure whether my graduation will be in June 2027 or Fall 2027. Am I still eligible?

Yes. However, if you receive this fellowship, the offer will be contingent on you defending your dissertation before July 1, 2027 and providing a letter from your institution confirming that you have done so.

I graduated from my doctoral program in June 2024. Am I eligible to apply?

No. Applicants who graduated before July 1, 2024 are not eligible. This fellowship has a three-year eligibility window that is calculated from the fellowship start date, which is July 1, 2027.

Funding and Benefits

How will the JHI support me if my application is successful?

• $75,000 CAD award plus benefits
• 24/7 use of a dedicated office on the 10th floor of the Jackman Humanities Building with access to the JHI’s meeting spaces and office facilities
• Membership in the intellectual community of the JHI’s Circle of Fellows
• The opportunity to present your research to the Circle of Fellows and engage with the research of other members of the Circle
• The opportunity to propose events during the year, which, if the proposal is accepted, the JHI will support
• Full access to the University of Toronto Libraries system

Is any funding beyond the award for this position available for travel, moving expenses, or research?

The JHI provides $75,000 CAD plus benefits to successful applicants for these fellowships. All costs beyond that, associated with the fellowship, are the responsibility of the individual fellows. You are welcome to apply for up to two one-semester courses of sessional teaching in any unit appropriate to your field of doctoral study. Sessional job postings will appear on the CUPE 3902 (Unit 3) Opportunities web page. Your teaching schedule cannot conflict with your responsibilities at the JHI, including the weekly Circle of Fellows Seminar (which meets midday, Thursdays).

Can the JHI assist me with applying for my Visa or Work Permit?

No. For applicants who are not Canadian citizens, it is your responsibility to apply for the documents you will require to enter and reside in Canada in a timely manner. You will require a work permit in order to receive the payment of this award.

Responsibilities and Expectations

What are my obligations to the JHI if my application is successful?

During September 1, 2027 to April 30, 2028 you will:
• Work from your JHI office and live in the Greater Toronto Area
• Attend the weekly Circle of Fellows Seminar on Thursdays, 12-2 pm
• Contribute to the JHI’s programming

At the end of your fellowship year, you will submit a report on your fellowship experiences and accomplishments.

May I postpone my fellowship?

No

.
Application Components

Should I propose a project already in progress, or come up with a new idea?

You are welcome to propose any project, existing or new.

Is there a standard template for the curriculum vitae?

No. Please provide your current full-length academic CV.

Is there a required/preferred format for the upload document in my application?

Required: your documents must be formatted as a single pdf file. Preferred: 12-point type and 1-inch margins; 1.5 or double-spaced.

Suggested guidelines:l

May I postpone my fellowship?

No

.
Application Components

Should I propose a project already in progress, or come up with a new idea?

You are welcome to propose any project, existing or new.

Is there a standard template for the curriculum vitae?

No. Please provide your current full-length academic CV.

Is there a required/preferred format for the upload document in my application?

Required: your documents must be formatted as a single pdf file. Preferred: 12-point type and 1-inch margins; 1.5 or double-spaced.

Suggested guidelines:

• Project Proposal (4-6 pages): Explain what you would like to accomplish while holding this fellowship. Tell us about your anticipated goals and timeline for this project, and about the methodology that you will use. You can propose developing a doctoral thesis into a book.

• CV: Please include all publications (both peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed), research presentations, and relevant public writing

.
• Writing Sample (length varies with content): This could be a published article, a chapter from your thesis, or an example of public writing.

You will also be asked for a short biography and project summary (maximum 100 words each). If you are selected, these texts will be used for publicity purposes.

What is the difference between the project proposal and the project summary?

The proposal is the primary document of your application. It outlines what you plan to research and how you will do that. It explains why and how this research reflects the criteria for the fellowship. The description is a synopsis; if your application is successful, it will be used for publicity and announcements.

May I provide all or part of my application in a language other than English?

Application materials will be considered in English or French

Can I correct an error in my application before I submit it?

Yes. Until the application deadline has passed, you can choose to SAVE your application. You will be given a code for re-entry. Record this code and use it to go back into your application. If you upload a second copy of your application document, the first version will be deleted. When you are satisfied with your application, choose SUBMIT. After you have submitted your application, you will not be able to re-enter.

Selection Process

How many fellows are normally selected in each competition?

The JHI selects two 12-month postdoctoral fellows in each competition

Who is on the selection committee?

The identity of selection committee members and the process of selection are confidential but involve consultation with members of the JHI Advisory Board and incoming faculty research fellows. The selection committee is chaired by the Director of the Jackman Humanities Institute. Selection committee members are chosen by the Director.

Can I get some feedback on my application if I didn’t receive the award?

No. We recommend that you consult with JHI Associate Director, Dr. Kimberley Yates for assistance with your application well before the deadline

Application Timeline

When is the deadline for this application?

Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at 4:00 pm

When will I know the results of my application?

By early January 2027

Contact and Additional Resources

Who can I contact if I have any other questions about the fellowship?

Email Kimberley Yates, JHI Associate Director

Who can I contact for technical support?

Email Sonja Johnston, JHI Communications Officer