The Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities has announced the launch of Round 18 of the Early Researcher Awards. The Early Researcher Award (ERA) program helps promising, recently-appointed Ontario researchers build their research teams of undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, research assistants, associates, and technicians. The goal of the program is to improve Ontario’s ability to attract and retain the best and brightest research talent. The program is open to researchers in all disciplines.
Amount: Each award is a maximum of $100,000 and must be matched by an additional $50,000 from the researcher’s institution and/or partner organization. Contact your ADR for assistance with matching funds.
| Important Dates | Required Steps |
| Internal: Thursday, May 23, 2024 | Attend Western Research’s Information Session and signup for their internal ERA Communications list |
| Internal: Friday, May 24, 2024 | Submission of referee names to the Institutional Research Programs Team (irp@uwo.ca) for support with securing letters Must include two arm’s length referees and one non-arm’s length referee (e.g., former supervisor, collaborator) |
| Internal: Friday, June 14, 2024 | Submission of draft proposal and application form to Institutional Research Programs Team for content review and feedback |
| Internal: Friday, July 15, 2024 | Submission of final proposal, including all attachments and referee letters, for institutional review and signature Submission of ROLA proposal |
| External: Thursday, July 25, 2024 | Submission of proposals to Ministry by Institutional Research Programs Team |
Eligibility: In order to be eligible to apply, you must have received your first PhD, MD, or terminal degree on or after January 1, 2013, and have started your independent academic career on or after January 1, 2018. Eligible interruptions, such as parental/maternity leaves, mandatory training (e.g., medical training and fellowships), institution-approved medical leave, and certain international advance degree interruptions are taken into consideration by review panels when determining applicant eligibility. If you have questions regarding your eligibility, contact the Institutional Research Programs team at irp@uwo.ca
Applications and more information: Western’s information for the ERA program, along with copies of the application form and program guidelines, can be found on the Western Research website. Also see the Ministry ERA website.
If you plan to apply contact irp@uwo.ca as early as possible so that they can include you in important program-related communications and updates. Please also contact your ADR.
Questions: irp@uwo.ca
Ministry Information sessions:
- Wednesday, May 15, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET
Register for session 1 - Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 1 to 2 p.m. ET
Register for session 2 - Tuesday, May 21, 2024, from 2 to 3 p.m. ET
Register for session 3
