Canada’s Best: an ambitious postdoctoral fellowship program powered by philanthropy

Thanks to the generous support of the MUHC’s affiliated foundations, The Institute launches a competitive and sustainable fellowship program to attract the next generation of world-leading researchers.
 

The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (The Institute) is proud to announce the launch of Canada’s Best, an ambitious postdoctoral fellowship program designed to attract young researchers of exceptional calibre, from Canada and around the world, to the largest hospital-based research centre in Québec and one of the most productive in the country.

This major initiative represents an initial investment of $20 million, including $14 million in philanthropic support. Made possible through a collaboration between The Institute, the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and its four foundations—the MUHC Foundation, the Montreal General Hospital Foundation, the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Cedars Cancer Foundation—it will help strengthen Québec’s position as a leading force in biomedical research, both within Canada and internationally.

Through this initiative, The Institute plans to recruit up to 100 exceptional young researchers over the coming years, significantly increasing its scientific output and discovery potential. Postdoctoral fellows will work alongside leading scientists across disciplines, access highly specialized research platforms and benefit from a uniquely collaborative culture that bridges discovery and clinical care in pediatric and adult settings.

Candidates will be selected through a rigorous evaluation process, ensuring the excellence of both the proposed projects and the researchers chosen, as well as their alignment with The Institute’s strategic vision—advancing precision health throughout the life course.

Postdoctoral fellows are the driving force behind our research programs: they do more than support discovery—they propel it forward. Through philanthropy and the Canada’s Best program, we are investing in the next generation of scientific leaders and bringing The Institute’s Vision 2030 to life by accelerating advancements in precision care and treatments tailored to each individual and grounded in the latest scientific discoveries.

—Dr. Rhian Touyz, Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

Canada’s Best isn’t limited to training scientists. It’s about positioning Québec and Canada as a hub to attract and retain the next generation of the world’s brightest minds. Above all, it’s about transforming lives, transforming research, transforming patient care—everywhere in the world.

—Dr. Lucie Opatrny, President and Executive Director, McGill University Health Centre

Up to four years of support to propel careers and discovery

Postdoctoral training is a pivotal stage in a researcher’s career: it is during this period that scientists define their trajectory, tackle major research questions and lay the groundwork for high-impact work.

To fully support this crucial stage, Canada’s Best will provide stable funding for up to four years—longer than most postdoctoral programs—giving researchers the stability they need to pursue ambitious work and accelerate their transition to scientific independence.

Attracting, training and retaining top talent is at the heart of Québec’s scientific strategy. A unique program like Canada’s Best sends a clear message: here, researchers can develop ambitious ideas and fully realize their potential in an exceptional environment at the intersection of research and clinical care. This program illustrates the strength of collaboration between research institutions, foundations and public partners to accelerate innovation and address the major health challenges we face.

—Rémi Quirion, Chief Scientist of Québec

A robust and innovative funding model

The new fellowship program is built on a novel and sustainable funding model, in which the partner foundations will cover 70 per cent of postdoctoral fellows’ stipends, while principal investigators (PIs) will contribute the remaining 30 per cent. This cost-sharing approach will maximize the number of researchers supported while ensuring a strong commitment from supervisors.
 

Each fellow will receive a competitive annual stipend as well as a dedicated budget for research expenses, supplies, travel and training. Participants will also benefit from structured mentorship and career development support, further enriching their experience.

The Institute and the MUHC wish to recognize and thank its four foundations for joining forces and galvanizing their donor community around this transformative initiative in support of health research across the lifespan. They also wish to highlight the essential role of McGill University, their academic partner in research and teaching. Together, these collaborations will bolster the leadership of Québec and Canada on the global stage of biomedical research.

The MUHC Foundation is proud to support Canada’s Best, an impactful initiative that empowers world-class researchers with the resources to truly innovate. This collaboration is a transformative step in bringing together the right expertise and funding to accelerate medical breakthroughs at the MUHC. It underscores the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to advancing discoveries in Quebec and beyond, by attracting and nurturing global talent, ensuring that the next generation of health care is shaped by the brightest minds.

—Marie-Hélène Laramée, President and Chief Executive Officer, MUHC Foundation

The Montreal General Hospital Foundation is proud to support Canada’s Best, a landmark collaboration in healthcare philanthropy that represents what we can achieve when foundations, medical leaders, and research institutions come together around a shared ambition. This groundbreaking initiative closely aligns with our mission; to inspire philanthropy in support of transformative initiatives that meaningfully improve patients’ lives. By helping attract exceptional researchers and empowering them to advance their work here, we continue to build on the pioneering legacy of the Montreal General Hospital while driving lasting impact for patients today and in the future.

—Brian Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Montreal General Hospital Foundation

At The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation, we’re proud to support bold pediatric research that can transform care. Children make up one-fifth of Canada’s population but receive only a fraction of health research funding. Thanks to our donors, we’re working to close that gap and build a healthier future for Quebec’s children and teens—while contributing to discoveries that can improve the lives of children everywhere.

—Renée Vézina, President, Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation

Supporting excellence and innovation in oncology research and training is an integral part of our mission. That’s why the Cedars Cancer Foundation is proud to participate in Canada’s Best. Fellowship programs are a vital investment in the future of cancer research and care. They fuel discoveries that will lead to better diagnostic tools and treatments and, ultimately, to better patient experiences and outcomes.

—Jeff J. Shamie, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cedars Cancer Foundation

Media contact
Fabienne Landry
Communications coordinator, Research, MUHC
[email protected]