TORONTO METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY (BRIDGING DIVIDES PROGRAM)
Future Leaders Fellowship at Toronto Metropolitan University
partial · phd
- Up to ~CAD 18,000 (€12,000 est.)Total support
- CAD 5,000 stipend (2 instalments)Stipend
- 1-year fellowshipDuration
- 4 thematic research groupsResearch focus
- 5-day visit to TMU TorontoIn-person component
- All nationalitiesOpen globally
At a glance
partial
Funding
€12k
Max amount
Jun 1, 2027
Deadline
All countries (international applicants)
Country
Toronto Metropolitan University (Bridging Divides Program)
Provider
The Future Leaders Fellowship at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) in Canada is a one-year research fellowship within the university's Bridging Divides Program, which advances research on immigrant integration and digital technologies. It is open to senior PhD candidates and early-career postdoctoral scholars worldwide and runs primarily remotely from the fellow's home institution, with an initial 5-day visit to TMU in Toronto. Selected fellows receive up to 18,000 CAD (roughly €12,000 (est.)) in support, made up of a 5,000 CAD stipend paid in two instalments, travel costs for the 5-day Toronto visit, conference participation expenses including airfare, accommodation, meals, and registration, and open-access publication fees for peer-reviewed articles. Over the year, fellows collaborate with senior TMU mentors, work within one of 4 thematic research groups, present findings at an international conference, and produce a peer-reviewed journal article. The 4 research areas are immigrant health and wellbeing, employment and lifelong learning, place and infrastructure, and citizenship and participation. Eligibility is open to all nationalities, for senior PhD candidates with a completed first dissertation draft or postdocs within five years of their PhD, who are affiliated with a recognised institution and work at the intersection of migration and digital technologies. Because the award value, number of fellowships, and the closing date are set each cycle, confirm the current 2026 details and deadline on the official TMU Bridging Divides page before you apply.
What's covered
- Research stipend — A stipend of CAD 5,000 (about €3,400 (est.)) paid in two instalments over the fellowship year.
- Travel to TMU — Travel costs for the initial 5-day visit to Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto.
- Conference participation — Conference participation expenses including airfare, accommodation, meals, and registration to present the research findings.
- Open-access publication fees — Open-access publication fees for the peer-reviewed journal article produced during the fellowship.
- Mentorship — Ongoing support and mentorship from an experienced senior TMU researcher throughout the year; the total package is worth up to CAD 18,000 (about €12,000 (est.)).
How to apply
Applications are submitted to TMU's Bridging Divides Program and must include a tightly structured set of documents aligned with one of the four research themes.
- Identify a research theme and mentor — Choose one of the four Bridging Divides themes that fits your work and identify a preferred TMU mentor to name in your proposal.
- Prepare your proposal and CV — Write a two-page research proposal aligned with your chosen theme and prepare a four-page CV and a one-page cover letter.
- Secure a reference — Arrange one academic or professional reference letter to support your application.
- Submit your complete application — Submit the cover letter, research proposal, CV, and reference letter by the deadline around 1 June 2026 (est.); incomplete applications are not considered.
- Await the results — Wait for the notification of results around 1 July 2026; successful fellows begin in September 2026 or January 2027.
Eligibility
NationalityOpen to applicants of all nationalities; there is no country restriction.
Career stageMust be a senior PhD candidate with a completed first draft of the dissertation, or a postdoctoral scholar within five years of completing the PhD.
Institutional affiliationMust be affiliated with a recognised academic institution.
Research focusMust have research interests at the intersection of migration and digital technologies, such as digital equity, civic technology, or smart infrastructure.
The fellowship is a one-year research programme, not a degree. It is delivered primarily remotely from the fellow's home institution, with an initial 5-day visit to TMU. Incomplete applications are not considered.
Eligible countries
All countries (international applicants)
Deadlines
2026/2027 fellowship year~1 June 2026 (est.)
Selection
Toronto Metropolitan University assesses applications on the strength of the research proposal, its fit with one of the four Bridging Divides themes, the candidate's CV, and the named preferred mentor. Senior PhD candidates with a completed first draft of their dissertation and postdocs within five years of their PhD who work at the intersection of migration and digital technologies are favoured. Only complete applications are reviewed, and results are notified around 1 July 2026.
Verified sources
- Toronto Metropolitan University - Bridging Dividestorontomu.caofficial
About the provider
Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), formerly Ryerson University, is a public research university in Toronto, Canada. Its Bridging Divides Program is a major research initiative focused on immigrant integration and digital technologies, and the Future Leaders Fellowship supports early-career researchers working at the intersection of migration and technology with mentorship, funding, and publication support.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the Future Leaders Fellowship at TMU?
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Applicants of all nationalities who are senior PhD candidates with a completed first dissertation draft, or postdoctoral scholars within five years of completing their PhD, working on migration and digital technologies.
What does the fellowship provide?
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Up to CAD 18,000 (about €12,000 (est.)), including a CAD 5,000 stipend, travel for a 5-day TMU visit, conference expenses, and open-access publication fees.
Is this a degree programme?
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No; it is a one-year research fellowship, not a degree, delivered primarily remotely with an initial visit to Toronto.
How long is the fellowship?
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It runs for one year, starting in September 2026 or January 2027.
What are the research themes?
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Immigrant health and wellbeing; employment and lifelong learning; place and infrastructure; and citizenship and participation.
Do I need to travel to Canada?
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Yes; the fellowship includes an initial 5-day visit to TMU in Toronto, with travel costs covered, but the rest is primarily remote.
What do fellows produce?
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Fellows present findings at an international conference and produce a peer-reviewed journal article during the year.
How is the stipend paid?
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The CAD 5,000 stipend is paid in two instalments over the fellowship year.
What documents do I need to apply?
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A one-page cover letter, a two-page research proposal naming a preferred TMU mentor, a four-page CV, and one reference letter.
What happens if my application is incomplete?
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Incomplete applications are not considered, so make sure every required document is included.
When is the deadline?
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Applications are due around 1 June 2026 (est.), with results notified around 1 July 2026; confirm exact dates officially.
Where can I verify the latest details?
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On the official TMU Bridging Divides Program pages linked in the sources section.