John G. Bene Fellowship 2026 : Bourse de recherche IDRC – 26 octobre 2026

Contexte

The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is inviting applications for the John G. Bene Fellowship 2026, a research funding opportunity supporting graduate students conducting fieldwork on forest restoration, climate resilience, biodiversity and sustainable food systems in developing countries.

The fellowship offers up to 10 awards, each worth a maximum of CA$30,000, to support eligible master’s and doctoral students undertaking research that addresses environmental challenges while promoting inclusive and community-led development. Applications are open until 30 November 2026. However, the opportunity is specifically available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents enrolled in master’s or doctoral programmes at Canadian universities. Applicants from developing countries who do not meet these citizenship and residency requirements are not eligible.

The John G. Bene Fellowship is offered by IDRC through the Bene Endowment Fund and IDRC funding. It supports practical field research that contributes to international development, particularly in the areas of forest and landscape management, ecological restoration, food systems and climate resilience.

The 2026 call focuses on strengthening inclusive, community-led nature-based solutions for forest restoration and food system transformation. It encourages research that connects environmental sustainability with social inclusion, recognising the importance of local communities in developing solutions to environmental challenges.

Research may examine issues such as forest restoration, agroforestry, biodiversity conservation, Indigenous knowledge, environmental governance, gender inclusion and the resilience of smallholder farming communities.

The programme places particular emphasis on research that benefits less privileged communities in developing countries, including women, young people and Indigenous communities.

Missions et responsabilités

• Conduct practical fieldwork in one or more developing countries supporting master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation.
• Collect field data and samples, conduct interviews and surveys, and organise focus groups or workshops.
• Examine issues such as forest restoration, agroforestry, biodiversity conservation, Indigenous knowledge, environmental governance, gender inclusion and the resilience of smallholder farming communities.
• Contribute to international development through practical field research in forest and landscape management, ecological restoration, food systems and climate resilience.
• Align research proposals with IDRC’s REVIVE Initiative focusing on post-fire forest and landscape restoration and food system transformation where applicable.

Profil recherché

• Be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada.
• Be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral programme at a Canadian university.
• Have completed some coursework in their current programme before applying.
• Have an academic background relevant to forests, climate resilience, biodiversity, ecology or food systems, including suitable interdisciplinary programmes.
• Propose field research that contributes to their master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation.
• Obtain approval of their research proposal from their thesis supervisor.
• Demonstrate affiliation with an institution or organisation in the country where the fieldwork will take place.
• Doctoral applicants must also have completed their coursework and passed their comprehensive examinations before taking up the award.
• Propose research taking place in an eligible developing country (excluding locations subject to Canadian government advisories against all travel).
• Research focused on genomics or genetic modification is not eligible under this call.

Conditions et avantages

• Successful applicants can receive a maximum award of CA$30,000 to cover eligible field research expenses for their master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation.
• Number of awards: Up to 10.
• Research duration: Field research funding can cover a maximum of 12 months.
• Research location: One or more eligible developing countries in the Global South.
• Eligible study levels: Master’s and doctoral programmes.
• Funding providers: Bene Endowment Fund and IDRC.
• The award is a field research grant, not a general scholarship and cannot be used to pay university tuition fees.

Dossier de candidature

• A research proposal of 20–25 pages, excluding the bibliography, written in English or French.
• A letter confirming affiliation with an institution or organisation in the proposed research country.
• A letter of approval from the research supervisor.
• Official transcripts from the most recently completed degree and the current programme.
• Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency.
• A completed online application form, including the proposed budget.
• Two online academic recommendations, one of which must come from the research supervisor.

Comment postuler

Applicants must submit a complete online application through IDRC’s SurveyMonkey Apply platform.

Application deadline: 30 November 2026, at 23:59 Eastern Time, according to the main announcement (detailed application instructions specify an earlier submission cut-off of 16:00 Eastern Daylight Time on the deadline date).

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For questions, contact [email protected].