Visiting Fellowship Program
This program provides a forum for scholarly knowledge exchange and collaboration among research colleagues, with the intent of producing a research outcome that positively impacts how we use and manage the ocean.
There are two ways researchers take part in the OFI Visiting Fellows program: the Visiting International Fellowship (VIF), and the Canadian-International Visiting Fellowship (CIVF).
VIF will be awarded to highly-qualified researchers who intend to conduct innovative, full-time, interdisciplinary and collaborative research. Successful candidates will spend their research stay at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia or at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
OFI’s CIVF will be awarded to highly qualified researchers from an OFI lead institution at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia or at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland, who intend to conduct innovative, full-time, interdisciplinary and collaborative research aligned with OFI’s strategic objectives at one of OFI's eight international partners. This program supports both the continuation of research within ongoing research priority areas and/or the development of new, complementary ocean initiatives aligned with OFI’s research priorities.
For the incoming VIF, OFI seeks applications from researchers who hold a PhD from a recognized university. Preference will be given to advanced doctoral students, early-career postdoctoral researchers, faculty members, and independent scholars. Applications will be considered from candidates currently enrolled in a doctoral program. However, applicants are expected to complete all the requirements of their PhD degree (including thesis defense) within one year of submitting the application.
The OFI will accept applications for the incoming fellowship from the following:
Researchers who have participated in OFI's International Postdoctoral Fellowship Program within the last two years are not eligible.
For the outgoing CIVF, the OFI seeks applications from highly qualified researchers, who hold a Ph.D. and are based at an OFI lead institution (Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia or Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland). Applicants who intend to visit and conduct research at one of the OFI's eight international partners will be given priority. Applications will be accepted from advanced doctoral students, early-career postdoctoral researchers, faculty members, independent scholars, and senior staff/technicians. Applications will be considered, on a case by case basis. Your application will be considered if you are currently enrolled in a doctoral/postgraduate program at a lead OFI University. However, you must expect to complete all the requirements of your Ph.D. degree (including the thesis defense) within one year from submitting your application, and you must demonstrate that your research has advanced to the point that a visit will be highly productive. A researcher who is currently taking part or has taken part in the OFI Postdoctoral Fellowship Program within the last two years, is not eligible to apply.
The OFI will accept applications for the outgoing fellowship from the following:
The Fellowships will be awarded for a minimum of two weeks to a maximum of four months (120 days). The OFI will pay for one round-trip economy class airline ticket to/from Halifax or St. John’s from/to the international city. In addition, up to $4,000 CDN per month will be provided to help cover local travel, accommodation, living (e.g. health insurance) and other incidental expenses. Working space at OFI-Dalhousie and Memorial will be equipped with wireless internet access and there will be reasonable access to printing and photocopy machines. Fellows should bring their own laptops. International hosts are expected to provide working space for fellows at those institutions. The OFI does not provide Fellows with a research allowance and fellowships are not renewable. Note that the appointment as an OFI Fellow does not constitute an employment contract.
Fellows are expected to participate in research life by providing at least one presentation of their research through an undergraduate seminar or public lecture. Fellows are required to acknowledge OFI in all publications arising from the Fellowship and to notify OFI of any scholarly articles or books published, including media interviews
As an aid to evaluating the benefits of the International Fellowship Program, all participants must provide a final report outlining their research outcomes, including how it supported OFI's research priorities. The report shall be submitted to ofi@dal.ca within three months of the term being completed. A template will be provided.
OFI anticipates awarding up to 15 International Fellows annually, budget permitting. Future calls will be made on an annual basis. Applications must include:
This biography must highlighting the applicant's research interests (150 words maximum, 1.5-spaced)
(500 to 1,000 words maximum, 1.5-spaced): include the names and institutional affiliations of the host supervisor/sponsor and/or faculty member(s) with whom you wish to work; the nature of the work to be undertaken; a timeline for the duration of proposed work; a clear case for how the planned work supports OFI's research priorities. Potential areas of work can include:
A letter of support from the host supervisor, faculty member or Principal Investigator with whom you wish to work at the International Institution, or Dalhousie or Memorial University. The letter should indicate the nature of the resources and support that will be provided (i.e. technical assistance, office/laboratory space, equipment access, laboratory analyses, photocopying, any additional research funding etc.)
Please include educational background, work experiences, publication record and source of research funding.
One sample of written, preferably accepted, peer-reviewed, published work (article, book chapter, essay) which the applicant considers is the most representative of his or her research and which demonstrates good command of the English language.
Provide the names and contact information of two academic references who are able to assess your research and who may be contacted by OFI.
Postgraduate students only must submit a letter from their main supervisor at their home institution, supporting that their research has advanced to the point that a visit would be highly productive.
Submit your completed application to the OFI (currently closed).
The Selection Committee will use the following criteria to assess applications:
Once the Selection Committee has made its decision, successful applicants will be notified with the necessary next steps. The decision by the Selection Committee is final and cannot be appealed.
OFI is committed to fostering a culture grounded in diversity and inclusiveness. OFI welcomes applications from Indigenous people, persons with a disability, racially visible persons, women, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community.
For further information please contact:
Dr. Carl Peters
Research Programs Manager
Email: carl.peters@oceanfi.ca
Telephone: +1 902 999 3165
Dalhousie University is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. We are all Treaty people.
We acknowledge that the lands on which Memorial University’s campuses are situated are in the traditional territories of diverse Indigenous groups, and we acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit of this province.
