BMO Master's Fellowship in Montréal studies

The Centre for interdisciplinary research on Montréal (CIRM) invites applications for a Master's Fellowship for the year 2026-2027.

CIRM brings together researchers whose projects concern Montréal. Its mission is: 1) to stimulate emerging research in Montréal studies and to unite the research being conducted within various disciplines and universities; 2) to develop partnerships, sets of themes, and fundamental and applied research projects on the economic, social, cultural, and governmental sectors of Montréal.

In keeping with this mission, CIRM seeks to align this fellowship with four research partnerships in which it plays an active role:

• Laboratoire d’impact MR-63 – CIRM – Griffintown, a research initiative dedicated to Griffintown’s sustainable and inclusive regeneration;
• Neighbourhood portraits: From data to narratives, a project at the intersection of research-creation and digital humanities, conducted in collaboration with the Peter-McGill Community Table to explore ways to translate people’s lived experiences in the neighbourhood;
• Families in the city, which examines the conditions, organizational mechanisms, and collaborative dynamics germane to supporting families in the Ville-Marie borough, seeking to encourage them to stay and to improve their milieu de vie;
• Densification(s) and neighbourhood dynamics, a multidisciplinary project that focuses on the possibilities of densification that respects communities while considering cross-cutting issues such as citizen perceptions, democratic processes, and strategic governance.

The value of the fellowship is $22,500 and its duration is 12 months.

If public health conditions permit, the recipient will be invited to occupy a workspace on a part-time basis at the CIRM offices, located at 680 Sherbrooke Street West, 8^th floor, Montréal.

Download a PDF version of this call for applications here.

Conditions

1. The candidate must:
   • be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have the appropriate visa;
   • be enrolled full-time* in a research-based master’s program (with a thesis)** at a Canadian university;
   • be supervised by an active CIRM member (see the list of members);
2. The submitted projects must demonstrate congruence with at least one of the four CIRM projects described above.
3. The recipient is expected to contribute to CIRM’s activities for the duration of the fellowship. The terms of this contribution will be discussed with the Centre’s direction and coordination team. Regular presence at CIRM is encouraged to foster integration and participation in the life of the Centre;
4. An activity report must be submitted at the end of the scholarship period to document and highlight the recipient’s achievements and contributions.
5. Candidates must have sufficient proficiency in both French and English to actively participate in discussions and activities in both languages. Level 3 (advanced) oral and written proficiency is a useful benchmark;
6. The accumulation of awards with those from major funding agencies, or others, is permitted.

Contents required for the application dossier

• Letter of intent, specifying the applicant’s CIRM-affiliated supervisor, the home university, and the anticipated contribution to CIRM’s work and activities;
• Description of the research project (maximum two single-spaced pages);
• Curriculum vitæ (academic background, publications, conference presentations, scholarships received, relevant experience, and other achievements);
• Copies of academic transcripts (university studies only);
• One letter of recommendation from the CIRM member supervising the thesis, confirming the supervisory relationship and support for the project (to be sent directly by the supervisor to: felycia.thibaudeau [at] mcgill.ca)

Applications may be written in French or English and must be submitted electronically as a single PDF document no later than 30th April 2026 at 5:00 p.m. (Montréal time) to Félycia Thibaudeau (felycia.thibaudeau [at] mcgill.ca).

Selection process and timeline

Fellowships are awarded by a jury composed of members of CIRM’s Executive Committee who have not endorsed an application.

• Application and recommendation letter deadline: Thursday 30th April 2026 at 5:00 p.m. (Montréal time)
• Evaluation of applications and, if applicable, interviews with finalists: between 1st and 15th May 2026
• Notification of results: week of 18th May 2026

Evaluation criteria

In reviewing applications (letter of intent, research project description, CV, academic transcripts, and letter of recommendation), the jury will consider the following:

• Academic excellence;
• The relevance of the proposed research project and its alignment with at least one of CIRM’s four projects;
• Interest demonstrated vis-à-vis interdisciplinary, intersectoral, and participatory research, as well as engagement in CIRM activities; and
• The support and recommendation of the supervisor.

Fellowship instalment schedule

• The first instalment will be paid on the 1st of October 2026;
• The second instalment will be paid on the 1st of February 2027.

All queries should be sent to Félycia Thibaudeau (felycia.thibaudeau [at] mcgill.ca).

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated equity groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, accessibilityrequest.hr [at] mcgill.ca or 514-398-3711.

Download a PDF version of this call for applications here.

View current and former fellows.

* Students who intend to enroll in a master’s program, but who are not yet enrolled, are not eligible for the fellowship.

** We use a definition provided by the FRQ: “As part of the master’s research program, the awardee must be required to write a research thesis (essays, research reports, dissertations and articles not eligible). Professional master's programs are not eligible.”