IDRC John G. Bene Fellowship 2026 (up to $30,000 CAD)

Overview

The IDRC John G. Bene Fellowship 2026 is funded by a bequest from the estate of John G. Bene. The fellowship supports practical field research focusing on gender-responsive integrated forest, landscape, and food systems restoration and management. This includes work in fire-prone, degraded, or disputed landscapes. The program connects the climate-food-inclusivity nexus, emphasizing nature-based solutions and approaches that can drive transformative change for smallholder farmers, including women, youth, and Indigenous communities in developing regions. Research must aim to benefit less privileged populations in developing countries and increase the resilience of individuals and communities facing difficult contexts. Genomic and genetic modification research is not eligible.

Who can apply

Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of Canada enrolled at a Canadian university in a master's or doctoral program. Candidates are required to have completed several courses of their program by the application submission time. Doctoral applicants must have completed coursework and passed comprehensive exams before taking up the award. Candidates need an academic background combining an interest in forests, environment, ecology, and food systems with a social sciences perspective such as gender and inclusion, Indigenous knowledge, biodiversity conservation, or governance of nature. Interdisciplinary program students are eligible if their programs contain these elements. Applicants cannot hold two or more active IDRC awards simultaneously, and time overlaps are not permitted.

What you get

The fellowship awards up to ten grants, with a maximum value of $30,000 CAD per award.

Requirements

Applicants must submit a research proposal approved by their thesis supervisor, providing proof of this approval. The proposed field research must be conducted for a master's thesis or doctoral dissertation and take place within one or more developing countries. Candidates must provide evidence of affiliation with an institution or organization in the target developing region. Recipients receiving IDRC funds from another source for active activities during the fellowship period must demonstrate that funds from each source are not used for the same objective.

Key dates

The application deadline is November 30, 2026.