Do you study at a Canadian university and plan fieldwork in a developing country? IDRC may pay for it. The John G. Bene Fellowship 2026 gives up to CA$30000 for master’s and PhD field research on forests and climate resilience and food systems. Up to 10 awards are available.
The deadline is 30 November 2026. The official pages give two different time rules. Read the time note near the end before you plan your submission.
This call is only for Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada. You must also be enrolled at a Canadian university. If you do not meet both rules you cannot apply.
Last Information Checked: 26 October 2026
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funder | International Development Research Centre (IDRC) with the Bene Endowment Fund |
| Award | Up to CA$30000 each |
| Number of awards | Up to 10 |
| Study level | Master’s and doctoral |
| Who can apply | Canadian citizens and permanent residents enrolled at a Canadian university |
| Research location | One or more developing countries in the Global South |
| Duration | 10 weeks to 12 months |
| Deadline | 30 November 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time |
| Results | December 2026 or January 2027 by email |
About the John G. Bene Fellowship
IDRC has helped graduate students do development research since 1982. The Bene fellowship comes from a bequest in the estate of John G. Bene. Each call has a theme. The 2026 theme is inclusive community led nature based solutions for forest restoration and food system transformation.
This is not a call for pure ecology. IDRC wants a social lens too. It asks for work on gender and inclusion and Indigenous knowledge and the governance of nature. The goal is research that helps smallholder farmers and women and youth and Indigenous communities.
Research Focus of the 2026 Call
The call welcomes research on:
- Landscape and forest management and restoration
- Forestry and agroforestry
- Climate resilience and biodiversity conservation
- Food systems and ecology
- Gender and inclusion
- Indigenous knowledge and science
- Governance of natural resources
IDRC wants practical field research. It names fire prone and degraded and disputed landscapes as examples. Proposals linked to IDRC’s REVIVE Initiative on post fire forest and food system restoration are welcome. Work on genomics or genetic modification is not eligible.
Also Read: Mo Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship 2027: 100,000 US Dollar Stipend
How the Award Works
- The award pays for field research for a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation.
- You have up to 12 months from the start date in your Award Agreement to spend the funds.
- The award covers a maximum of 12 months in the field.
- If your research covers more than one region you must plan at least five consecutive weeks in the field in each region.
- IDRC uses the OECD DAC list of ODA recipients to define developing countries.
- You cannot propose research in a country where the Government of Canada says avoid all travel. IDRC rejects those applications.
- You cannot hold two or more active IDRC awards at the same time.
Fellowship Benefits
- Up to CA$30000 per award
- Up to 10 awards in this call
- Funding for field research costs for your thesis or dissertation
- Freedom to research in one country or more
- Up to 12 months to use the funds
- A local host institution that agrees to assist your research
Who Can Apply
You must meet all of these.
- You are a citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
- You are enrolled at a Canadian university in a master’s or doctoral programme.
- You have completed several courses in your programme. You do not need to finish all of them.
- Your academic background combines an interest in forests and climate resilience and biodiversity or food systems. Interdisciplinary programmes can qualify if they cover these elements.
- Your thesis supervisor approves your research proposal and you can show proof.
- Your fieldwork is for your thesis or dissertation and takes place in one or more developing countries.
- You have proof of affiliation with an institution or organisation in the country where you will work.
- PhD students have finished coursework and passed comprehensive exams before the award begins.
You should apply if:
- You already have a clear field research plan for your thesis
- Your supervisor supports the plan
- You have a host institution in your research country
- Your topic links forests or food systems with gender or Indigenous communities
You should skip if:
- You are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- You are not enrolled at a Canadian university
- Your research is in a country under an avoid all travel advisory
- Your project is about genomics or genetic modification
Documents You Need To Upload
All documents must be in English or French. Scans must be clear from top to bottom.
- Research proposal: 20 to 25 pages with double spacing and 12 point font. The bibliography does not count.
- Letter of affiliation: signed and on official letterhead from an institution or organisation in your research country. It must say why the host is interested and how it will help you. Send one letter for each country.
- Supervisor approval letter: on university letterhead. It must confirm approval of the final proposal. It must list courses completed and still to come. It must outline key safety and security risks in the field and how your university handles them. IDRC provides a template.
- Official transcripts: from your latest completed degree and your current programme. Web transcripts are not accepted.
- Proof of citizenship or residency: a passport or birth certificate or Canadian Permanent Resident Card.
- Online application form: this includes your budget.
- Two online recommendations: from two university professors. One must be your research supervisor.
Proposal Headings You Must Use
Your proposal must use these headings in this order:
- Abstract (maximum 250 words)
- Literature review
- Research questions
- Research objective
- Methodology
- Tentative schedule of field activities
- Ethical considerations
- Gender implications
- Expected results
- Potential use of results
- Possible beneficiaries of the research
- Dissemination plan for results
How Applications Are Judged
An IDRC committee rates each application and shortlists some. External and internal experts then make the final choice. IDRC looks at:
- Fit with the IDRC mission and the call scope
- Quality and clarity of the proposal
- Methodology and cultural and logistical limits
- Feasibility and timing
- Originality and contribution to knowledge
- Gender dimensions and ethical and safeguarding plans
- Benefit to local communities
- Suitability of the host institution
- Budget
- Your skills and research experience and local language capacity
IDRC gives no comments to unsuccessful candidates.
How To Apply Step By Step
- Read the detailed call document and the two FAQ pages.
- Meet your supervisor. Get your proposal approved and ask for the approval letter using the IDRC template.
- Ask a host institution in your research country for the affiliation letter.
- Write your proposal with the required headings.
- Open the official IDRC call page and click Get started. Create a SurveyMonkey Apply account if you do not have one.
- Complete the privacy statement and eligibility questionnaire and application form with your budget.
- Enter the names and contacts of your two professors so they receive the recommendation request.
- Upload all your documents.
- Wait until both recommendations arrive. Then mark that task complete and submit.
Mistakes To Avoid
- Waiting for recommendations at the last minute. You cannot submit until both are in.
- Sending web transcripts instead of scanned official ones
- Skipping a required proposal heading or changing the order
- Giving one affiliation letter when your research covers more than one country
- Picking a country that has an avoid all travel advisory
- Proposing genomics or genetic modification work
- Leaving out safety and security risks in the supervisor letter
- Submitting close to midnight when the checklist gives an earlier time
IDRC says incomplete and late applications are not considered.
Key Dates
- 19 October 2026: Call opens
- 30 November 2026 at 4:00 pm Eastern Time: Submission time in the checklist
- 30 November 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time: Deadline on the funding page and call summary
- December 2026 or January 2027: Recommended candidates are told by email
- Award start date: set in your Award Agreement and not stated in the call