Thanks to the generous support of the MUHC’s affiliated foundations, The Institute launches a competitive and sustainable fellowship program to attract the next generation of world-leading researchers.
Montréal, March 26, 2026 — The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (The Institute) is proud to announce the launch of Canada’s Best, an ambitious postdoctoral fellowship program designed to attract young researchers of exceptional calibre, from Canada and around the world, to the largest hospital-based research centre in Québec and one of the most productive in the country.
This major initiative represents an initial investment of $20 million, including $14 million in philanthropic support. Made possible through a collaboration between The Institute, the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) and its four foundations—the MUHC Foundation, the Montreal General Hospital Foundation, the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Cedars Cancer Foundation—it will help strengthen Québec’s position as a leading force in biomedical research, both within Canada and internationally.
Through this initiative, The Institute plans to recruit up to 100 exceptional young researchers over the coming years, significantly increasing its scientific output and discovery potential. Postdoctoral fellows will work alongside leading scientists across disciplines, access highly specialized research platforms and benefit from a uniquely collaborative culture that bridges discovery and clinical care in pediatric and adult settings.
Candidates will be selected through a rigorous evaluation process, ensuring the excellence of both the proposed projects and the researchers chosen, as well as their alignment with The Institute’s strategic vision—advancing precision health throughout the life course.
“Postdoctoral fellows are the driving force behind our research programs: they do more than support discovery—they propel it forward. Through philanthropy and the Canada’s Best program, we are investing in the next generation of scientific leaders and bringing The Institute’s Vision 2030 to life by accelerating advancements in precision care and treatments tailored to each individual and grounded in the latest scientific discoveries.”—Dr. Rhian Touyz, Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
“Canada’s Best isn’t limited to training scientists. It’s about positioning Québec and Canada as a hub to attract and retain the next generation of the world’s brightest minds. Above all, it’s about transforming lives, transforming research, transforming patient care—everywhere in the world.”—Dr. Lucie Opatrny, President and Executive Director, McGill University Health Centre
Up to four years of support to propel careers and discovery
Postdoctoral training is a pivotal stage in a researcher’s career: it is during this period that scientists define their trajectory, tackle major research questions and lay the groundwork for high-impact work.
To fully support this crucial stage, Canada’s Best will provide stable funding for up to four years—longer than most postdoctoral programs—giving researchers the stability they need to pursue ambitious work and accelerate their transition to scientific independence.
“Attracting, training and retaining top talent is at the heart of Québec’s scientific strategy. A unique program like Canada’s Best sends a clear message: here, researchers can develop ambitious ideas and fully realize their potential in an exceptional environment at the intersection of research and clinical care. This program illustrates the strength of collaboration between research institutions, foundations and public partners to accelerate innovation and address the major health challenges we face.”—Rémi Quirion, Chief Scientist of Québec
A robust and innovative funding model
The new fellowship program is built on a novel and sustainable funding model, in which the partner foundations will cover 70 per cent of postdoctoral fellows’ stipends, while principal investigators (PIs) will contribute the remaining 30 per cent. This cost-sharing approach will maximize the number of researchers supported while ensuring a strong commitment from supervisors.
Each fellow will receive a competitive annual stipend as well as a dedicated budget for research expenses, supplies, travel and training. Participants will also benefit from structured mentorship and career development support, further enriching their experience.
The Institute and the MUHC wish to recognize and thank its four foundations for joining forces and galvanizing their donor community around this transformative initiative in support of health research across the lifespan. They also wish to highlight the essential role of McGill University, their academic partner in research and teaching. Together, these collaborations will bolster the leadership of Québec and Canada on the global stage of biomedical research.
“The MUHC Foundation is proud to support Canada’s Best, an impactful initiative that empowers world-class researchers with the resources to truly innovate. This collaboration is a transformative step in bringing together the right expertise and funding to accelerate medical breakthroughs at the MUHC. It underscores the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to advancing discoveries in Quebec and beyond, by attracting and nurturing global talent, ensuring that the next generation of health care is shaped by the brightest minds.”—Marie-Hélène Laramée, President and Chief Executive Officer, MUHC Foundation
“The Montreal General Hospital Foundation is proud to support Canada’s Best, a landmark collaboration in healthcare philanthropy that represents what we can achieve when foundations, medical leaders, and research institutions come together around a shared ambition. This groundbreaking initiative closely aligns with our mission; to inspire philanthropy in support of transformative initiatives that meaningfully improve patients’ lives. By helping attract exceptional researchers and empowering them to advance their work here, we continue to build on the pioneering legacy of the Montreal General Hospital while driving lasting impact for patients today and in the future.”—Brian Thompson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Montreal General Hospital Foundation
“At The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation, we’re proud to support bold pediatric research that can transform care. Children make up one-fifth of Canada’s population but receive only a fraction of health research funding. Thanks to our donors, we’re working to close that gap and build a healthier future for Quebec’s children and teens—while contributing to discoveries that can improve the lives of children everywhere.”—Renée Vézina, President, Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation
“Supporting excellence and innovation in oncology research and training is an integral part of our mission. That’s why the Cedars Cancer Foundation is proud to participate in Canada’s Best. Fellowship programs are a vital investment in the future of cancer research and care. They fuel discoveries that will lead to better diagnostic tools and treatments and, ultimately, to better patient experiences and outcomes.”—Jeff J. Shamie, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cedars Cancer Foundation
About the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (The Institute) is a world-renowned biomedical and healthcare research centre. Affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of McGill University, The Institute is the research arm of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC)-an academic health centre located in Montreal, Canada, that has a mandate to provide complex care to its community. The Institute supports over 700 researchers and close to 1,500 research trainees devoted to a broad spectrum of fundamental, clinical and health outcomes research at the Glen and the Montreal General Hospital sites of the MUHC. Its research facilities, including the Centre for Translational Biology, the Centre for Innovative Medicine and the Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, offer a dynamic multidisciplinary environment that fosters collaboration and leverages discovery aimed at advancing precision health throughout the life course. The Institute is supported in part by the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ). https://rimuhc.ca
About the McGill University Health Centre
The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) is one of the world’s foremost academic health facilities. Building on the tradition of medical leadership of its founding hospitals, the MUHC provides exceptional multidisciplinary patient-centric care in French and in English. Affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of McGill University, the MUHC continues to shape the course of adult and pediatric medicine by attracting clinical and research expertise from around the world, assessing the latest in medical technology, and training the next generation of medical professionals. In collaboration with our network partners, we are building a better future for our patients and their families; for our employees, professionals, researchers and students; for our community and above all, for life. www.muhc.ca
About the MUHC Foundation
The McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Foundation is committed to supporting excellence in patient care, groundbreaking research, and world-class teaching at Quebec’s top research hospital. With a goal to drive innovation in health care, we raise funds to advance research and patient care that will lead to the cures of tomorrow. Our focus is on tackling humanity’s most pressing health challenges, such as ending cancer as a life-threatening disease, revolutionizing cardiac care, countering antibiotic resistance, training the next generation of health care innovators and closing the gap in women’s health research.
About the Montreal General Hospital Foundation
The Montreal General Hospital Foundation (MGHF)’s mission is to inspire the philanthropic community to invest in transformative initiatives, conceived and guided by medical leaders, that have a significant impact on patient lives. In doing so, the MGHF advances the pioneering spirit of the Montreal General Hospital, which joined forces with McGill University to form Canada’s first teaching hospital.
For over 50 years, the Montreal General Hospital Foundation has been committed to supporting research and innovation. From personalized cancer care to surgical innovation, mental health, clinical research, and more, the MGHF supports initiatives that shape the future of healthcare—thanks to generous donors. The Foundation is also proud to foster collaborations with other institutions, for better patient outcomes. Let’s transform healthcare together! www.mghfoundation.com
About The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation
The mission of The Children’s Foundation is to inspire and mobilize the community to support innovation in clinical care, research and teaching in pediatric and maternal-fetal care at The Montreal Children’s Hospital (The Children’s), the pediatric teaching hospital of McGill’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and the Child Health and Human Development Program (CCHD) of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, one of Canada’s top three research centres. Our major fundraising initiative, the Unexpected Ways to Heal campaign, aims to raise $200 million by 2026. Funds raised will advance groundbreaking projects in pediatric and maternal-fetal care that will push the envelope on an international scale and help The Children’s to find Unexpected Ways to Heal. Since its founding in 1973, the Foundation has raised over $750 million, which has helped sick children from across Quebec and around the world to get back on their feet and return to their mischievous ways. Because a bratty kid is a healthy kid. Please visit childrenfoundation.com for more information.
About the Cedars Cancer Foundation
The Cedars Cancer Foundation is an important funding partner of the McGill University Health Centre’s fight against cancer. Our aim is to improve the health and well-being of cancer patients of all ages, and their families, throughout and beyond treatment. The funds we raise serve to fulfill top priorities in patient care, research and education across the continuum of life, from pediatric, adolescent and adult care, to survivorship, supportive and palliative care. We support the hospital’s Cancer Centre, which bears our name, as well as the Cancer Research Program of the Research Institute of the MUHC. We are also a founding partner of the Rossy Cancer Network, which brings together McGill University and its teaching hospitals to improve the quality of every patient’s experience and care outcome. www.cedars.ca
Media contact
Fabienne Landry
Communications coordinator, Research, MUHC
Fabienne.landry@muhc.mcgill.ca