January 14, 2026
By Aideen Teeling
The Emerging & Pandemic Infections Consortium (EPIC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Doctoral Awards.
Eighteen outstanding PhD candidates pursuing infectious disease research will receive financial support, representing a total investment of $90,000. The awardees are conducting innovative research at the University of Toronto and three of EPIC’s hospital partners, collectively spanning five academic faculties and 10 departments.
This year’s recipients highlight a diversity of perspectives within infectious disease research. Their projects explore fundamental biology — including the evolution, defence mechanisms, and immunological impact of a variety of bacteria, viruses and parasites — to the development of new therapies and diagnostic tools and the evaluation of public health interventions using mathematical models.
“We are excited to welcome the fourth cohort of EPIC Doctoral Awardees, who are joining an esteemed group of past recipients. A core tenant of EPIC’s mandate is to support the academic and professional development of our future leaders in infectious disease research, and we look forward to fostering their growth within the EPIC community,” says Scott Gray-Owen, academic director of EPIC and a professor of molecular genetics in the Temerty Faculty of Medicine.
Each Doctoral Award provides $5,000, split into a one-time award of $2,000 and $3,000 as a “backpack” support for research-related or professional development expenses such as conferences and training courses. Applicants must have achieved PhD candidacy in the previous academic year, be pursuing an infectious disease-focused research project, and have a supervisor whose primary affiliation is at one of EPIC’s partner institutions.
Learn more about the 2026 Doctoral Award recipients on our funding results page.
2023 Doctoral Awards announcement