Perimeter is supported by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario, as well as by significant philanthropic support from private-sector corporations, foundations, and individuals. The shared aim is to build a leading centre for research, training, and outreach in theoretical physics.
Perimeter’s government and philanthropic partners understand that an investment in theoretical physics is an investment in the lowest-cost, highest-impact area of science. Future breakthroughs with the power to transform society will flow from discoveries in theoretical physics – and these discoveries might be made in any or many areas of study, from quantum computing to machine learning, to advanced algorithms for precision cosmology, or anywhere in between. The Institute’s supporters, both public and private, are key partners in building a strategic scientific asset for Canada’s future and helping to ensure near- and long-term competitiveness and prosperity.
The Governments of Canada and Ontario have shared Perimeter's vision and provided major operating funding to Perimeter since its beginnings. In 2024/25, Perimeter continues its funding agreements with both the provincial and federal government. These investments continue to sustain Perimeter’s ongoing success and help position Ontario, and Canada, as a leading centre of theoretical physics on the global stage.
Over one-third of Perimeter’s annual operating budget is supported by a community of visionary philanthropic supporters, which continues to grow.
Investing in Perimeter’s Future
Perimeter Institute recognizes and thanks the following donors who have made cumulative gifts totalling $100,000 or more since 2014, following the lead of Perimeter’s founding donor, Mike Lazaridis. These generous gifts have helped Perimeter’s private-sector campaign grow to $90 million in commitments.
Airlie Foundation
Andrew and Lillian Bass
The Bluma Appel Community Trust
BMO Financial Group
Anne-Marie Canning
Cenovus Energy
Harbir and Monica Chhina
Coril Holdings
Cowan
Joanne Cuthbertson and the Late Charlie Fischer
The Daniel Family Foundation
The Delaney Family
Carlo Fidani
The Ira Gluskin & Maxine Granovsky Gluskin Charitable Foundation
Gluskin Sheff + Associates Inc.
Google Canada
John and Deborah Harris Family Foundation
Intact Financial Corporation
John Templeton Foundation
The Late Robert “Robin” Korthals and Janet Charlton
The Krembil Foundation
Linamar Corporation
Maplesoft
The Marsland Family
Pattison Outdoor Advertising
The Peter and Shelagh Godsoe Family Foundation
Power Corporation of Canada
Ptarmigan Charitable Foundation
RBC Foundation
Riddell Family Charitable Foundation
Scotiabank
The Scott Griffin Foundation
Michael Serbinis & Laura Adams
Brian Sullivan
Shaw Communications
Simons Foundation
Corinne Squire & Neil Turok
Stavros Niarchos Foundation
Sun Life Financial
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC)
Dr. Scott A. and Sherry Vanstone and Family
Mac Van Wielingen, Viewpoint Foundation
Donor-Supported Postdoctoral Fellowships: Funding the Future
From the day Perimeter Institute first opened its doors 25 years ago, postdoctoral researchers have been the heart of the institute. Exceptional talent has been flowing through Perimeter – into academia and industry, across Canada and around the world – ever since.
Postdoctoral researchers are early-career scientists who have recently completed their PhDs and are now pursuing their own cutting-edge research programs. At Perimeter, they represent the best and brightest from around the world, selected each year through a highly competitive process.
They come to Perimeter to explore new ideas and bring a fresh perspective to longstanding problems in theoretical physics. While here, they collaborate across the institute – working with faculty, students, visitors, and fellow postdocs – to develop creative new research directions. After Perimeter, they may go on to full-time positions in academia or to start-ups and research departments in the private sector.
Postdoctoral positions are funded through Perimeter’s operational budget, which is supported by both government and private-sector partners. In many cases, donors provide additional support through faculty chair positions, enabling faculty members to hire postdoctoral researchers or help them attend conferences and build collaborations at this pivotal time in their research careers.
There are also special, named postdoctoral fellowships made possible by donor support.
One example is the BMO Inclusive Excellence Fellowship, currently held by Suzanne Schander. This fellowship supports women scientists and others who have been traditionally underrepresented in the field of physics.
Another is the Ptarmigan Foundation Stephen W. Hawking Fellowship, recently awarded to Zahra Zahraee. She came to Perimeter from McGill University in Montréal, Canada, and is pursuing research in quantum fields and strings, particularly in the rapidly developing area of physics known as the “conformal bootstrap,” which could help us better understand our universe’s most fundamental forces.
BMO Inclusive Excellence Fellow, Susanne Schander, collaborating with a colleague
'Donor-supported research centres and initiatives at Perimeter also provide postdoctoral positions, including the Clay Riddell Centre for Quantum Matter, the Centre for the Universe, and the Quantum Causal Inference Initiative.
Postdoctoral positions at Perimeter typically last three years, though some extend longer. By the end of their terms, Perimeter’s postdoctoral researchers are a sought-after talent pool in Canada and around the world. Many continue in academia as assistant professors or full professors, training future generations of scientists and building the global research talent pool.
Others pursue careers in start-ups or private-sector companies, advancing research in fields ranging from artificial intelligence and quantum computing algorithms to biotechnology, nanotechnology, and quantum matter.
Postdoctoral researchers are vital to the broader knowledge economy, and they are indispensable drivers of progress for humanity’s future.