Deadline: 05-Nov-2025
The CIFAR Global Scholars Program offers early-career researchers the opportunity to develop and lead high-risk, high-reward interdisciplinary research, expand their professional networks and receive focused leadership training in their pivotal first years as independent investigators.
Focus: Fostering Novel Interdisciplinary Research, Developing and Broadening Networks, Strengthening Leadership Skills, Child & Brain Development, CIFAR MacMillan Multiscale Human, Future Flourishing, Humanity’s Urban Future, Learning in Machines & Brains, Quantum Materials.
The program offers an opportunity for early-career researchers from the natural, biomedical, and social sciences, as well as the humanities, to join one of CIFAR’s interdisciplinary research programs and collaborate with leading global researchers on questions of critical importance to science and humanity.
Scholars will become integral members of a CIFAR research program for two years, taking part in international meetings, sharing work-in-progress, and building collaborations that inspire innovative ideas and transform research directions. They will also gain access to a supportive community of peers and senior researchers, expanding their professional networks while engaging with leaders in government, industry, business, and civil society.
The program is designed to strengthen essential leadership skills for early-career researchers who often begin independent roles without formal training in areas such as team leadership, trainee mentorship, science communication, and science advocacy. Scholars will have opportunities to put these skills into practice by organizing academic events, co-planning symposia, delivering public talks, and publishing thought pieces.
Successful applicants will receive $100,000 CAD in unrestricted research support, with flexibility to use the funds for research, teaching release, trainee support, travel, and other professional needs. They will also have the chance to apply for additional CIFAR seed funding to pursue high-risk, high-reward interdisciplinary collaborations.
During the two-year term, Global Scholars are expected to attend program meetings twice a year, participate in the CIFAR Global Scholars Annual Meeting scheduled for June 9–11, 2026, join virtual leadership workshops, and engage with stakeholders to share the impact of their work.
Eligibility requires applicants to hold a PhD or equivalent, a full-time faculty or research position with principal investigator responsibilities, and to have started their first such position after July 1, 2021 but no later than December 31, 2025. The position must be secure through the full program term, April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2028. Applicants must also engage in research aligned with the themes of the recruiting CIFAR programs, be available for a virtual interview between March 24–26, 2026, and be able to attend international meetings.
The selection process involves eligibility screening, program-level review based on inclusive research excellence, contribution to the program, and leadership potential, followed by virtual interviews with an independent selection committee. Applications for the 2026–2028 cohort of CIFAR Global Scholars are now open until November 5, 2025.
For more information, visit CIFAR.
