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. These experiences accelerate the rise of research leaders who are positioned to drive new discoveries and open new fields of inquiry.
Table of Content
Summary
- Application DeadlineNovember 5, 2025
- Value$100,000
- Study LevelPhD
- SponsorCanadian Institute for Academic Research (CIFAR)
- Eligible CountryAll Countries
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Benefits
- A two-year opportunity to collaborate and receive mentorship within a close-knit, interdisciplinary network of leading global researchers in a CIFAR research program.
- $100,000 CAD in unrestricted research support. These flexible funds can be used for research expenses, teaching release, student or postdoc support, conference travel, and more. They are not tied to a specific project or proposal.
- Opportunities to apply for CIFAR seed funds. These time-limited funds support high-risk, high-reward interdisciplinary collaborations with Fellows, Advisors and other Global Scholars.
- Membership in the extended community of CIFAR Global Scholars. This network of creative and like-minded peers across cohorts and diverse disciplines offers invaluable support and further opportunity for collaboration.
- Targeted training in essential areas of research leadership, including team leadership, trainee mentorship, science communication and science advocacy.
Requirements
- CIFAR welcomes applicants from all countries and is committed to building a diverse, international community of scholars.
- To be considered for the CIFAR Global Scholars program, you must:
- Hold a PhD (or equivalent).
- Hold a full-time position at an institution of higher education or research. Your role must include responsibility for leading independent research as a principal investigator and supervising or teaching trainees toward their attainment of a degree. This position must be secure throughout the full term from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2028. Typically, an eligible applicant is a tenure-track Assistant Professor (in the North American context), or holds an equivalent position designed to lead to a permanent faculty appointment (in academic systems outside of North America). Examples of eligible positions around the world are listed in the Detailed Program Overview.
- Have started your first position, as described above, post-PhD, no earlier than July 1, 2021 and no later than December 31, 2025. Special consideration may be given to applicants who have taken parental leave or faced exceptional circumstances.
- Engage in research that complements the themes and goals of a recruiting CIFAR research program. See the section below on Programs Accepting Applications.
- Be available for a virtual interview on March 24-26, 2026.
- Hold a valid passport, and if applicable, be able to obtain travel visas to attend CIFAR meetings globally, approximately two to three times per year.
- Be fluent in spoken and written English.
Note: Postdoctoral fellows are not eligible to apply.
If you have questions about your eligibility, please contact CIFAR [email protected].
Selection Process
September 3, 2025: Call for applications opens.
November 5, 2025: Application deadline, 12 PM Eastern Standard Time (UTC -5).
By mid-February 2026: Shortlisted candidates receive an interview invitation. All other applicants will be notified once these finalists have accepted their invitation.
March 24-26, 2026: The Selection Committee conducts virtual interviews with the shortlisted candidates.
By early April 2026: Shortlisted candidates are informed of the competition results.
May/June 2026: CIFAR publicly announces the 2026-2028 cohort of CIFAR Global Scholars.
June 9-11, 2026 in Alton, Ontario: CIFAR Global Scholars annual meeting.
Application Deadline
November 5, 2025How To Apply
Are you qualified and interested in this opportunity? Kindly go to
Canadian Institute for Academic Research (CIFAR) on cifarportal.smapply.io to apply
For more details, visir CIFAR Scholarship webpage
