The Government of Canada has announced two major new funding initiatives—the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs and Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders programs—designed to attract world-class international researchers and strengthen Canada’s position as a global research leader. Together, these programs represent more than $1.12 billion in new research investments.
About the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs Program
The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (Impact+) initiative is a landmark, one-time program that supports Canadian universities in recruiting globally renowned researchers whose work addresses pressing national and global challenges. With a budget of approximately $1 billion, the program will fund around 100 new chairs and their research teams.
Impact+ Chairholders will receive long-term support to lead transformational, high-impact research in areas critical to Canada’s economic resilience, innovation capacity and global competitiveness.
Priority Research Areas
Chairs must contribute to one or more of the following strategic domains:
- Advanced digital technologies (AI, quantum, cybersecurity)
- Health & biotechnology
- Clean technology & resource value chains
- Environment, climate resilience & Arctic research
- Food & water security
- Democratic & community resilience
- Manufacturing & advanced materials
- Defence & dual-use technologies
Funding & Benefits
Impact+ Research Chairs
- $1 million per year or $500,000 per year for 8 years
- Potential 4-year extension at 50% of the initial award
- Funding covers compensation, research costs and up to 25% indirect costs
- Eligible for up to $6 million in research infrastructure support through the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)
- Additional $500,000/year Distinguished Chair level available for exceptionally recognized scholars (e.g., Nobel, Fields Medal recipients)
Impact+ Emerging Leaders Program
A complementary $120 million initiative aimed at recruiting internationally based early career researchers (ECRs).
- $100,000 per year for 6 years
- Potential 6-year extension at the same amount
- Must support research aligned with an Impact+ Chair’s strategic priority
- Eligible for CFI infrastructure funding
Program Objectives
Both programs aim to:
- Attract world-leading researchers to strengthen Canada’s innovation leadership
- Transform research discoveries into real-world applications, commercialization and policies
- Build high-impact, multidisciplinary research teams
- Promote knowledge mobilization and partnerships with industry, government and communities
- Support equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI) and early career researchers
- Grow Canada’s long-term research capacity and global competitiveness
Eligibility
Institutions
Eligible applicants are Canadian degree-granting universities that have received at least $100,000/year in tri-agency funding (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC).
Nominees
- Must be internationally based at the time of application
- Full or associate professor level (or equivalent)
- Demonstrated international excellence and leadership
- Expected to relocate to Canada full-time within 12 months of award
Key Dates
Registration Deadlines
- Intake 1: March 10, 2026 (8:00 p.m. ET)
- Intake 2: June 15, 2026 (8:00 p.m. ET)
Application Deadlines
- Intake 1: March 24, 2026 (8:00 p.m. ET)
- Intake 2: June 29, 2026 (8:00 p.m. ET)
Results Announced
- Intake 1: June 2026
- Intake 2: September 2026
Award Start Dates
- Intake 1: September 2026
- Intake 2: November 2026
How to Apply
Researchers cannot apply directly.
Only eligible Canadian universities may submit applications through the Convergence Portal, following open and transparent recruitment processes.
International researchers interested in being nominated should contact Canadian institutions directly.
More information and application details can be found on the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs website.