About this opportunity
The CIFAR Global Scholars Program is built for researchers in the first years of leading their own work. Each scholar joins one of CIFAR’s interdisciplinary research programs for two years, collaborating with Fellows, Advisors and other scholars on high risk, high reward questions that sit between disciplines. CIFAR opens the call across the natural and biomedical sciences, the social sciences and the humanities, and welcomes applicants from all countries.
The 2027-2029 cohort is open now. The application portal opened on September 1, 2026 and closes on November 4, 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. Shortlisted candidates hear by mid-February 2027, take part in virtual interviews on March 23-25, 2027, learn the result by early April 2027, and the new cohort is announced publicly in May 2027.
The funding is deliberately flexible. Each scholar receives 100,000 CAD in unrestricted research support that is not tied to a specific project or proposal, and can be used for research expenses, teaching release, student or postdoc support and conference travel. Scholars can also apply for CIFAR seed funds, time limited money meant for bold interdisciplinary collaborations with Fellows, Advisors and other scholars.
The rest of the package is network and training. Scholars take part in the Azrieli Foundation Leadership Development Program, covering team leadership, trainee mentorship, science communication and science advocacy, attend CIFAR meetings roughly two to three times a year around the world, and join the Global Scholars annual meeting held in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada on June 8-10, 2027.
What you receive
- Two years of collaboration and mentorship inside a CIFAR interdisciplinary research program
- 100,000 CAD in unrestricted research support, not tied to a specific project or proposal
- Flexible funds usable for research expenses, teaching release, student or postdoc support and conference travel
- Eligibility to apply for CIFAR seed funds supporting high risk, high reward interdisciplinary collaborations
- Membership of the extended community of CIFAR Global Scholars across cohorts and disciplines
- Targeted leadership training in team leadership, trainee mentorship, science communication and science advocacy
- Two to three CIFAR meetings per year around the world, plus the Global Scholars annual meeting
- Opportunities to organise CIFAR winter or summer schools, co-plan symposia, deliver public talks and publish op-eds
Who can apply
- Hold a PhD or equivalent
- Hold a full time position at an institution of higher education or research that includes leading independent research as a principal investigator and supervising or teaching graduate level trainees
- That position must be secure for the full term from April 1, 2027 to March 31, 2029
- In countries or institutions where the tenure track system applies, a full time tenure track position is expected, and equivalent positions offering comparable independence and a pathway to a permanent faculty appointment are considered elsewhere
- Have started your first position after your PhD no earlier than July 1, 2022 and no later than December 31, 2026, with special consideration possible for parental leave or exceptional circumstances
- Engage in research that complements the themes and goals of a recruiting CIFAR research program
- In 2026 and 2027 the programs accepting applications are Boundaries, Membership and Belonging, Brain, Mind and Consciousness, Fungal Kingdom: Threats and Opportunities, Healthy Microbiomes in a Changing World, and Innovation, Equity and the Future of Prosperity
- Be available for a virtual interview on March 23-25, 2027
- Hold a valid passport and, where applicable, be able to obtain travel visas for CIFAR meetings
- Be fluent in spoken and written English
- Applicants from all countries are welcome
Who should not apply
- Postdoctoral fellows are not eligible to apply
Documents to prepare
- A CIFAR application portal account, registered at the official application link before you start
- Your application submitted online through the CIFAR portal by November 4, 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time
- Evidence of your PhD or equivalent and of a full time position secure through March 31, 2029
How to apply
- Read the full program page on the CIFAR website, including the Detailed Program Overview and the list of CIFAR research programs accepting applications this cycle.
- Check that your research complements the themes and goals of one recruiting CIFAR research program before you invest time in the form.
- Register an account on the CIFAR application portal and complete the CIFAR Global Scholars Program application.
- Submit before November 4, 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. The portal states the same deadline on the program listing.
- Email global.scholars@cifar.ca if you are unsure whether your position or career stage qualifies.
- Keep March 23-25, 2027 free for the virtual interview stage if you are shortlisted.
Selection process
- Applications are reviewed against the published eligibility criteria and the fit between the applicant’s research and a recruiting CIFAR research program.
- Shortlisted candidates receive an interview invitation by mid-February 2027. All other applicants are notified once the finalists have accepted their invitation.
- The Selection Committee conducts virtual interviews with shortlisted candidates on March 23-25, 2027.
- Shortlisted candidates are informed of the competition results by early April 2027.
- CIFAR publicly announces the 2027-2029 cohort of Global Scholars in May 2027.
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
Who is the CIFAR Global Scholars Program for?
Early career researchers who already hold a full time position leading independent research as a principal investigator and supervising or teaching graduate level trainees. It is designed for the pivotal first years as an independent investigator, and postdoctoral fellows are not eligible.
How much funding does a scholar receive?
100,000 CAD in unrestricted research support over the two year term. The funds are not tied to a specific project or proposal and can cover research expenses, teaching release, student or postdoc support and conference travel. Scholars may also apply for CIFAR seed funds.
When is the deadline?
November 4, 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, which is UTC minus 5 hours. The CIFAR application portal lists the same closing time.
Which countries can apply?
All of them. CIFAR states that it welcomes applicants from all countries and is committed to building a diverse, international community of scholars.
Is there a travel commitment?
Yes. Scholars attend CIFAR meetings roughly two to three times a year in locations around the world, so you need a valid passport and, if applicable, the ability to obtain travel visas. The 2027 annual meeting is in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada on June 8-10, 2027.
What happens after I apply?
Shortlisted candidates are invited for virtual interviews by mid-February 2027, interviews take place on March 23-25, 2027, results go out by early April 2027 and the cohort is announced in May 2027.
Important disclaimer
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