Two-year unrestricted research support for early career researchers aligned with selected CIFAR research themes.

The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) has opened applications for the CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars programme for its 2027-2029 cohort. CIFAR is a Canadian-based, international research institute established in 1982 that convenes researchers across disciplines and borders to address major global challenges.

The call is focused on five CIFAR research areas:

• Boundaries, Membership and Belonging
• Brain, Mind and Consciousness
• Fungal Kingdom: Threats and Opportunities
• Healthy Microbiomes in a Changing World
• Innovation, Equity and the Future of Prosperity

The scholar award is intended to support capacity to conduct research and offers opportunities for dialogue across diverse disciplines, immersion within a CIFAR research programme, leadership development resources and meetings, and interaction with leaders within and outside academia.

Applications are open to researchers worldwide who hold a PhD or equivalent and are within the first five years of a full-time academic position. Applicants must demonstrate research interests aligned with the themes of an eligible CIFAR research area and must be fluent in spoken and written English. CIFAR notes that applications are encouraged from underrepresented groups in research, including women, members of racialised groups, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities and members of sexual and gender minority groups.

Successful applicants may receive up to CAD $100,000 in unrestricted research support over two years, administered through the scholar’s home institution. Award holders will also receive opportunities to apply for time-limited seed funding to support collaboration across disciplines.