CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars – Call for Applications 2026/28

Topic:

Cities on the Edge: Promoting Equity and Resiliency through Research, Activism, Planning, and Policy

Overview:

CIFAR welcomes outstanding early career researchers from across the natural, biomedical, life and social sciences and the humanities to join one of its interdisciplinary research programs that address some of the most important questions facing science and humanity.

The CIFAR Global Scholars program is designed to accelerate the development of early career researchers in their pivotal first years as independent principal investigators in an academic or research institution, with responsibilities for research and teaching.

CIFAR Global Scholars are emerging leaders in their fields, with a high-impact record of innovative research, who are motivated to advance their influence through interdisciplinary collaboration with renowned researchers, expand their networks, access mentorship and leadership/communication training, and gain cross-sector exposure.

Participating CIFAR research programs (2025/26 call):

• Child & Brain Development
• CIFAR MacMillan Multiscale Human
• Future Flourishing
• Humanity's Urban Future
• Learning in Machines & Brains
• Quantum Materials

Eligibility:

Applicants may be based anywhere in the world, must hold a PhD (or equivalent), and must hold a full-time position at an institution of higher education or research with responsibility for leading independent research and supervising/teaching trainees.
You must have started your first post-PhD PI position no earlier than July 1, 2021 and no later than December 31, 2025, and your position must be secure for the entire Scholar term (Apr 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2028).
NOTE: Postdoctoral fellows are NOT eligible to apply.
See the website for full eligibility requirements.

What you will receive as a CIFAR Global Scholar:

• A two-year term in a CIFAR research program (global, interdisciplinary network)
• CAD $100,000 in unrestricted research support over two years
• Mentorship from senior researchers within a CIFAR research program
• Opportunities to network, collaborate and form a community with peers from diverse disciplines
• Specialized leadership and communication skills training, plus opportunities to apply those skills
• CIFAR-covered travel costs to attend CIFAR meetings

Important dates:

• Application deadline: November 5, 2025, 12:00 PM EST (UTC-5) / 18:00 CET
• Virtual interviews: March 24–26, 2026
• Scholar term: April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2028

For more information, please visit the CIFAR Global Scholars Program website.
Contact CIFAR for more information.