🏛️ Offered by:
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
This initiative is part of the Government of Canada’s International Talent Attraction Strategy under Budget 2025 – Canada Strong aimed at recruiting top international research talent through high-impact doctoral and postdoctoral training awards.
✨ Brief Introduction
The Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards will provide funding to attract 600 doctoral students and 400 postdoctoral researchers to Canadian institutions, supporting research excellence in strategic priority areas critical to innovation and global competitiveness.
🎁 Benefits of the Opportunity
Awardees will receive:
🎓 Doctoral scholarships: $40,000 CAD per year for 3 years
🔬 Postdoctoral research awards: $70,000 CAD per year for 2 years
🏢 Training and research opportunities within world-class academic environments
🌍 Enhanced career prospects through international research experience
🧠 Participation in priority research fields, including AI, climate resilience, health and more.
📌 Eligibility Requirements
📍 Who can be nominated:
- Individuals of any citizenship (including Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons) currently studying or working abroad with no current affiliation to a Canadian institution.
- Doctoral nominees must be eligible to enroll in a Canadian PhD program.
- Postdoctoral nominees must be qualified to undertake postdoctoral research.
- Nomination is facilitated by researchers at eligible Canadian universities holding active grants.
🧠 Note: Institutions must nominate candidates — individual applications direct to the agencies are not accepted.
🚀 Application Process
📅 Institutions receive allocated nominations and invite eligible nominees.
👉 Researchers interested in being nominated should contact Canadian institutions to express interest and secure a nomination.
📩 Detailed nomination instructions will be shared directly with institutions in early 2026.
🗓️ Deadline & Timeline
- Phase 1 nominations: Early 2026, with results announced by April 1, 2026.
- Phase 2: Begins April 1, 2026 for redistribution of unused nomination allocations.
- All awards must be activated (e.g., candidate starts in Canada) by March 31, 2027.
💡 Tips for a Successful Application
✔ Reach out early to Canadian universities in your field — building relationships with potential nominators is key.
✔ Highlight how your research aligns with the priority areas (e.g., advanced digital tech, clean tech, climate resilience, health).
✔ Prepare a strong research statement and CV demonstrating your suitability and fit for the host institution.
✔ Emphasize your ability to contribute to Canada’s research ecosystem and global impact.
✔ Stay engaged with institutional research offices — they manage nomination allocations and submission logistics.
🔗 For more information, Click Here.