The Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards (CIRTA) at York University offer a unique opportunity for international and returning Canadian doctoral and postdoctoral researchers to pursue cutting-edge research in Canada. This initiative, part of the International Talent Attraction Strategy, is designed to strengthen the Canadian research ecosystem by supporting work in national priority areas such as advanced digital technologies (including AI, quantum, and cybersecurity), health and biotechnology (AI-enabled health systems), clean technology, environment and climate resilience, and responsible AI infrastructure.

For the first wave, York University has been allocated 7 doctoral and 4 postdoctoral awards. The awards are open to candidates whose research interests align with systems and AI, including distributed systems, cloud/edge platforms, AI systems, performance and reliability engineering, and intelligent automation. The CIRTA program is a one-time investment by the Government of Canada, with a total of $133.6 million to fund 600 doctoral and 400 postdoctoral awards nationwide, administered by CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC.

Eligibility requirements include: for PhD applicants, eligibility to enroll in a doctoral program at York University as of the award activation date and prior application to the EECS department for Fall 2026; for postdoctoral applicants, holding or expecting to hold a doctorate or health professional degree before the award start date. Nominees must not have a current affiliation with a Canadian institution and must be currently studying or working abroad. Both doctoral and postdoctoral nominees must not hold or be on leave from a tenure-track or tenured faculty position. Research must align with one of the eight CIRTA priority areas. Additional restrictions apply regarding previous awards from Canadian agencies and current funding status.

The funding package includes $40,000 per year for 3 years for doctoral students and $70,000 per year for 2 years for postdoctoral researchers. The awards are fully funded and support high-quality research training, fostering creativity and empowering awardees to contribute significantly to Canada’s research landscape. The internal deadline for submitting an Expression of Interest is January 20, 2026, with the full nomination package due by February 2, 2026.

Interested candidates should contact a suitable faculty member at York University, particularly in the EECS department, to discuss the initiative and their research alignment. For more information, visit the official CIRTA page and review the detailed eligibility and application process. This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in advanced research in AI, systems, and related fields to join a vibrant academic community at York University.