Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards for PhD and Postdoctoral Researchers in Strategic Research Areas
The Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards, administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in collaboration with CIHR and SSHRC, are a major new initiative supporting the recruitment of top international doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers. With a $133.6 million investment over three years, the program will provide 600 doctoral scholarships and 400 postdoctoral research awards to drive innovation and growth in Canada’s strategic industries.
Doctoral scholarships are valued at $40,000 per year for three years, while postdoctoral research awards offer $70,000 per year for two years. These awards are fully funded and designed to attract global talent to Canadian universities and research institutions. The program targets eight priority research areas: advanced digital technologies (including AI, quantum, and cybersecurity), health and biotechnology, clean technology and resource value chains, environment and climate resilience (including the Arctic), food and water security, democratic and community resilience, manufacturing and advanced materials, and defence and dual-use technologies.
Eligibility requires candidates to be recruited by researchers holding active grants from one of the three federal agencies at a Canadian institution. International candidates, including Canadian citizens currently abroad, are eligible. Institutions will nominate candidates in alignment with the priority areas, and applications will be submitted on behalf of nominators to the appropriate funding agency for review.
The awards will be delivered in two phases, with the first wave of nominations due in early 2026 and initial results announced by April 1, 2026. A second phase will begin on April 1, 2026, allowing for redistribution of unused nominations and adjustments among agencies and priorities. Additional funding initiatives include support for research infrastructure and recruitment of international assistant professors and research Chairs.
For further details, candidates should contact [email protected] and monitor the NSERC website for updates, nomination instructions, and application forms. This opportunity is ideal for those interested in research areas such as computer science, medical science, environmental science, materials science, chemistry, biology, and political science, and offers substantial financial support for doctoral and postdoctoral research in Canada.
