Canada Impact+ Research Chair

Ad closing date: June 15, 2026

UBC’s Expression of Interest deadline for the program’s March intake: January 15, 2026.

The University of British Columbia (UBC) invites internationally renowned scholars from all disciplines to apply to be nominated for a Canada Impact+ Research Chair. UBC expects to hire multiple chairs across the university.

The Chairs will be appointed as full-time full professors or associate professors who are expected to be promoted to full professor within two years of starting their chairholder appointment. If recruited from outside the academic sector, they must possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed at these levels. Successful nominees are expected to start their position within 12 months of accepting the award and will be required to take up their appointment on a full-time basis. Only candidates who are internationally based (working and residing outside Canada) are eligible to apply. Expatriate Canadians wishing to relocate to Canada are welcome to apply.

Impact+ Chairs must demonstrate established strengths aligned with the Government of Canada’s strategic priority areas, which address urgent global and domestic challenges, strengthen Canada’s leadership in research and innovation, and deliver lasting social and economic benefits. These priority areas are:

• advanced digital technologies (including artificial intelligence, quantum, and cybersecurity);
• health, including biotechnology;
• clean technology and resource value chains;
• environment, climate resilience and the Arctic;
• food and water security;
• democratic and community resilience;
• manufacturing and advanced materials; and/or
• defence and dual-use technologies.

Chairs are expected to establish and sustain strong national and international partnerships across industry, government, health, not-for-profit, and Indigenous communities, as appropriate, and to actively translate research into practice, policy, and commercialization with demonstrable impact.

The Impact+ Chairs program provides $1 million or $500,000 per year for 8 years for a Chairholder’s salary and research program. The program provides for the possibility of a 4-year renewal, funded at 50% of the original value.

For Chair awardees, substantial infrastructure funds are available through the new Canada Impact+ Research Infrastructure Fund.

Successful nominees should have a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline as part of the UBC requirement. Rank and salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications, and competitive start-up packages will be provided.

For application process, deadlines, and other relevant information, please visit: https://research.ubc.ca/federal-research-chair-programs/canada-impact-research-chairs-program.