"Canada Impact+ Research Chairs"

Canada Impact+ Research Chairs

Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Description

Queen’s University welcomes applications from outstanding established scholars with a demonstrated record of or potential for knowledge translation and mobilization in targeted areas or research excellence.

The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs competition is a one-time initiative to support Canadian institutions in attracting world-leading researchers from abroad. The program aims to address pressing global and domestic challenges, strengthening Canada’s contribution to international research and innovation, and generating lasting social and economic benefits. The program emphasizes both research excellence and tangible impact.

Impact+ Research Chairs are expected to build significant new partnerships and collaborations with both Canadian and international entities (industry, health systems, government and not-for-profit organizations). Queen’s encourages applications from individuals whose work advances knowledge translation and mobilization and whose careers may reflect diverse pathways, experiences, and perspectives. Where appropriate, Chairs are also expected to engage by and with Indigenous Peoples and communities in ways that respect Indigenous rights and knowledges.

A core expectation is that Impact+ Chairs, and their research teams, will actively translate and mobilize research outcomes into practice, policy, and commercialization pathways that deliver measurable social and economic benefits for Canada and the world. Hence, the program requires that the scholarship can be translated and that it is mission driven.

The Impact+ Research Chairs program includes two maximum award values of $8 million over eight years ($1 million per year), and $4 million over eight years ($500,000 per year), to lead ambitious research programs in one of the following priority areas identified by the Government of Canada:

• 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.

Impact+ Research Chair recruitment is a multi-stage process. Applicants first apply to a nomination posting at the institution. Selected nominees will then work in close partnership with Queen’s to apply to the 2026 Impact+ Research Chairs competition. Queen’s University will provide substantial institutional support throughout the co-preparation and co-development of the application and will ensure institutional alignment. Queen’s strives to recruit numerous Canada Impact+ Research Chairs.

To support the research programs of Impact+ Chairs, Queen’s will strategically leverage the broader Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative’s suite of funding opportunities. This includes the Canada Impact+ Research Infrastructure Fund, to provide researchers with leading-edge research equipment and facilities, and the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders and Research Training Awards, to recruit scholars across career stages to address the same strategic priorities.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are embedded as foundational principles in Impact+ objectives, expected outcomes and reporting requirements of the competition. The three agencies expect that institutions and chairholders will demonstrate and implement the highest EDI standards for the duration of their award. Sound EDI principles must be applied to the research design, methods, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of research findings, where applicable, to ensure the results are impactful and relevant to the diversity of the Canadian population. Chairs and host institutions are expected to implement measures that specifically support a diverse cohort of early career researchers within the research programs of chairholders.

Eligibility

A successful nominee will be an outstanding scholar with a world-class reputation and must possess the qualifications necessary to be appointed at the rank of tenured Professor in accordance with institutional policies and Collective Agreement.

In keeping with the eligibility requirements of Canada Impact+ Research Chair program, only candidates who are internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) are eligible to apply. Expatriate Canadian citizens wishing to relocate to Canada are encouraged to apply. Successful nominees will be expected to take up their appointment as Impact+ Research Chair at Queen’s University within 12 months of accepting the award.

Queen’s University is committed to excellence in research and research training for the benefit of Canadians and to achieving a more equitable, diverse and inclusive Canadian research enterprise. The research community at Queen's recognizes that building a culture of diversity is a socially responsible approach that actively addresses systemic barriers and fosters inclusive participation across all dimensions of research and academic life.

At Queen’s, we recognize that diversity advances research for the greater good by valuing multiple ways of knowing, lived experiences and perspectives. This inclusive approach enhances creativity, drives innovation and supports collaborations. Queen’s is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized/visible minority, Indigenous people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ persons.

Appointments are subject to review and final approval by the Provost. Academic staff at Queen’s University are governed by a Collective Agreement between the University and the Queen’s University Faculty Association (QUFA), which is posted at https://www.queensu.ca/facultyrelations/qufa/collective-agreements-lous-moas and at http://www.qufa.ca.

To ensure that the Canadian research ecosystem is as open as possible and is safeguarded as necessary, the Government of Canada has introduced the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC Policy) and the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP). Impact+ nominees are required to comply with the STRAC Policy and additionally the NSGRP when the research involves one or more partner organizations from the private sector. Candidates in strong consideration will be supported by Queen’s to determine whether any mitigation steps are necessary to ensure eligibility for the Impact+ Research Chair award and relevant funding programs.

How to Apply

Applicants are invited to submit a complete application package consisting of the following materials:

i) a cover letter indicating how your research relates to one or more of the priority areas of the competition and addressing the following selection criteria:

• Research/academic merit and leadership skills
• Scope and quality of the research program
• Potential contribution to the excellence of the Canadian and international research ecosystem
• Evidence of, or potential for, knowledge translation, mobilization and application of research results (include, where appropriate, existing or planned partnerships)

ii) a full curriculum vitae (including a list of publications, awards and grants received)

In addition, life circumstances such as illness, disability, family and community responsibilities (e.g., maternity leave, parental leave, leaves due to illness, leaves due to caring for family members, slowdowns due to chronic illness or disability, or COVID-19 impacts) are often an expected part of life and are likely to have an impact on a nominee’s record of research achievement. These impacts will be given careful consideration during the assessment process. Candidates are encouraged to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions that they wish the selection committee to consider when evaluating their record of achievement. Information shared for this purpose will be treated confidentially and used only to support an equitable and contextualized assessment of applications.

At a subsequent stage of the search process, Queen’s may request letters of recommendation from references and a statement of experience with, and commitment to, facilitation and promotion of Indigenization, equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and accessibility.

To apply, please email your complete application package to: research@queensu.ca.

Closing Date: Review of applications will begin on January 9, 2026, and continue until the positions are filled.

The University will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation during the interview process, please contact Ms. Jennifer Miller in the Vice-Principal, Research Portfolio, at jennifer.miller@queensu.ca.