"Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (Rural AI, Environment/Climate/Arctic, Food/Water Security, Democratic/Community Resilience)"

Brandon University invites applications from outstanding international researchers for the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (Impact+) Program, a one-time initiative designed to support institutions in attracting world-leading researchers whose work addresses critical national and global challenges. The program emphasizes both research excellence and tangible impact. Impact+ chairs will receive long-term funding and institutional support to advance ambitious and transformative projects in Canada’s strategic priority areas, build and maintain exceptional research teams, and collaborate with partners across sectors and borders.

The Impact+ program awards chairs of two award values: $8 million over eight years ($1M per year); or $4 million over eight years ($500,000 per year). Both awards have the potential for a four-year extension funded at 50% of the original award value. Chairs will be appointed as full-time Full Professors or Associate Professors who are expected to be promoted to Full Professor within two years.

Key objectives:

• Attract world-leading researchers to strengthen Canada’s global competitiveness and innovation leadership;
• Transform bold discoveries into innovative products, ideas, policies, and solutions;
• Help Canada grow and sustain a critical mass of expertise through high-impact research teams;
• Incentivize strategic partnerships across sectors.

Brandon University will consider applications in four strategic priority areas:

1. Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Rural Artificial Intelligence

Supports an outstanding researcher advancing AI with social, economic, and policy impact in rural contexts. Research may include AI for agriculture, rural health/education, low-connectivity AI, explainable AI, applied AI.

2. Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Environment, Climate Resilience, and the Arctic

Advances understanding of environmental change, climate adaptation in northern/Arctic systems. Research may include Indigenous approaches, climate impacts, permafrost, resilient infrastructure.

3. Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Food and Water Security

Addresses sustainable food systems, water challenges in rural contexts. Research may include stewardship, resilient food systems, water management, climate impacts.

4. Canada Impact+ Research Chair in Democratic and Community Resilience

Strengthens democratic governance, community resilience. Research may include Indigenous governance, democratic participation, resilience to change, digital democracy.

Nominees must be: Internationally renowned, Full/Associate Professors (or equivalent), internationally based (outside Canada).

Rank: Professor or Associate Professor, tenured or tenure-track.
Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Date of Appointment: January 2027 or as available.

How to Apply: Submit cover letter (2p), alignment statement (1p), CV, research proposal (5p), infrastructure (1p), 3 referees, Employment Equity Questionnaire in one PDF to Vice-President (Research & Graduate Studies) by March 21, 2026.