Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards

Fellowship Details

The Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards (CIRTA) will provide 400 postdoctoral fellowships across Canada to recruit international candidates. Postdoctoral Fellowships are valued at $70,000 per year for two years.

  • Annual Value: $70,000
  • Duration: 2 years

Eligibility Criteria

Research area eligibility: 

  • Advanced digital technologies (AI, quantum, 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
  • Defence and dual-use technologies

Nominee (Postdoctoral Fellow) eligibility:

  • Prospective Postdoctoral Fellow:
    • Nominees cannot have a current affiliation with a Canadian institution and must be currently studying or working abroad.
    • Nominees must be qualified to undertake postdoctoral research at the nominating institution in Canada as of the award activation date. All Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards must be activated by March 31, 2027.
  • Nominees can be of any citizenship:
    • International citizens.
    • Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons.
  • Undertaking research in priority areas listed above.
  • Meet eligibility requirements to hold a Postdoctoral Fellowship at UBC.
  • Must not have held previous postdoctoral-level funding from the tri-agencies (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC), regardless of institution.
  • See additional nominee eligibility criteria at: Tri-Agency FAQ #23-35.

Nominator (faculty supervisor) eligibility: 

Evaluation Criteria

As prospective postdocs, nominees will be evaluated according to the selection criteria normally used by the department and/or faculty to which they are applying.

Application procedures

There are several avenues available to assist in finding and applying for Postdoctoral Fellowships, but there is no central application process at UBC. Applications are made directly to faculties/departments, and units will assist with any appointment-related administration.

In taking the first steps to embark on a Postdoctoral Fellowship application, prospective postdocs should connect with Faculty members at the University working in their field(s) of research.

 

Nomination procedures

The CIRTA program entails two levels of selection:

  • (i) Selection of nominators (faculty): UBC will be allocated a set number of CIRTA nominations. CoGS will distribute these nominations among disciplinary Faculty; in turn, each Faculty will work with their academic units to identify specific faculty supervisors (nominators) who will be invited to submit a CIRTA nomination (see eligibility criteria in the section above). Nominators will be identified in January 2026.
  • (ii) Selection of nominees (Postdoctoral Fellows): Each designated nominator will identify an eligible nominee (see eligibility criteria in the section below) by late February 2026.

Nominators will provide required nomination materials (details to be confirmed) for their nominee to CoGS, who will submit the nominations to the Tri-Agencies on behalf of each nominator. The Tri-Agencies will review each nomination to validate eligibility of the nominator and nominee.

 

Adjudication procedures

CIRTA funding will be awarded through a two-tiered selection process outlined in the “Nomination Procedures” section above. Selection of CIRTA nominees does not involve an institution-wide competition.

Additional resources

 

questions? email POSTDOC.OK@UBC.CA