CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars Program
Research leaders of tomorrow
Accelerate your career.
Expand your network, collaborate across disciplines, and explore cutting-edge ideas with unrestricted research support. Join our community of international researchers addressing the most important questions facing science and humanity.
Applications for the CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars program are accepted once annually. Applications are now closed for the 2023-2025 cohort.
The 2024-2026 cohort will begin accepting applications on August 30, 2023. This year's participating CIFAR research programs are: Future Flourishing; Gravity & the Extreme Universe; Humanity's Urban Future; and The Multiscale Human.
Contact us for more information.
The CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars program provides:
Interdisciplinary interactions
Pursuing the most exciting and important research questions requires scholars who can move beyond their own research areas to take a fresh look at a problem.
CIFAR helps early-career researchers think and work outside their silos by facilitating dialogue between diverse disciplines and immersing them in our research programs for a truly enriching experience.
Leadership development
Excellent management and communication skills will be key to success in the demanding and competitive world of research.
Through annual meetings of CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars from across CIFAR’s research programs, and additional learning experiences, CIFAR creates a variety of training opportunities on themes related to leadership development.
Engagement in global communities
Tomorrow’s research leaders must effectively engage key stakeholders in their communities, in government, industry, or the general public to both inform and disseminate their work.
We provide early-career researchers opportunities to increase the impact of their research by interacting with leaders both within and outside of academia.
Program Details
Here is what you need to know to apply.
Eligibility
Applicants may be based anywhere in the world, must hold a PhD (or equivalent) and be within the first five years of starting a full-time research position at an institution of higher education or research. Scholars' research interests should complement the themes and goals of a recruiting CIFAR research program.
NOTE: Postdoctoral fellows are not eligible to apply.
See the detailed program overview for full eligibility requirements.
What you will receive as a CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar
A two-year term in a CIFAR research program, a global, interdisciplinary network of leading researchers
$100,000 CAD in unrestricted research support
Mentorship from a senior researcher within a CIFAR research program
Opportunities to network, collaborate and form a community with peers from diverse disciplines
Specialized leadership and communication skills training, and support to put your skills into action
Statement on equity, diversity & inclusion
CIFAR is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We recognize that bringing together individuals from multiple backgrounds, perspectives and experiences is integral to advancing excellence and increasing the impact of our organization. Ensuring that every person feels valued and welcome is vital to achieving our mission, and embodies our values of diversity, creativity, excellence, risk taking, respect and collaboration. CIFAR strives to foster the active participation and inclusion of all, including those from underrepresented groups in research, such as but not limited to women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of sexual and gender minority groups – across geographic borders, disciplines, and career stage. In the pursuit of excellence, CIFAR embraces diverse ideas and perspectives, and proactively seeks to increase equity, diversity and inclusion within our community. CIFAR aims to create a culture that embodies these principles of equity, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our work. For more information, see CIFAR’s .
key dates
September 1, 2022
Call for applications opens.
October 25, 2022
Application deadline
11:59 PM Pacific Daylight Time (UTC -7)
By January 26, 2023
Shortlisted finalists are notified and invited to attend a virtual interview. All other applicants will be notified after the finalists have confirmed their attendance.
March 22-24, 2023
The Selection Committee interviews the shortlisted finalists via Zoom. Interviews are generally scheduled between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
By March 31, 2023
Finalists are notified of the competition results.
May 2023
CIFAR publicly announces the 2023 CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars.
Testimonials
The CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars program allows you to take your work to challenging new places.
Time and again, we hear from CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars that the two years in CIFAR programs are exciting, energizing, and transformative.
CIFAR has provided me with a network and community that have broadened my horizons. I have met new friends in different disciplines whose work has influenced the way I think. The professional development sessions I’ve attended through CIFAR have equipped me with better tools for negotiation, interfacing with the press, and achieving career milestones.
Being given access to some of the brightest and most interesting researchers globally has stimulated many new directions for my research program that likely would not have otherwise happened.
It has been extremely liberating to have support that is not based purely on research outputs, but one that values the holistic development of emerging researchers and nurtures their potential not only through funding, but through mentorship, career development opportunities and fostering multidisciplinary collaborations.
The CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars Program has been career changing. It has provided the opportunity to form working and personal relationships with other junior scholars that are diverse, dynamic, and exceptionally curious and brilliant. It has provided the support – financial and intellectual – to expand my research program in exciting new ways. The complete experience has been unique and transformational.
The CIFAR experience has been enriching on multiple dimensions. Most notable has been the opportunity to adventure out of my own research field and develop curiosity with an incredible group of scholars.
CIFAR has given me, a junior scholar, the opportunity to build deep intellectual connections with the leaders of my field and related fields.
This program is generously supported by the Azrieli Foundation.
Support Us
CIFAR is a registered charitable organization supported by the governments of Canada, Alberta and Quebec, as well as foundations, individuals, corporations and Canadian and international partner organizations.