Research Programs
OUR APPROACH
We convene extraordinary minds to address the most important questions facing science and humanity.
CIFAR's research programs bring together international, interdisciplinary researchers who work together for five-year terms. Programs are led by a director or two co-directors, engage approximately 20-40 fellows and advisors from around the world, and include two or three CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars for two-year terms.
THEME AREAS
Our portfolio of research programs spans four broad theme areas.
Life & Health
2014, 2020
Humans & the Microbiome
How do microbes that live in and on us affect our health, development and even behaviour?
Individuals & Society
2003, 2007, 2012, 2019
Child & Brain Development
How do childhood experiences affect lifelong health?
Information & Matter
2004, 2008, 2014, 2019
Learning in Machines & Brains
How do we understand intelligence and build intelligent machines?
2002, 2007, 2012, 2019
Quantum Information Science
How do we harness the power of quantum mechanics to improve information processing?
1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012, 2019
Quantum Materials
How could quantum materials transform our society?
Earth & Space
2019
Earth 4D: Subsurface Science & Exploration
How do we understand the life, groundwater and environment deep below the surface of a planet?
1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016
Gravity & the Extreme Universe
What is extreme gravity, and how can it help us understand the origin of the universe?
The following are completing their work as CIFAR programs:
2005, 2010, 2016
Genetic Networks
How do the interactions among genes influence health and development?
2014
Molecular Architecture of Life
How does life originate and what are the processes that make life possible?
OUR FELLOWS
CIFAR fellows are collaborative researchers at the top of their fields.
Our community of fellows, advisors, CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars, and Canada CIFAR AI Chairs includes more than 400 researchers from 18 countries. They regularly contribute to papers in the top 1% of most-cited papers worldwide. Fellows are selected for academic and communication excellence, and for how their expertise fits into the goals of a program.
CATALYST FUND
We encourage our community of researchers to work across programs and disciplines.
Through Catalyst Funds, we facilitate and support high-risk ideas and projects within and across CIFAR’s portfolio of research programs. The time-limited grants provide flexibility for early-stage projects, encourage interdisciplinary collaborations, and address emerging and exploratory themes within or between research programs.
Research News
Discover the latest advances from our community.
A new quantum limit for electrons
Long-theorized property of strange metals reveals the universal speed limit of electrons.
Jul 28, 2021
Irina Rish wants to solve one of AI’s biggest challenges
Her research will enable machines to learn new knowledge more efficiently.
Jul 21, 2021
How has COVID-19 affected world happiness?
CIFAR Fellows and Canada CIFAR AI Chairs investigate happiness using interdisciplinary methods
Mar 17, 2021
COVID-19 may forever alter our microbiomes
The virus (and our reactions to it) affects our health through the microbiome.
Jan 26, 2021Support 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.