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.
CIFAR research programs create impact beyond academia through a highly collaborative strategy. Target areas for impact emerge from the program’s core research agenda, and the strategy is informed by long-term, iterative exchange of ideas and perspectives between program members and non-academic stakeholders.
IMPACT CLUSTERS
CIFAR’s research programs are organized into 5 distinct Impact Clusters that address significant global issues and are committed to fostering an environment in which breakthroughs emerge.
Each cluster bridges CIFAR’s diverse global community by looking ahead to the challenges on the horizon, encouraging scholars from across disciplines to work collaboratively towards a bold and innovative future. Research programs may span multiple clusters depending on the nature and goals of their work.
Current research programs
2003, 2007, 2012, 2019, 2025
Child & Brain Development
How do childhood experiences affect lifelong health?
2019
Earth 4D: Subsurface Science & Exploration
How do life, water and energy interact between the Earth’s vast subsurface and surface environments?
2014, 2020
Humans & the Microbiome
How do microbes that live in and on us affect our health, development and even behaviour?
2004, 2008, 2014, 2019, 2025
Learning in Machines & Brains
How do we understand intelligence and build intelligent machines?
1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012, 2019, 2025
Quantum Materials
How could quantum materials transform our society?
Programs that are completing their work
1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2023
Gravity & the Extreme Universe
What is extreme gravity, and how can it help us understand the origin of the universe?
2002, 2007, 2012, 2019
Quantum Information Science
How do we harness the power of quantum mechanics to improve information processing?
Recently completed 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.
AI and Society
New program provides expert AI advice for policymakers
Nidhi Hegde is equipping policymakers to navigate the AI future
April 30, 2025
AI and Society
The value of community engagement in AI deployment
CIFAR Solution Network brings together community members to co-design an AI-based diabetes dashboard
March 31, 2025
AI and Society
CAISI Research Program at CIFAR announces council membership
CIFAR is delighted to announce the individuals who will be serving on its Research Council for the Canadian AI Safety In...
February 03, 2025
AI and Society
Nicolas Papernot and Catherine Régis appointed Co-Directors of the CAISI Research Program at CIFAR
In a Q&A with CIFAR, Papernot and Régis discuss the importance of CAISI and Canada’s opportunity to be a world leader...
December 12, 2024
AI and Society
Data Communities for Inclusion: Recentering technology in the knowledge and well-being of the collective
CIFAR’s inaugural Solution Network welcomes contributions from groups engaged in collective organizing throughout the...
November 14, 2024
AI and Society
Government of Canada announces Canadian AI Safety Institute
Today in Montréal, the Government of Canada announced the creation of the Canadian AI Safety Institute (CAISI), which w...
November 12, 2024
Advances
CIFAR launches new exploration on “The Future of Food”
A panel of experts is guiding enhanced foresight into challenges and opportunities facing the future of global food syst...
September 04, 2024
Advances
CIFAR researchers discover potential treatment for a fungus devastating amphibian populations worldwide
Across the world, a devastating fungus has been spreading amongst frogs and toads, infiltrating thei
August 21, 2024
AI and Society
Indigenous perspectives in AI
A free online course supported by the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy at CIFAR teaches AI trainees about Indigenous knowledge-k...
June 18, 2024
AI and Society
Beyond privacy: it’s time for a rights-based approach to regulating AI for children
New CIFAR AI Insights report proposes tools for policymakers that extend beyond standard privacy-driven strategies for d...
April 24, 2024