Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative

The future is quantum, and the time to build it is now. 

The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) invites the world’s brightest minds to join our community through two new opportunities: the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (Impact+) and the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards (CIRTA). 

These initiatives are designed to attract top-tier international talent to drive innovation in critical industries. There is no better place to apply this expertise than IQC, where we are harnessing nature at its most fundamental level to shape the next era of inquiry.

Here, you will work alongside world-leading experts working in theoretical and experimental research in computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry and materials to advance quantum information science at the highest international level.

Research drives everything we do. Our ecosystem fosters a truly interdisciplinary environment where experts from three faculties and seven departments converge:

IQC: A world leader in Quantum information

• IQC is recognized worldwide as a top quantum research and innovation center pioneering quantum technology ​​​​​​​subfields of communication, computing, and sensing, supported by materials and devices. IQC research has brought in $780+ million in funding and boasts 7 current research chairs. 
• IQC’s ongoing partnerships span the globe, collaborating with other universities, industry, and the public sector on research, skills development, shared infrastructure, and device fabrication. IQC welcomes 100+ visiting researchers a year, and IQC research leads are involved in 125+ global collaborations spanning academia and industry.
• IQC is building the quantum workforce and supporting industry through shared infrastructure and expertise. 3,000 + people have been trained in quantum information and technology since 2002 who have helped advance quantum research and commercialization across the world.
• IQC advances powerful new quantum technologies that will drive future economies, from initial ideas to commercialization. 45% of IQC research leads are involved in commercialization with 23 active startups spun out of research. 

The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program is a federal initiative designed to support institutions in attracting to Canada world-leading international researchers whose work addresses critical national and global challenges. The program emphasizes both research excellence and tangible impact. 

Impact+ Research Chairs will receive long-term funding and institutional support to advance ambitious and transformative projects that align with Canada’s strategic priority areas, to build and maintain exceptional research teams, and collaborate with partners across sectors and borders. 

Only candidates who are internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) at the time of the intake’s application deadline are eligible. Expatriate Canadians are encouraged to apply.
 

Learn more and apply here.

Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards

Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards is a $133.6 million investment to help institutions recruit top-tier scholars to Canada to harness the quantum world and shape the next technological era.

Selected nominees will work alongside world-leading researchers across theory, experiment, engineering, and materials at the University of Waterloo.

This award is specifically for high-calibre talent currently outside of Canada.

Funding Levels:

• PhD Students: $40,000/year for up to 3 years.
• Postdoctoral Scholars: $70,000/year for up to 2 years.

Note: Selected nominees receive additional support and benefits, including eligibility for the International Doctoral Student Award (IDSA) for PhD students, which aligns international tuition with domestic levels.

How to Apply

The CIRTA program utilizes a nomination process. You cannot apply directly to the agency; you must be nominated by a faculty member at the University of Waterloo.

Step 1: Connect with a Supervisor Explore our Faculty Directory or Research Areas. Reach out to potential supervisors whose work aligns with your interests.

• Tip: Clearly state your interest in the CIRTA program in your correspondence.

Step 2: Confirmation & Nomination

• For PhD Students: You must apply for admission to the University of Waterloo (target Fall 2026 or Winter 2027 intake). Your potential supervisor will submit the CIRTA nomination form internally.
• For Postdocs: Once a supervisor agrees to nominate you, they will submit an endorsement form. You must then submit a complete application package to the university committee.

Step 3: Selection The University of Waterloo Institutional Selection Committee will review nominations and forward recommended candidates to the tri-agencies for final approval.

• January 16, 2026: Canada Impact+ Research Chair application deadline

• January/February 2026: Prospective PhD students should apply for program admission.

• February 17, 2026 (9:00 am EST): Internal Deadline for CIRTA. Supervisors must submit nominations to the university.

• April 1, 2026: Final funding decisions announced by the tri-agencies.