Advance your research career in Canada with the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards (CIRTA), a prestigious new opportunity designed to support outstanding postdoctoral scholars working or studying around the world.
The Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards (CIRTA) recognize and support international researchers at the postdoctoral and doctoral levels. By providing high quality training opportunities in priority fields, the program strives to attract global talent and strengthen Canada's research ecosystem. Postdoctoral awards are $70,000/year for up to two years. Read the full announcement from the tri-agencies to learn more about these awards.
The University of Waterloo deadline to apply for wave two of CIRTA closed on May 8, 2026. Further applications for this program are not being accepted. Review additional timeline details below if you applied for CIRTA as part of wave two.
Timeline for CIRTA wave two nominees and nominators
June 3, 2026: Deadline for the University of Waterloo to forward successful nominations to the agencies, to support the allocations set out by the tri-agencies (Waterloo has three postdoctoral allocations for wave two). GSPA will convey the outcomes of the institutional review to nominators (faculty member at Waterloo) and nominees (postdoc applicant).
TBD: Results of CIRTA are released by tri-agencies; nominees (postdoc applicant to Waterloo) will be directly notified by the agencies; you will have 21 days to accept the CIRTA award offer.
Summer 2026: Departments work with nominees and nominators to prepare employment agreements and materials required to begin visa applications.
January 1, 2027 (SSHRC/NSERC) or March 1, 2027 (CIHR): Deadline for successful nominees to arrive in Canada and begin their appointments.