Launched on December 9, 2025, 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. University of Waterloo applicants should be in alignment with Waterloo at 100 and our Global Futures vision.
Chairholders are expected to drive the translation of discoveries into applications, commercialization and social and economic benefits for Canada and the world, while also developing the next generation of highly qualified personnel.
Waterloo requires nominees to hold a PhD (or equivalent), who will be appointed to a Waterloo academic department/unit as a full professor or associate professor with a promotion to full professor within two years of starting their appointment, or, if recruited from outside the academic sector, must possess the necessary qualifications to be appointed at these levels. The rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Canada’s strategic priority areas:
- advanced digital technologies (including artificial intelligence, quantum and cybersecurity)
- health, including biotechnology
- clean technology and resource value chains
- environment, climate resilience and the Arctic
- food and water security
- democratic and community resilience
- manufacturing and advanced materials
- defence and dual-use technologies
As part of the nomination, applicants must complete an online self-identification form. The information disclosed through this form will be kept strictly confidential.
Full applications must be submitted to our online portal.
The formal advertisement is now available.
Researchers interested in applying to the Canada Impact+ Research Chair program at Waterloo are encouraged to monitor this page or reach out to Canada-ImpactChairs@uwaterloo.ca to receive additional information as it becomes available.
To find out more about the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards (CIRTA) at Waterloo, please visit Funding for research-based graduate programs | Future Graduate Students | University of Waterloo or Funding opportunities | Postdoctoral Scholars | University of Waterloo.