Call for Applications: CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars Program

The CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars program accelerates the development of researchers in their pivotal first years as independent principal investigators. Global Scholars are emerging research leaders who feel highly motivated to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration and discussion, broaden their networks, and strengthen their leadership capacity, positioning them as drivers of transformational discovery and insight.

CIFAR invites candidates from across the humanities and natural, biomedical and social sciences to join one of their interdisciplinary Research Programs that advance transformative knowledge and solve humanity’s biggest problems.

Components

• It has three core components:
  • Fostering Interdisciplinary Research Excellence: CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars join a research program for two years, participating as equals within a small international network of some of the world’s leading researchers, who together are collaborating across disciplines in pursuit of a fundamental research question. Meeting twice yearly in locations around the world, Fellows, Advisors and Scholars in each program share work-in-progress, exchange perspectives across fields, and develop collaborative projects that spark new insights, transform research directions and open up new fields of inquiry.
  • Developing and Broadening Networks: The program expands Global Scholars’ horizons and potential for impact by broadening and deepening their networks with like-minded researchers for collaboration, support and mentorship.
  • Strengthening Leadership Skills: Even the most accomplished early-career researchers typically enter their roles as principal investigators with little formal leadership training. The program provides training in focused areas of research leadership, including science communication, team leadership, trainee mentorship, science advocacy and more.

Funding Information

• Scholars receive $100,000 CAD in unrestricted research support, administered through their home institution. Eligible uses include, but are not limited to: research projects, teaching release, trainee support, conference travel, etc. CIFAR separately covers travel expenses associated with attending CIFAR meetings.
• Duration: CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars have an active term of two years.

Expected Outcomes 

• During the two-year term, CIFAR expects CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars to:
  • Attend CIFAR Research Program meetings (usually two per year) in various locations around the world.
  • Attend CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar annual meetings (usually held in May or June). The 2025 annual meeting will be held from June 11-13, with arrival on June 10, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.)
  • Attend at least two online leadership development workshops for CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars per year.
  • Report on program-related research and activities annually, and where possible and appropriate, interact with CIFAR stakeholders and funders.
  • Acknowledge CIFAR by using ‘CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar’ in their professional signature and indicating CIFAR as an affiliation. Scholars should also acknowledge CIFAR as a funder in research publications, presentations and media interviews supported by this program’s funding.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible for this program, you must:
  • Hold a PhD (or equivalent).
  • Be employed in a full-time position at an institution of higher education or research, with responsibilities that include leading independent research as a principal investigator and supervising/teaching trainees toward the attainment of a degree.
  • Typically, you are a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the North American system, or, in other academic systems around the world, an equivalent position that is designed to lead to a permanent (tenured-equivalent) faculty position.
  • You must have started your first such position (post-PhD) no earlier than July 1, 2020 and no later than July 1, 2024. Special consideration may be given to those who have taken parental leave or have exceptional circumstances.
  • Have a valid passport, and if required, be able to obtain travel visas to attend CIFAR meetings around the world, approximately two to three times per year.
  • Be fluent in spoken and written English.
  • Postdoctoral fellows are not eligible to apply to this program.
  • There are no geographical restrictions on who may apply.

For more information, visit CIFAR.