Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (Impact+)

Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (Impact+) Program is a one-time initiative designed to support institutions in attracting world-leading researchers whose work addresses critical national and global challenges. The program emphasizes both research excellence and tangible impact. Impact+ Chairs will receive long-term funding and institutional support to advance ambitious and transformative projects in Canada’s strategic priority areas, build and maintain exceptional research teams, and collaborate with partners across sectors and borders. Impact+ 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.

The Impact+ program is a tri-agency initiative of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). It is administered by the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS), which is housed within SSHRC.

The key objectives of the Impact+ program are to support institutions to:

• attract a world-leading researchers to strengthen Canada’s global competitiveness and innovation leadership;
• transform bold discoveries into innovative products, ideas, policies and solutions that benefit Canadians and the world;
• help Canada grow and sustain a critical mass of expertise in priority areas identified by the Government of Canada through the development of high-impact research teams; and
• incentivize strategic partnerships across sectors, such as industry, health systems, government and not-for-profit organizations, to accelerate translation of research into practice and enhance long-term adoption and impact.

These objectives, reflected in the selection criteria, will guide the initial multidisciplinary review when awarding Chairs, as well as the subsequent external review of a potential funding extension of four additional years.

For more information about EDI at the University of Alberta, please refer to Changing the Story: An Integrated Action Plan for transforming our vibrant and interconnected university community (2025).

Additional Considerations

Research security requirements apply to this opportunity. If you are already or you plan to be a holder of research funding subject to the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern, you are reminded that under that Policy, if your research aims to advance a Sensitive Technology Research Area, no one on the team can have any active affiliation with, or be in receipt of financial or in-kind support from, a Named Research Organization. This includes any Canada+ Impact Research Chairs. 

Please consult the SRO portal for more information on the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern and completion of the required Attestation Forms using the University’s Attestation App. 

If your research involves one or more partners from the private sector, you are also required to complete a Risk Assessment Form further to the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships. 

Finally, if you are submitting either an Attestation Form or a Risk Assessment Form, you must also complete required research security training available in Canvas as an institutional condition of application.