How are Chairs awarded?

Canadian universities both nominate Canada Research Chairs and administer their funds.

Each eligible degree-granting institution receives an allocation of Chairs. For each Chair, a university nominates a researcher whose work complements its strategic research plan and who meets the program's high standards.

Three members of a College of Reviewers, composed of experts from around the world, assess each nomination and recommend whether to support it.

If you are interested in becoming a Canada Research Chair, please contact a Canadian university, or refer to this publication from the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada for job postings.

Types of Chairs

There are two types of Canada Research Chairs:

Tier 1 Chairs, tenable for seven years and renewable, are for outstanding researchers acknowledged by their peers as world leaders in their fields. For each Tier 1 Chair, the university receives $200,000 annually for seven years.

Tier 2 Chairs, tenable for five years and renewable once, are for exceptional emerging researchers, acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to lead in their field. For each Tier 2 Chair, the university receives $100,000 annually for five years.

Tier 2 Chairs are not meant to be a feeder group to Tier 1 Chairs. The intent of Tier 2 Chairs is to provide emerging researchers with support that will kick-start their careers. As part of their strategic considerations in managing their allocations, universities should develop a succession plan for their Tier 2 Chairs.

Infrastructure support from CFI

Chairholders are also eligible for infrastructure support from the Canada Foundation for Innovation to help acquire state-of-the-art equipment essential to their work.