British Academy-CIFAR Global Scholars

The British Academy is pleased to announce, in partnership with The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), a call for applications to the CIFAR Global Scholars Program.

This is a two-year opportunity (2027-2029) to collaborate and receive mentorship within a close-knit, interdisciplinary network of leading global researchers in a CIFAR research program.

We encourage UK-based researchers within the social sciences and humanities to apply and take advantage of this unique opportunity. Successful applicants join one of CIFAR’s interdisciplinary research programs, collaborating with global research leaders to advance transformative knowledge and address some of the most important questions facing science and humanity.

The following research programs within the Exploring Emerging Technologies impact cluster are currently accepting applications in partnership with The British Academy:

• Healthy Microbiomes in a Changing World
• Innovation, Equity & the Future of Prosperity

Value and duration

The CIFAR Global Scholars Program provides:

• $100,000 CAD in unrestricted research support. These funds can be used for research expenses, teaching release, student or postdoc support, conference travel, and more.
• Opportunities to apply for CIFAR seed funds. These time-limited funds support high-risk, high-reward interdisciplinary collaborations with CIFAR Fellows, Advisors and other Global Scholars.
• Membership in the extended community of CIFAR Global Scholars. This network of creative and like-minded peers across cohorts and diverse disciplines offers invaluable support and further opportunity for collaboration.
• Targeted training in essential areas of research leadership, including team leadership, trainee mentorship, science communication and science advocacy.

Eligibility requirements and program overview

To be considered for the CIFAR Global Scholars program, you must:

• Hold a PhD (or equivalent).
• Hold a full-time position at an institution of higher education or research. Your position must include responsibility for leading independent research as a principal investigator, as well as supervising or teaching graduate-level trainees toward the completion of a degree. This position must be secure throughout the full term from 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2029. In countries or institutions where the tenure-track system applies, applicants are expected to hold a full-time tenure-track position. In other contexts, equivalent positions that provide comparable independence and a pathway to a permanent faculty appointment will be considered.
• Engage in research that complements the themes and goals of a recruiting CIFAR research program.
• Meet the additional criteria provided on the CIFAR Global Scholars Program webpage.

See more details on this call in the CIFAR Global Scholars Programme Overview handbook.

Application process

For additional details about the program and to apply, please visit the CIFAR website.

The deadline for applications is 4 November 2026.