Canada Launches New Streams to Attract and Retain World-Class Researchers

Kritika Pandey

Updated On Dec 11, 2025

The Government of Canada is investing over 1.7 billion CAD to attract and support more than 1,000 top researchers through the Canada Impact+ programmes, including Research Chairs, Emerging Leaders, and Research Training Awards.

Canada Launches New Streams to Attract and Retain World-Class Researchers

The government of Canada has launched the Research Talent Initiative, a new programme focused on attracting and retaining international talent in research fields in the country. This initiative underscores the importance of Canada’s commitment to expanding its research capacity across key priority areas and is expected to deliver significant economic, societal, and health benefits to Canadians.

The government has planned to invest more than 1.7 billion CAD over the next decade to support the work and settlement of more than 1,000 researchers.

The initiative focuses on attracting talent in high-priority sectors, including:

Advanced digital technologies (AI, quantum, cybersecurity)
Health and 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

The initiative is created around three distinct new streams:

Canada Impact+ Research Chairs

This is a one-time programme intended to welcome and fund nearly 100 world-leading researchers in key priority areas, with an investment focusing on 1 billion CAD over 12 years.

The following table summarises the key aspects of the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program:

Category	Details
Application Process	Individuals are nominated by eligible Canadian institutions through a competitive process.
Nominee Requirements	Must be internationally based (residing and working outside Canada); eligible for full or associate professor appointment.
Funding Amount	4-8 million CAD or more over 8–12 years, covering salary and related expenses.
Immigration Pathway	Entry via the International Mobility Program (IMP); LMIA-exempt, employer-specific work permit.
Institutional Support	Institutions must provide settlement and immigration assistance to nominees.

Also Read: Canada Invites 1,123 Candidates in Largest 2025 Express Entry PNP Draw

Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders

This programme can be called a companion to the research chair streams. The Canada Impact + Emerging Leaders provides institutions with 100,000 CAD per year for six years (with a possible renewal) to recruit international early-career researchers (ECRs) into tenure-track positions.

The table below features the key specifications for the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program:

Category	Details
Award Trigger	Issued after a Research Chair has been nominated, with ECRs anchored to the Chair's department.
Nominee Requirements	ECRs with independent research programs, internationally based, ready for full-time tenure-track roles.
Immigration Pathway	LMIA-exempt, employer-specific work permit, similar to the Research Chairs program.

Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards (Doctoral & Postdoctoral)

Under this programme, 133.6 million CAD is invested to fund 600 doctoral students and 400 postdoctoral researchers from abroad.

Details regarding the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards are summarised in the table below:

Category	Details
Funding Amount (Annual)	Doctoral students: 40,000 CAD for 3 years; Postdoctoral researchers: 70,000 CAD for 2 years.
Eligibility	Nominees must have no current affiliation with a Canadian institution and be based abroad.
Immigration Pathway	Regular study permit (Doctoral) or work permit (Postdoctoral) application; no special fast-tracking but benefit from existing system exemptions (e.g., 14-day PhD permit processing from outside Canada).

In addition to these three streams, the government has also introduced the Canada Impact+ Research Infrastructure Fund, which will invest 400 million CAD over six years to help institutions cover costs such as advanced lab equipment and other research infrastructure related to the intake of new researchers.

Also Read: Canada’s 2026-28 Immigration Levels Plan Raises PNP Targets by Over 66%

Begin Your Research Career in Canada with the New Research Talent Initiative

Whether you aim for a prestigious Research Chair, an Early Career Researcher tenure-track position, or funding for doctoral or postdoctoral studies, this initiative offers unparalleled opportunities and dedicated immigration support.

Get expert guidance with GetGIS on navigating nomination, funding, and immigration pathways to join Canada’s vibrant research community.

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