UBC Recruiting Canada Impact+ Research Chairs

As you may be aware, the Government of Canada recently announced the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program to recruit exceptional internationally based researchers to Canadian universities. 

UBC’s application limit to the program is $25 million per year for chairs valued at $1 million or $500,000 per year for eight years. Chairs will be awarded in the following strategic priority areas determined by the Government of Canada:

• advanced digital technologies (including artificial intelligence, quantum and cybersecurity);
• health, including 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; and/or
• defence and dual-use technologies.

The program includes two nomination intakes in March and June 2026. UBC’s expression of interest deadline for the first intake is January 15, 2026. We strongly encourage applicants to submit their expressions of interest in time for the first intake. 

Information for potential applicants is available on our website. Additional information for the UBC community regarding internal processes and timelines will be posted in the new year. 

I encourage you and your colleagues to proactively reach out to potential candidates. In some cases, there might be ongoing searches for which this competition is applicable.

Gail C. Murphy
Vice-President, Research and Innovation