Canada has officially launched the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards, a major new government-funded doctoral and postdoctoral research opportunity designed to attract top international research talent to Canadian universities. This initiative will be available for recruitment and awards aligned with the 2026–2027 academic and research cohort, making it one of the most significant research funding announcements for international PhD and postdoctoral applicants targeting Canada.
This article explains what the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards are, who they are for, what they offer financially and academically, the priority research areas, how the nomination-based process works, and the expected application timeline and deadlines so potential candidates can prepare early.
What Type of Opportunity Is This?
The Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards are fully funded, competitive research awards introduced by the Government of Canada under Budget 2025 – Canada Strong. The program is administered jointly by Canada’s three federal research funding agencies:
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
With a CAD 133.6 million investment over three years, the initiative aims to strengthen Canada’s research ecosystem by recruiting international doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers into strategic, high-impact research areas.
Scholarship Offerings and Financial Benefits
Under the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards, a total of 1,000 fully funded research awards will be distributed through the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS).
Successful candidates can expect the following funding:
-
Doctoral Scholarships (600 awards):
CAD 40,000 per year for up to three years -
Postdoctoral Research Awards (400 awards):
CAD 70,000 per year for up to two years
These awards are designed to support full-time research training in Canada and allow recipients to focus on high-impact research without financial pressure.
Priority Research Areas Supported
Applicants must be recruited into projects aligned with one or more of the following eight national priority research areas:
- Advanced digital technologies, including AI, quantum, and cybersecurity
- Health and biotechnology
- Clean technology and resource value chains
- Environment, climate resilience, and Arctic research
- Food and water security
- Democratic and community resilience
- Manufacturing and advanced materials
- Defence and dual-use technologies
These focus areas reflect Canada’s long-term innovation, economic resilience, and global competitiveness goals.
Can You Clear Its Eligibility?
To be considered for the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards, candidates must meet the following general eligibility conditions.
Applicants must be international doctoral students or postdoctoral researchers, including Canadian citizens who are currently residing outside Canada. Candidates cannot apply independently; instead, they must be recruited and nominated by an eligible Canadian researcher who holds an active grant from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC. The nomination must be aligned with one of the eight priority research areas. The host Canadian institution is responsible for submitting the application on behalf of the nominator and candidate to the relevant funding agency, where an eligibility review will be conducted.
Final eligibility is subject to institutional nomination limits and agency-specific rules communicated directly to universities.
Application Process Overview
The Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards follow a nomination-based model, not a direct student application process. Canadian universities will receive a fixed number of nominations and will internally select and recruit suitable international candidates. Once selected, the institution submits the application to the appropriate funding agency for review and approval.
Apply: https://nserc-crsng.canada.ca/en/news/launch-new-canada-impact-research-training-awards
Application Timeline and Deadlines
The Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards are designed for rapid delivery and will be implemented in two phases.
The first phase of nominations is expected to be submitted by Canadian institutions in early 2026, with initial funding results announced by April 1, 2026. A second phase will begin on April 1, 2026, allowing for the redistribution of unused nominations and adjustments across agencies and priority areas. These timelines align the awards with recruitment and research starts for the 2026–2027 cohort.
Detailed nomination instructions and institutional deadlines will be shared directly with Canadian universities in the coming weeks.