A major opportunity has just landed for early- and mid-career researchers around the world. The Jacobs Foundation has officially launched the 2027–2029 Call for Applications for the Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellowship, with submissions open until 2 February 2026 at 12 p.m. EDT.
This globally regarded fellowship—formerly known as the Jacobs Research Fellowship—has been reimagined and rebranded through an exciting partnership with the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR). Together, the two organizations are uniting their strengths in education innovation, multidisciplinary research, and international collaboration to support the next generation of leaders shaping the science of learning.
What Is the Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellowship?
This three-year fellowship is one of the world’s most competitive programs for rising scholars who focus on child and youth learning, development, and education systems. It is designed for researchers who want to push boundaries—those who work across disciplines, integrate diverse methodological approaches, and aim to inform real-world policy and practice.
Applicants must have earned their PhD within the past 10 years, positioning the fellowship as a launchpad for exceptional early-career talent and innovative thinkers ready to expand their impact on global education.
What Makes This Fellowship Special?
The Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellowship isn’t just funding — it’s a transformative professional ecosystem. Selected fellows receive:
1# Generous Three-Year Research Support: Funding is awarded directly to the host institution and can be used for:
- Partial salary support
- Research personnel and assistants
- Equipment and materials
- Trainee support
- International or domestic research travel
This flexible structure ensures each fellow can pursue bold, impactful work without financial restraints.
2# Access to a Global Network of Leaders: Fellows join:
- CIFAR’s renowned international research leadership programs
- The Jacobs Foundation’s worldwide network of scholars, innovators, and policy partners
This means direct access to world-class mentors, interdisciplinary collaborations, and high-impact research communities.
3# Interdisciplinary Innovation at Its Core: The fellowship actively welcomes scholars from a wide range of fields, including:
- Education sciences
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Economics
- Behavioral sciences
- Linguistics
- Neuroscience
- Computer science
- Pedagogy
- Learning sciences
Applicants whose work combines multiple levels of analysis — cognitive, behavioral, environmental, sociocultural, technological — are especially encouraged.
Strategic Focus Areas for the 2027–2029 Cohort
Aligned with the Jacobs Foundation’s Strategy 2030, the fellowship focuses on research that tackles the most pressing questions in modern education, including:
1# Understanding variations in learning and development: How do individual, contextual, and cultural differences shape the learning experience?
2# Designing for learner variability at scale: How can education systems adapt to support every child’s unique learning journey?
3# Reducing learning inequalities, including those tied to digital divides: What can be done to ensure every child benefits equally from new technologies?
4# Ethical and impactful use of data in education: How do we harness data to support teachers and students while protecting privacy?
5# Transforming school environments to improve learning outcomes: Which school-level policies, strategies, and systems work best across diverse global contexts?
Who Should Apply?
This fellowship is a perfect match for researchers who:
- Completed their PhD within the last 10 years
- Are early- or mid-career academics
- Demonstrate strong potential for high-impact, interdisciplinary research
- Aim to translate scientific evidence into meaningful educational change
- Work within the broad domains of learning, development, and education systems
If your work has the power to reshape how the world understands and improves learning, this fellowship offers the platform to amplify your vision globally.
Apply: https://jacobsfoundation.org/2027-29-call-for-applications-jacobs-cifar-research-fellowship/
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the 2027–2029 Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellowship is 2 February 2026 at 12 p.m.