Applications are now open for the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards at the University of Alberta. This is a prestigious, one-time federal scholarship program funded by the Government of Canada through CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC.
It offers fully funded opportunities for outstanding international and returning Canadian students and researchers to pursue doctoral or postdoctoral studies in Canada. The awards support research in key priority areas that address Canada’s strategic needs. There is no application fee for the scholarship itself.
Key Details:
- Degree Level: Doctoral (PhD) and Postdoctoral
- Host Country: Canada
- Host University: University of Alberta
- Application Deadline (Wave 2): May 12, 2026 (Departmental submission)
- Scholarship Start Date: September 2026 or January 2027 (some flexibility)
- Nationalities: Open to applicants of all nationalities, including Canadians currently abroad
- Funding Type: Fully funded (generous stipend)
- Number of Awards: Up to 600 Doctoral + 400 Postdoctoral across Canada
What This Scholarship Offers:
- Doctoral Awards: $40,000 per year for up to 3 years
- Postdoctoral Awards: $70,000 per year for up to 2 years
Benefits include:
- Significant financial support to focus fully on your research without financial stress
- Opportunity to study and conduct research at one of Canada’s top universities
- Access to world-class research facilities and supervision
- Chance to build international networks and advance your academic career in Canada
- Contribution to high-impact research in Canada’s priority areas
Eligible Fields / Priority Areas:
- Advanced digital technologies (AI, quantum, 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
- Defence and dual-use technologies
Eligibility Criteria:
For Doctoral Applicants:
- Must be currently studying or working outside Canada
- Must not have any current affiliation with a Canadian institution
- Must apply for doctoral admission at University of Alberta by May 1, 2026
- Research must fit one of the priority areas above
- Cannot have previously held a doctoral scholarship from CIHR, NSERC, or SSHRC
For Postdoctoral Applicants:
- Must hold or expect to complete a PhD before the award start date
- Must be currently based outside Canada with no current Canadian institutional affiliation
- Research must fit one of the priority areas
- Cannot hold a faculty (tenure-track) position
- Cannot have previously held a postdoctoral award from the three agencies
Note: Both Canadian and international candidates abroad are welcome. Canadian citizens who left the country for research/work and now want to return are especially encouraged.
How to Apply:
- Contact a faculty member at the University of Alberta who is willing to supervise you and holds an active Tri-Agency grant.
- Work with the supervisor to complete the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards – Nomination form.
- Prepare your CV.
- Submit the nomination package through your department to the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) by the deadline.
- University of Alberta will select the strongest candidates and forward them to the national competition.
Important: Only a limited number of nominations will be accepted from the University of Alberta (12 for PhD and 8 for Postdoc in Wave 2).
Additional Important Notes:
- All applicants must follow Canada’s research security policies (including affiliation checks).
- Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- Results are expected in Summer 2026.