The Canada Impact+ Research Chairsnorth_eastexternal link (Impact+) program is a very prestigious, one-time initiative designed to support universities in attracting world-leading researchers whose work addresses critical national and global challenges. The program is aimed at advancing ambitious and transformative projects in areas of strategic importance to Canada, build and maintain exceptional research teams, and collaborate with partners across sectors and borders. The expectation for Impact+ chairholders is to drive the translation of discoveries into applications, commercialization and social and economic benefits for Canada and the world, while training the next generation of highly qualified personnel. The program emphasizes both research excellence and tangible impact.

Impact+ Chairs are awarded to address global and domestic challenges, strengthen Canada’s contribution to international research and innovation, and generate lasting social and economic benefits. Impact+ Chairs are expected to build significant new partnerships and collaborations with both Canadian and international entities, as well as by and with Indigenous peoples and communities, where appropriate. A core expectation is that the Chairs will actively translate and mobilize research outcomes into practice, policy and commercialization pathways that deliver measurable social and economic benefits for Canada and the world.

uOttawa is seeking world-leading researchers in the following strategic priority areasnorth_eastexternal link established 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 Impact+ recruitment process consists of two stages. Initially, candidates apply to an open job posting at uOttawa. The successful candidate will then work with the uOttawa to co-develop an application for the federal funding program. Appointment to an Impact+ university position is contingent upon receiving an Impact+ Chair award. Impact+ Chair awardees must begin their appointment within 12 months of accepting the award. The term is for eight years, with funding of either $8 million or $4 million over the duration, with the possibility of a four-year extension at 50% of the initial award value per year.

Apply online through the University of Ottawa Careers portal.

Deadline: January 17, 2026.

Program Eligibility

Candidates not successful in the Impact+ competition may be considered for a Canada Research Chair (Tier I) or other recruitment opportunities.

• Candidates must be full professors, or associate professors expected to be promoted to full professor within two years of the appointment at the university. Alternatively, if they come from outside the academic sector, nominees must possess the qualifications necessary to be appointed at these levels.
• Candidates must be internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) at the time of the application deadline.
• All Impact+ awards are subject to review and approval by the Impact+ program. There will be two rounds of submissions:
  • Intake 1
    • Registration: March 10, 2026.
    • Application deadline: March 24, 2026.
    • Results: June 2026.
  • Intake 2
    • Registration is June 15, 2026.
    • Application deadline: June 29, 2026.
    • Results: September 2026.
• The successful candidate will have up to 12 months to take up the Chair award after the release of the results. The nominee must hold a full-time academic appointment at uOttawa as of the start date of the Impact+ award.
• Awardees are eligible for the Canada Impact+ Research Infrastructure Fundnorth_eastexternal link (CIRIF) (up to $6M) to help acquire state-of-the-art equipment essential to their work.

Please visit the Impact+ website for complete details on the initiative and the program’s selection criteria.