Frequently Asked Questions
For Potential Candidates
The application forms are not available on the website – how can I apply?
The program administration does not take applications directly from researchers. Eligible Canadian institutions must submit the applications. The forms will be available to eligible institutions on the program’s online portal.
Internationally based scholars and researchers interested in this opportunity may enquire with any of the eligible Canadian institutions . These institutions are invited to nominate eligible candidates to the program.
Can a candidate be submitted for consideration by more than one institution?
No. You may approach more than one institution to determine the best fit; however, candidates cannot be nominated by more than one institution and must choose a host institution before the registration deadline of August 18, 2017, at 9 p.m. (eastern).
About the Canada 150 Research Chairs Program
What are the objectives of the program?
The Canada 150 Research Chairs Program will invest $117.6 million to provide one-time funding in celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary.
The program is designed to attract approximately 15 to 35 internationally based researchers and scholars, including Canadian expatriates who wish to relocate to Canada. These individuals will help further knowledge in the sciences, technology, health, engineering and the social sciences and humanities, and will build on the country’s reputation as a global centre of science, research and innovation excellence. Refer to Program Details for more information.
How will the grants be awarded?
The program will use a single-phase “rapid response” process that is both competitive and rigorous for awarding the chairs. All applications submitted to the competition, regardless of award value and/or the candidate’s career stage, will be assessed using the program’s evaluation criteria. Candidates will have up to 12 months after funding decisions are communicated to institutions to take up their positions. This will allow flexibility for individuals with families or other obligations.
How is this program different from the Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) Program?
In celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary, the program will use a “rapid response” process to quickly facilitate, over a period of several months, the recruitment of esteemed researchers and scholars who wish to relocate to Canada. In addition, the program will accept applications for individuals of all career stages.
Individuals nominated to the program must hold a full-time academic appointment at the nominating institution as of the start date of the chair award. An institution may choose to recruit within an existing area of strength in the sciences, technology, health, engineering, and the social sciences and humanities, or it may use the research chair to build critical mass in a new area.
How will equity and diversity be considered within the program?
Achieving a more equitable, diverse and inclusive Canadian research enterprise is essential to creating the excellent, innovative and impactful research necessary to seize opportunities and for responding to global challenges. As such, the program is committed to the Government of Canada’s policies on non-discrimination and employment equity.
All institutions’ practices for recruiting chairs are expected to be open, transparent and equitable. Equity and diversity will be given strong consideration in the competition, consistent with the Government of Canada's expectations for a diverse set of awardees. Institutions must demonstrate a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in their recruitment and outreach strategies, and ensure equitable access to opportunities available within the research teams that the program will establish. Measures will also be taken to ensure that individuals with career interruptions (e.g., parental leave) are not disadvantaged during the evaluation process.
In addition, measures will be taken as part of the review process to limit unconscious bias. Equity and diversity will be considered when identifying external reviewers and potential committee members for the multidisciplinary review panel. External reviewers will be provided with guidelines on limiting unconscious bias, and review panel members will receive training on limiting unconscious bias.
Are the research chairs awards renewable?
The awards are tenable for seven years and are non-renewable. As part of the application process, institutions will need to provide a plan for ensuring the sustainability and retention of the chairholder beyond the period of the award.
What will happen in the event that a successful candidate does not accept the award?
If a successful candidate does not accept the award, it will be offered to the next institution and candidate on the reversion list.
About the Application Process
How do I determine if my institution is eligible to apply?
Degree-granting institutions are eligible to apply if they have received an average of $1 million or more per year from the three federal granting agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
What candidates are eligible to be submitted to the program?
Only researchers who are internationally based at the time of the application (both working and residing outside of Canada), including Canadian expatriates, are eligible to the program. Researchers who are already at a Canadian institution are not eligible. Nominated individuals must hold a full-time academic appointment at the Canadian nominating institution as of the start date of the chair award. Refer to Eligibility of Nominees for more information.
Can a current CERC or Canada Research Chairholder (CRC) be a candidate?
No, current CERCs and CRCs are not eligible to the program.
Can a potential CERC candidate be submitted to the program?
A potential CERC candidate who is internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) at the time of the application is eligible.
Can a candidate nominated for a Canada 150 Research Chair be nominated for a CERC in Phase 2 of the current competition?
Yes, but a candidate cannot hold a Canada 150 Research Chair and a CERC at the same time.
Can a researcher who is already in Canada be submitted as a candidate?
No. Researchers who are already employed at a Canadian institution are not eligible. Only researchers who are internationally based at the time of the application (both working and residing outside of Canada), including Canadian expatriates, are eligible to the program.
How many applications can be submitted by institutions?
Eligible institutions may only submit up to a limited number of applications to the competition, equal up to a maximum dollar value per year.
Why are there two different award values?
The two award values acknowledge the varying costs of research objectives and the exceptional calibre of the candidates. The program also wishes to consider candidates from the largest available pool of top-tier researchers and scholars, which is consistent with the Government of Canada's expectations for a diverse set of awardees.
When will the registration and application forms be available?
The forms will be made available to eligible institutions on the program’s online portal. The registration form has been shared, and the application form will be made available at a later date. Institutions will be notified directly when the forms are made available.
How do I access the online portal?
The Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat will email instructions to all eligible institutions. Institutions will need to identify a key contact who will be given access to the portal.
What are the application deadlines?
Please see Forms and Application Instructions.
When will the results of the competition be available?
Results are expected to be announced prior to December 31, 2017.
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