Office of Research

Global Scholars Program

Limited Submissions

Note: This is not a limited submission and is being announced as a courtesy only.

CIFAR is accepting applications for the 2026-2028 cohort of the CIFAR Global Scholars Program. This unique initiative provides junior faculty with the opportunity to develop and lead high-risk, high-reward interdisciplinary research, expand their professional networks and receive focused leadership training in their pivotal first years as independent investigators.

These experiences accelerate the rise of research leaders who are positioned to drive new discoveries and open new fields of inquiry.

Each Global Scholar:

  • Joins one of CIFAR’s interdisciplinary research programs, a two-year opportunity to collaborate and receive mentorship within a close-knit network of leading global researchers.
  • Receives $100,000 CAD in unrestricted research support. These flexible funds may be used for research expenses, teaching release, student or postdoc support, conference travel, and more.
  • May apply for CIFAR seed funding to pursue high-risk, high-reward interdisciplinary collaborations.
  • Gains access to leadership training in key areas, including team leadership, trainee mentorship, science communication and science advocacy.

CIFAR welcomes applicants within the first five years of their first independent faculty appointment, whose research complements the themes and goals of a research program listed below. There are no citizenship or geographic restrictions on who may apply.

The CIFAR research programs accepting applications are:

  • Child & Brain Development
  • CIFAR MacMillan Multiscale Human
  • Future Flourishing
  • Humanity’s Urban Future
  • Learning in Machines & Brains
  • Quantum Materials

Application Instructions

Apply via the sponsor's platform: https://cifarportal.smapply.io/

Opportunity Details

Program web page

Program Announcement No.

2026-2028

Deadlines
10/27/2025 UW Internal Deadline Open
10/27/2025 OSP Deadline
11/05/2025 Sponsor Deadline
Sponsor

CIFAR

Funding amount

$100,000 (CAD)

Eligible groups
  • All campus

Inquiries and Contact Information

Investigators who identify a grant, award or fellowship program that restricts the number of applications that can be submitted from an Institution should immediately contact their Chairperson, Associate Dean for Research (or Dean, if no ADR) and the Office of Research (see below) if they intend to prepare a response. Failure to do so, or to meet the deadlines for submission of pre-proposal, will preclude submission of the application through the Office of Sponsored Programs.

For general inquiries, or to request a listing of a limited submission opportunity that should be but is not already listed, please email us at limitedsubs@uw.edu.