The new Canada Global Impact Research Talent Initiative commits $1.7 billion over 12 years to attract more than 1,000 world-leading researchers to Canada. Announced December 9, 2025, the program has four streams. The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program, Emerging Leaders, the Research Infrastructure Fund, and Research Training Awards, targeting priority areas such as advanced digital technologies, health, clean technology, and climate resilience.

This is one of Canada’s largest targeted research recruitment efforts and aims to boost innovation, commercialization, and high-skilled jobs nationwide.

These investments are split across these streams: $1 billion for Impact+ Research Chairs, $120 million for Emerging Leaders, $400 million for infrastructure, and $133.6 million for training awards. Together, they provide salary support, research funding, and world-class facilities to help recruited teams hit the ground running.

Why the Canada Global Impact Research Talent Initiative Matters

This initiative responds to intense global competition for scientific talent. By funding both salaries and infrastructure, Canada increases the chances that top researchers will relocate and build teams here. The program is also designed to promote partnerships with industry, encouraging research with commercial potential.

Key Program Features

• Canada Impact+ Research Chairs: awards of $8M or $4M over eight years (with a possible extension).
• Emerging Leaders: funding at $100,000/year for eligible early-career researchers.
• Research Infrastructure Fund: up to $6M per chair for capital and operating needs.
• Research Training Awards: up to 600 doctoral scholarships and 400 postdoctoral awards.

These resources help researchers establish labs, train students, and translate discoveries into products or services.

How Institutions and Provinces Benefit

The Canada Impact+ Research Talent Initiative supports universities and research hospitals in attracting high-impact teams. Provinces that invest in matching supports and fast-track credential recognition can gain early advantages in hiring and retaining recruited talent.

Benefits for local ecosystems include:

• Increased commercialization and start-up formation
• New high-skilled jobs in R&D and advanced manufacturing
• Strengthened collaborations between academia and industry
• Greater capacity for clinical trials and health innovation

Universities and regional innovation hubs should prepare proposals aligning institutional strengths to program priorities.

Priority Research Areas and Strategic Impact

Recruitment focuses on strategic fields: artificial intelligence, quantum, cybersecurity, biotechnology, life sciences, clean tech, climate resilience, food and water security, and advanced materials. Research that spans multiple areas is also eligible, enabling interdisciplinary projects that tackle complex challenges.

This focus helps Canada build sovereign capacity in technologies with economic and national security implications.

What Researchers and Institutions Should Do Next

Researchers who might benefit should:

• Track program calls from the tri-agency secretariat (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC)
• Prepare evidence of impact, commercialization pathways, and industry links
• Liaise with institutional offices for proposal support and matching funds
• Explore the Research Training Awards for doctoral and postdoctoral recruitment

Institutions should also plan infrastructure proposals to leverage the Research Infrastructure Fund.

The Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative represents a major, long-term bet on science and innovation. By investing $1.7 billion to attract over 1,000 researchers, Canada aims to accelerate discovery, commercialization, and capacity building in priority areas. For universities, provinces, and researchers, this is an important chance to build teams that can drive economic and societal benefits for decades. If your institution or team needs support with immigration planning for recruited talent, ImmigCanada immigration consulting services can guide you with the advice from the best RCIC in Canada and an experienced immigration consultant in Canada.