Canada Impact+ Research Chairs

Cape Breton University (CBU) invites applications from world‑leading internationally based researchers who wish to be nominated for a Canada Impact+ Research Chairs Award. The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (Impact+ Chair) program is a one‑time initiative designed to support institutions in attracting researchers whose work addresses critical national and global challenges. The program emphasizes both research excellence and tangible impact. Impact+ Chairs will receive long‑term funding and institutional support to advance ambitious and transformative projects in Canada’s strategic priority areas ;

build and maintain exceptional research teams; and collaborate with partners across disciplines, sectors, and borders. Impact+ Chairs will translate research discoveries into applications, commercialization opportunities, and meaningful social and economic benefits for Canada and beyond, while also training the next generation of highly qualified personnel (HQP).

Each Canada Impact+ Research Chair Award is valued at either $500,000 or $1 million per year for eight years, with the possibility of a four‑year funded extension at 50% of the initial award value per year.

CBU anticipates nominating up to two Impact+ Chairs in the following strategic priority areas:

• 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.

CBU has a particular interest in researchers with demonstrated expertise and a strong track record in applied machine learning, predictive analytics, and AI‑driven methods applied to diverse data sets, including—but not limited to—data on climate change, variability, and impact. We welcome applicants with experience working across disciplines and leading research infrastructure initiatives, particularly in rural and regional contexts. Candidates who demonstrate the capacity and willingness to collaborate with local communities, including Indigenous communities, will be highly ranked.

Applicants who are successful in CBU’s competition will be nominated by the University for an Impact+ Chair. Successful applicants will be world‑class scholars who envision bringing their research to Canada and contributing to the communities of Cape Breton and Unama’ki, the national research ecosystem, and global knowledge. They will have the primary responsibility for directing their research program and all related activities, including attracting external research funds, leading research teams, training HQP, and working with CBU to coordinate the governance and administration of their research activities.

Through their scholarship, they will advance knowledge, inform local, regional, and national policy, and engage public and industry audiences through knowledge translation.

Only candidates who are internationally based (both working and residing outside of Canada) at the time of the Final date to receive applications are eligible. Expatriate Canadians wishing to relocate to Canada are encouraged to apply.

Successful nominees will be appointed at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor in a relevant Academic School, taking into account the candidate’s expertise and proposed research program. CBU requires that successful candidates have a PhD and can demonstrate excellence in research and teaching. Successful nominees will be expected to take up their appointment as Impact+ Chair at CBU within 12 months of accepting the award.

All applications will be adjudicated through a highly competitive selection process  offer of an academic appointment is conditional upon the success, acceptance, and approval of the nomination by the Tri‑agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS).

Nomination is a two‑step process.

• Applicants respond to this invitation by submitting the materials listed. Review of applications will begin once the competition closes on February 18, 2026.
• The successful candidate(s)…