CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars Program

The CIFAR Global Scholars Program offers early-career researchers 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 principal investigators. These experiences accelerate the rise of research leaders who are positioned to drive new discoveries and open new fields of inquiry.

CIFAR welcomes applications from candidates across the natural, biomedical, and social sciences, as well as the humanities. Successful applicants join one of CIFAR’s interdisciplinary research programs, collaborating with global research leaders to advance transformative knowledge and address some of the most important questions facing science and humanity.

Applications for the 2027-2029 cohort of CIFAR Global Scholars are open to November 4, 2026 (12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time).

Fostering Novel Interdisciplinary Research

Global Scholars become integral members of a CIFAR research program for two years, joining a small international network of leading global researchers. 

As equal participants, Scholars engage in interdisciplinary collaborations tackling research questions of global importance. 

At two meetings per year, held around the world, Scholars, Fellows and Advisors share work-in-progress, exchange ideas across disciplines, and develop innovative projects that inspire new insights, transform research directions, and open new fields of inquiry.

Developing and Broadening Networks

The program expands Scholars’ potential for impact by broadening and deepening their networks. Through meaningful connections with peers and senior researchers, Scholars become part of a supportive research community with access to opportunities for collaboration and mentorship.

The Global Scholars Annual Meeting brings together Scholars from across research programs for leadership development, networking, and community-building. The retreat includes dedicated time to explore research ideas, spark interdisciplinary connections, and develop creative collaborative proposals for seed funding.

CIFAR also creates opportunities for Scholars to engage with leaders in government, industry, business, and civil society. These interactions have the potential to inform Scholars’ research and amplify the reach of their work.

Strengthening Leadership Skills

Even the most accomplished early-career researchers typically step into their principal investigator roles with little formal leadership training. The program bridges this gap with targeted training in essential areas of research leadership, including:

• Team leadership 
• Trainee mentorship
• Science communication 
• Science advocacy

CIFAR also provides opportunities for Global Scholars to put their leadership skills into action, such as:

• Organizing a Winter or Summer School 
• Co-planning CIFAR symposia such as Radical Interdisciplinarity or the Women in Research Leadership Development Symposium
• Delivering public talks 
• Publishing op-eds