Canada Impact + Research Training Awards (CIRTA)

In December, 2025, the Tri-agencies (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC) announced the launch of the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards (CIRTA) to support the recruitment of doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers, securing the current and future talent needed to drive innovation and growth in our strategic industries. This program will provide:

600 doctoral scholarships across Canada valued at $40,000 per year for up to three years.
400 postdoctoral research awards across Canada valued at $70,000 per year for two years.

Nominator (Faculty Supervisor) must:

hold an active grant awarded under one of the eligible funding opportunities listed on the CIRTA Q&A page
have recieved/be recieving, from that grant, a payment in the 2025-26 or 2026–27 fiscal year (April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2027)
be eligible to supervise doctoral or postdoctoral researchers at SFU

Nominees can be of any citizenship and must:

be currently studying or working abroad
propose research at SFU within one of the eight Priority Research Areas
not have a current affiliation with a Canadian institution
not currently be benefiting from other Tri-agency funds for the same purpose
not hold tenure or a tenure track appointment or is not on leave from such a position.

Canadian Graduate Scholarships

Read the Announcement (2025)

Tri-agencies announce CIRTA Competition

Questions? Visit the Q&A page

Tri-agencies CIRTA Q&A

How to Apply

Check eligibility

The nominator and nominee must meet all eligibility outlined on the checklist below.
All Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards must be activated by March 31, 2027. Exact relocation time may be affected by immigration processes.

CIRTA_Eligibility_Checklist.pdf
CIRTA Eligibility Checklist

Check fit for Priority Research Areas

These awards will invest in eight priority research areas:

Advanced digital technologies (AI, quantum, 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
Defence and dual-use technologies

Complete/submit nomination form

The nomination form must be completed by the prospective student/postdoctoral (nominee) and the proposed SFU Supervisor (nominator).

The form must be submitted by February 11, 2026 to:

gradawards@sfu.ca (if nominating a doctoral candidate)
postdoc@sfu.ca (if nominating a postdoctoral candidate)

Nomination_Form_CIRTA.pdf
Impact + Research Training Nomination Form

CIRTA_Instructions.pdf
Instructions for CIRTA Nomination Form

CIRTA_Guidance_for_Nominators.pdf
Guidance for CIRTA Nominators

Competition review and results

SFU review: all nominations will be reviewed and ranked by an internal committee at SFU. SFU decisions will be shared before March 4. SFU's deadline to submit applications forward to Tri-agencies is March 4, 2026.

The doctoral committee will be chaired by Mary O'Brien, Vice-Provost and Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies (GFS)
The postdoctoral committee will be chaired by Valorie Crooks, Associate Vice-President, Research (AVPR)

Tri-agency decisions: initial results will be released April 1, 2026

2nd wave: more information will be provided at a future date.

Faculty of Graduate Studies

TRI-Agency & Government Awards