Over $541 million in funding supports a generational investment to attract world-leading researchers to Canada

VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 27, 2026 /CNW/ — Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, and Minister Responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada, and Wade Grant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, in Vancouver, announced over $541 million in research funding for Intake 1 of the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada and the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders programs.

Launched in December 2025 by ministers Joly and Michel, the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada program is the centrepiece of the $1.7 billion Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative (Impact+). Combining a globally competitive award value with exceptional speed in program delivery, the Research Chairs program gives Canadian institutions the scale and tools to compete globally for world-leading researchers, establish exceptional teams and partnerships, and pursue ambitious research in fields critical to Canada’s prosperity, sovereignty, health and resilience. By translating discoveries into new technologies, practices and evidence–and training the next generation of research leaders–the program will build enduring research and innovation capacity and deliver lasting benefits for Canadians.

$504 million over eight years will support 64 Research Chairs in Intake 1. These Research Chairs will advance ambitious and transformative projects in Canada’s strategic priority areas, build and maintain exceptional research teams, and collaborate with partners across sectors and borders. Through research in areas including arctic governance and community resilience, translational molecular imaging and therapy, and sustainable transportation futures, these investments will strengthen Canada’s research excellence while accelerating the translation of discoveries into real-world benefits that enhance the country’s resilience and prosperity and improve the health and well-being of Canadians.

Over $37 million in funding will also support institutions in the recruitment of 63 Emerging Leaders over the next year.

Along with the Research Chairs and Emerging Leaders, Impact+ seeks to build Canada’s research talent at every career stage. Additional funding streams support international and returning Canadian research trainees, and provide the infrastructure needed for world-leading research.

Today’s results represent leading minds from 13 countries, and dozens of Canadians choosing to continue their cutting-edge research at home. Together, these investments create a strong talent pipeline that will translate research discoveries into real-world applications and tangible health and socio-economic benefits to Canadians.

Quotes

“At a time when parts of the world are turning away from science, Canada is doubling down. Attracting top talent will deliver breakthroughs that improve Canadians’ lives and advance Canada’s position as a global leader in science and innovation. By expanding Canada’s talent pipeline and research capacity in areas that are vital to our prosperity and sovereignty, we are helping build the strongest economy in the G7.”

–The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

“Canada benefits from one of the strongest research ecosystems in the world. Last fall, we announced $1.7 billion to bring the best researchers, scientists and world-leading talents to Canada, and we have already started to welcome them. We are creating a conducive environment where innovation moves at the speed patients need.”

–The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health

“Through the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada and Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders programs, we are attracting world-class talent whose work will generate new ideas, technologies and evidence to help address complex challenges. These investments will strengthen Canada’s research capacity, support the next generation of leaders and deliver practical solutions that improve the quality of life for Canadians.”

–The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada

“Canada is a place where ambitious researchers can build exceptional teams and pursue transformative ideas. These investments are creating the conditions for researchers to put down roots, build deep connections and contribute their expertise, delivering lasting benefits to Canada for years to come.”

–Karim Bardeesy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry

“Canada is already home to world-class health research, and attracting exceptional researchers from around the world helps us build on that strength. By bringing new expertise, perspectives and ideas into our research ecosystem, we are strengthening our capacity to address complex health challenges and translate discoveries into better health and care for people across Canada.”

–Maggie Chi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health

“Research excellence thrives when different ideas, disciplines and perspectives come together. By attracting leading researchers across a wide range of fields, we are creating new opportunities for collaboration, strengthening Canada’s research community and building the connections that can lead to the discoveries of tomorrow.”

–Wade Grant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“These exceptional researchers are tackling complex challenges and generating knowledge that will help strengthen communities, inform decision-making and improve the lives of people across Canada. I have no doubt the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada and Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders programs will help cement Canada’s place as a world leader in key research fields–from AI to biotechnology and beyond. We are proud to support these world-class researchers and are confident their innovative work will translate into concrete economic and social benefits for Canadians.”

–Normand Labrie, Interim President, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, and Chair, Canada Research Coordinating Committee

Quick facts

The Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada program offers $1 billion over 12 years to support institutions in attracting up to 100 world-leading researchers. New research chairs and their teams will advance transformational research projects that can be applied and/or commercialized by establishing strategic connections with industry, government and society, while also developing the next generation of research leaders. Intake 2 Research Chairs will be announced in the coming months. The Research Chairs program is part of the broader $1.7 billion Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative, which comprises a suite of programs designed to attract and support more than 1,000 leading international and expatriate researchers, including francophone researchers.In May, the government announced 659 Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards for international and returning Canadian doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers from 72 countries. This initiative represents one of the largest recruitment programs of its kind, uniquely designed for exceptional speed and flexibility in attracting and supporting top research talent who will advance world-leading research in critical fields that will deliver direct economic, societal and health benefits for Canadians.The Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada program was renamed to honour the late Eddie Goldenberg, recognizing his decades of leadership that helped strengthen the Canadian research and innovation landscape.A Multidisciplinary Selection Committee, co-chaired by Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, Martha Piper and Janet Rossant, reviewed the Intake 1 applications and made funding recommendations for the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada to the federal government’s decision body for consideration and approval.The Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program will invest $120 million over 12 years to attract international early career researchers, who will contribute fresh ideas, diverse perspectives and significant potential to Canada’s research ecosystem.Another $400 million over six years will be available through the Canada Impact+ Research Infrastructure Fund, administered by the Canada Foundation for Innovation. This provides complementary research infrastructure support to ensure the recruited Research Chairs and Emerging Leaders have the world-class facilities they need to achieve their research goals.The Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada program and the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program are being administered through the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS) on behalf of Canada’s three federal research funding agencies–the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). TIPS is housed at SSHRC.

Associated links

Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada Recipients ListEmerging Leaders institutions listGovernment of Canada renames Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program in honour of Eddie GoldenbergCanada Impact+ Research Chairs and Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders: Intake 1 application statisticsCanada Global Impact+ Research Talent InitiativeMinister Joly announces major milestone with Phase 1 results of Canada’s Talent Attraction Strategy | Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

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