Canada Research Chairs

The Canada Research Chairs Program (CRCP) enables Canadian universities to achieve the highest levels of research excellence and become world-class research centres.

Chairholders improve our depth of knowledge and quality of life, strengthen Canada's international competitiveness, and help train the next generation of highly skilled people through student supervision, teaching and the coordination of other researchers' work. Established by the Government of Canada in 2000, the CRCP is committed to excellence in research and research training, and to ensuring equal access to opportunities for all qualified candidates.

UBC has a current allocation of 194 chairs; 84 Tier 1 chairs and 110 Tier 2 chairs. UBC’s current utilization is 199 chairs; 79 Tier 1 chairs and 120 Tier 2 chairs. Tier I Chairs are seven-year positions, renewable once, targeted at experienced researchers who are world leaders in their fields. Tier II Chairs are five-year appointments, renewable once. They are targeted at exceptional emerging scholars who have the potential to lead in their fields.

UBC has 20 flexible allocations. This allows the university to change the tier or funding agency of a limited number of chair allocations. Thirteen moves are currently in use with another seven earmarked for future use in upcoming CRC round.

Chairholders must be employed full-time at the host institution to be eligible. Visit the Canada Research Chairs site for more information. 

CRC applicants can reference the Summary of Research Excellence Strategies document which has information on the impact of the University's research on local, national and global communities.

See the Canada Research Chair program statistics information.

Deadlines for submissions

The Canada Research Program (CRCP) holds two in-take cycles each year (April and October). The program also accepts off-cycle nominations for foreign nominees that help the institution reach their EDI targets. Foreign researchers must be employed outside of Canada at the time of the submission of the nomination and are not limited to the set nomination deadlines.

Nominations may be submitted at the recommendation of the Dean. See the schedule below for upcoming deadlines, decisions and announcements.

Internal Review deadlineApplication completion deadlineCRC submission deadlineAnticipated decision dateEarliest start dateAnticipated public announcement
August 20, 2021October 8, 2021October 19, 2021April 2022April 1, 2022Fall 2022
February 11, 2022April 8, 2022April 19, 2022October 2022October 1, 2022Spring 2023
August 19, 2022October 7, 2022October 18, 2022April 2023April 1, 2023Fall 2023
February 10, 2023April 7, 2023April 18, 2023October 2023October 1, 2023Spring 2024
August 18, 2023October 6, 2023October 17, 2023April 2024April 1, 2024Fall 2024

UBC's commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion within the CRCP

UBC has a robust strategy for raising awareness of our commitment to and the benefits of equity, diversity and inclusion within the Canada Research Chair Program (CRCP) and our broader research enterprise. These strategies aim to increase transparency within the program which also requires firm targets to increase nationally the number of chair holders from the federally designated groups (FDG) – women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and visible minorities/members that are racially categorized.

Learn More

Contact

For further information, instructions for nominated Tier I and II Chairs and renewal processes, contact Linda Leathley, the CRC Secretariat, at:
Tel: 604.827.1877
Email ubc.crc@ubc.ca

Canada Excellence Research Chairs: 2022 Competition

For information on the 2022 CERC competition, please visit the VP, Research and Innovation website.

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