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 deadline | Application completion deadline | CRC submission deadline | Anticipated decision date | Earliest start date | Anticipated public announcement |
| August 28, 2020 | November 9, 2020 | November 17, 2020 | April 2021 | April 1, 2021 | Fall 2021 |
| February 12, 2021 | April 9, 2021 | April 19, 2021 | October 2021 | October 1, 2021 | Spring 2022 |
| August 20, 2021 | October 8, 2021 | October 19, 2021 | April 2022 | April 1, 2022 | Fall 2022 |
| February 11, 2022 | April 8, 2022 | April 19, 2022 | October 2022 | October 1, 2022 | Spring 2023 |
| August 19, 2022 | October 7, 2022 | October 18, 2022 | April 2023 | April 1, 2023 | Fall 2023 |
| February 10, 2023 | April 7, 2023 | April 18, 2023 | October 2023 | October 1, 2023 | Spring 2024 |
| August 18, 2023 | October 6, 2023 | October 17, 2023 | April 2024 | April 1, 2024 | Fall 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.
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.