The Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellowship is a globally competitive program supporting early- and mid-career researchers whose work advances the understanding of how children and youth learn and develop. This partnership between the Jacobs Foundation and CIFAR (Canadian Institute for Advanced Research) awards fellowships to innovative scholars who demonstrate the potential to bridge disciplines and connect research to practice and policy.
Program Benefits
- Independent Research Funding: The program provides significant funding over a three-year period, awarded directly to the fellow’s host institution. This can be used to cover a portion of salary and support research activities like personnel, equipment, or travel.
- Dynamic Community: Fellows benefit from a community of peers and mentors, with unique opportunities for collaboration within the Jacobs Foundation’s global network.
- CIFAR Program Integration: The fellowship includes integration into CIFAR’s international research leadership programs, connecting fellows with top-tier global researchers.
- Interdisciplinary Focus: The program encourages scholars who combine multiple levels of analysis and engage in interdisciplinary work across fields like education, psychology, neuroscience, and computer science.
Eligibility Criteria
- Career Stage: Open to early- and mid-career researchers who have received their PhD within the past 10 years.
- Research Focus: Research must align with the Jacobs Foundation’s Strategy 2030, with a special focus on understanding variability in learning, reducing inequalities, and using data responsibly to improve learning outcomes.
- Disciplinary Background: Open to researchers from a wide range of disciplines, including education sciences, psychology, economics, sociology, behavioral science, neuroscience, linguistics, and computer science.
Application Process
- Application Deadline: The deadline for submissions is February 2, 2026, at 12 p.m. EDT.
- How to Apply: Applications must be submitted through the official application site. The process is highly competitive and requires a detailed proposal outlining the research’s relevance and potential impact.
Application Link:
For complete details on the program’s strategic alignment and to access the application portal, please visit the official Jacobs Foundation or CIFAR websites.
