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CFI contributes vital research infrastructure support to Canada’s initiative to recruit international talent

New funding program will build and outfit the labs top researchers need to grow Canadian economy

MONTRÉAL, QUEBEC — Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, and the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced the launch of the Government of Canada’s initiative to attract international research talent to Canada, which was first outlined in Budget 2025.  

Known as Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent, this partnership between the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and the three federal research funding agencies maximizes the impact of Government of Canada investments by offering a competitive recruitment package for top international researchers that supports both their work and the equipment they need to carry it out.  

This initiative has four streams: the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program, the Canada Impact+ Research Infrastructure Fund, the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders program and the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards. Collectively, they represent a one-time federal investment of $1.7 billion.  

The CFI will administer the Canada Impact+ Research Infrastructure Fund (CIRIF), which will provide up to $400 million over six years to eligible Canadian post secondary institutions to establish a complementary stream of research infrastructure support to ensure the recruited Canada Impact+ Research Chairs and the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders early career researchers have the cutting-edge tools they need to achieve their research goals. 

“With the Canada Impact+ Research Infrastructure Fund, we’re continuing to build on the country’s strong foundation of research infrastructure to further enable discovery and accelerate commercialization,” said Sylvain Charbonneau, President and CEO of the Canada Foundation for Innovation. “To compete for the world’s top talent, Canada must offer world-class environments where researchers can develop bold ideas into national prosperity.”  

Researchers who have access to advanced labs and the right tools can translate ideas into applications, prototypes and products that have social and economic benefits for Canada while training the next generation of talent in crucial areas to Canada's economy. For this funding program, the Government of Canada has identified eight priority areas:   

  • Advanced digital technologies (including AI, quantum and cybersecurity)
  • Health and 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.   

 

Read more about the Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative. 

 

Find out more about the Canada Impact+ Research Infrastructure Fund