CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars Program

The CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars program is designed to accelerate the development of early-career researchers in their pivotal first years as independent principal investigators in an academic or research institution, with responsibilities for research and teaching.

CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars are emerging leaders in their field, with a high-impact record of innovative research, who are motivated to advance their influence through interdisciplinary collaboration with some of the world’s most renowned researchers, expand their networks, access mentorship and training in leadership and communication, and gain cross-sector exposure, to position themselves as influential leaders and agents of change in academia and beyond.

The CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars program is generously supported by the Azrieli Foundation.

Components

The CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars program includes three core components, each contributing toward the development of tomorrow’s research leaders:

• Participating in a CIFAR Research Program — An Interdisciplinary, Collaborative Network
  • CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars join a CIFAR research program for two years, interacting within an international network of world-renowned researchers pursuing a fundamental research question through interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • All CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars receive:
    • $100,000 CAD in unrestricted research support over two years. Possible uses include, but are not limited to: research projects, teaching release, trainee support, conference travel, etc.
    • Mentorship from one or more Fellows in their CIFAR research program. Mentors provide a resource for career-related questions and concerns, and may help open unexpected new doors. CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars are encouraged to connect with Fellows outside of their own immediate field to help stretch their scope of vision and perspective.
    • Opportunities to apply for time-limited seed funding to support new interdisciplinary collaborations. CIFAR Catalyst Funds motivate and support the launch of high-risk/high-reward interdisciplinary collaborations with CIFAR Fellows and Advisors and/or other CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars in their own or in other CIFAR research programs.
• Strengthening Leadership and Communication Skills
  • CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars from across CIFAR’s research programs meet regularly as a peer group to strengthen their core skills in leadership and communication.
  • Leadership Development Workshops: The program offers a variety of virtual leadership development workshops throughout the year.
  • Workshop topics may include:
    • Strategic communications (e.g., influencing others, managing difficult conversations, leading team meetings, negotiating)
    • Mentorship and resilience (e.g., setting goals, giving and receiving feedback, identifying and overcoming imposter syndrome, unconscious bias training, maintaining wellness and boundaries, empathic communication)
    • Strategic and creative thinking for problemsolving and decision-making
    • Framing and communicating research to non-expert audiences (e.g., op-eds, public talks, media interviews, social media)
  • Leadership Development Fund: CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars may also request funds to support additional training and development opportunities.
  • CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars Annual Meeting: This retreat brings together all active Global Scholars for networking and community-building, shared learning, and exchanging research ideas across wide-ranging fields, with opportunities to brainstorm innovative, cross-programmatic collaborations and work on proposals for seed funding.
• Increasing Impact Within and Outside of Academia
  • CIFAR supports and facilitates opportunities for CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars to put their expertise and leadership skills into action.
  • To extend their impact, CIFAR works with its research programs to help identify and support initiatives that engage thought leaders, policymakers and practitioners in ways that will drive meaningful dialogue and mutual benefit.
  • Examples of potential leadership opportunities include, but are not limited to:
    • Leading a research project in collaboration with other CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars or CIFAR Fellows
    • Organizing a Winter/Summer School aligned with a CIFAR research program
    • Leading or contributing to a knowledge mobilization activity with CIFAR Fellows

Expectations

During the two-year term, CIFAR expects CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars to fulfill the following commitments:

• Attend CIFAR research program meetings (usually two per year) in various locations around the world.
• Attend CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar annual meetings (held in-person, usually in May or June. In 2024, the annual meeting will take place from June 12-14 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada).
• Attend at least two virtual leadership development workshops for CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars per year.
• Report on successes and activities annually and where possible and appropriate, interact with CIFAR stakeholders and funders.
• Acknowledge CIFAR by using ‘CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar’ in their professional signature and indicating CIFAR as an affiliation. Scholars should also acknowledge CIFAR as a funder in research publications, presentations and media interviews supported by this program’s funding.

Eligibility Criteria

• CIFAR is seeking to assemble a global cohort. There are no geographical restrictions on who may apply.
• To be eligible for this program, you must:
  • Hold a PhD (or equivalent).
  • Be employed at an institution of higher education or research and be within the first five years of starting a full-time position that includes responsibility for both conducting an independent research program and supervising/teaching trainees toward the completion of a degree.
    • Your position must be secure for the duration of the CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar active term (to March 31, 2026).
    • Your start date in this position must be no earlier than July 1, 2019. Note that special consideration may be given to those who have taken parental leave or have exceptional circumstances.
  • Engage in research that complements the themes and goals of a recruiting CIFAR research program.
    • Demonstrate an outstanding level of research achievement and promise of future impact in your field, as evidenced by the quality of your publications, awards received, and statements by referees.
    • Be motivated to engage across disciplines, as well as sectors beyond academia, to enrich and extend the impact of your research.
  • Be available to attend a virtual interview between March 20-21, 2024.
  • Have a valid passport, and if required, be able to obtain travel visas to attend CIFAR meetings around the world (2-3 times per year).
  • Be fluent in spoken and written English.

For more information, visit CIFAR.