Applications are now open for the 2027-29 Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellowship for early- and mid-career researchers from around the world
Closing Date: 2 February 2026
Applications are now open for the 2027-29 Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellowship for early- and mid-career researchers from around the world
Overview
The Jacobs Foundation is pleased to announce the 2027-2029 Call for Applications for the Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellowship, a partnership between the Jacobs Foundation and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR).
Formerly known as the Jacobs Research Fellowship, the program has been rebranded to reflect this new partnership, bringing together two global leaders in research and innovation.
This globally competitive program supports early- and mid-career researchers whose work advances understanding of how children and youth learn and develop across contexts and systems. Fellowships are awarded to highly talented and innovative scholars who have received their PhD within the past 10 years and who demonstrate the potential to bridge disciplines and connect research to practice and policy.
Funding is awarded directly to the fellow’s host institution and may be used over a three-year period to cover a portion of salary and support for research activities, such as personnel, equipment, professional travel, or trainee support. In addition to independent research funding, fellows benefit from a dynamic community of peers and mentors. The program offers unique opportunities for collaboration within the Jacobs Foundation’s global network and through CIFAR’s international research leadership programs.
The Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellowship supports research across disciplines including education sciences, psychology, economics, sociology, behavioral science, neuroscience, linguistics, computer science, pedagogy, and the science of learning. Particularly encouraged to apply are scholars who seek to combine multiple levels of analysis and engage in interdisciplinary work. A special focus lies on work to understand and embrace variability in learning to promote the generation, transfer, and practical application of evidence on human learning and development or increase the capacity to scale up effective education policies and practices.
Objectives
Aligned with the Jacobs Foundation’s Strategy 2030, the program is especially interested in research that addresses:
- How individual and contextual variations influence learning and development outcomes
- How to design for learner variability at scale so all children can reach their full potential
- How to reduce inequalities in learning, including those amplified by digital technologies
- How to use data responsibly to inform teaching and learning decisions
- Which school-level approaches and environments most effectively improve learning outcomes across diverse student groups
General Information
| Target Group | Highly talented early career researchers. The ideal candidate has received his/her PhD or equivalent degree within the past 10 years. |
| Funding amount | CHF 150’000 |
| Funding period | 3 years |
| Number of fellowships per year | Up to 12 |
| Use of funds to cover the fellow’s salary | Up to 50% of the grant amount |
| Funding of overhead / indirect costs | Up to 10% of the total amount of funding in addition to the basic grant (total of CHF 165,000) |
| Additional funding | Fellows may apply for additional funding at the end of the fellowship to conduct further projects with a focus on evidence to action and scientific capacity building. |
| Non-financial benefits | In addition to providing fellows with independent and competitive funding, the program offers a wide range of non-financial benefits. |
Eligibility
The ideal candidate
- has obtained his/her PhD or equivalent degree within the past 10 years;
- is employed at an institution of higher education or research institute;
- is conducting high-quality research in an area highly aligned with early education and learning variability;
- is committed to engaging with the Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellowship Network.
Selection criteria
- Past research accomplishments and publication record
- Creativity and potential for serving as a leader in the scientific community
- Scientific quality of methods and data
- International relevance of the fellow’s planned work
- Potential for promoting human development and learning
- Alignment of planned projects with the goals of the Jacobs Foundation’s Strategy 2030
- Willingness engage with the Jacobs Foundation and CIFAR network along with fellowship alumni
Click Here To Apply
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