Research Chairs - General and Interdisciplinary
Canada
Number of recipients
In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities.
Fulbright Canada Research Chairs are pre-arranged affiliations to host exceptional scholars who conduct research important to that university. Partner universities are excited to welcome Fulbright Canada Research Chairs into campus life and encourage them to engage with students and faculty, and the broader community. You can conduct your own research, work collaboratively with new colleagues, guest lecture at university courses, mentor students, lecture in public venues, network, and promote your research while representing the Fulbright program, and your home and host institutions. For specific information about this opportunity, visit the Fulbright Canada webpage for Research Chairs – All Disciplines.
Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Knowledges, Concordia University
Specializations: Indigenous knowledges as applied to diverse fields of study, including Indigenous studies, fine arts, public policy, as well as language and culture.
Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Justice and Reconciliation, King's University College at Western University
Specializations: Applicants from any Humanities or Social Science discipline are welcome. Applicants should demonstrate how past/ongoing research projects explore aspects of restorative justice and reconciliation, broadly construed.
Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Brain, Language, and Music, McGill University
Specializations: Language, speech, music, neuroscience, development, bilingualism, neuroplasticity.
Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Scholarship, McMaster University
Specializations: Indigenous knowledge, epistemologies, methodologies, across multiple disciplines.
Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Rural Aging, Population Health, and Health Systems, Thompson Rivers University
Specializations: Specializations in a variety of disciplines that could address rural aging and aging in place, vulnerable populations, global environmental shifts, rural health systems and workforce innovation, community and regional engagement (including Indigenous communities and organizations, where invited), and comparative Canada-U.S. policy analysis.
Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Comparative Canada-U.S. Studies, Trent University
Specializations: Comparative Canada-US expertise in any area. This may include social and health policy, environmental policy or analysis, urban planning, political and economic history, law, social history, culture, language and literature, indigenous studies and security studies.
Fulbright Canada Research Chair, Université du Québec en Outaouais
Specializations: Cybersecurity; Development and Resilience to Environmental Shifts; Digital Transformation and Energy; Health, Well-being and Community-based Applied Research.
Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Popular Genre Fiction, University of Calgary
Specializations: Researcher and/or research-creation in fantasy and/or romantasy; medievalism; futurism; historical fiction; alternate history; romance.
Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Digital Humanities, University of Guelph
Specializations: Linked open data, cultural critique, or collaborative methods.
Fulbright Canada Research Chair, University of Regina
Specializations: Mental Health and Wellness; Aging and Population Health; Public Safety Personnel/PTSI; Child Trauma; Clean Energy Technologies; Justice; Water Resilience; Extreme Weather; Digital Futures.
Fulbright Canada Research Chair, York University
Specializations: Liberal arts, Fine arts, Media, Performance and design, Sciences, Engineering, Environmental studies, Health studies, and the professions, including Business, Law, Nursing, Social work, and Education.
Concordia University, Indigenous Futures Research Centre
King's University College
McGill University, Centre for Research on Brain, Language and Music
McMaster University, Indigenous Studies Department or McMaster Indigenous Research Institute
Thompson Rivers University, Population Health and Aging Rural Research Centre
Trent University, School for the Study of Canada
Université du Québec en Outaouais
University of Calgary, Department of English
University of Guelph, The Humanities Interdisciplinary Collaboration Lab
University of Regina
York University
Awards should fall within the academic year and are not available for the summer months only.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their preferred host institution to discuss research interests.
Applicants are also encouraged to include a letter of affiliation/invitation from the host faculty/department if applying for the opportunities at Université du Québec en Outaouais, University of Regina, or York University.
If proposing affiliation at a Francophone host institution, French language ability commensurate with the requirements of the project and the host institution is required.
For additional information, please visit the Fulbright Canada website:
Research Chairs - All Disciplines
Fulbright Canada contact:
info@fulbright.ca
Host Contacts
Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Knowledges, Concordia University
Eli Friedland, Advisor, Institutional Equity and Recognition Initiatives, Office of Research
eli.friedland@concordia.ca
Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Justice and Reconciliation, King's University College at Western University
Vice-President Academic Dean’s Office - Research Office
research@kings.uwo.ca
Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Brain, Language, and Music, McGill University
Professor Denise Klein, Director, Centre for Research on Brain, Language and Music
denise.klein@mcgill.ca
Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Scholarship, McMaster University
Robert Innes, Chair, Indigenous Studies Department
innesr3@mcmaster.ca
Savage Bear, Director, McMaster Indigenous Research Institute
miri@mcmaster.ca
Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Rural Aging, Population Health, and Health Equity, Thompson Rivers University
Office of the Vice-President Research
vpr@tru.ca
Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Comparative Canada-U.S. Studies, Trent University
Heather Nicol, Director, School for the Study of Canada
canadianstudies@trentu.ca
Christopher Rooney, Senior Director, the Office of Research and Innovation
chrisrooney@trentu.ca
Fulbright Canada Research Chair, Université du Québec en Outaouais
Julien Doris, Research Management Coordinator
julien.doris@uqo.ca
Simon Beaudry, Dean of Research and Creation
Simon.beaudry@uqo.ca
Décanat de la recherche et de la création
Decanatrech@uqo.ca
Vice-rectorat à la recherche, à la création, aux partenariats et à l’internationalisation
Vrrcpi@uqo.ca
Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Popular Genre Fiction, University of Calgary
Dr. J. McKenney, Department Head
englhead@ucalgary.ca
Fulbright Canada Research Chair in Digital Humanities, University of Guelph
Susan Brown, School of English and Theatre Studies
sbrown@uoguelph.ca
Fulbright Canada Research Chair, University of Regina
Juliana Serroul, Director, Office of Research Services
Director.Research@uregina.ca
Fulbright Canada Research Chair, York University
Jessica Wyman, Senior Academic Policy & Recruitment Officer, Office of the Provost & Vice-President Academic
jwyman@yorku.ca
Research Chair Award Grantees to Canada receive a fixed sum:
US$25,000 for one semester (four months)
Canada has one of the strongest economies in the world and is consistently ranked as having a very high quality of life. However, it is not an inexpensive place to live. The average cost of living in Canada is US$2,200 per month. Note that Toronto is one of the most expensive cities to live in Canada (US$4,000). And the cost of living in Montreal is among the lowest for major cities in Canada (US$1,600). For additional information about how much it will cost you to live in Canada, please see the Government of Canada webpage.
Fall Orientation: The incoming cohort of U.S. Fulbright students and scholars to Canada are invited to a program of professional and personal development in Canada’s national capital, Ottawa, Ontario (in early September). Fulbright Canada covers local costs (accommodations, meals, activities). Up to C$1,000 is provided to reimburse travel expenses to the Fall Orientation in Ottawa, Ontario.
Visiting Scholar Speakers Program: Up to C$1,000 for travel expenses to a different city or region of Canada can be granted on a competitive basis. Through this program, the scholar may present at professional conferences, offer formal presentations at other Canadian post-secondary institutions, and/or provide lectures or briefings to community groups. Preference is given to applications with a robust agenda.
Fulbright Canada Community Action Program: Granted on a competitive basis, up to C$8,000 for a unique community-focused initiative that provides awards to both grantees and alumni in any area of community action.
Fulbright Canada Community Leadership Program: Granted on a competitive basis, up to C$8,000 for current grantees and alumni of U.S. government (USG) sponsored exchange programs, with ideas for creative community and volunteer-based outreach projects in Canada.
Regional Travel Program: During their grant period, Fulbright U.S. Scholars in the Western Hemisphere (WHA) region may apply for a short-term regional travel grant for activities such as workshops, seminars, presentations, lectures, performances, exhibits, curricular advising and similar projects at institutions in eligible WHA countries. (Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados and Eastern Caribbean, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Uruguay).
The Regional Travel Program covers travel to and from the destination; lodging may be offered by the host institution. Scholars may only apply for this grant once they are in country on their Fulbright grant. Scholars who apply for the Flex award are ineligible for the Regional Travel Program. Additional information can be found on the Regional Travel Program website.
Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
Canada
Get to Know Canada
Canada is home to one of the most highly educated populations in the world. Canadian universities, institutes, and internationally renowned think tanks support innovative and collaborative research. They are typically situated in vibrant multicultural cities, in proximity to Canada’s diverse natural landscapes – making for an extraordinary professional and cultural experience. While Canada and the United States share a continent, deeply-held core values, and numerous points of collaboration, the two countries have distinct historical, cultural, and political realities.
You could spend a lifetime exploring Canada’s cities and towns, national parks, lakes, ocean shores, and mountains. Whether you’re looking to stroll along a beach in British Columbia, learn more about Francophone culture, hike in the Rocky Mountains at Banff National Park, or visit Indigenous heritage and cultural centres, there is an opportunity to embrace Canada for all it has to offer!
During your grant period, you will get to know Canada—the people, languages, culture, food, climate, and so much more. You’ll quickly learn that Canada offers you a safe and secure place to live, work, and travel. Canada consistently ranks among the top countries in the world for quality of life.
Additional Resources
To learn more about Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards in Canada for 2027-28, please view our archived webinar and slides to hear directly from the Fulbright Commission, IIE staff and U.S. Scholar alums regarding award details, the scholar experience and application guidance.
Please visit the Universities Canada website for more information about Canada’s higher-educational institutions.
Activities for Every Season
Canada is a utopia for anyone looking to get active in the great outdoors. Due to the unique climate that each season brings and its geographic diversity, you’ll have the perfect setting for almost any sport, exercise, or activity you may want:
In the summer, you can go boating on one of the many lakes, swim in the ocean, or play beach volleyball. It’s also a great season to be a tourist in Canada by exploring one of the many national parks, visiting local beaches, dining out on a restaurant patio soaking up the sun, or enjoying a bonfire with friends.
During the fall, you’ll love exploring the countryside to see the splendor of the autumn leaves, hiking up a mountain or through a park on a crisp day, and generally enjoying the outdoors with your friends. Fall is also a great time to explore Canada’s vibrant cities and historic towns.
Once winter comes, it’s time to grab your snow gear and join in some great Canadian fun! You can learn to ski or snowshoe, build a snowman, have a snowball fight with your friends, or simply enjoy the peaceful sound of walking through the quiet winter woods.
Spring is a time for renewal in Canada, as the birds return from the south and flowers bloom in the gardens. It’s also “sugaring off” season, where you’ll discover how sap is collected and boiled to create 70% of the world’s maple syrup. The best part? Eating maple taffy poured hot on snow.
The Canadians you meet will impress you all year long with their warmth. Enjoy this opportunity to get to know Canadians and introduce your culture.
Multiculturalism in Canada
Multiculturalism is fundamental to Canadian identity. Not only does Canada have two official languages (English and French), Canadian culture includes people and cultures from around the world. The Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, enshrined in the Constitution, prohibits discrimination. Each province and territory in Canada also have respective human rights codes. Canadians have a strong sense of justice and care about ensuring people’s rights are upheld in all facets of their lives. A commitment to equality makes Canada a sought-after destination for international students.
Hear from Our Alumni
“The time, space, and access to resources through Fulbright Canada have allowed me to make great progress on my research.”
—2024-25 Fulbright Canada Research Chair
“My Fulbright Canada Research Chair experience has been incredible on multiple levels. It has not only enriched my research experiences through cross-disciplinary, cross-institutional, and cross-country collaboration but has also expanded my cultural repertoire and broadened my global horizon. These invaluable experiences will significantly strengthen my future work, enabling me to provide local and global services with a deeper appreciation for social, cultural, and historical contexts."
—2023-24 Fulbright Canada Research Chair
“Above all, creative and intellectual work takes time and resources. Fulbright Canada has afforded me both. My work is richer for this experience.”
—2022-23 Fulbright Canada Research Chair
“My Fulbright Canada Research Chair experience was awesome, for both intellectual stimulation, and for a further cultural understanding of Canada.”
—2016-17 Fulbright Canada Research Chair
Alumni Databases
Our interactive database for Fulbright Canada scholars can be browsed here: Fulbright Canada Alumni Database. You can reach out to our Public Affairs team if you would like to contact us or learn more about any of our grantees or partner institutions. We will also be happy to work with you to make the appropriate connections. Access Canadian alumni in the global Fulbright Scholar Directory here: Fulbright Scholar Directory - Canada Alumni.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
Candidates may be considered for other Fulbright Canada award opportunities as appropriate. Identify host institutions in order of preference in the project statement and on the application form.
Most award themes are interdisciplinary; check other Fulbright Canada Research Chair awards for additional opportunities.
Academics are expected to hold a Ph.D. or terminal degree, and professionals should have equivalent experience.