Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellowship — Fellowship

The Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellowship is a partnership between the Jacobs Foundation and CIFAR for early- and mid-career researchers studying how children and youth learn and develop. Fellows remain at their host universities or research institutes while pursuing work connected to learning variability, education, development, policy, or practice.

The program supports interdisciplinary research and connects fellows with an international network of peers, alumni, and mentors. The 2027–2029 call is closed, and the program states that a new call is posted annually by the end of November.

Benefits & funding

CHF 150,000 grant over three years, administered by the fellow’s institution.
Up to 50% of the grant may cover the fellow’s salary.
A fixed 10% overhead is added to the grant, bringing total institutional funding to CHF 165,000.
Funds may support research staff, equipment, technical assistance, professional travel, and trainees.
Up to 12 fellowships are available per year, alongside networking, alumni events, research communication, and professional development opportunities.

Eligibility

Applicants may be based in any country; no nationality restriction is stated.
Applicants normally must have earned a PhD or equivalent within the previous 10 years. Periods of reduced productivity, including leave, may adjust this window.
Applicants who have not yet received their PhD may apply if they complete it by the end of August 2026, when the fellowship is awarded.
At the fellowship start, the applicant must be employed by a university or research institute; the role need not be permanent or full-time.
Research must align closely with early education, learning variability, and child or youth development, and applicants must commit to the fellowship network.
The award is for an individual researcher; joint applications are not accepted.

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PhD Enrolled · PhD

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Application process

1
Create or use a CIFAR Portal account and submit the initial application.
2
Present research plans for the next 3–5 years and explain their alignment with the Jacobs Foundation’s Strategy 2030 and the fellowship network.
3
If shortlisted, submit an extended proposal with a budget overview and activity timeline.
4
Attend an interview addressing questions about the proposal, motivation, and network participation.
5
Complete the final interdisciplinary review and await the award decision.

Program timeline

November 24, 2025
2027–2029 call opened.
Application deadline.
February 2, 2026 at 12:00 noon EST
Fellowship award point and latest date for pending PhD completion.
End of August 2026
Fellowship begins.
January 1, 2027
Fellowship ends.
December 31, 2029