2027-29 Call for Applications: Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellowship

Deadline for submission: 2 February 2026 at 12 p.m. EDT

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.

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

This year, we are also proud to introduce the 2026-2028 cohort of Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellows – exceptional scholars whose work spans continents, disciplines, and learning contexts. Their research reflects the Foundation’s commitment to bridging evidence, policy, and practice to improve learning outcomes for all children.

Explore their work, learn about their projects, and discover how they are advancing the science of learning and development.

Meet the fellows

Applications for the 2027-2029 Jacobs CIFAR Research Fellowship are now open. Early- and mid-career researchers from around the world are invited to apply and join a global network dedicated to advancing evidence and innovation in education.

Please visit the application site for further information and to apply.