Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC)

Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) Program supports world-renowned researchers and their teams in establishing ambitious research programs at Canadian universities. The program offers universities awards of up to $8 million or $4 million over eight years.

Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the CERC program enables eligible Canadian institutions to establish highly funded research chairs aligned with the Government of Canada's ST&I priorities.

Objectives of the CERC program:

• Attract top researchers to Canada and lead breakthroughs in ST&I priority areas for social and economic benefits.
• Build expertise in identified ST&I priority areas.
• Create a competitive research environment and attract world-leading researchers to Canadian institutions.
• Enhance Canada's reputation as a preferred location for research and technological development.

For more information, please refer to the University of Alberta's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan(updated September 2019).