The Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) program supports Canadian universities in building world-class research capacity in areas of strategic importance. Funded by the Government of Canada, the program awards universities with up to $8 million over eight years to support leading researchers and their teams in advancing ambitious research agendas that strengthen Canada’s global research leadership.
Program Objectives
The CERC program is designed to:
- Attract top-tier global researchers to Canada
- Strengthen Canada’s research capacity in priority areas
- Support equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in the research ecosystem
- Promote interdisciplinary and collaborative research with national and international impact
Learn more about the program on the Government of Canada CERC website.
CERC Opportunities at Brock
As part of Brock University’s commitment to research excellence, we are participating in the 2026 CERC competition. We are currently engaging in an internal process to identify outstanding proposals aligned with Brock’s strategic research distinctions, as well as the CERC program’s Science, Technology and Innovation Priorities.
Current Opportunities
Any available opportunities for CERC positions at Brock will be posted here as they become available. Recruitment will reflect Brock’s commitment to inclusive excellence and will be open to candidates from around the world. Check back soon for updates and detailed postings.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Brock University is committed to upholding the values of Indigenous engagement and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) in all aspects of the Chair nomination, recruitment, and onboarding processes. We welcome expressions of interest from individuals in equity-deserving groups, including Indigenous Peoples, women, persons with disabilities, members of racialized groups, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
To learn more about Brock’s institutional EDIA commitments, please visit our EDI in research page and our Canada Research Chair (CRC) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Public Accountability webpage.
To learn about these foundational principles in the CERC objectives, outcomes, and reporting requirements, please visit the EDI overview of the Tri-Agency 2026 CERC Competition webpage.
Eligibility for Nomination
Brock University welcomes expressions of interest from outstanding researchers based outside Canada or at other Canadian universities.
Researchers who hold a full-time academic appointment at a Canadian institution are eligible to be nominated for a Canada Excellence Research Chair. However
- they may not be nominated by the institution at which they currently hold their appointment, and
- there must be a demonstrated net benefit to the country of moving the researcher from one Canadian institution to another
For full eligibility requirements, visit the CERC eligibility guidelines.
Research Security
Brock University is committed to safeguarding research and innovation from risks such as theft, interference, and the unauthorized transfer of knowledge.
As part of the 2026 Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) competition, institutions must comply with the Government of Canada’s Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern. All applications will be assessed for potential security risks as part of the national review process.
For details on how Brock supports research security, please visit Safeguarding Your Research at Brock.
To review federal research security requirements related to the CERC program, visit the CERC 2026 competition page.
Why Brock? Why Niagara?
Brock University offers a dynamic and supportive environment for leading-edge research, creative activity, and interdisciplinary collaboration. As a comprehensive university located in a vibrant research and innovation ecosystem, we are deeply committed to fostering excellence across a broad range of disciplines, while advancing research that addresses the most pressing challenges of our time.
Why Brock?
As outlined in our Strategic Plan (2025–2030), Brock brings together research, scholarship, and innovation to generate breakthroughs and deliver impact – locally, nationally, and globally. We are committed to shaping tomorrow through research, discovery, and knowledge by:
- Identifying, celebrating, and becoming known for our key areas of research and academic distinction
- Focusing on areas of research and hands-on learning that will prepare Brock community members for the future
- Growing global awareness of our research breakthroughs through purposeful knowledge translation, commercialization, and mobilization
- Fostering a vibrant research culture that welcomes and values diverse perspectives, identities, and lived experiences
- Deepening connectivity and transdisciplinarity within and across our research enterprise and teaching and learning initiatives
- Promoting diverse perspectives and deepening understanding of Indigenous cultures and histories through the building of trusted and reciprocal relationships, research, scholarship, and creative activity
Researchers at Brock benefit from strong mentorship, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and access to dedicated research infrastructure. Our institutional culture supports intellectual curiosity, innovation, and the pursuit of research that creates meaningful change.
Why Niagara?
Situated in one of Canada’s most biodiverse and ecologically significant regions, Brock’s location in the Niagara Region offers both quality of life and research opportunity. Niagara provides:
- One of the few Canadian universities located within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, enabling unique opportunities in environmental, agricultural, and sustainability research
- A growing innovation ecosystem with strong regional partnerships across health, education, culture, and technology sectors
- Proximity to major research and policy hubs, including Toronto, Hamilton, and Buffalo
- A welcoming, affordable, and connected community that supports balance, accessibility, and long-term impact
Together, Brock and Niagara offer the institutional foundation, regional opportunity, and academic environment to support world-class research and the success of a CERC.
Questions?
Please direct any inquiries related to the CERC program or recruitment process at Brock to: [email protected]. We encourage Brock researchers to address questions regarding internal processes to their Associate Dean, Research.