CIFAR AI Catalyst Grants 2026

📝 About CIFAR AI Catalyst Grants

The Canadian AI Safety Institute (CAISI) Research Program at CIFAR has launched a call for Catalyst Project proposals focused on the sociotechnical dimensions of AI safety. This initiative seeks applications from researchers in the social sciences and humanities (SSH) whose work addresses the pressing social, ethical, and governance considerations of AI safety.

Opportunity Details

• Date Published: October 10, 2025
• Application Deadline: November 14, 2025
• Category:
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Fully Funded
  • Grants
• Opportunity Location: Canada
• Sponsor Organisation: Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR)

🎁 Benefits of CIFAR AI Catalyst Grants

• Funding of up to $70,000 per year for up to two years.
• Supports research in sociotechnical AI safety, leveraging Canada's existing strengths in this field.
• Encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and builds a community of SSH researchers working on AI safety across Canada.

✅ CIFAR AI Catalyst Grants Requirements

• Projects can be submitted by 1 or 2 Principal Investigators (PIs).
• PIs must have a faculty affiliation at a Canadian university.
• The primary PI must have expertise in SSH disciplines, including but not limited to:
  • Sociology
  • Political Science
  • Economics
  • History
  • Philosophy/Ethics
  • Legal Studies
  • Science & Technology Studies
  • Media Studies

📅 Application Date and Process

• Application Deadline: November 14, 2025
• To apply, visit the CIFAR AI Catalyst Grants Application Portal.
• Submit your application via the CIFAR Portal.

For more information, visit the official CIFAR AI Catalyst Grants page.

• Funding will be up to $70,000 per year for up to two years.
• Aims to build on Canada’s existing strengths in sociotechnical AI safety research.
• Brings together researchers from various disciplines and builds a community of SSH researchers working on AI safety across Canada.