Menu
CIFAR (formerly the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research) is a Canadian-based global research organization that brings together teams of top researchers from around the world to address important and complex questions. It was founded in 1982 and is supported by individuals, foundations and corporations, as well as funding from the Government of Canada and the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.
CIFAR staff supports more than 400 researchers from 22 countries and more than 130 institutions. Approximately half of the researchers are based in Canada and half are located abroad. The President and CEO is directly responsible to the Chair and the Board of Directors, who are responsible for funding allocation and approval of research programs. In May 2012, Alan Bernstein became president and CEO.William L. Young is the chair of CIFAR's Board of Directors.CIFAR receives funding from a blend of governments, partnerships (research organizations and universities), private sector (corporations, foundations and individuals) and investment income. CIFAR's annual budget in 2018 was $30M. In 2017, CIFAR was chosen to develop and lead the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy