The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) is a Canadian-based global research organization founded in 1982. It supports more than 400 researchers from 21 countries and over 140 institutions, with about half based in Canada. CIFAR is funded by individuals, foundations, corporations, and the governments of Canada, Alberta, and Quebec. Its research programs span multiple disciplines, including a notable focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning.
CIFAR's AI-related programs have been central to the development of modern deep learning. In 2004, Geoffrey Hinton began leading its Neural Computation & Adaptive Perception program, which included Yoshua Bengio and Yann LeCun. Their collaborative work on neural networks helped establish the foundations of deep learning, leading to the 2018 ACM A.M. Turing Award for all three researchers. In 2017, the Government of Canada tasked CIFAR with developing and leading the Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, a $125 million initiative to advance AI research and talent. A second phase, announced in 2022, provided up to $208 million in federal support over ten years.
Research Programs
As of 2023, CIFAR supports 15 major multidisciplinary research areas, including Learning in Machines & Brains (established 2004), which continues the legacy of the earlier Neural Computation & Adaptive Perception program. Other programs cover topics such as quantum information science, child and brain development, and future flourishing. Past programs include Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (1983-1995), which was an early foray into AI, and several others that have since closed or evolved.
History
CIFAR was founded in 1982 after John Leyerle, a professor at the University of Toronto, proposed the idea in 1978. Fraser Mustard, a medical researcher, became the founding president. The organization initially focused on a broad range of basic research across humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. In the 1990s, CIFAR fellows published influential work on population health, identifying socio-economic status as a key determinant. In 2004, the AI program began, marking a shift toward computational research that would have global impact.
Governance and Funding
The President and CEO reports to the Chair and Board of Directors, who oversee funding and program approval. Stephen Toope became president and CEO in November 2022, succeeding Alan Bernstein (2012-2022). Irfhan Rawji chairs the board, with Jacqueline Koerner and Anne McLellan as co-vice chairs. CIFAR's annual budget was $30 million in 2018, sourced from governments, partnerships, private sector, and investment income.
Notable People
CIFAR has been led by several prominent presidents, including Fraser Mustard (1982-1996), J. Stefan Dupré (1996-2000), Chaviva Hošek (2001-2012), and Alan Bernstein (2012-2022). Since its inception, 23 Nobel laureates have been associated with CIFAR, including Geoffrey Hinton, Art McDonald, and John C. Polanyi. The organization's AI program has also influenced researchers at major tech companies like OpenAI and Google DeepMind, many of whom have backgrounds in CIFAR-supported research.
Impact on AI
CIFAR's AI programs have been instrumental in advancing machine learning and artificial intelligence globally. The Pan-Canadian AI Strategy has supported research hubs in Edmonton, Montreal, and Toronto, fostering collaboration between academia and industry. This ecosystem has contributed to breakthroughs in transformers and large language models, with CIFAR-affiliated researchers playing key roles in the development of modern AI systems. The organization continues to shape AI policy and research direction through its programs and partnerships.