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UNESCO Chair

Join the Network

Creating a UNESCO Chair means having a passion to advance research, training and program development in higher education. It also means pursuing a vision of collaboration and information-sharing among universities. The Network now has 37 Chairs in Canada and 950 around the world.  

A group of people pose for a photo on a staircase.
Meeting of UNESCO Chairs in Ottawa, Ontario, February 2024.
Photo: Kate Declerck

2023-2024 UNESCO Chairs call for applications

    The 2023-24 call for applications has closed.

    For full program details, including program description and eligibility requirements, please consult the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme Guidelines and procedures. Please note that this programme does not provide funding.

    The Canadian Commission for UNESCO plays a key role in the preparation and pre-selection of candidates for the UNESCO Chairs Programme. Applications to UNESCO are limited to two per country, per year, as determined by the national commission. Therefore, all applications to UNESCO are subject to the prior validation and endorsement of the Canadian Commission. 

    Required documents:

    • Letter of Intent (maximum three pages)
    • Letter of support from the head of the proposed host institution
    • CV(s) of proposed Chairholder(s)

    Assessment:

    Applications will undergo an evaluation process by a committee of current Chairholders and relevant CCUNESCO staff. As the Committee is interdisciplinary, please use accessible language.

    Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:

    • Contribution to one or more of UNESCO’s priorities 
    • Alignment with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO priorities
    • South-South and North-South-South Cooperation
    • Engagement with UNESCO and its networks
    • Including a gender-sensitive approach, or gender lens
    • Financial sustainability of the Chair 
    • Contributing to a greater presence of under-represented groups, geographic regions, or host institutions within the Canadian UNESCO Chairs network
    • Expertise of the proposed Chairholder(s)

    We welcome applications from members of racialized minorities, women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and others.

    Deadlines: 

    Application: 15 September

    Full draft proposal (for successful candidates): 31 January

    Final Submission to UNESCO (for final selected candidates): 30 April

    Contact: Please send completed packages to ccunesco@ccunesco.ca and Elaine Young, Program Officer, Communication and Information (elaine.young@ccunesco.ca

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