As an international research institution, the CCA operates in the spaces between architectural culture at large and academic discourse through exhibitions, publications, public events, and research programs. The CCA’s Research Fellowship Program supports innovative, advanced research to foster new kinds of intellectual exchange that spark long-term dialogue and debate.

At the CCA we are addressing a range of topics relevant to architectural discourse. Current topics of particular interest include: digital cultures and intersectional practices related to built and natural environments; re-definitions of context-based approaches in professional practice; the role of photography within visual and architectural culture, especially in relation to theoretical and historical questions raised by digital technologies and media; and the relationship of architecture to the environment. We are currently focusing on relationships between land and architecture, and welcome applications that explore this topic across historical and contemporary registers.

Fellowships are open to researchers, architects, and curators pursuing interdisciplinary research on architecture, urbanism, landscape, and/or design at the CCA. We welcome applications from individuals who hold a PhD, or with equivalent professional experience. We value interdisciplinary approaches to the built environment from anthropology to Indigenous studies and beyond. Although proposed research projects may rely extensively on the CCA Collection as a primary source, we are interested above all in original and significant projects that develop both critical readings and creative research, media, and/or designs.

Research Fellows are offered a residency at the CCA between June and August for a period of one to two months, with the goal of creating a community of researchers on site, particularly alongside our Doctoral Research Residency Program. Each Fellow will have access to a private office and receive a monthly stipend of CAD 5,000, as well as additional financial support for travel expenses. Based on the scope of the proposed research project, the CCA’s curatorial committee will determine the duration of the residency in discussion with each candidate to best support their project. In addition to a public presentation of their work-in-progress, Research Fellows are expected to participate in discussions, seminars, and workshops organized at the CCA, exchange with CCA staff, and engage with the local academic and architectural community.

Five fellowships are available for 2025. Applications (in English or French) must include:

• a proposal (750–1 000 words) addressing how the research project relates to key lines of investigation at the CCA. We strongly encourage applicants with research projects based on recent acquisitions to check and confirm availability with ref@cca.qc.ca before submitting their project proposals.

• an abstract of the research proposal (250 words)

• a brief project schedule (300 words) for a one- or two-month period of research, describing key milestones

• a CV

• a short biography (80–100 words)

• one representative publication (article or book chapter) or equivalent

• the names of two potential referees

Letters of recommendation are not required at the time of application and will only be requested in the case of short-listed applicants.

Candidates for the 2025 Research Fellowship Program are invited to submit an application online through the CCA application portal.

Deadline: 20 September 2024 at midnight (12am, HNE)

You can consult the application guidelines and terms for more details on the requirements.

Research Fellows are selected by an international Consultative Committee made up of eight members: Phyllis Lambert (Founding Director Emeritus, CCA), Giovanna Borasi (Director and Chief Curator, CCA), Rafico Ruiz (Associate Director, Research, CCA), Juan Du, (University of Toronto), Seng Kuan (University of Tokyo, Harvard University and A+U), Shannon Mattern (University Pennsylvania), Itohan Osayimwese (Brown University), and Nasrine Seraji (University College Dublin).

The Consultative Committee will meet in October 2024 to select candidates. The results will be communicated in November–December 2024. Once granted for a specific year, the Research Fellowship is non-renewable or transferable.

For questions regarding the program, please contact studium@cca.qc.ca. For updates on the CCA Research Fellowship Program, please subscribe to the CCA newsletter.

2024 Research Fellows
2023 Research Fellows
2022 Research Fellows
2020-2021 Research Fellows
2019 Research Fellows