Welcome to the Canadian Academy of Independent Scholars (CAIS), a national initiative developed by independent scholars at Simon Fraser University Vancouver, Continuing Studies, in British Columbia, Canada.

Our network of independent scholars has been meeting once a month in Vancouver since 2001.

The Canadian Academy of Independent Scholars (CAIS) is a program that gives voice and lends legitimacy to non-faculty independent scholars. Independent scholars make vital contributions to scholarship in Canada but their isolation and non-institutional status often limit their access to resources and ability to publish their work. By supporting independent scholars, CAIS is helping promote recognition of the quality of their scholarship.

Unique in North America, CAIS offers full university library access, collegial lectures, mentoring and peer review. The organization symposia, publishes a journal - International Journal of Independent Scholars - , presents awards, offers grants for assistance with research, publishing and travel, and sponsors an independent scholar-in-residence. The two distinguished patrons of CAIS are the late anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss and John Ralston Saul, one of Canada's leading public intellectuals.

CAIS promotes high-level associations with a global network of independent scholars, public intellectuals, universities and grassroots organizations as well as with institutes and industry. CAIS is an affiliate of the American-based National Coalition of Independent Scholars (ncis.org). We have also established an affiliation with the Independent Scholars Association of Australia.