Endowed and externally funded research chairs are established through the generosity of individual and/or corporate donors. Their research focuses on topics of interest to the donor and University and brings distinction to both.

Currently, the University of Guelph endowed and externally funded research chairs are:

• Barak Aharonson, John F. Wood Chair in Innovation Management, W.C. Wood Foundation
• Felix Arndt, John F. Wood Chair in Entrepreneurship, W.C. Wood Foundation
• Laurie Barclay, Lang Chair in Leadership, The Angel Gabriel Foundation
• Asim Biswas, OAC Chair in Soils and Precision Agriculture
• Sara Epp, Latornell Professorship in Environmental Stewardship
• Stephanie Cairns, Kinross Chair in Environmental Governance, Kinross Gold Corporation
• Angela Canovas, OAC Chair in Phenomics and Systems Biology
• Maria Corradini, Arrell Chair in Food Quality, Arrell Family Foundation
• Adrian Correndo, Martin and Denise Pick Family Chair in Sustainable Cropping Systems
• Brady Deaton, Michael McCain Family Chair in Food Security
• Sonja Fonfara, Research Chair in Feline Health
• Lawrence Goodridge, Leung Family Professorship in Food Safety
• Ryan Gibson, Libro Professorship in Regional Economic Development for Southwestern Ontario, Libro Credit Union
• Thomas Graham, PhytoGro Chair in Medicinal Phyto Substances, PhytoGro Inc.
• Kevin James, Scottish Studies Foundation Chair
• Kevin Keener, The Barrett Family Chair in Sustainable Food Engineering, Barrett Family Foundation
• Jana Levison, Doody Family Chair for Women in Engineering
• Tongzhe Li, Arrel Family Chair in Behvaioural and Experimental Economics
• Philip Loring, The Arrell Chair in Food, Policy and Society, Arrell Family Foundation
• David McCarthy, Canada Excellence Research in Waterborne Pathogens: Surveillance, Prediction and Mitigation
• Amar Mohanty, Distinguished Research Excellence Chair in Sustainabale Materials, Competitve Green Technologies
• Georgia Mason, Col. K. L. Campbell University Chair in Animal Welfare
• Josh Nasielski, MacSon Professorship in Agronomy For Eastern And Northern Ontario
• Lee Niel, Col. K. L. Campbell Chair in Companion Animal Welfare
• Ann Pegoraro, Lang Chair in Sport Management, The Angel Gabriel Foundation
• Nigel Raine, Rebanks Family Chair in Pollinator Conservation, Weston Family Foundation
• Sourav Ray, Lang Chair in Marketing, The Angel Gabriel Foundation
• Cynthia Scott-Dupree, Bayer CropScience Chair in Sustainable Pest Management, Bayer Cropscience Inc.
• Anna-Kate Shoeveller, Champion Petfoods Chair in Canine and Feline Nutrition, Champion Petfoods
• Simon Somogyi, The Arrell Chair in the Business of Food
• Ilias Tsiakas, Lang Chair in Finance, The Angel Gabriel Foundation
• Mike Von Massow, OAC Alumni Chair in Food Systems Leadership
• Tina Widowski, Egg Farmers of Canada Chair in Poultry Welfare
• (Vacant), Loblaw Chair in Sustainable Food Production
• (Vacant), Gray Ridge Egg Farms Chair in Advanced Poultry Technology Management
• (Vacant), Ontario Bean Growers Assitant Professorship in Weed Sciences
• (Vacant), Distingushed Research Excellence Chair in Sustainable Materials (Plant Agriculture)
• (Vacant), The E. Alan (OAC '60) and Jule A. Cameron Chair in Ecological Pest Management