The Project Grant program is designed to capture ideas with the greatest potential for important advances in fundamental or applied health-related knowledge, health care, health systems, and/or health outcomes by supporting projects of research proposed and conducted by individual researchers or groups of researchers in all areas of health. The best ideas may stem from new, incremental, innovative, and/or high-risk lines of inquiry or knowledge translation approaches.
About Canadian Institutes of Health Research
As the Government of Canada’s health research investment agency, we fund world-class research across the country. Led by talented teams based mostly at universities and hospitals, this research is critical to:
Better diagnose, treat, and even prevent disease;
Understand the complexities of health, including everything from basic cell biology to the social and environmental factors that can affect us;
Strengthen our health care system using data and evidence-based models of care; and
Support the development of policies and programs that can improve the health of individuals an... continue reading
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Canadian Institutes of Health Research Research Project Grant
Aim and Benefits of Canadian Institutes of Health Research Research Project Grant
Funds Available
CIHR and partner(s) financial contributions for this initiative are subject to availability of funds. Should CIHR or partner(s) funding levels not be available or are decreased due to unforeseen circumstances, CIHR and partner(s) reserve the right to reduce, defer or suspend financial contributions to grants received as a result of this funding opportunity.
The total amount available for the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Project Grant Competitions is $650M.
- Within the investment allocated to each Project Grant competition, there will be a funding envelope of:
- $16.25M dedicated to large grants. Large grants are defined as those within the top 2% largest total grant amount requested by all applicants within the competition and varies with each competition. This budget envelope is not intended for series of projects to be bundled together for long-term support. Individual grant applications requesting a total of more than the amount dedicated for the large grant funding envelope will be withdrawn.
- $14.95M (4.6%) dedicated to supporting applications with an Indigenous health research focus.
- A portion of the competition budget will also be reserved to ensure that the proportion of grants funded is at least equal to the proportion of applications submitted by early career researchers (ECRs), female applicants, applicants submitting applications written in French, racialized applicants and applicants who self-identify as a person with a disability. Should the full amount set aside not be required, all remaining funds will be returned to the Project grant competition to further increase the number of grants funded.
- The number of grants funded will depend on the requested budgets and peer review recommendations.
- Project Grant applicant funding levels are proportionate to the requirements of the research proposed, which is expected to vary by research field, research approach, and scope of proposal activities.
- Funding is augmented by Priority Announcements (PAs) that award grants in specific research areas. Refer to the Project Grant: Fall 2024 Priority Announcements (Specific Research Areas).
- For more information on the appropriate use of funds, refer to Allowable Costs.
Requirements for Canadian Institutes of Health Research Research Project Grant Qualification
Research Areas
The Project Grant program is open to applicants in all areas of health research that are aligned with the CIHR mandate: "To excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system".
Global Health
Applications focused on global health, or which include international collaborations are eligible. Applications focused in the field of global health that demonstrate that the proposed research project has the potential to improve health in Canada and/or the global community are accepted and encouraged as more than ever before, the health of Canadians is deeply intertwined with the health of people around the world. Global health research is defined as any research with a focus on the health of people living in low- and middle-income countries, as well as research that aims to understand the systematic factors that shape health and are inherently global (e.g., globalization, equity, neglected diseases, and transnational risks). Global health is relevant to all pillars. Please consult Global Health 3.0: CIHR's Framework for Action on Global Health Research for more information.
Indigenous Health Research
Applications with a central focus on carrying out meaningful and culturally safe research involving Indigenous Peoples with the intent to promote health through research that is in keeping with Indigenous values and traditions and follows the TCPS 2 - Chapter 9 Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada guidelines are encouraged.
Randomized Controlled Trials
Applications involving a randomized controlled trial (RCT) are accepted and encouraged where appropriate based on scientific and methodological grounds. All applications containing an RCT as a major component (irrespective of the suggested peer review committee) must structure their research proposal according to the RCT headings provided.
Commercialization
Applications related to commercialization are encouraged. Commercialization refers to the component of knowledge translation that is focused on bringing new products, tools, or services to a state of use in the private, not-for-profit, or public sectors. It can extend beyond bringing intellectual property (IP) to the marketplace for profit (e.g., cost savings in the health system, humanitarian licensing). CIHR is committed to facilitating the commercialization of health research in Canada in support of its overall mandate. For commercialization projects submitted to the Commercialization committee (CMZ), the applicant must structure their proposal according to the Commercialization headings provided on CIHR's Commercialization Projects page.
Interdisciplinary Research
Applications involving interdisciplinary research are accepted and encouraged in all committees. However, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) have formed a Tri-Agency Interdisciplinary Peer Review Committee (TAIPR), with the following mandate, specifically dedicated for the review of interdisciplinary research.
Specific Research Areas
Priority Announcements (PAs) offer additional sources of funding for highly rated applications that are relevant to specific research areas. Refer to the Project Grant: Fall 2024 Priority Announcements (Specific Research Areas) for further details.
Interview date, Process and Venue for Canadian Institutes of Health Research Research Project Grant
For an application to be eligible, all the requirements stated below must be met:
- The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) must be one of the following:
-
an independent researcher or a knowledge user affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution and/or its affiliated institutions (including hospitals, research institutes and other non-profit organizations with a mandate for health research and/or knowledge translation) at the time of funding.
- if the NPA is a knowledge user, there must be at least one Principal Applicant who is an independent researcher
OR
-
an individual affiliated with an Indigenous non-governmental organization in Canada with a research and/or knowledge translation mandate.
OR
- an Indigenous non-governmental organization in Canada with a research and/or knowledge translation mandate.
- The NPA must have their substantive role in Canada for the duration of the requested grant term.
- The Institution Paid must be authorized to administer CIHR funds before the funding can be released.
- Principal Applicants must be independent researchers or knowledge users (inclusion of one or more Principal Applicants is optional). Individuals in the principal applicant role may not be a trainee or be in a subordinate position (i.e. directed or supervised by another), with respect to the subject matter of the proposed research/activities.
- Co-Applicants can be one of the following (inclusion of one or more is optional):
- independent researchers;
- knowledge users;
- trainees;
- other.
- The NPA must have successfully completed one of the sex- and gender-based analysis training modules available online through the CIHR Institute of Gender and Health and submit a Certificate of Completion (see How to Apply). You must select and complete the training module most applicable to your research project. For additional information on sex, gender and health research, applicants are encouraged to review the "How to integrate sex and gender in research" section on the CIHR website.
- An individual or an organization cannot submit more than two Project Grant applications per competition as a Nominated Principal Applicant. If the Nominated Principal Applicant submits more than two applications, CIHR will automatically withdraw the last application(s) submitted based on time-stamp of submission.
- Applicants must comply with CIHR's Policy on Identical / Essentially Identical Applications.
- Individuals who hold a Foundation Grant in the role of Program Leader are eligible to apply to the Project Grant competition in the role of Nominated Principal Applicant or Principal Applicant only 18 months prior to their grant expiry date. Please contact CIHR if you have questions about your eligibility.
Application Deadline
September 11, 2024
How to Apply
Interested and qualified? Go to
Canadian Institutes of Health Research on www.researchnet-recherchenet.ca to apply
Please read all instructions in order to familiarize yourself with the registration and application processes before applying. An overview of CIHR's registration and application processes can be found under the general application process. Note that these are general instructions only. To complete your registration and application, follow the instructions for this program along with any additional specific instructions and submission requirements listed below.
When preparing your application, CIHR expects that you will adhere to all applicable instructions and formatting requirements. CIHR reserves the right to withdraw your application if it does not meet these requirements.
- Applications must be submitted using ResearchNet.
- This funding opportunity follows the eApproval process. This means that when the applicant submits an application, it will be directed electronically to the institution which the applicant has identified as the Institution Paid. The Institution Paid will review the application and submit their approval electronically to CIHR on behalf of the applicant. It is important to be aware of your internal institutional deadline.
- The application process for this funding opportunity is comprised of two steps: Registration and Application. Note that a Registration must be submitted to be eligible to submit a full application.
- All participants listed, with the exception of Collaborators, are required to:
- Organizations applying as Nominated Principal Applicants must contact CIHR's Contact Centre for guidance in creating a ResearchNet account and registering for a CIHR PIN.
Specific instructions to complete your ResearchNet application
Registration
For full instructions, please see Project Grant – Registration Instructions
Task: Identify Participants
- The Nominated Principal Applicant must remain unchanged between Registration and Application. Other participants can be added, removed, or change roles between Registration and Application.
- A CV is not required for registration.
Task: Enter Proposal Information
Task: Complete Summary
- CIHR uses information contained in the summary to inform peer review committee assignment and for administrative purposes related to peer review; failure to complete your summary according to the instructions will result in your registration being withdrawn.
Task: Enter Budget Information
Task: Complete Peer Review Administration Information
- Applicants are required to indicate their suggestions of up to two most relevant peer review committees and to provide a justification for their suggestions (see Peer Review Committees and Mandates).
- Applications that represent research across disciplines and subject areas pertaining to two or more of the (1) social sciences and humanities, (2) natural sciences and engineering, and (3) health and wellness, and that clearly utilize interdisciplinary approaches may select the Tri-Agency Interdisciplinary Peer Review Committee (TIR) as their first suggested committee should they wish to be considered for specialized review by this committee. Justification for the committee choice must clearly address how the proposal advances disciplines across the mandate areas of at least two funding agencies and integrates the interdisciplinary approaches to achieve the project goals.
- Suggested committees and the corresponding justifications must remain unchanged between registration and application. If an application overlaps with more than one area of science, the peer review committee which best reflects the main research area and objectives of the application should be selected. CIHR will consult with committee Chairs and Scientific Officers in assigning applications to committees before making the final decision on which peer review committee will review each application based on the summary of proposed research received at registration. The final committee selected may not necessarily be the first or second choice of applicants. Applicants will be informed of which peer review committee reviewed their application on their Notices of Recommendation and of Decision.
Task: Preview
Task: Manage Access (optional)
- The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) can delegate access to a maximum of five individuals to support the completion of the application. Note: A delegate's access does not carry over from one stage of the competition to another (i.e., from the registration to the application stage). The NPA will need to delegate access at each stage of a competition. NPAs should revoke delegates' access prior to completing the Consent and Submit tasks if they do not want them to retain access to submitted applications via their Completed Activities tab. For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
Task: Consent and Submit
Application
For full instructions, please see Project Grant – Application Instructions.
Task: Identify Participants
- List all participants in the "Identify Participants" task. Consult the Eligibility section and ensure that all requirements are met.
- All participants are required to submit a CV (excluding collaborators).
- All Canadian academic applicants are required to upload a CIHR Biosketch CV.
- Knowledge users, non-academics, Indigenous organizations, and international applicants have the option to submit either a CIHR Biosketch CV or Applicant Profile CV.
- Each Applicant Profile CV (maximum three pages per applicant) must include 5-10 expertise keywords; and a summary of the applicant's education, current/past affiliations and employment/research experience with effective dates; and any other information pertinent to the participant's role on the application. Although the Applicant Profile CV may not exceed three pages, there are no section restrictions; therefore, each applicant can choose what to emphasize. For non-academics, it is possible that not all sections are applicable.
- NPA categories involving an Indigenous non-governmental organization as an eligibility requirement (1b and 1c) must include in their Applicant Profile CV, a description of the organization and how it meets the eligibility requirement of being an Indigenous non-governmental organization with a research or knowledge translation mandate (using maximum 2 of the 3 pages allowed).
- Submit Biosketch CVs using the Canadian Common CV (CCV) interface. Submit Applicant Profile CVs by uploading the completed document, in the "Attachment" tab.
Task: Enter Proposal Information
- Information entered at registration will be pre-populated in the application.
- Research proposals written in French will be allowed to submit additional pages, in support of evidence demonstrating that French documents require approximately 20% more space than similar English documents. Therefore, to ensure an equitable amount of space is provided, the following page limits will apply:
- 10 pages for Research Proposals written in English
- 12 pages for Research Proposals written in French
Note: Any additional pages over the above-mentioned limit will be removed with no further notification to the Nominated Principal Applicant.
- References must be included as a separate document and are uploaded through a specific subtask in ResearchNet.
- Applicants must adhere to formatting requirements. CIHR reserves the right to withdraw your application if it does not meet these requirements.
- All applicants must integrate sex and gender into their research design, methods, analysis and interpretation, and/or dissemination of findings within their research proposal, when applicable. When sex and/or gender considerations are applicable in the research being proposed, addressing these considerations solely in the sex and/or gender textbox is insufficient.
- For applications to be considered by the Indigenous Health Research committee, the research proposal's central focus should be to carry out meaningful and culturally safe research involving Indigenous Peoples with the intent to promote health through research that is in keeping with Indigenous values and traditions. The proposal must also explicitly describe engagement with the community in relation to the research. Applications that do not align with the IHR committee mandate will be reviewed by another relevant discipline-based committee.
- Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT): Proposals including an RCT as a major component (irrespective of whether or not the applicant self-declared the application as containing an RCT) have specific requirements:
- If the budget requested is less than $250,000 in every funding year, applicants may suggest the most relevant discipline-based peer review committee or the RCT peer review committee;
- If the overall budget requested is greater than or equal to $250,000 in any funding year, applicants must select the RCT peer review committee;
- Irrespective of the suggested Peer Review Committee, all applications containing an RCT as a major component must structure their research proposal according to the RCT headings provided.
- Commercialization: For commercialization proposals, applicants must integrate a Research/Technical Plan and a Commercialization Plan as part of their research proposal and must structure their research proposal according to the headings provided on the Commercialization page.
- Partner organizations from the private sector: If the proposal involves one or more partner organizations from the private sector, the applicant must answer "Yes" to the screening question and provide a completed Risk Assessment Form with the application (see Attach Other Application Materials below). CIHR will review the Risk Assessment Form as part of an internal administrative process. The Risk Assessment Forms will be neither accessible to, nor shared with, peer reviewers.
Task: Identify Sensitive Technology Research Areas
Task: Complete Summary
Task: Identify Application Partners (Optional)
Task: Enter Budget Information
- Provide a detailed budget justification in relation to planned activities and clearly justify all budget items.
Task: Complete Peer Review Administration Information
Task: Attach Other Application Materials
There have been significant changes to the documents that are permitted to be attached to applications. For full details, please see the Complete a Project Grant application - Task 8: Attach other application material webpage.
- Upload the following documents as Other:
- "SGBA+ Training" (mandatory for NPA):
- The Nominated Principal Applicant must complete one of the sex- and gender-based analysis training modules available online through the CIHR Institute of Gender and Health and upload with the application the Certificate of Completion.
- Only one (1) document labeled as "SGBA+ Training" is required per application.
- "Risk Assessment" (mandatory if applicable):
- Letter of support regarding pending appointment (mandatory if applicable):
- For applicants with a pending appointment including, but not limited to, early career researchers, a letter of support is required from the Dean of the Faculty indicating the date the appointment is expected to take effect. The appointment must commence by the effective date of funding.
- Letter of community support from Indigenous partner(s) (mandatory if applicable):
- If your proposal relates to Indigenous health research, a letter of community support from Indigenous partners is required.
- Employer attestation for a paid international researcher (mandatory if applicable):
- If someone on the application is an international researcher who will be paid from the grant, a letter from their employer is required attesting that that individual is not being compensated for time spent on the grant-funded research activities.
- Letters of collaboration (optional):
- Letters of collaboration to the NPA which outline a specific service to be provided such as access to equipment, provision of specific reagents, training in a specialized technique, statistical analysis, access to a patient population, etc. may be attached.
Task: Apply to Priority Announcements/Funding Pools (Optional)
- When applying, applicants must select their Priority Announcement(s) in the drop-down menu in ResearchNet in the Priority Announcement/Funding Pool task. Note that Prizes do not appear in the drop-down menu.
- Candidates may request that their application be considered for up to three (3) priority announcement research areas per application, in each Project Grant competition.
- Within their application to the Project Grant competition, applicants must consent to the sharing of information in order to be considered for Priority Announcements. Applicants who do not consent to this sharing of information will be considered ineligible for Priority Announcements.
Task: Preview
Task: Manage Access (optional)
- The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) can delegate access to a maximum of five individuals to support the completion of the application. Note: A delegate's access does not carry over from one stage of the competition to another (i.e., from the registration to the application stage). The NPA will need to delegate access at each stage of a competition. NPAs should revoke delegates' access prior to completing the Consent and Submit tasks if they do not want them to retain access to submitted applications via their Completed Activities tab. For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
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