Closed
Source verified April 21, 2026
CIHR Mental Health and Substance Use Responses to COVID-19 Funding
Rapid funding for COVID-19 mental health research
Funding available
$ 200,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Canada
Overview
This program provides up to CAD 200,000 per grant for one year to support rapid mental health and substance use research related to COVID-19. It funds projects on service transformation, innovative interventions, and better matching of service access to needs.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Conduct research and development activities
- Conduct research or evaluation activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Rapid research on COVID-19 mental health and substance use needs.
- Service transformation and implementation science projects.
- Innovation in mental health and substance use service delivery.
- Studies on matching service access to population needs.
- Projects focused on Indigenous, high-risk, or priority populations.
Documents Needed
- Research proposal
- Project summary
- CV for the nominated principal applicant and other listed participants
- Letters of collaboration
- Letters of support from funding partners, if applicable
- Indigenous research statement, if applicable
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian research institutions
- Independent researchers
- Research teams including knowledge users
- Projects involving Indigenous health research
Eligible expenses
- Knowledge user release time support, up to CAD 50,000 per grant.
- Community engagement and participation costs.
- Culturally appropriate materials and ceremonial items.
- Consultant and contract fees for knowledge translation and communication.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Alignment with the program objectives and research domains.
- Feasibility, methodology, and relevance of the populations studied.
- Quality of the team, collaborations, and knowledge user involvement.
- Potential for rapid impact and useful knowledge mobilization.
- Realism and justification of the requested budget.
How to apply
- Step 1: Create or access a ResearchNet account
- Register through ResearchNet if you do not already have an account.
- Step 2: Prepare the application
- Complete the application materials in ResearchNet.
- Ensure the required participants have completed the voluntary declaration form.
- Step 3: Submit electronically
- Submit the application through ResearchNet before the deadline.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed through CIHR peer review.
- Funding decisions are based on the program’s review and evaluation process.
- The notice indicates an expected decision date for the competition.
Additional information
- A linkage tool was available to facilitate collaboration, but it was not mandatory.
- Information submitted through the linkage tool would appear on a public CIHR web page.
- Applications involving Indigenous research must reflect meaningful and culturally safe practices throughout the project.
- Projects using COVID-19 funding must support rapid sharing of research data and open-access publication.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the CIHR Mental Health and Substance Use Responses to COVID-19 Funding Program
What is the CIHR Mental Health and Substance Use Responses to COVID-19 Funding?
This program provides up to CAD 200,000 per grant for one year to support rapid mental health and substance use research related to COVID-19. It funds projects on service transformation, innovative interventions, and better matching of service access to needs.
How much funding can be received?
CIHR Mental Health and Substance Use Responses to COVID-19 Funding Funds up to $200,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the CIHR Mental Health and Substance Use Responses to COVID-19 Funding program?
To be eligible for the CIHR Mental Health and Substance Use Responses to COVID-19 Funding program, you must:
Independent researcher lead
Canadian eligible institution
Knowledge user on team
What expenses are eligible under CIHR Mental Health and Substance Use Responses to COVID-19 Funding?
Rapid research on COVID-19 mental health and substance use needs.
Service transformation and implementation science projects.
Innovation in mental health and substance use service delivery.
Studies on matching service access to population needs.
Projects focused on Indigenous, high-risk, or priority populations.
Who can I contact for more information about the CIHR Mental Health and Substance Use Responses to COVID-19 Funding?
You can contact Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) by email at COVID19MH-COVID19SM@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.
Where is the CIHR Mental Health and Substance Use Responses to COVID-19 Funding available?
The CIHR Mental Health and Substance Use Responses to COVID-19 Funding program is available the province of British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan.
Is the CIHR Mental Health and Substance Use Responses to COVID-19 Funding a grant, loan, or tax credit?
CIHR Mental Health and Substance Use Responses to COVID-19 Funding is a Grant and Funding