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HCRI - Data Analysis Using Existing Databases and Cohorts (Healthy Cities Research Initiative Operating Grant)
Research funding for healthier cities
Latest source updateLast Update: June 27, 2026Latest change: The HCRI data analysis grant now shows a materially updated data-access process, including a new submission endpoint and revised access requirements.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: June 27, 2026
Latest change: The HCRI data analysis grant now shows a materially updated data-access process, including a new submission endpoint and revised access requirements.
HCRI data access process updated
The HCRI Data Analysis Using Existing Databases and Cohorts opportunity now shows materially updated data-access instructions, including a new inquiry form and email submission step replacing the prior cost estimate form. The CIHI Data holdings page now shows data availability as of December 31, 2025 / March 31, 2026 and the Make a data request endpoint now points to a different page, which affects how applicants obtain access documentation and submit requests. The eligibility and scope language also reflects stronger access-related requirements, including permission letters or supporting documents from data custodians and clearer review criteria for linked administrative health data, biosamples, and high-reidentification or contentious studies. Funding terms remain centered on $700,000 total support with up to $100,000 per one-year grant, while the broader program remains tied to the Healthy Cities Research Initiative and its existing research pools.
Funding available
$ 100,000
Deadline
November 8, 2023
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Independent researchers or knowledge users 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.
See full eligibility
Overview
The Healthy Cities Research Initiative supports research using existing data to improve the health, wellness and health equity of urban populations. It funds projects in the general pool or the Urban Indigenous Health pool, with activities including cohort analysis, administrative datasets, surveys, registries and data platforms.
/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 : 100,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Use existing cohort data, administrative datasets, surveys, registries, and data platforms.
- Advance healthy cities intervention research and implementation science.
- Evaluate the impact on health and health equity of interventions to the physical, social or policy environment.
- Contribute analyses to directly inform the planning of physical, social or policy interventions.
- Address critical contextual questions related to the implementation of interventions and scaling up of evidence-based interventions.
Documents Needed
- Letter from the data custodian confirming access permission.
- SGBA training certificate.
- Participant table.
- Letters of collaboration, if applicable.
- Indigenous Engagement Plan or Indigenous Experience attachment, if applicable.
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Independent researchers or knowledge users 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.
- Individuals affiliated with an Indigenous non-governmental organization in Canada with a research and/or knowledge translation mandate.
- Indigenous non-governmental organizations in Canada with a research and/or knowledge translation mandate.
Who is not eligible
- Applicants without access to eligible existing data.
- Projects focused on biomedical or clinical research.
- Applications using personal datasets not available to others.
Eligible expenses
- Costs related to community mobilization and engagement.
- Culturally relevant promotional items and ceremony-related gifts.
- Cash reimbursements for community participation.
- Contracts or consultant fees for Indigenous Elders, community members, and Knowledge Keepers.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Collection of new data.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canadian postsecondary institutions and/or their affiliated institutions.
- Indigenous non-governmental organizations in Canada.
Selection criteria
- Appropriateness and feasibility of the research design, methods and analyses.
- Relevance and appropriateness of the dataset to the research area addressed.
- Anticipation of difficulties that may be encountered in the research and plans for management.
- Quality and appropriateness of health equity analysis and consideration of potential impact of findings on historically excluded and/or underrepresented groups.
- Demonstration that the applicant team has the requisite skills, experience and resources to complete the project in the proposed time frame.
How to apply
- List all participants in the "Identify Participants" task.
- 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 another accepted CV format.
- Select only one (1) Relevant Research Area from the dropdown list.
- The Research Proposal must be no more than eight (8) pages, not including references, charts, tables, figures and photographs.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications relevant to each research area will be funded from the top down in order of ranking.
Additional information
- The final report is required at the end of the grant.
- Successful applicants are encouraged to attend an HCRI event in Canada.
- Successful applicants may be invited to participate in peer review.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the HCRI - Data Analysis Using Existing Databases and Cohorts (Healthy Cities Research Initiative Operating Grant) Program
What is the HCRI - Data Analysis Using Existing Databases and Cohorts (Healthy Cities Research Initiative Operating Grant)?
The Healthy Cities Research Initiative supports research using existing data to improve the health, wellness and health equity of urban populations. It funds projects in the general pool or the Urban Indigenous Health pool, with activities including cohort analysis, administrative datasets, surveys, registries and data platforms.
How much funding can be received?
HCRI - Data Analysis Using Existing Databases and Cohorts (Healthy Cities Research Initiative Operating Grant) Funds up to $100,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the HCRI - Data Analysis Using Existing Databases and Cohorts (Healthy Cities Research Initiative Operating Grant) program?
To be eligible for the HCRI - Data Analysis Using Existing Databases and Cohorts (Healthy Cities Research Initiative Operating Grant) program, you must:
The Nominated Principal Applicant must be one of the eligible applicant types named in the opportunity.
For certain Indigenous research applications, the team must include Indigenous participation as specified.
Data access permission from the data custodian is required.
What expenses are eligible under HCRI - Data Analysis Using Existing Databases and Cohorts (Healthy Cities Research Initiative Operating Grant)?
Use existing cohort data, administrative datasets, surveys, registries, and data platforms.
Advance healthy cities intervention research and implementation science.
Evaluate the impact on health and health equity of interventions to the physical, social or policy environment.
Contribute analyses to directly inform the planning of physical, social or policy interventions.
Address critical contextual questions related to the implementation of interventions and scaling up of evidence-based interventions.
Who can I contact for more information about the HCRI - Data Analysis Using Existing Databases and Cohorts (Healthy Cities Research Initiative Operating Grant)?
You can contact Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) by email at support-soutien@cihr-irsc.gc.ca or by phone at 613-954-1968.
Where is the HCRI - Data Analysis Using Existing Databases and Cohorts (Healthy Cities Research Initiative Operating Grant) available?
The HCRI - Data Analysis Using Existing Databases and Cohorts (Healthy Cities Research Initiative Operating Grant) program is available across Canada.
Is the HCRI - Data Analysis Using Existing Databases and Cohorts (Healthy Cities Research Initiative Operating Grant) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
HCRI - Data Analysis Using Existing Databases and Cohorts (Healthy Cities Research Initiative Operating Grant) is a Grant and Funding