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Project Grant Program

Funds health research projects

Offered by
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Official source: cihr-irsc.gc.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 20,600,000
Deadline
February 3, 2027
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Independent researchers affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution and/or its affiliated institutions at the time of funding.
See full eligibility

Overview

The CIHR Project Grant program supports research projects proposed and conducted by individual researchers or groups of researchers in all areas of health. It funds health-related research and knowledge translation, including commercialization, global health, Indigenous health research, randomized controlled trials, and interdisciplinary research.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$20,600,000
Financing goals
  • Increase performance through digital transformation
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Develop a new product or service
  • Conduct research and development activities
  • Conduct research or evaluation activities

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Canada
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Canadians
Legal structures
Non-profit
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
Research
Target groups
Indigenous peoples, Academia / students
Scope
National, International

Start applying for this program

Take a practical assessment to gain a clear understanding of how well this program aligns with your specific needs and long-term goals.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 1

Latest changes

CIHR guide updates training award restrictions

The CIHR Application Administration Guide now says training award holders cannot concurrently hold any other federal training award or receive remuneration through a federally funded research training support program.

See more

The CIHR Application Administration Guide was updated in the training-award restrictions section. It now states that a CIHR training award holder cannot concurrently hold any other federal training award or receive remuneration through a federally funded research training support program.

Official source: cihr-irsc.gc.ca
August 13, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Independent researchers affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution and/or its affiliated institutions at the time of funding.
  • Knowledge users affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution and/or its affiliated institutions at the time of funding, if there is at least one Principal Applicant who is an independent researcher.
  • 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

  • Individuals in the principal applicant role who are trainees are not eligible.
  • Individuals in the principal applicant role who are in a subordinate position with respect to the subject matter of the proposed research or activities are not eligible.
  • An individual or an organization cannot submit more than two Project Grant applications per competition as a Nominated Principal Applicant.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Canada

Activities funded

  • Health-related research projects in all areas of health.
  • Knowledge translation projects, including commercialization.
  • Projects focused on global health or that include international collaborations.
  • Research involving Indigenous Peoples that is meaningful, culturally safe, and in keeping with Indigenous values and traditions.
  • Randomized controlled trials, where appropriate based on scientific and methodological grounds, and interdisciplinary research.

How to apply

  • Submit your Project Grant Registration on ResearchNet.
  • Complete a Canadian Common CV or an Applicant Profile CV, as appropriate.
  • Create a ResearchNet account.
  • Complete the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Self-Identification Questionnaire.
  • Use ResearchNet to submit your application and obtain institutional eApproval before submitting it to CIHR.
  • Complete the Consent and Submit section before the deadline posted on ResearchNet.

Documents Needed

  • A Canadian Common CV or an Applicant Profile CV, as appropriate.
  • A Certificate of Completion for one sex- and gender-based analysis training module.
  • If you submit a Response to Previous Reviews, include all reviews and Scientific Officer Notes, if available, in a new attachment called Previous Reviews.

Selection criteria

  • Significance and impact of the research.
  • Approaches and methods.
  • Expertise, experience, and resources.
  • Reviewers also consider applicant context, including leave history, career stage, experiential knowledge, diverse career paths, family responsibilities, and pandemic impact, when assessing each criterion.

Processing and Agreement

  • Information collected in the registration is used to determine which peer review committee will review the application.
  • CIHR makes the final decision on which peer review committee will review each application based on the summary of proposed research received during the registration stage.
  • Each application is assigned to three reviewers based on their declared level of expertise.
  • Peer Review Committees evaluate and rate applications, discuss them at committee meetings, and recommend a budget and term if an application is approved.
  • At the end of the competition, Nominated Principal Applicants receive reviewer comments, Scientific Officer notes if the application was discussed, a Notice of Recommendation, and a Notice of Decision.

Additional information

  • There are two Project Grant competitions each year.
  • Each application must be submitted in a single language, either French or English.
  • Applications submitted in French are allowed two additional pages in the research proposal.
  • Application attachments must be self-contained; hyperlinks to external content, including documents hosted on a Google drive, are not permitted, while Digital Object Identifiers for publications are allowed.

Contacts

support-soutien@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
613-954-1968

Official sources

Project Grant Program

Program guide

A look behind the scenes of CIHR’s largest programCall for Applications to the Fall 2026 Reviewer in Training ProgramCanadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Application Administration Guide

Application form

Acceptable Application Formats and PDF AttachmentsIii Template Requirements For Pdf Attachments EnProject Grant: Application InstructionsTri-agency CV

Supporting document

Biosketch - Quick Reference GuideLearning ModulesPanel Analysis Stats EnProject 04 - Committee Member Roles
Add helloDarwin as a preferred source on Google

Frequently Asked Questions about the Project Grant Program Program

What is the Project Grant Program?

The CIHR Project Grant program supports research projects proposed and conducted by individual researchers or groups of researchers in all areas of health. It funds health-related research and knowledge translation, including commercialization, global health, Indigenous health research, randomized controlled trials, and interdisciplinary research.

How much funding can be received?

Project Grant Program Funds up to $20,600,000 of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The application deadline for this grant program is February 3, 2027.

Who is eligible for the Project Grant Program program?

To be eligible for the Project Grant Program program, you must: The Nominated Principal Applicant must be an eligible researcher, knowledge user, or Indigenous non-governmental organization applicant in Canada with the required research or knowledge translation affiliation or mandate. The Nominated Principal Applicant 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 funding can be released.

Who can I contact for more information about the Project Grant Program?

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 Project Grant Program available?

The Project Grant Program program is available across Canada.

Is the Project Grant Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Project Grant Program is a Grant and Funding