Funding overview

Resources for researchers

As the Government of Canada's health research investment agency, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) supports excellence across all four pillars of health research: biomedical; clinical; health systems services; and population health.

As stated in the CIHR Act, CIHR's mandate is 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."

Funding support for researchers

CIHR invests approximately $1 billion each year to support health research. Learn about how CIHR's grants and awards (G&A) expenditures were disbursed in 2021-22.

CIHR Institutes

CIHR is comprised of 13 Institutes that set research priorities and support a broad spectrum of research in their respective areas. Rather than brick-and-mortar buildings, these "virtual" Institutes are located within research institutions throughout Canada.

Each of CIHR's 13 Institutes is led by a Scientific Director.

College of Reviewers

Through the College of Reviewers, CIHR is building a stable base of peer reviewers from Canada and around the world that is helping to strengthen the health research enterprise.

Applying for funding

CIHR accepts applications for funding support that fall within its mandate, subject to agency policies and the specific requirements of the applicable funding opportunity.

For more information, please see the list of current funding opportunities.

Policies, directives and guidelines

CIHR’s collection of policies, guides, and related content for researchers, peer reviewers, institutions, and other partners.

Equitable funding in health research

CIHR is committed to ensuring that its programs, funding opportunities, and evaluation systems result in the fair treatment of all participants. Learn about our approach to funding equity, including data analyses of our programs.

Service standards

CIHR is committed to providing high-quality, professional, client-centered services to the research community, partners and stakeholders, and to the general public. For more information, please refer to the applicable service standards below:

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