2020-21 Departmental Plan: Details on transfer payment programs

2000–01

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2011–12

• Canada’s health research is internationally competitive
• Canada’s health research capacity is strengthened
• Canada’s health research is used

Investigator-Initiated Research – Training and Career Support – Research in Priority Areas

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) provides a wide array of funding programs under this transfer payment program. This includes grants that provide support for the direct costs of research projects, for the training of researchers, or for activities that support the translation of research findings. Other funding includes direct salary and stipend support to individual researchers/scientists and research trainees.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

• Health research advances knowledge;
• A strong and talented health research community with the capacity to undertake health research;
• Commercial activity-products patents and intellectual property, companies and employment generated; and
• Translation and use of health research takes place as a result of effective funding programs, which can lead to benefits to Canadians.

1. 2012–13; Evaluation of the Open Operating Grants Program
2. 2012–13; Evaluation of CIHR Salary/Career Award Programs
3. 2012–13; Evaluation of the National Anti-Drug Strategy
4. 2013–14; Evaluation of the Collaborative Health Research Projects Program
5. 2013–14; Evaluation of the CIHR Clinical Trials Network in HIV/AIDS Program
6. 2013–14; Evaluation of CIHR’s Knowledge Translation Funding Program
7. 2013–14; Evaluation of the Regenerative Medicine & Nanomedicine Initiative
8. 2014–15; Evaluation of the Drug Safety and Effectiveness Network
9. 2014–15; Evaluation of the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships Program
10. 2014–15; Evaluation of the Pandemic Preparedness Strategic Research Initiative
11. 2016–17; Evaluation of the Strategy for Patient Orientated Research
12. 2016–17; Strategic Training Initiative in Health Research Evaluation
13. 2016–17; Evaluation of the Canada Research Chairs Program
14. 2016–17; Evaluation of the Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction
15. 2016–17; Evaluation of the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis
16. 2017–18; Horizontal Evaluation of Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy (formerly known as National Anti-Drug Strategy)
17. 2017–18; Evaluation of the Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes
18. 2017–18; Evaluation of the Institute of Cancer Research
19. 2018–19; Review of the Institute of Genetics
20. 2018–19; Review of the Institute of Infection and Immunity
21. 2018–19; Review of the Institute of Health Services and Policy Research
22. 2018–19; Review of the Institute of Gender and Health
23. 2018–19; Horizontal Evaluation of the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada
24. 2018–19; Evaluation of Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Activities

Continuation

1. 2019–20; Operating Support Evaluation
2. 2019–20; Evaluation of CIHR Career and Training Support
3. 2019–20; Review of the Institute of Aging
4. 2019–20; Review of the Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health
5. 2019–20; Review of the Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health
6. 2019–20; Evaluation of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
7. 2019–20; Evaluation of the Drug Safety and Effectiveness Network
8. 2020–21; Evaluation of the Collaborative Health Research Projects Program
9. 2020–21; Evaluation of the Dementia Research Strategy
10. 2020–21; Evaluation of the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships Program
11. 2020–21; Review of the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Initiatives
12. 2020–21; Evaluation of the Environments and Health Initiative
13. 2021–22; Evaluation of the Canada Research Chairs Program
14. 2021–22; Evaluation of the Strategy for Patient Orientated Research
15. 2022–23; Evaluation of the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy
16. 2022–23; Evaluation of the Canadian Epigenetics, Environment and Health Research Consortium
17. 2022–23; Evaluation of the Inflammation in Chronic Disease initiative
18. 2022–23; Evaluation of the Personalized Health, Personalized Medicine and eHealth Innovations initiatives
19. 2023–24; Evaluation of PHAC’s Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Activities
20. 2023–24; Horizontal Evaluation of the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada
21. 2023–24; Evaluation of the CIHR Institutes
22. 2023–24; Evaluation of the Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research Program

Academia and public institutions

CIHR engages applicants and recipients on an ongoing basis through various forms of social media, electronic newsletters, presentations, discussion forums and consultation processes.

2008

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2016-17

• Canada’s health research is internationally competitive
• Canada’s health research capacity is strengthened
• Canada’s health research is used

Investigator-Initiated Research

The Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) program is a Tri-Agency initiative that supports Canadian universities in their efforts to build on Canada's growing reputation as a global leader in research and innovation. The program awards world-renowned researchers and their teams to establish ambitious research programs at Canadian universities. This program is administered by SSHRC on behalf of CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

• Strengthen Canada’s ability to attract the world’s top researchers;
• Build a critical mass of expertise in priority areas identified by the government at Canadian institutions;
• Create a competitive environment to help Canadian institutions attract a cadre of world-leading researchers, collaborators, partners, and research users from diverse sectors, nationally and internationally; and
• Contribute to the branding of Canada as a location of choice for world-leading research, science and technology development

2019-20

Continuation

2024-25

Individual and sole proprietorships, academia and public institutions

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

2014

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2014–15

• Canada’s health research is internationally competitive
• Canada’s health research capacity is strengthened
• Canada’s health research is used

Investigator-Initiated Research

The Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) supports Canada’s postsecondary institutions in their efforts to become global research leaders. CFREF helps institutions: (i) compete with the best in the world for talent, for partnership opportunities and to make breakthrough discoveries; (ii) seize emerging opportunities and strategically advance their greatest strengths on the global stage; and (iii) implement large-scale, transformational and forward-thinking institutional strategies. This program is administered by SSHRC on behalf of CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC. This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions

• Compete with the best in the world for talent, for partnership opportunities, and to make breakthrough discoveries;
• Seize emerging opportunities and strategically advance their greatest strengths on the global stage; and
• Implement large-scale, transformational and forward-thinking institutional strategies.

N/A

N/A

2020-21

Academia and public institutions

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

2003–04

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2009–10

• Canada’s health research is internationally competitive
• Canada’s health research capacity is strengthened
• Canada’s health research is used

Training and Career Support

CIHR's portion of the Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) program provides financial support to high-calibre scholars who are engaged in master's or doctoral programs in health. This program is a Tri-Agency program and is administered by each respective agency (CIHR, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)).

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

• Increased enrolment in graduate studies in Canada.
• Improved time to completion of degrees for CGS scholarship holders, relative to national statistics for time to completion in their discipline.
• Enhanced capacity of Canadian universities to attract the best and brightest young people who will become the next generation of researchers.

2016–17

Continuation

2021–22

Academia and public institutions

Applicants and recipients are engaged through communication with academic institutions and Tri-Agency or agency specific electronic communication.

2007

2022–23

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2011–12

• Canada’s health research is internationally competitive
• Canada’s health research capacity is strengthened
• Canada’s health research is used

Research in Priority Areas

The Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) program bridges the challenging gap between innovation and commercialization. The program matches clusters of research expertise with the business community to share the knowledge and resources that bring innovations to market faster. Centres advance research and facilitate commercialization within four priority areas: the environment; natural resources and energy; health and life sciences; and information and communications technologies. This program is administered by NSERC on behalf of CIHR, SSHRC and NSERC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

As per Budget 2018, the Government announced it would transfer the management of the Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) (and associated funding) to the Strategic Innovation Fund managed by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).

Pre-competitive development of promising technology and the promotion of its transfer to new or established Canadian companies are facilitated.

2017-18

Continuation

Not applicable - Budget 2018 transferred oversight of CECR to the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) at ISED.

• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Academia and public institutions

No further competitions are planned under this program. Existing recipients are supported by direct contact and engagement through their assigned NCE staff liaison who sits as an observer on the Board of Directors.

2000–01

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2008–09

• Canada’s health research is internationally competitive
• Canada’s health research capacity is strengthened
• Canada’s health research is used

Research in Priority Areas

The Institute Support Grant program provides funding to select Canadian academic institutions, including universities and teaching hospitals, to assist them in hosting the 13 Institutes of CIHR. The Institutes help CIHR maintain strong ties to Canada's research communities and to understand their needs. Each CIHR-appointed Scientific Director is among the top scientists in his/her field. Institutes help CIHR define its strategic health research priorities and develop research partnerships with other interested parties in health research. Institutes also organize conferences, seminars and workshops, all with the goal of developing and disseminating health-related knowledge and best practices.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

Effective domestic and international health research agendas as well as alliances and partnerships in areas related to the mandate of each Institute.

Not applicable, each Institute's Support Grant was evaluated as part of each Institute’s review (see Grants for Research Projects and Personnel Support above for status of Institute Reviews).

Not applicable, each Institute's Support Grant was evaluated as part of each Institute’s review (see Grants for Research Projects and Personnel Support above for status of Institute Reviews).

The Institute Support Grant program will be evaluated in 2023-24 as part of the Evaluation of the CIHR Institutes (see Grants for Research Projects and Personnel Support above).

Academia and public institutions

CIHR engages applicants and recipients on an ongoing basis through various forms of social media, electronic newsletters, presentations, discussion forums and consultation processes. Scientific Directors are among the top scientists in their fields and maintain strong ties to Canada's research communities.

1997

2023–24

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2014–15

• Canada’s health research is internationally competitive
• Canada’s health research capacity is strengthened
• Canada’s health research is used

Research in Priority Areas

The program supports large-scale academically led research networks that harness the creativity and inventiveness of Canadian health, natural and social scientists, and engineers. Partners from industry, government and not-for-profit organizations contribute additional expertise and bring cash and in-kind support. This program is a tri-agency program administered by NSERC on behalf of CIHR, SSHRC and NSERC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

Strong linkages and partnerships between university, government and industry, and other users (NGOs) resulting in the exploitation of leading-edge research results with economical and/or societal benefits to Canada.

2015-16

Continuation

Not applicable - no longer an ongoing transfer payment. Budget 2018 created the New Frontiers in Research Fund; NCE funding will be transferred to NFRF over the next several years. At present there are no plans to evaluate this program. 

• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Academia and public institutions

No further competitions are planned under this program. Existing recipients are supported by direct contact and engagement through their assigned NCE staff liaison who sits as an observer on the Board of Directors.

2008–09

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2014–15

• Canada’s health research is internationally competitive
• Canada’s health research capacity is strengthened
• Canada’s health research is used

Training and Career Support

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program is a Tri-Agency program designed to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by offering them a significant financial award. This financial award assists students during their studies at Canadian universities. Vanier Scholars demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health-related fields. This program is administered by CIHR on behalf of CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

• Establishment of a Canadian doctoral scholarship that is internationally competitive and internationally recognized.
• Enhanced capacity of Canadian universities to attract the best and brightest students from Canada and the world with the potential to become leaders in the next generation of researchers in Canada.
• Attract to Canada top students from other countries who will bring with them new knowledge and ideas and enrich the Canadian learning environment.
• Retain Canada’s top doctoral students in the face of intense international competition for the brightest researchers.
• Promote and brand Canada as a home of research excellence and Canadian Universities as world-class institutions of research and higher learning.
• Establish effective research collaborations and networks between Canada and the recipients’ home countries.

2014–15

Continuation

2019–20

Academia and public institutions

Applicants and recipients are engaged through communication with academic institutions and directed Tri-Agency or agency-specific electronic communication, as well as through the Vanier CGS website.

2007

2023–24

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2012–13

• Canada’s health research is internationally competitive
• Canada’s health research capacity is strengthened
• Canada’s health research is used

Research in Priority Areas

The Business-led Networks of Centres of Excellence program (BL-NCE) funds large-scale collaborative research networks that bring a wide range of research expertise to bear on specific challenges identified by an industrial sector. This tri-agency program is administered by NSERC on behalf of SSHRC, CIHR and NSERC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

As per Budget 2018, the Government announced it would transfer the management of the Business-led Networks of Centres of Excellence programs (and associated funding) to the Strategic Innovation Fund managed by ISED.

The research knowledge and technology produced by the networks and centres are transferred and used.

2015-16

Continuation

Not applicable - Budget 2018 transferred oversight of BL-NCE to the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) at ISED.

• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Academia and public institutions

No further competitions are planned under this program. Existing recipients are supported by direct contact and engagement through their assigned NCE staff liaison who sits as an observer on the Board of Directors.

2017

2025–26

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2017–18

• Canada’s health research is internationally competitive
• Canada’s health research capacity is strengthened
• Canada’s health research is used

Investigator-Initiated Research

The Canada 150 Research Chairs (C150) program provides Canadian universities with a one-time investment to attract top-tier, internationally based scholars and researchers (including Canadian expatriates) to Canada. This program is administered by SSHRC on behalf of CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

• Strengthen Canada’s research capacity through the recruitment and retention of top-tier, internationally based scholars and researchers;
• Enhance Canada’s reputation as a global centre for science, research and innovation excellence;
• Improve universities’ capacity to generate and apply new knowledge; and
• Improve the training and development of highly qualified research personnel.

2019-20

Continuation

2024-25

Individual and sole proprietorships, academia and public institutions

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

2007

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2018–19

• Canada’s health research is internationally competitive
• Canada’s health research capacity is strengthened
• Canada’s health research is used

Research in Priority Areas

The College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program is managed by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) in collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). The CCI Program increases innovation at the community and/or regional level by enabling Canadian colleges to increase their capacity to work with local companies, particularly small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), in areas of the natural and social sciences, engineering, humanities and/or health. It supports applied research and collaborations that facilitate commercialization, as well as technology transfer, adaptation and adoption of new technologies, in areas of strategic importance to Canada.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

• Increased awareness by local businesses of the capacity of the postsecondary institutions to assist with applied research projects.
• Increased involvement of faculty in applied research.
• Increased applied research capacity at colleges.
• College students acquiring applied research knowledge and experience, and exposure to business work environments.
• New technologies and processes adopted by local businesses and other organizations.
• Increased applied research collaborations between colleges, universities, local businesses and other organizations.
• Increased R&D investment by local businesses and other organizations.
• Increased productivity and competitiveness of local businesses and other organizations.
• Enhanced reputation of colleges as applied research partners for local businesses and other organizations.

2018-19

Continuation

2023-24

Academia and public institutions

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.