Michael Smith Health Research BC: Research Trainee Program

Program Description

The Research Trainee Program supports health researchers in the training phase of their research career to enable career development and enrich BC’s health research talent. The Research Trainee Program is one of Health Research BC’s flagship funding opportunities. Since 2001, they have granted more than 1,400 Research Trainee awards helping to develop, attract and retain BC’s best and brightest health researchers and support the advancement of world-class health research in BC.

NEW for 2026

• Top-up funding of up to $10,000 is available for 2026 Research Trainee recipients whose research involves meaningfully engaging Indigenous communities. Applicants will need to complete an activity plan and a brief budget in their Full Application form.

Full Program Terms

Proposal Development Support

For support in preparing a UBCO-led application, please get in touch with the contact below:

How to Apply

UBC Okanagan Submission Guidelines

Third Parties: Supervisor (and optional Co-Supervisor), at least 2 (max 3) referee.

An applicant can have up to two supervisors. The primary supervisor must have an academic appointment (assistant, associate, or full professor) with a BC institution that holds a memorandum of understanding with Health Research BC. Applicants may also have a co-supervisor who is an independent researcher with expertise related to the proposed research area. The co-supervisor may be located outside of BC.

NEW for 2026

• Applicants are only required to submit one mandatory reference letter with their application.

Reminder from 2025 Competition 

Applicants and supervisors/co-supervisors will no longer be able to include a Canadian Common CV in Research Trainee applications and instead will be asked to complete a few new questions about supervision of trainees, career history, and experience leading or participating in funded research projects.

MSHRBC no longer requires applicants to be within a certain number of years of their PhD or health professional degree completion date to be eligible to apply for a Research Trainee award. If an applicant is eligible to hold a postdoctoral fellowship under their host institution’s policies, they may apply to the Research Trainee Program, provided they meet the other eligibility requirements.