CIHR Strategic Grants

CIHR Strategic grants provide support for a specific topic or health challenge for researchers to explore/address. Strategic grants are sponsored by the 13 Institutes of CIHR and, to an extent, by CIHR’s initiatives. The Catalyst, Operating, Team, and Planning and Dissemination Grants are examples of common strategic grant programs.

Several Strategic grant programs are launched and submitted through ResearchNet.

Effective May 1, all researchers must adhere to the Government of Canada and Tri-Agency research security requirements when applying to CIHR including the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC Policy) and the National Security Guidelines on Research Partnership (NSGRP). More information on research security requirements, including support available at UBC can be found here.

All applications to the CIHR Project Grant competition must be electronically submitted via ResearchNet. Please follow CIHR’s application procedures described in the “How to Apply” section of the funding opportunity.

Research Project Information Form
UBC Signature Policy

As of May 15, 2018, all CIHR application participants (Nominated Principal Applicant, Principal Knowledge User, Knowledge User, Principal Applicant, Program Leader, Project Leader, Co-Applicant, Project Expert, Primary Supervisor, Program Expert, Supervisor) must complete an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Self-Identification Questionnaire before the eSubmission deadline.  Applicants listed as “Collaborators” are not required to complete the questionnaire.

CIHR requires all funding applications to be submitted electronically on ResearchNet. For information on how to use ResearchNet, refer to the “How to Apply” section of the funding opportunity and the relevant application checklist. CIHR has discontinued the use of Web Forms.

Strategic grants deadlines are specific to the strategic grant a researcher is applying for. RPIF deadlines are typically five full business days before the sponsor deadline for all CIHR applications.

The application must be prepare using ResearchNet. Adhere to the acceptable application formats and attachments guidelines.

  • STRAC Attestation Forms will be required when submitting to CIHR grant programs (Project, Team, and Operating grants); excluding those solely for knowledge mobilization or individual awards.
  • As of May 1, 2024, STRAC Attestation Forms are not needed for applications to the Institute Community Support program, Café Scientifique, travel grants, Planning & Dissemination grants, Capacity Building Workshops, Knowledge Synthesis grants, or Prizes.
  • The NSGRP Risk Assessment Form will be applied to Project Grant Program, starting with the Fall 2024 competition.
  • For CIHR named roles include: Nominated Principal Applicant, Principal Applicants, Co-Applicants, Principal Knowledge Users, and Knowledge Users.
  • Named Roles do not include Collaborators when applying to CIHR Programs.
  • For details on specific funding opportunities, please visit CIHR’s ResearchNet and application portal.

Additional information on research security requirements can be found here.

In order to obtain institutional endorsement, applicants must send an RPIF that is filled out and signed by the PI, Head of Department and Dean (as appropriate), along with a draft of the application to ResearchOffice.ubco@ubc.ca.

Use the Research Project Information Form (RPIF) to obtain the required internal signatures, as per UBC’s Signature Policy:

  • UBC Applicant (Principal Investigator)
  • Department Head or Director of School or Institute (typically 5 days prior to ORS internal deadline)
  • Dean or designate

SIGNATURES REQUIRED FOR CO-APPLICANTS

A co-applicant signature page, signed by the relevant Department /Unit Head/Dean is required when the co-applicant is from a different UBC Department/School than the applicant. Please use the UBC Internal Co-Applicant signature page, which can be found on the UBCO ORS forms page.

External authorized institution signature is required for co-applicants outside of UBC. Please use the ORS external co-applicant signature page.

If you are a co-applicant on a grant application initiated by a PI at another institution, you must still submit a copy of the application with required UBC signatures for ORS review and approval.

If all requirements are met, ORS will provide an institutional signature on your application. Following notification of Institutional Approval from the Office of Research Services via email:

  • Click “Verify” to ensure the application is complete. At this point, you can also save your entire file as a pdf for your records (highly recommended). Then click “Submit” to submit your application directly to CIHR. ResearchNet will email you a confirmation number.

CIHR will not follow up with PIs who submit an incomplete application; the application is simply withdrawn from the competition: http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/36190.html. For more information, review the CIHR Policy on Complete Applications: http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/36729.html

  • Ensure all required signatures are on the signature pages of the application.
  • Ensure the Routing Slip is attached. Original signatures are not required. The scanned signed signature pages and the Routing Slip must be uploaded in the Print/Upload Signature Pages task in ResearchNet prior to submitting your application.

Instructions for each grant application module are available within the online application portal.

For all ResearchNet inquiries, please contact:

CIHR Contact Centre
Telephone: 613-954-1968
Toll Free: 1-888-603-4178
Email: support-soutien@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

For service hours, please consult our Contact us page.

Note:  The Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation has the discretion to reject grant applications that have not been submitted through the proper channels if the applicant has a history of non-compliance or the application has included unauthorized commitments.