Organizational structure

Governance

The CIHR Act outlines a framework for the organizational establishment of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), its governance infrastructure, responsibilities of the President and Governing Council and establishment of the CIHR Institutes.

CIHR is led by its President who is responsible for its day-to-day management and direction. Governing Council’s role in developing CIHR’s strategic directions and goals is informed by the President who advises on the development of strategic objectives for the Agency. Governing Council has a mandate to oversee the direction and management of the property, business and affairs of CIHR.

The Science Council (SC) provides scientific leadership and advice to Governing Council (GC) on health research and knowledge translation (KT) priorities and strategies, and recommends investment strategies. This includes recommending funding for all research and knowledge translation initiatives.

Day-to-day operations of CIHR are led by the Executive Team.

Organization

CIHR consists of 13 "virtual" institutes and 3 business portfolios. The Institutes and the portfolios work together to deliver our mandate.

Institutes

CIHR's institutes bring together all partners in the research process – the people who fund research, those who carry it out and those who use its results – to share ideas and focus on what Canadians need: good health and the means to prevent disease and fight it when it happens. Each institute supports a broad spectrum of research in its topic areas and, in consultation with its stakeholders, sets priorities for research in those areas.

Each of CIHR's 13 Institutes is led by a Scientific Director, supported by an Institute Advisory Board.

Portfolios

Date modified:

2026-04-01