CIHR Health Research Training Award Programs
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) strives to ensure a strong foundation of future health research leaders, and is committed to offering programs that increase the supply of highly-qualified research personnel.
CIHR funds trainees at all levels – Masters, Doctoral, and Postdoctoral – in all health disciplines, including health professionals (clinicians, dentists, nurses, physiotherapists, and other health professionals) who are interested in pursuing health research. This funding support is provided in two ways:
- Directly through training award programs
- Indirectly through grants and strategic initiatives
Please review the links below to learn more about CIHR's award and initiatives. These opportunities can also be viewed through CIHR's grants and awards database or through individual CIHR Institute webpages.
Masters students
All graduate training awards at masters level that are offered by CIHR or through CIHR Institutes can be accessed through CIHR's grants and awards database.
Canada Graduate Scholarships - Masters Awards (CGS-M)
These awards provide special recognition and financial support to students who are pursuing a Masters degree in a health-related field in Canada. Candidates are expected to have an exceptionally high potential for future research achievement and productivity.
Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement (MSFSS)
These awards support high-calibre Canadian graduate students in building global linkages and international networks through the pursuit of exceptional research experiences abroad. The supplements are provided to help offset the costs of undertaking research studies outside Canada for a defined period (up to 6 months).
Note: Only those who currently hold a Canada Graduate Scholarships - Masters Awards (CGS-M), a Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral Award (CGS-D) FAQ, or a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) are eligible to apply for this supplement.
Doctoral students
All graduate training awards at the doctoral level that are offered by CIHR or through CIHR Institutes can be accessed through CIHR's grants and awards database.
Doctoral Research Award programs
Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral program
The Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral program (CGS-D) provides special recognition and support to students who are pursuing a doctoral degree in a health-related field in Canada.
The Doctoral Foreign Study Award (DFSA) provides special recognition and support to students who are pursuing a doctoral degree in a health-related field abroad.
Useful links:
- How to Submit an Application to CIHR’s Canada Graduate Scholarships Doctoral Program (CGS D)
- Information and instructions for Research Administrators for managing the Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral Program
- CIHR Doctoral Research Awards – Application instructions
- CIHR Reviewers’ Guide for Doctoral Research Awards
- Information for Sponsors
- CIHR Doctoral Research Awards – Frequently Asked Questions
- Individual Development Plans
- Quotas for the CIHR Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral program (CGS-D)
- Peer Review Committees and Mandates – Doctoral Research Award
- Tri-agency Research Training Award Holder's Guide
Other Doctoral Research Awards programs available
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)
These awards recruit top-tier doctoral students, both nationally and internationally, who will positively contribute to the Canadian economic, social and research-based growth for a prosperous future.
Note: If you already hold a Canada Graduate Scholarship – Doctoral Award, you are not eligible to be nominated for a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship.
Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement (MSFSS)
These awards support high-calibre Canadian graduate students in building global linkages and international networks through the pursuit of exceptional research experiences abroad. The supplements are provided to help offset the costs of undertaking research studies outside Canada for a defined period (up to 6 months).
Note: Only those who currently hold a Canada Graduate Scholarships - Master's Awards (CGS-M), a Canada Graduate Scholarship – Doctoral Award (CGS-D), or a Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) are eligible to apply for this supplement.
Postdoctoral/degree researchers
All Postdoctoral training awards offered by CIHR or through CIHR Institutes can be accessed through CIHR's grants and awards database.
Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
These awards aim to attract and retain top-tier talent, both nationally and internationally, to develop their leadership potential and to position them for success as research leaders of tomorrow, positively contributing to Canada's economic, social, and research-based growth through a research-intensive career.
CIHR Fellowship Program
These awards provide support for highly-qualified candidates at the postdoctoral (post-PhD) or post-health professional degree stages to add to their experience by engaging in health research either in Canada or abroad.
Useful links:
CIHR Institute initiatives
In addition to CIHR led training programs, several targeted CIHR institute awards and initiatives are frequently initiated for trainees who are conducting research in specific high-priority topics.
Health research students and trainees can view all available opportunities through the CIHR Funding Opportunities Database or through individual CIHR institute pages below:

- Aging
- Cancer Research
- Circulatory and Respiratory Health
- Gender and Health
- Genetics
- Health Services and Policy Research
- Human Development, Child and Youth Health
- Indigenous Peoples' Health
- Infection and Immunity
- Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis
- Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction
- Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes
- Population and Public Health
Initiatives:
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