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:

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.

Doctoral Foreign Study Award

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:

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:

Types of funding: Prizes, Workshops, Poster Competitions, Travel Awards, Summer Research Awards, Funding Opportunities, and more

Initiatives:

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