2019–20 Departmental Plan: Details on Transfer Payment Programs of $5 Million or More

Grants for Research Projects and Personnel Support (voted)

2000–01

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2011–12

Investigator-Initiated Research – Training and Career Support – Research in Priority Areas

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) provides a wide array of funding programs under this transfer payment program. This includes grants that provide support for the direct costs of research projects, for the training of researchers, or for activities that support the translation of research findings. Other funding includes direct salary and stipend support to individual researchers/scientists and research trainees.

• Health research advances knowledge;
• A strong and talented health research community with the capacity to undertake health research;
• Commercial activity-products patents and intellectual property, companies and employment generated; and
• Translation and use of health research takes place as a result of effective funding programs, which can lead to benefits to Canadians.

1. 2011–12; CIHR 2011 International Review
2. 2012–13; Evaluation of the Open Operating Grants Program
3. 2012–13; Evaluation of CIHR Salary/Career Award Programs
4. 2012–13; Evaluation of the National Anti-Drug Strategy
5. 2013–14; Evaluation of the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada
6. 2013–14; Evaluation of the Collaborative Health Research Projects Program
7. 2013–14; Evaluation of the CIHR Clinical Trials Network in HIV/AIDS Program
8. 2013–14; Evaluation of CIHR’s Knowledge Translation Funding Program
9. 2013–14; Evaluation of the Regenerative Medicine & Nanomedicine Initiative
10. 2014–15; Evaluation of the Drug Safety and Effectiveness Network (DSEN)
11. 2014–15; Evaluation of the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships Program
12. 2014–15; Evaluation of the Pandemic Preparedness Strategic Research Initiative
13. 2016–17; Evaluation of the Strategy for Patient Orientated Research (SPOR)
14. 2016–17; Strategic Training Initiative in Health Research (STIHR) Evaluation
15. 2016–17; Evaluation of the Canada Research Chairs Program
16. 2016–17; Evaluation of the Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction
17. 2016–17; Evaluation of the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis
18. 2017–18; Horizontal Evaluation of Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy (formerly known as National Anti-Drug Strategy)
19. 2017–18; Evaluation of the Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes
20. 2017–18; Evaluation of the Institute of Cancer Research
21. 2018–19; Review of the Institute of Genetics (IG)
22. 2018–19; Review of the Institute of Infection and Immunity (III)
23. 2018–19; Review of the Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR)
24. 2018–19; Review of the Institute of Gender and Health (IGH)
25. 2018–19; Evaluation of Gairdner

Continuation

1. 2018–19; Operating Support Evaluation (CIHR)
2. 2018–19; Evaluation of CIHR Career and Training Support (CIHR)
3. 2018–19; Horizontal Evaluation of the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada (PHAC)
4. 2018–19; Evaluation of Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Activities (PHAC)
5. 2018–19; Evaluation of Dementia Research Strategy (CIHR)
6. 2018–19; Review of the Institute of Aging (CIHR)
7. 2018–19; Evaluation of the Collaborative Health Research Projects (CHRP) Program
8. 2019–20; Research Support Fund Evaluation (SSHRC)
9. 2019–20; Review of the Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (CIHR)
10. 2019–20; Review of the Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (CIHR)
11. 2019–20; Evaluation of the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program (CIHR)  
12. 2019–20; Evaluation of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CIHR)
13. 2021–22; Evaluation of the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) Program
14. 2020–21; Evaluation of the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships Program
15. 2019–20; Review of the Institute of Population and Public Health (IPPH)
16. 2019–20; Evaluation of the Drug Safety and Effectiveness Network (DSEN)
17. 2019–20; Review of the Emerging Health Threats Research Fund
18. 2020–21; Review of the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Initiatives
19. 2020–21; Review of the Institute of Indigenous Peoples' Health (IIPH)
20. 2020–21; Review of the Institute of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addiction (INMHA)
21. 2020–21; Review of the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA)
22. 2021–22; Review of the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR)
23. 2021–22; Review of the Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes (INMD)
24. 2021–22; Evaluation of the Strategy for Patient Orientated Research (SPOR)
25. 2022–23; Horizontal Evaluation of the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy
26. 2020–21; Evaluation of the Environments and Health Initiative
27. 2022–23; Evaluation of the Canadian Epigenetics, Environment and Health Research Consortium
28. 2022–23; Evaluation of the Inflammation in Chronic Disease
29. 2022–23; Evaluation of the Personalized Health, Personalized Medicine and e-Health Innovations Initiative

Persons (Researchers – Students) – Non-profit organizations (Colleges and/or universities)

CIHR engages applicants and recipients on an ongoing basis through various forms of social media, electronic newsletters, presentations, discussion forums and consultation processes.

Canada Graduate Scholarships (voted)

2003–04

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2009–10

Training and Career Support

CIHR's portion of the Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) program provides financial support to high-calibre scholars who are engaged in master's or doctoral programs in health. This program is a Tri-Agency program and is administered by each respective agency (CIHR, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)).

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

• Increased enrolment in graduate studies in Canada.
• Improved time to completion of degrees for CGS scholarship holders, relative to national statistics for time to completion in their discipline.
• Enhanced capacity of Canadian universities to attract the best and brightest young people who will become the next generation of researchers.

2016–17

Continuation

2021–22

Persons (Students)

Applicants and recipients are engaged through communication with academic institutions and Tri-Agency or agency specific electronic communication.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (voted)

2008–09

Ongoing

2014–15

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

Training and Career Support

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program is a Tri-Agency program designed to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by offering them a significant financial award. This financial award assists students during their studies at Canadian universities. Vanier Scholars demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health-related fields. This program is administered by CIHR on behalf of CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP

• Establishment of a Canadian doctoral scholarship that is internationally competitive and internationally recognized.
• Enhanced capacity of Canadian universities to attract the best and brightest students from Canada and the world with the potential to become leaders in the next generation of researchers in Canada.
• Attract to Canada top students from other countries who will bring with them new knowledge and ideas and enrich the Canadian learning environment.
• Retain Canada’s top doctoral students in the face of intense international competition for the brightest researchers.
• Promote and brand Canada as a home of research excellence and Canadian Universities as world-class institutions of research and higher learning.
• Establish effective research collaborations and networks between Canada and the recipients’ home countries.

2014–15

Continuation

2019–20

Persons (Students)

Applicants and recipients are engaged through communication with academic institutions and directed Tri-Agency or agency-specific electronic communication, as well as through the Vanier CGS website.

Institute Support Grants (voted)

2000–01

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2008–09

Research in Priority Areas

The Institute Support Grant program provides funding to select Canadian academic institutions, including universities and teaching hospitals, to assist them in hosting the 13 Institutes of CIHR. The Institutes help CIHR maintain strong ties to Canada's research communities and to understand their needs. Each CIHR-appointed Scientific Director is among the top scientists in his/her field. Institutes help CIHR define its strategic health research priorities and develop research partnerships with other interested parties in health research. Institutes also organize conferences, seminars and workshops, all with the goal of developing and disseminating health-related knowledge and best practices.

Effective domestic and international health research agendas as well as alliances and partnerships in areas related to the mandate of each Institute.

Not applicable, each Institute's Support Grant is evaluated as part of each Institute’s review (see Grants for Research Projects and Personnel Support above for status of Institute Reviews)

Not applicable

Not applicable

Non-profit organizations (Scientific Directors’ host institution)

CIHR engages applicants and recipients on an ongoing basis through various forms of social media, electronic newsletters, presentations, discussion forums and consultation processes. Scientific Directors are among the top scientists in their fields and maintain strong ties to Canada's research communities.

Networks of Centres of Excellence (voted)

1997–98

2023–24

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2014–15

Research in Priority Areas

The Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program supports large-scale academically led research networks that harness the creativity and inventiveness of Canadian health, natural, and social scientists and engineers. Partners from industry, government and not-for-profit organizations contribute additional expertise and bring cash and in kind support. This program is a Tri-Agency program administered by NSERC on behalf of CIHR, SSHRC and NSERC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

Strong linkages and partnerships between university, government and industry, and other users (NGOs) resulting in the exploitation of leading-edge research results with economical and/or societal benefits to Canada.

2015–16

Continuation

N/A

Non-profit organizations

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (voted)

2007

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2011–12

Research in Priority Areas

The Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) program bridges the challenging gap between innovation and commercialization. The program matches clusters of research expertise with the business community to share the knowledge and resources that bring innovations to market faster. Centres advance research and facilitate commercialization within four priority areas: the environment; natural resources and energy; health and life sciences; and information and communications technologies.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

As per Budget 2018, the Government announced it would transfer the management of the Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) (and associated funding) to the Strategic Innovation Fund managed by ISED.

Pre-competitive development of promising technology and the promotion of its transfer to new or established Canadian companies is facilitated.

2017–18

Continuation

N/A

Non-profit organizations

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Canada First Research Excellence Fund (voted)

2014

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through the Estimates

2014–15

Investigator-Initiated Research

The Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) supports Canada’s postsecondary institutions in their efforts to become global research leaders. It helps Canadian universities, colleges and polytechnics compete with the best in the world for talent and partnership opportunities, to make breakthrough discoveries, and to excel globally in research areas that will create long-term economic advantages for Canada. The Fund helps institutions: (i) compete with the best in the world for talent, for partnership opportunities and to make breakthrough discoveries; (ii) seize emerging opportunities and strategically advance their greatest strengths on the global stage; and (iii) implement large-scale, transformational and forward-thinking institutional strategies. This program is administered by SSHRC on behalf of CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC.

There is no repayable contribution under this TPP.

• Institutions develop ambitious and focused strategies.
• Canadian post-secondary institutions excel globally in research areas of strategic relevance to Canada.
• Institutions contribute to creating long-term economic advantages for Canada.

Not applicable, new program

Not applicable

2019–20

Non-profit organizations (universities and research institutions, colleges)

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.