Frequently Asked Questions - Health System Impact (HSI) Embedded Early Career Researcher Award

Last update: January 2026

  1. General
  2. Objective
  3. Who Can Apply?
  4. Research Areas
  5. Academic Institution/Health System Organization
  6. Primary Mentor/Academic Mentor
  7. Application Process
  8. Funding
  9. Review Process and Evaluation
  10. Award Administration

General

  • What is the launch cycle for the Embedded ECR Award? When will it be launched again?

    The Institute of Health Services and Policy Research and partners anticipate launching the award biennially (every other year). The next launch anticipated is Fall 2027.

  • What is embedded research?

    Embedded research is situated within a health system organization and aims to address organizational priorities with context-specific, actionable evidence. They spend most of their time on priority-aligned embedded research within the health system organization, helping to build internal capacity and capability for research and evidence-informed decision making. They also have an academic appointment with protected time (up to 40% in the Embedded ECR Award) for other scholarly and organizational activities (e.g., independent research at a university, teaching commitments, capacity development and mentorship, other organizational committees and projects beyond the substantive embedded research program of work).

  • Who owns the intellectual property (IP) in this embedded research?

    CIHR's intellectual property policy is that intellectual property is governed by the institutional policies (see the Tri-agency financial administration guide for details). Given this award entails two organizations (the university and the health system organization), applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss IP jointly with both organizations to ensure shared understanding of the institutions' IP policies and how they will pertain within the context of this award. See also the Tri-Agency Open Access Policy on Publications, Communication of Research Results and Archiving of Research Data.

  • Who should I contact if I have questions about the funding opportunity?

    For all inquiries about the funding opportunity, please contact:

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

  • My organization would like to host an early career researcher (ECR) – who should I contact to get involved?

    For all inquiries about how to get involved as a host health system organization, please contact:

    Rhonda Boateng
    Lead, Communications and Strategic Initiatives
    rboateng.ihspr@ices.on.ca

    We also encourage you to submit a profile to our Partner Linkage tool through this online portal. As an organization interested in becoming a host site, this profile tool is an opportunity to signal your interest in hosting an early career researcher, highlight your anticipated priorities for the embedded research project(s) (i.e., signal your priority areas/projects of interest), and convey why your organization is an ideal learning environment for an embedded researcher.

Objective

  • What are the objectives of the 4-year award?

    The award's overall objective is to help establish a career pathway for embedded ECRs, increase their potential for impact and contribution as embedded scholars, and enhance the probability that they will secure an embedded scientist position with a Canadian health system organization and/or a faculty position in a Canadian academic institution.

    The award allows flexibility in its design elements (e.g., distribution between salary and research operating dollars, percentage of time protected for embedded research, etc.) to allow the ECRs to intentionally design their position towards their career objectives.

    See the objectives section of the funding opportunity for more details.

Who Can Apply?

  • I am a postdoctoral researcher who will be applying for a faculty position in January. Can I apply for the award and what happens if I do not get the faculty position?

    Yes. You may apply for the award. A condition of the award's funding is that if the faculty appointment is not confirmed by the application deadline, it must be by the funding start date. The funding opportunity states: "Individuals who do not hold an independent research appointment at a Canadian university at the time of application, but who expect to be appointed by the funding start date, may apply. If the application is successful, funds will only be released to the Institution Paid once the applicant's status is confirmed." If you are not successful in the faculty position, you will not be eligible to accept and receive the award.

  • Are clinician-researchers eligible for this award?

    Yes, as long as they meet the award's eligibility criteria. Eligible applicants must be an early career researcher and be an independent researcher with a faculty appointment at a Canadian university/college (possible example qualifications include PhD, MD/OT/ RN PhD, MD MPH).

  • Can current Health System Impact Fellows apply?

    Yes. Health System Impact Fellowship alumni are able to apply, as long as all other eligibility criteria are met.

  • Can people who have not held a Health System Impact Fellowship apply?

    Yes, as long as the eligibility criteria are met.

  • Do ECR applicants need to have a PhD or be a postdoctoral fellow? Are clinicians with an interest in health systems research welcome to apply?

    This program does not have a requirement for applicants to have a PhD or be a postdoctoral fellow. However, applicants must be an early career researcher and be an independent researcher with a faculty appointment at a Canadian university (possible example qualifications include PhD, MD/OT/ RN PhD, MD MPH). It will be up to the applicant to meet the requirements of their university, including the qualifications required to hold that position. Please also note that the appointment must be with a Canadian university, and it must last the full 4-year duration of the award.

  • Can Health System Impact Fellowship postdoctoral fellows apply with the same host health system organization and academic partner?

    Health System Impact Fellows may apply with the same partners. Applicants will need to be explicit and clear on how the award will add value to the organization, their professional development, and expand the organization's research capacity (see peer review criteria).

  • Can a current employee of the host health system organization apply?

    If an existing employee applies to the program, it will need to be explicit and clear how the award will add value to the organization/their professional development and expand the organization's research capacity. In other words, status quo positions will not be funded. We encourage you to review the application requirements and peer review criteria.

  • Can I apply if I have a non-salaried faculty position?

    Yes; however, to ensure a smooth process in the flow of funds, please speak to your institution.

Research Areas

  • Does the proposed program of work need to fall in one of the institute mandate areas?

    The program of work must align with the General Pool: Health Services, Systems and Policy (Research Area 1). Applicants may additionally select up to two "Specific Research Pool Areas" to which they believe their program of research is relevant. When selecting pool areas (max three including the general pool), "the NPA must clearly describe how the program of work proposed will address the relevant research area. The NPA must select the Funding pool(s) in order to be considered for funding under a specific Research Area." See the funding opportunity How to Apply section for more information.

  • One of the research pool areas is called Northern, Rural or Remote. What constitutes Northern?

    Northern, Rural or Remote1 (Research Area 3) means that applicants must be embedded in a health system organization that is geographically located in a northern (Yukon, Northwest Territories, or Nunavut), rural or remote region of Canada (as defined by Statistics Canada) and the applications must align with a health system priority in northern, rural or remote Canada.

  • Can I select more than one research area?

    As part of your application, you can select up to three funding pools (including the general pool) with which your program of work aligns. See the Research Areas section and How to Apply instructions of the funding opportunity for more details.

Academic Institution/Health System Organization

  • If I want to approach a health system organization that is not listed in the Partner Linkage Tool, are there background resources about the program that I could share?

    Applicants may find the Health System Impact Program webpage a helpful resource to share, along with the program overview document [ PDF (278 KB) - external link ], which outlines the program's goals, funding structure, value-add to health system organizations, and more.

  • Is embedded defined by physical location? Can I remain in my university location logistically, but embed procedurally within the host health system organization?

    While the award does not prescribe whether the embedding occur fully in-person, virtually, or a combination of the two, the intent is that the awardee spends time physically embedded within the health system organization to develop organizational contextual awareness, build trusting relationships, understand the organization's evidence needs and gaps, and more.

  • Is a health system organization limited to hosting one ECR?

    A health system organization can embed multiple ECRs as long as, for each applicant, the organization commits to the funding opportunity conditions, including the matched funding, the mentorship, and the other forms of support outlined in the funding opportunity.

  • How are 'health system organizations' defined?

    A health system or related host partner organization may be a public, private for-profit, or not-for-profit organization at the local, regional, provincial/territorial, or federal/national level (e.g., national health or health-related organization, Indigenous health organization [community-based or other such as an Indigenous non-governmental organization], ministry of health, community hospital, academic teaching hospital (including hospital-based research institutes), health authority, quality council, public health organization, health charity, consulting firm undertaking health or health-related work, pharmaceutical company, health-related professional association).

    A health system or related host partner organization is defined as an organization that contributes to: direct service delivery; mandated quality monitoring; the development of policy or programs that affects the health of individuals, populations and/or the health system; the development, provision or evaluation of technologies/products/services; or consulting services aimed at improving health outcomes and/or health system effectiveness and efficiency.

    Universities and university-based research institutes are not eligible host health system organizations for this funding opportunity. A faculty appointment with a Canadian university is, however, a required condition of this award.

  • Are new collaborations (e.g., a host health system organization and a Canadian university who have not previously collaborated before) seen as a strength, wherein the ECR award serves as a catalyst for partnerships or is there a preference for existing collaborations (e.g., teaching hospitals with associated universities) where the ECR serves as a mechanism for continued partnership?

    Both are invited and acceptable within the program. It will be important to pay attention to the evaluation criteria and be able to articulate the value-add and why your academic and host health system organizations are best poised to support you in your ECR goals.

  • The Award requirements state that the awardee must have a confirmed embedded scientist or equivalent role at a health system organization and a confirmed academic faculty appointment at an eligible Canadian university by the start date of the award. Can the confirmed position at the health system organization and faculty position be contingent on a successful application?

    Individuals who do not hold an independent research appointment at the time of application, but who expect to be appointed by the beginning of the funding period, may apply. If the application is successful, funds will only be released to the Institution Paid once the applicant's status is confirmed.

  • Are there any requirements around the nature of the academic appointment? Are adjunct positions allowed?

    The award does not specify the type or level of academic appointment required (e.g., status, adjunct, tenure, assistant, associate), but it does specify that it must be with a CIHR eligible Canadian university/college. There is built in flexibility for how the embedded scientist role may be designated between the university and host health system organization. Please note: the academic appointment type must be one that allows the university/college to flow the award funds to the awardee.

    Importantly, the ECR must be deemed an independent researcher and be able to conduct autonomous research, hold funds, and supervise students – as per CIHR's definition. In addition, the appointment must last the full 4-year duration of the award.

  • My host health system organization is also listed as a CIHR Eligible Institution Authorized to Administer Grant and Award Funds. Do I still need to be affiliated with a university?

    All awardees are required to be an independent researcher at a Canadian university (i.e. a faculty appointment at a university is required for this award). In situations where a host health system organization is a CIHR Eligible Institution Authorized to Administer Grant and Award Funds, they may serve as the "institution paid" for the purpose of flowing the funds. However, indication of a faculty appointment must be clearly demonstrated in the CIHR application.

  • If my host health system organization will be serving as my institution paid (and not my university, or academic host), what does this mean for the required letters of support?

    The Institution Paid is the institution on a funding application that receives and administers the funds on behalf of the nominated principal applicant. In the situation where a host health system organization is a CIHR Eligible Institution Authorized to Administer Grant and Award Funds, the applicant may list the host organization as the Institution Paid in their application. In all cases, applicants are still required to include a letter of support that is signed by the Dean or Director of the university (Letter of Support #2).

Primary Mentor/Academic Mentor

  • Does my academic mentor need to be from the academic institution where I have/will have an appointment?

    Yes. The academic mentor must be from the host academic institution (from a Canadian University) and be an academic leader who holds an independent research appointment with relevant expertise.

  • What qualifies a primary mentor as a senior-level health system leader within the health system organization?

    Given the variety of roles and role titles that exist within the health system, there is no concrete definition of "senior-level health system leader". It must be clear, by way of your application, that the health system mentor is considered a "senior" or "executive" level decision maker that is able to influence change, has enough experience to support your career development, as well as be able to champion the role of embedded research and the contribution of evidence to inform policy and decision making within the organization. This should also be explained in the Primary Mentor Letter (Letter of Support #1).

  • Can an applicant have two health system organization mentors?

    The eligibility criteria require one mentor from the host health system organization (primary mentor) and one mentor from the host Canadian University (academic mentor) to be identified in the application. ResearchNet permits only one individual to be designated as the primary mentor for your application. This individual must be identified in your application and accompanied by a biosketch/CCV, and a letter of support.

    However, you are welcome to reference a second Health System Organization mentor elsewhere in your application (e.g., a mentor team) such as in your research proposal. While this second mentor will not be officially recognized in CIHR's funded research database, the Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR) can include them in program-related communications, emails, and events if your application is successful.

    Please note:

    • The primary mentor's CV and letter of support must be submitted. Attaching this information for a second primary mentor is not necessary and will be removed. Note that this is different from your academic mentor, whose CV and letter of support must also be submitted.
    • The application will be evaluated based on the established criteria, so we encourage you to review the Review Process and Evaluation section of the funding opportunity

Application Process

  • What is required to submit a complete application for this competition?

    Below is a summary of all the requirements for a complete application for the Health System Impact Embedded Early Career Researcher Award:

    • All fields in ResearchNet (as described in detail in the Funding Opportunity) (mandatory)
    • Research Proposal with the below sections. Please note the proposal must follow the indicated English page limit restrictions of 15 pages maximum (each section to be expanded accordingly in French for a maximum of 18 pages) (mandatory)
      • Applicant: Experience, Contributions and Career Development (2 pages max.)
      • Research Program and Knowledge Mobilization Plan (6 pages max.)
      • Environment, Support and Mentorship (2 pages max.)
      • Potential Impact (1 page max.)
      • Work Plan Table (2 pages max.)
      • References, Tables, Charts, Figures (2 pages max.)
    • Other Application Materials
      • Letter of support from primary mentor (mandatory)
      • Letter of support from academic mentor (mandatory)
      • Budget Confirmation Form (mandatory)
      • SGBA Certificate of Completion from CIHR (mandatory)
      • Indigenous Health Research Cultural Safety Forms (if applicable). Must include forms from the following individuals:
        • Nominated Principal Applicant
        • Primary Mentor
        • Academic Mentor
    • HSPR Training and ECR Status Validation Form (mandatory)
    • Signature page and Routing Slip (mandatory)

Funding

  • The award requires 1-1 matching, of which up to $50,000, may include research-related supports. What constitutes "research-related supports"?

    The program defines research-related supports as those that directly benefit the applicant's research program such as: salaries for trainees, research assistants, analysts, administrative support and/or other research program personnel.

  • If my salary is currently paid, can this count as the matching funds?

    Yes. However, the funding opportunity specifies that, "If, as a result of this award, host-institution-controlled salary funds are freed up then it is required that the host institution reinvest these funds (minus the actual cost of the teaching release to the university, if applicable) in the Embedded ECR research program (e.g. graduate students, post-graduate students, workshops, meetings, etc.)."

  • Can the $50,000 matching cash contribution come from multiple organizations?

    Yes. The $50,000 can come jointly from the host health system organization and university, or from other organizations as long as it is confirmed at the time of application and outlined in the budget form.

  • Do we have to quantify the in-kind support to reach the full $100k for CIHR to then match?

    Yes. In this funding opportunity, "in-kind" support is called "research-related supports." The funding opportunity's How to Apply section includes information about the mandatory Budget Confirmation Form [ PDF (137 KB) ], which is where you will outline the matched funding for salary, research and professional development allowance, and research-related supports.

  • Can the host institution use CIHR-awarded funds or any other federal grant money as "matching" money?

    Contributions from existing CIHR or Tri-Council grant funds are ineligible. Partner contributions cannot be funds that have previously been leveraged for other CIHR initiatives.

  • Is there a requirement for both the health system organization and the academic institution to contribute some amount to the $100k partner contribution, or can the full amount be provided by one source?

    The NPA must secure 1-1, matching funds or $100,000 per annum, in partner contributions from their host health system organization and academic institution (the amount paid by each is not prescribed and will be determined independently of CIHR). This contribution must be outlined and confirmed at the time of application.

  • Can I hold another research award?

    To increase capacity and allow as many researchers as possible to benefit from federal, peer-reviewed funding, the HSI awardee is not permitted to hold another CIHR or any other federally funded salary award including Canada Research Chairs, Clinician Scientist (Phase 2) and Senior Research Fellowships (Phase 2) and including partnered salary opportunities.

Review Process and Evaluation

  • What is the percent (%) weighting given to each of the evaluation criteria?

    There is no percent weighting given to each evaluation criteria. The peer review committee will use the full scope of the evaluation criteria to assess the whole application and provide an overall rating.

  • What is the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and what does it mean for me?

    The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) is a global initiative whose purpose is to support the development and promotion of best practices in the assessment of scholarly research. DORA recognizes the need to improve the ways in which research is evaluated, beyond widely used journal-based metrics. As a signatory of DORA, CIHR has reaffirmed its commitment to excellence in research evaluation. CIHR recognizes and values a broader range of contributions, including outreach and mentoring, and emphasizes their quality and impact.

    For applicants, this means being able to highlight a broad range of contributions and impacts in your applications. This could include contributions such as articles, reports, books, guidelines, datasets, code, tools, training and mentorship, volunteerism, community engagement, standards, software, and commercialized products—and whether your work has influenced policy and practice, health outcomes, societal outcomes, and whether you have engaged in distinctions-based, meaningful, and culturally safe health research.

    For peer reviewers, this means being supported with enhanced guidance and practical tips to consider: the value of a range of contributions and impacts, factors that could affect productivity, the importance of the content of articles over the publication metrics or journal identity.

Award Administration

  • Any guidance to manage the tight timeline between notice of decision and start date for an ECR who will only be appointed if successful (e.g., conditional offer)?

    All applicants are encouraged, at the application stage, to discuss the award administration approach, requirements, and timelines with their host health system organization and university. This will help to expedite agreements and payment when the notice of decision is issued. CIHR funds will be issued once appointments are in place and confirmed (and will be backdated to the funding start date).

  • Does the five-year ECR window begin from the start of the embedded scientist role within a health system organization, or from the date of the faculty appointment at a Canadian university?

    The five-year ECR window begins from the date of the faculty appointment at a Canadian university.

  • How does CIHR flow funds to the host health system organization?

    CIHR flows its funds to a CIHR eligible institution. A list of CIHR eligible institutions is available online. In most cases, this will be the applicant's academic institution. In some cases, though, it could be the host health system organization if it is a CIHR eligible institution (e.g., Fraser Health Authority, Vancouver Island Health Authority, North York General Hospital). If the ECR's university and health system organization are both eligible to hold CIHR funds, the ECR can choose where funds should flow in the application (in the ResearchNet task "Enter Proposal Information," "Institution paid" – see How to Apply section for further details).

    The salary is pro-rated (based on start date) and paid monthly and the research and professional development allowance flow in a full lump sum payment at the start of each funding year.

    Health system organizations that are not CIHR eligible institutions are strongly encouraged to establish an agreement with the awardee's academic institution and flow funds there. This ensures a streamlined payment system for the HSI awardee (one rather than multiple payers). Based on experience with previous program cohorts, establishing this agreement, if it is a first-time relationship, can take time and we encourage health system organizations and academic institutions to start the process as soon as the awardee receives the CIHR Notice of Decision. We also encourage that, during the application phase, the health system organization confirms internally that it has a mechanism to transfer funds to the university. Consult the Institutional Eligibility to Administer CIHR Grant and Award Funds webpage for details.

  • Do I need to do anything if I am planning to decline the award?

    Yes. As we will potentially be offering your award to the next applicant on the ranking list, we need to know that you are declining the award within 15 business days after the offer has been posted to your ResearchNet account. Please send CIHR a signed copy of the Response to an Offer of Award form stating that you are declining the award and let us know why. As this is a partnered program and you have made commitments to a health system organization about a high-priority and impact-oriented program of work, you must also notify your proposed health system and academic mentor.

  • Does the ECR award provide parental and/or medical leave?

    ECR award holders may request unpaid parental and/or medical leave from CIHR. Since CIHR is the award funder, not the employer, you must discuss paid leave and coverage with your health system and academic institutions.

    However, please note that unpaid leave for the purpose of other relevant work experience, taking up another award or deferring the award is not permitted (all awards must start on October 1, 2026).

    Additional information is available on the CIHR website:

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