Canadian Institutes of Health Research 2026-27 Departmental Plan: Details on transfer payment programs
- Transfer Payment Programs/funding agreements with total planned spending of $5 million or more
- Transfer Payment Programs/funding agreements with total planned spending of $5 million or more
Transfer Payment Programs/funding agreements with total planned spending of $5 million or more
Canada Excellence Research Chairs (Voted)
Timeframe of the transfer payment program
- Start date: 2008
- End date: Ongoing
- Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023-24
Funding Details
- Name of program terms and conditions: Canada Excellence Research Chairs
- Type of transfer payment: Grant
- Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Purpose and objectives
-
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) transfer payment program is a tri-agency program that includes the following initiatives:
- The Canada Excellence Research Chairs
- The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs
- The Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders
The program is a Tri-Agency initiative that supports Canadian universities in their efforts to build on Canada's growing reputation as a global leader in research and innovation. The program awards funding to world-renowned researchers and their teams to establish ambitious research programs at Canadian universities.
The Canada Impact+ Research Chairs (Impact+) and the Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders programs are one-time initiatives designed to support Canadian universities in attracting world-leading researchers whose work addresses critical national and global challenges. Impact+ Chairs will receive long-term funding and institutional support to advance ambitious and transformative projects in Canada’s strategic priority areas, build and maintain exceptional research teams, and collaborate with partners across sectors and borders. Universities may also request additional funding to recruit international early career researchers as part of the Emerging Leaders initiative.
The CERC and Impact+ initiatives are administered by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) on behalf of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and SSHRC.
This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.
Recipients
General targeted recipient groups: Academia and public institutions
Departmental Results Framework
Link to departmental results:
- Canada’s health research is internationally competitive
- Canada’s health research capacity is strengthened
- Canada’s health research is used
Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Investigator-Initiated Research
Expected results:
- Strengthen Canada's ability to attract the world's top researchers.
- Build a critical mass of expertise in priority areas identified by the government at Canadian institutions.
- Create a competitive environment to help Canadian institutions attract a cadre of world-leading researchers, collaborators, partners, and research users from diverse sectors, nationally and internationally.
- Contribute to the branding of Canada as a location of choice for world-leading research, science and technology development.
Evaluation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2029-30
| Type of transfer payment | 2025-26 forecast spending |
2026-27 planned spending |
2027-28 planned spending |
2028-29 planned spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 17,177,209 | 50,697,154 | 46,596,467 | 46,570,784 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 17,177,209 | 50,697,154 | 46,596,467 | 46,570,784 |
Canada First Research Excellence Fund (Voted)
Timeframe of the transfer payment program
- Start date: 2014
- End date: Ongoing
- Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023-24
Funding Details
- Name of program terms and conditions: Canada First Research Excellence Fund
- Type of transfer payment: Grant
- Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Purpose and objectives
-
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) supports Canada's postsecondary institutions in their efforts to become global research leaders. CFREF helps competitively selected Canadian postsecondary institutions turn their key strengths into world-leading capabilities. This program is administered by SSHRC on behalf of CIHR, the NSERC, and SSHRC.
This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.
Recipients
General targeted recipient groups: Academia and public institutions.
Departmental Results Framework
Link to departmental result(s):
- Canada’s health research is internationally competitive
- Canada’s health research capacity is strengthened
- Canada’s health research is used
Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Investigator-Initiated Research
Expected results:
- Institutions develop ambitious and focused strategies.
- Canadian postsecondary institutions excel globally in research areas of strategic relevance to Canada.
- Institutions contribute to creating long-term economic advantages for Canada.
Evaluation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2029-30
| Type of transfer payment | 2025-26 forecast spending |
2026-27 planned spending |
2027-28 planned spending |
2028-29 planned spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 58,438,027 | 58,494,335 | 58,494,335 | 58,466,417 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 58,438,027 | 58,494,335 | 58,494,335 | 58,466,417 |
Canada Graduate Scholarships (Voted)
Timeframe of the transfer payment program
- Start date: 2003-04
- End date: 2028-29
- Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2009-10
Funding Details
- Name of program terms and conditions: Canada Graduate Scholarships
- Type of transfer payment: Grant
- Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Purpose and objectives
-
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: 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 is a Tri-Agency program and is administered by each respective agency (CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC).
As announced in Budget 2024, Tri-Agency administered scholarship and fellowship programs have been streamlined into the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS). The Canada Graduate Scholarship program was discountinued, and its resources will be incrementally consolidated into the CRTAS.
This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.
Recipients
General targeted recipient groups: Academia and public institutions.
Departmental Results Framework
Link to departmental result(s):
- Canada’s health research is internationally competitive
- Canada’s health research capacity is strengthened
- Canada’s health research is used
Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Training and Career Support
Expected results:
- 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.
Evaluation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2030-31
| Type of transfer payment | 2025-26 forecast spending |
2026-27 planned spending |
2027-28 planned spending |
2028-29 planned spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 53,484,821 | 11,823,292 | 10,586,666 | 146,667 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 53,484,821 | 11,823,292 | 10,586,666 | 146,667 |
Grants for Research Projects and Personnel Support (Voted)
Timeframe of the transfer payment program
- Start date: 2000-01
- End date: Ongoing
- Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2011-12
Funding Details
- Name of program terms and conditions: Grants for Research Projects and Personnel Support
- Type of transfer payment: Grant
- Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Purpose and objectives
-
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: 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.
This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.
Recipients
General targeted recipient groups: Academia and public institutions.
Departmental Results Framework
Link to departmental result(s):
- Canada’s health research is internationally competitive
- Canada’s health research capacity is strengthened
- Canada’s health research is used
Link to the department’s Program Inventory:
- Investigator-Initiated Research
- Training and Career Support
- Research in Priority Areas
Expected results:
- 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.
- Translation and use of health research takes place as a result of effective funding programs, which can lead to benefits to Canadians.
Evaluation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2028-29
| Type of transfer payment | 2025-26 forecast spending |
2026-27 planned spending |
2027-28 planned spending |
2028-29 planned spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 1,133,758,308 | 1,163,579,697 | 1,194,596,240 | 1,250,666,231 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 1,133,758,308 | 1,163,579,697 | 1,194,596,240 | 1,250,666,231 |
Institute Support Grants (Voted)
Timeframe of the transfer payment program
- Start date: 2000-01
- End date: Ongoing
- Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2008-09
Funding Details
- Name of program terms and conditions: Institute Support Grants
- Type of transfer payment: Grant
- Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Purpose and objectives
-
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: 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.
This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.
Recipients
General targeted recipient groups: Academia and public institutions.
Departmental Results Framework
Link to departmental result(s):
- Canada’s health research is internationally competitive
- Canada’s health research capacity is strengthened
- Canada’s health research is used
Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Research in Priority Areas
Expected results:
- Effective domestic and international health research agendas as well as alliances and partnerships in areas related to the mandate of each Institute.
Evaluation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2027-28
| Type of transfer payment | 2025-26 forecast spending |
2026-27 planned spending |
2027-28 planned spending |
2028-29 planned spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 16,619,048 | 14,876,818 | 13,876,316 | 13,104,486 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 16,619,048 | 14,876,818 | 13,876,316 | 13,104,486 |
Canada Research Training Awards Suite (Voted)
Timeframe of the transfer payment program
- Start date: 2026-27
- End date: Ongoing
- Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2024-25
Funding Details
- Name of program terms and conditions: Canada Research Training Awards Suite
- Type of transfer payment: Grant
- Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Purpose and objectives
-
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The Canada Research Training Award Suite (CRTAS) is a Tri-Agency program which supports the next generation of innovators (specifically health research leaders for CIHR) by providing funding and high-quality research training, cultivating research skills, fostering creativity, and empowering awardees to make significant contributions to Canada’s research ecosystem, economy and prosperity. Three types of funding opportunities are offered through the suite:
- Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Master’s program
- Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral program
- Canada Postdoctoral Research Award program
Under CRTAS, the Canada Impact+ Research Chairs Awards program is a one-time initiative that will support the recruitment of international doctoral and postdoctoral researchers in strategic priority areas, established by the Government of Canada to address pressing global and domestic challenges, strengthen Canada’s contribution to international research and innovation, and generate lasting social and economic benefits.
This is a Tri-Agency program and is administered by each respective agency (CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC).
This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.
Recipients
General targeted recipient groups: Individuals or sole proprietorships.
Departmental Results Framework
Link to departmental result(s):
- Canada’s health research is internationally competitive
- Canada’s health research capacity is strengthened
- Canada’s health research is used
Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Training and Career Support
Expected results:
- A range of excellent students and postdoctoral researchers are supported and recognized.
- Students and postdoctoral researchers can concentrate more fully on their research and training.
- Students and postdoctoral researchers transition to careers where they use their research skills and expertise.
- Ultimately, Canada’s research capacity is strengthened through a pool of diverse and highly skilled people.
Evaluation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2030-31
| Type of transfer payment | 2025-26 forecast spending |
2026-27 planned spending |
2027-28 planned spending |
2028-29 planned spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 93,267,494 | 118,084,583 | 139,094,378 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 0 | 93,267,494 | 118,084,583 | 139,094,378 |
Transfer Payment Programs/funding agreements with total planned spending of less than $5 million
Indigenous Research Capacity - Indigenous Innovation and Leadership in Research Network Grants (Voted)
Timeframe of the transfer payment program
- Start date: 2025-26
- End date: 2029-30
- Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2024-25
Funding Details
- Name of program terms and conditions: Indigenous Leadership in Research Network Grants
- Type of transfer payment: Grant
- Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Purpose and objectives
-
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The Indigenous Innovation and Leadership in Research Network grant program is to support Indigenous-led research and increase self-determination and/or capacity in federally-funded research activities. This program is administered by SSHRC on behalf of CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC.
This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.
Recipients
General targeted recipient groups:
- Not-for-profit organizations and charities
- Academia and public institutions
- Indigenous recipients
Departmental Results Framework
Link to departmental result(s):
- Canada’s health research is internationally competitive
- Canada’s health research capacity is strengthened
- Canada’s health research is used
Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Research in Priority Areas
Expected results:
- Partnerships are established to advance Indigenous research.
- Indigenous research talent is supported.
- Indigenous research knowledge is produced and mobilized.
- Capacity for Indigenous research and self-determination is increased.
Evaluation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: Not applicable. The evaluation of this program is exempt from section 42.1 of the Financial Administration Act as per the Policy on Results as it is not an ongoing program and average annual planned spending over five years is less than $5 M.
| Type of transfer payment | 2025-26 forecast spending |
2026-27 planned spending |
2027-28 planned spending |
2028-29 planned spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0 | 1,904,761 | 1,904,762 | 1,904,762 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 0 | 1,904,761 | 1,904,762 | 1,904,762 |
College and Community Innovation (Voted)
Timeframe of the transfer payment program
- Start date: 2007
- End date: Ongoing
- Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2024-25
Funding Details
- Name of program terms and conditions: College and Community Innovation
- Type of transfer payment: Grant
- Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Purpose and objectives
-
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program is managed by NSERC in collaboration with CIHR and SSHRC. The CCI Program increases innovation at the community and/or regional level by enabling Canadian colleges to increase their capacity to work with local companies, particularly small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), in areas of the natural and social sciences, engineering, humanities and/or health. It supports applied research and collaborations that facilitate commercialization, as well as technology transfer, adaptation, and adoption of new technologies, in areas of strategic importance to Canada.
This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.
Recipients
General targeted recipient groups: Academia and public institutions.
Departmental Results Framework
Link to departmental result(s):
- Canada’s health research is internationally competitive
- Canada’s health research capacity is strengthened
- Canada’s health research is used
Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Research in Priority Areas
Expected results:
- Increased awareness by local businesses of the capacity of the postsecondary institutions to assist with applied research projects.
- Increased involvement of faculty in applied research.
- Increased applied research capacity at colleges.
- College students acquiring applied research knowledge and experience, and exposure to business work environments.
- New technologies and processes adopted by local businesses and other organizations.
- Increased applied research collaborations between colleges, universities, local businesses and other organizations.
- Increased R&D investment by local businesses and other organizations.
- Increased productivity and competitiveness of local businesses and other organizations.
- Enhanced reputation of colleges as applied research partners for local businesses and other organizations.
Evaluation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2029-30
| Type of transfer payment | 2025-26 forecast spending |
2026-27 planned spending |
2027-28 planned spending |
2028-29 planned spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 3,837,181 | 2,276,993 | 1,375,909 | 300,000 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 3,837,181 | 2,276,993 | 1,375,909 | 300,000 |
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Voted)
Timeframe of the transfer payment program
- Start date: 2008-09
- End date: 2027-28
- Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2014-15
Funding Details
- Name of program terms and conditions: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
- Type of transfer payment: Grant
- Type of appropriation: Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Purpose and objectives
-
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program: The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) 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.
As announced in Budget 2024, Tri-Agency administered scholarship and fellowship programs have been streamlined into the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS). The Vanier CGS program was discontinued in 2025, and its resources will be incrementally consolidated into the CRTAS.
This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.
Recipients
General targeted recipient groups: Academia and public institutions.
Departmental Results Framework
Link to departmental result(s):
- Canada’s health research is internationally competitive
- Canada’s health research capacity is strengthened
- Canada’s health research is used
Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Training and Career Support
Expected results:
- Establishment of a Canadian doctoral scholarship that is internationally competitive and internationally recognized;
- Enhance 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 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; and
- Establish effective research collaborations and networks between Canada and the recipients' home countries.
Evaluation
Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: Not applicable. The Vanier CGS program was discontinued in 2025-26 and an evaluation was completed to maintain compliance with section 42.1 of the Financial Administration Act as per the Policy on Results. No evaluations are planned for the Vanier CGS program as is no longer an ongoing program and the average annual planned spending over five years is less than $5 M.
| Type of transfer payment | 2025-26 forecast spending |
2026-27 planned spending |
2027-28 planned spending |
2028-29 planned spending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 8,350,000 | 3,493,057 | 2,865,457 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 8,350,000 | 3,493,057 | 2,865,457 | 0 |
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