Message from the Scientific Director: January 2026
As we step into the new year, I would like to express my warmest wishes for 2026 on behalf of the CIHR Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH). Looking back at the past year, I’m delighted and proud of the important milestones we reached in 2025.
2025 was a foundational year for our Institute. It marked one year since I had the incredible honour of taking on the leadership of ICRH. From the very beginning, my vision was to build a team united by passion and purpose, and I am pleased with the talented individuals who joined me along the way. Together, we celebrated the official launch of ICRH in April, a moment that reflected our renewed energy and the exciting next chapter ahead. What made this year even more special was marking these milestones alongside CIHR’s 25th anniversary, a historic celebration that reminded me how privileged I am to lead ICRH and contribute to a legacy that will help shape the future of health research in Canada.
A key part of ICRH’s foundational phase was engaging with voices from across the country. From the outset, we knew that shaping a renewed vision meant listening to the diverse perspectives that define our research community. That’s why we embarked on a national Knowledge Exchange Tour, visiting 22 sites across 11 regions to ensure priorities were informed by insights from coast to coast. This engagement laid the groundwork for one of our most significant achievements this year: the launch of our 10-year Institute Research Priority Plan (IRPP). After months of consultation, collaboration, and development, this bold and forward-looking blueprint now guides our vision and research priorities for the next decade ahead.
Our IRPP now sets the stage for our evolution from a foundational phase to a strengthening phase, guided by our commitment to cross-sector alignment and active partnerships. By working closely with other CIHR Institutes, we are amplifying our impact by supporting complementary initiatives through numerous funding opportunities and collaborative activities. For instance, in 2025 we supported ongoing initiatives, such as the Health Effects of Ultra-Processed Foods, Beyond Treatment: Advancing Cancer Survivorship and the Health System Impact Program. We also advanced knowledge mobilization through activities like the Transitions in Care Workshop and the Lung Health strengthening Workshop, among others. For our Institute, these examples highlight how collaboration allows us to take our priorities further and create impact that none of us could achieve alone.
Beyond CIHR, we strengthened external partnerships to expand our reach nationally. This included co-funding the Cardiac Arrest Team Grants and the Early Career Researcher Award in Asthma. Our global engagement also grew significantly. We strengthened our ongoing collaborations with international networks such as GCRFF and GACD. I also had the privilege of representing ICRH in Australia and in Madrid to align cardiovascular research efforts worldwide and contribute to acute care initiatives in Kigali, Rwanda.
As we look to 2026, we turn our attention to bringing our vision to life and building on the strong foundation we’ve established. I invite you to join us for the official launch of the IRPP on January 19. While we cannot yet reveal all the details of our upcoming initiatives, I look forward to sharing them with you step by step, beginning with our Acute Care initiative.
Thank you for your continued engagement and dedication. May 2026 be a year of collaboration, discovery, and meaningful impact for our entire community.
Warm regards,
Dr. Ariane Marelli
Scientific Director, CIHR Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health
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