August 5, 2026
Since the start of the year, CIHR has been engaging the health research community on pressures facing the Project Grant program and ways to keep it strong, fair and sustainable. The program is under strain, with application volumes and requested budgets having increased significantly in recent years.
To date, CIHR has heard from more than 2,000 individuals, through Ask Me Anything sessions, university visits, meetings with Project Grant peer review committee Chairs and Scientific Officers, discussions with CIHR advisory and governance bodies and through letters submitted directly to CIHR.
CIHR has published a message outlining key themes that emerged in these engagements with the health research community and what comes next.