Research in priority areas – CIHR

Clinical Trials at CIHR

CIHR is strengthening the clinical trials ecosystem to improve health care and health outcomes for all Canadians.

Clinical Trials, Research, Training, Consortium, Clinical Trials Fund

National Standards for Mental Health Services

The National Standards for Mental Health Services Initiative supports research to inform the development of national standards for mental health and/or substance use services so Canadians can access the support they need, when they need it.

National Standards, Mental Health, Substance Use, Service Standards, Virtual Delivery, Youth, Access to services, Learning health system

100 Years of Insulin: Accelerating Canadian Discoveries to Defeat Diabetes

Over the past century, our understanding of diabetes has increased considerably, as have the options for treatment. However, more work needs to be done.

Diabetes, Insulin

Healthy Cities Research Initiative

The HCRI is a strategic program with the overarching goal of improving population and public health across Canada by ensuring urban environments are maximizing their potential for supporting health and minimizing factors that contribute to poor health.

Health; city; town; infrastructure; urban; community; active

Integrated Cannabis Research Strategy

The overarching vision of the ICRS is that a well-coordinated series of activities can position Canada to be a world leader in developing the research capacity and amassing the research evidence needed to appropriately roll out policy and regulatory models for non-medical cannabis use.

cannabis; cannabinoid; THC; marijuana; cannabinol; cannabidiol

Community-Based Primary Health Care (CBPHC)

The CBPHC Signature Initiative supports innovative approaches to improving the delivery of appropriate and high-quality community-based primary health care to Canadians. CBPHC covers services across the continuum of care, from health promotion and disease prevention to rehabilitation support, home care and end-of-life care.

primary health care; community care; prevention; health promotion; diagnosis; rehabilitation; palliative care; chronic diseases; primary prevention (including public health); primary care services; health promotion; disease prevention, chronic disease diagnosis; treatment ; management ; rehabilitation support; home care ; end-of-life care; Chronic disease prevention and management; vulnerable populations; access to child/youth mental health services; cancer; indigenous; aging; First Nations and rural/remote communities; HIV; Aging; chronic conditions; caregivers; multimorbidity; complex needs; circumpolar; electronic medical records; mental health; interactive technologies; arthritis; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);cardiovascular events; post myocadial infarction; perinatal mental work disability; fracture; children; alzheimer’s disease; chronic pain;addiction treatment; seniors; transition back in community; post concussion; youth; oral care; kidney donation; frequent users; discharge from hospital; inflammatory bowel; cardiac; maternal obesity; injured by violence; colorectal cancer; obesity; inequalities; plan & space pregnancies; unplanned pregnancies; recurrent abortion

Canadian Research Data Centre Network (CRDCN)

Through its Research Data Centres, CRDCN offers researchers secure access to an array of social, economic and health microdata that are collected and administered by Statistics Canada.

networks; dataset; demographic data; knowledge management; surveys; databases; data collection; microdata; data protection; Statistics Canada; research data centre; RDC

Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Matters (CRISM)

CRISM is a national research consortium in substance misuse that focuses on translation and implementation and is cross-pillar in nature.

substance abuse; alcoholism; illegal drugs; prescription opioid misuse; methadone; buprenorphine/naloxone; opioid agonist therapy; prescription drug abuse; nodes of research; addiction; drug addiction; Animal Assisted Therapy; Comorbid Substance Dependence; Prescription Drug misuse; Opioid Analgesic Misuse; Prescription Monitoring Programs.

Environments and Health

The Environments and Health initiative will support research focused on etiology, data platform enhancement and intersectoral prevention.

population health; public health; Agri-food industry; urban communities; farming; prevention; environmental health; intersectoral; chronic disease; non-communicable diseases

Healthy LifeIndigenous Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (I-HeLTI)

I-HeLTI is focused on enabling the development of Indigenous focused interventions designed to improve health outcomes across the lifespan for Indigenous boys, girls, women, men, gender-diverse and Two-Spirit individuals in Canada.

disease prevention; early intervention; mental health; child health; fetal development; determinants of health; non-communicable diseases (NCDs); cardiovascular diseases; respiratory diseases; Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD); Aboriginal, Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Metis, , Diabetes, Obesity, Suicide, Oral Health, Equity, Inequity, Population Health, Wellness, Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Indigenous Knowledge, enhancement, adaptation, community engagement

Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI)

HeLTI is focused on shaping international policy around intervention during the earliest stages of life for the improvement of health and the prevention of later life non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory diseases and mental health.

disease prevention; early intervention; mental health; child health; fetal development; determinants of health; non-communicable diseases (NCDs); cardiovascular diseases; respiratory diseases; Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD); Aboriginal, Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Metis, , Diabetes, Obesity, Suicide, Oral Health, Equity, Inequity, Population Health, Wellness, Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Indigenous Knowledge, enhancement, adaptation, community engagement

Healthy and Productive Work

The Healthy and Productive Work Initiative is responding to important demographic trends with innovative and multi-disciplinary interventions that will support a healthy and productive Canadian workforce.

occupational health; work; workers; workforce; population health; evidence-based practice; mental health; productive work; workplace accommodation; return to work; disability; disability management; disability prevention; employment capacity; work-life; transitioning youth; work integration; job; aging workforce; caregiving; caregiver friendly workplace; insurance; industry; diversity; workplace safety; sex; gender; sex differences; gender differences; aging; youth employment; family; underemployment; physical health; employers; unions; injury; precarious employment; professional associations; chronic conditions; partnerships; workforce participation; interdisciplinary research; sustainable work; healthy workplace; return to work; health and human rights; tools; evidence-based interventions; meaningful work; policies; workforce;

Personalized Medicine

This initiative aims to transform the delivery of healthcare to patients by integrating evidence-based medicine and precision diagnostics into clinical practice.

evidence-based practice; prevention; patient care genomics; epigenomics, proteomics; precision healthcare; patient stratification

Personalized Health

This initiative aims to develop new evidence-based, targeted health solutions through investments in tools and approaches that will contribute to more cost-effective, sustainable healthcare.

patient empowerment; e-health; data integration; data platforms;sex and gender; sex-drug-gene interaction; health outcomes; health systems; evidence-based practice; prevention; patient care; genomics; epigenomics, proteomics; precision healthcare; patient stratification; healthcare ecosystem; biometrics; patient literacy; predictive analytics

Brain Health and Cognitive Impairment in Aging Research Initiative

Through the Brain Health and Cognitive Impairment in Aging (BHCIA) Research Initiative, CIHR’s Institute of Aging will promote brain health during aging while addressing the complex care needs of people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Alzheimer; Alzheimer’s disease; dementia; prevention; neurodegeneration; vascular dementia; cognition; cognitive impairment; cognitive decline; cognitive deterioration; memory impaired; aging; COMPASS-ND; Lewy Bodies; geriatric mental health; frontotemporal dementia; primary prevention; secondary prevention; quality of life

Canadian Epigenetics, Environment and Health Research Consortium (CEEHRC)

CEEHRC supports leading edge research on the role of DNA and environment interactions in human health and disease and translating epigenetic discoveries into better clinical care and outcomes for patients.

genetics; gene; epigenetics; epigenome; DNA; stem cell; RNA sequencing;International Human Epigenome Consortium. IHEC, Epigenomic Data Coordination Centre gene activity; gene expression; gene regulation; Epigenomic Mapping Centre; multiomics; bioinformatics;.gene environment interaction.

Evidence-Informed Health Care Renewal (EIHR)

The EIHR initiative has supported researchers and decision makers to strengthen Canada’s health care systems by advancing the current state of knowledge, generating novel and creative solutions, and translating evidence for uptake into policy and practice.

Evidence-based practice; health care system; systems; portal; policy; financing; sustainability; solutions; advance knowledge; accountability; funding models; governance; innovation; economics; health care providers; decision makers; strategies; system reforms; leadership; adapt; health system improvement;  health care services; evaluation; professionals; governments; management; implementation; development; priority area; action; system design; improvement; exchange; networks; knowledge exchange; uptake; analysis; insurance; public; private; social; benefits; care; funding; collaborating; workforce planning; health human resources; levers; teams; primary care; caregiver; system capacity; wait times; funding models; integration; health outcomes; knowledge synthesis; measurement; quality of care; data; e-Health; renewal; partnerships

eHealth Innovations

The initiative aims to develop, integrate, and evaluate patient-oriented eHealth innovations that will improve health outcomes and lower the cost of care.

E-health; Telehealth; innovation; health care; mhealth; eHIPP

Drug Safety and Effectiveness Network (DSEN)

The objective of DSEN is to increase the evidence for decision-makers and build research capacity on the safety and effectiveness of drugs and biologics in real world settings.

drugs; health care products; pharmaceuticals; effectiveness; networks; product safety

Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR)

The objective of SPOR is to foster evidence-informed health care by bringing innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to the point of care, so as to ensure greater quality, accountability, and accessibility of care.

diagnosis; evidence-based practice; patient care; primary health care; health care system; networks; partnerships

Inflammation in Chronic Disease

This initiative will support research teams to undertake innovative research in the field of chronic inflammation.

chronic diseases; prevention;

HIV/AIDS and STBBI Research Initiative

This initiative manages and oversees the research components of the two major Government of Canada initiatives in HIV/AIDS and STBBI: the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS and STBBI in Canada and the Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative.

HIV; human immunodeficiency virus; AIDS; Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; Aboriginal; Indigenous; Antiretroviral therapy; STBBI; ART; Comorbidity; Vaccine; Immunodeficiency; Injection Drug Use; IDU; Men Who have Sex with Men; MSM; Global Health; Prevention; CanCURE; Community-Based Research; CBR; Sexually Transmitted Blood-Borne Infection; STBBI

Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)

The CLSA is a national research platform, collecting information on the biological, medical, psychological, social, lifestyle and economic aspects of people’s lives to understand their impact both in maintaining health and in the development of disease and disability as people age.

aging; older adults; determinants of health; data; lifestyle; biological; medical; social participation; economic; disease development; prevention; impact; disability management; lifespan; genetics; epigenetics; chronic disease; physical function; epidemiology; cognition; cognitive health; psychological; nutrition; health services; long-term care; population health; medications; healthy aging; longitudinal; age; seniors; biospecimens

Pathways to Health Equity for Aboriginal Peoples (Pathways)

This initiative aims to develop the evidence base in how to design, offer and implement programs and policies that promote health and health equity in four priority areas: mental wellness, tuberculosis, diabetes/obesity and oral health.

Aboriginal, Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit, Métis, Metis, Implementation Science, Intervention Research, Diabetes, Obesity, Suicide, Oral Health, Tuberculosis, Equity, Inequity, Population Health, Wellness, Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Indigenous Knowledge, Two-Eyed Seeing, Scalability, enhancement, adaptation, community-based research, community engagement

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

To address this global health problem, the AMR research initiatives will foster the development of new methods and tools to combat antimicrobial resistance and improve antimicrobial use.

Antibiotic resistance; antibiotic; resistance; antimicrobial; surveillance; stewardship; multi-drug resistance; drug resistance; JPIAMR; diagnostic;colistin; AMR; One Health; antifungal;antiviral; drug-resistant infection

Hepatitis C Research Initiative

CIHR and the Public Health Agency of Canada are working collaboratively to support, promote and enhance hepatitis C associated research and training in Canada.

Injection Drug Use; IDU; people who inject drugs; PWID; Comorbidity; Hepatitis C; Hep C; HCV; Sexually Transmitted Blood-Borne Infection; STBBI; Prevention; direct-acting agents; DAAs; hepatocellular carcinoma

Health Research Rapid Response

CIHR is leading Canada’s research response to prepare for and respond to existing and emerging threats, such as Ebola.

Emerging health threats; Ebola

Collaborative Health Research Projects

Collaborative Health Research Projects (CHRP) is a joint initiative between the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

NSERC, SSHRC, Knowledge Translation User (KTU), Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Research in Substance Use

This research contributes to the knowledge and evidence base that supports the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy to help ensure that Canada’s drug policies better protect and promote the health and safety of Canadians.

Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy (CDSS), Opioids, Cannabis, Substance Use, Canadian Research Initiative in Substance Matters (CRISM), Marijuana, Fentanyl, Morphine, Diacetylmorphine, Heroin, Hydromorphone, Methadone, North American Opiate Medication Initiative (NAOMI), Study to Assess Longer-term Opioid Medication Effectiveness (SALOME)

Transitions in Care

The goal of the Transitions in Care (TiC) initiative is to improve the health and wellness of Canadians by supporting research that transforms the health system to optimize the outcomes of individuals experiencing transitions in care.

care transitions, life trajectory, transition, health system, quality of life, partnerships, transitions in care, chronic conditions, care setting, ehealth innovation, priority populations, health system partnership, best and wise practices, evaluation, multi-institute, equity, primary focus area

Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR)

The network is intended to provide supportive research environments for Indigenous health research driven by, and grounded in, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities in Canada.

Indigenous, Aboriginal, First Nations, Métis, Métis, Inuit, Network, Community-based, Capacity, NEAHR, NEIHR, Knowledge, Elders, North, Urban, Youth, Data, Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Community engagement, Knowledge Keeper.

COVID-19 and Mental Health (CMH) Initiative

Initiative supporting the mental health of Canadians in the COVID-19 context.

COVID-19, Mental Health, Substance Use, Addiction

Post-traumatic Stress Injuries (PTSI) among Public Safety Personnel (PSP)

Budget 2018 committed $20 million over five years to support a new joint initiative between the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT) to address post-traumatic stress injuries (PTSI) among public safety personnel (PSP).

PTS, PTSD, mental health, wellness, military, police, EMT, firefighters, paramedics, first responders

Indigenous initiatives and programs

CIHR strives to build respectful and meaningful relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, including Urban Indigenous communities, through the establishment of research environments that are socially, spiritually, emotionally and physically safe.

Indigenous, Aboriginal, First Nations, Métis, Inuit, Elders, North, Urban, Youth, Data, Health Research, Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Community engagement, Knowledge Keeper

Pediatric Cancer Research Initiative

The Pediatric Cancer Research Initiative supports research, capacity building, and knowledge mobilization that will address gaps and challenges in pediatric cancer to achieve better health outcomes and better quality of life for those affected by pediatric cancer.

pediatric; cancer; oncology; child; children

Integrated Youth Services Network of Networks (IYS-Net) Initiative

The Integrated Youth Services Network of Networks (IYS-Net) initiative will work with partners and stakeholders across the country to fund research to help create a Canada-wide network of provincial and territorial learning health systems for Integrated Youth Services.

Youth; Mental Health; Substance use; Integrated services; Network; Evidence- informed decision making; data; collaboration; provinces; territories; Learning health system; Patient-oriented research; Institute of Neurosciences Mental Health and Addiction; INMHA

Transforming Health with Integrated Care

The Transforming Health with Integrated Care (THINC) research initiative aims to improve our understanding of how to implement, evaluate, adapt and/or spread and scale (share) evidence-informed integrated care policies and interventions that encompass intersectoral collaborations within and/or beyond the formal health care delivery system in order to advance the Quadruple Aim and health equity.

Integrated care; Implementation; Quadruple Aim; Equity; Evidence-informed; Interdisciplinary; Patient-oriented research; Learning health system; Implementation science; Knowledge mobilization; Embedded research; Integrated care policies; Integrated care interventions; Capacity; Engagement; Complex care; Continuity of care; Coordination of care

National Women’s Health Research Initiative

The National Women’s Health Research Initiative will advance a coordinated research program that addresses under-researched and high-priority areas of women’s health and will ensure new evidence improves women’s and gender-diverse people’s care and health outcomes.

Women; Girls; Gender diverse; Technology; 2SLGBTQIA; Women’s Health; Reproductive health; Sexual health;

CIHR Rare Disease Research Initiative

Part of the Government of Canada’s National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases, this research initiative aims to advance rare disease research in Canada and maximize collaboration to improve the lives of those living with a rare disease and their families.

Rare diseases; Rare disease research; Rare disease diagnosis; Clinical trial;