Canadian Institutes of Health Research

As a global leader in knowledge mobilization, Canada is committed to improving how health research is moved into the real world for health, societal, and economic impact.

Today, Health Minister Marjorie Michel announced a $10M investment for 73 research teams to build and strengthen partnerships between researchers, knowledge users, knowledge holders, and communities—helping ensure research is trusted, shared, and used where it matters most.

This investment delivers on commitments in CIHR’s recently renewed Knowledge Mobilization Strategy & Action Plan.

Learn more: https://www.canada.ca/en/institutes-health-research/news/2026/05/government-of-canada-invests-nearly-10m-to-strengthen-partnerships-that-turn-health-research-into-action-across-canada.html?hsid=5258d881-50f0-4021-ae78-62e444854cec&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Keith Fowke as the next Scientific Director of the CIHR Institute of Infection and Immunity.

A Professor and Head of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Manitoba, Dr. Fowke is internationally recognized for his research on immune mechanisms of resistance to viral infections.

Welcome, Dr. Fowke!

We thank outgoing Scientific Director Dr. Charu Kaushic for her dedicated leadership and lasting contributions to Canada’s health research community.

Learn more: https://www.canada.ca/en/institutes-health-research/news/2026/05/dr-keith-fowke-appointed-scientific-director-of-cihr-institute-of-infection-and-immunity.html?hsid=a019eeaf-8c4d-4261-8359-e41cd2de312e&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research

With opening remarks from Maggie Chi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, brings together researchers, policymakers, health system leaders, clinicians, trainees, and patients from across Canada to discuss the future of health care, learning health systems, and evidence-informed policy and practice.

CIHR's Institute of Health Services and Policy Research is proud to mark this occasion by announcing the recipients of the 2026 IHSPR-CAHSPR Health Services and Policy Research Impact Award & Article of the Year Award, as well as the Student Poster Prize winners on Thursday, May 28. Stay tuned: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ihspr/?hsid=821bbcac-2dc9-4241-83ac-bf524c9ba46c&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research

Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research

CIHR is excited to be participating in the conference this week — Canada’s leading gathering of researchers, policymakers, health system leaders, clinicians, trainees, patients, and partners working to strengthen health systems and improve health outcomes across the country.

Yesterday, CIHR President and Scientific Director of CIHR's Institute of Health Services and Policy Research, attended CIHR’s Health System Impact Program networking reception.

The reception brought together researchers, trainees, mentors, and health system leaders from across Canada to discuss learning health systems, evidence-informed decision-making, patient engagement, and the future of health system improvement.

CIHR's is proud to announce the 2026 Health System Impact Fellowship cohort — embedded researchers working directly within health system organizations to advance evidence-informed health system improvement across the country.

Learn more: https://www.canada.ca/en/institutes-health-research/news/2026/05/health-system-impact-fellows-advance-evidence-informed-health-system-improvements-across-canada.html?hsid=65bfa31a-5952-4f43-9cb4-bafeb5b0f85c&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research

CIHR is excited to be attending the Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research (CAHSPR) conference this week.

Yesterday, CIHR President Paul Hébert and Scientific Director of CIHR's Institute of Health Services and Policy Research, Rick Glazier attended CIHR’s Health System Impact Program networking reception. The reception brought together researchers, health system leaders, and trainees from across Canada who are advancing evidence-informed health system improvement.

CIHR is proud to announce the 2026 Health System Impact Fellowship cohort: https://www.canada.ca/en/institutes-health-research/news/2026/05/health-system-impact-fellows-advance-evidence-informed-health-system-improvements-across-canada.html?hsid=65bfa31a-5952-4f43-9cb4-bafeb5b0f85c&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research

A clinical trial led by Dr. Robert deKemp and Dr. Robert Beanlands changed post-transplant care for Everad Tilokee and hundreds of thousands of heart transplant recipients.

Everad received a life-saving heart transplant in 2014. Instead of undergoing an angiogram to monitor his heart flow, Everad today benefits from a less invasive, but equally effective heart procedure called PET perfusion.

With just a simple IV and a shorter recovery time, PET perfusion gives Everad peace of mind. It provides a clear, accurate picture of his heart health, helping detect complications early.

Learn more: https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/54733.html

For immunocompromised people like Michelle Burleigh, Co-Chair of the Canadian Immunocompromised Advocacy Network - CIAN, wastewater data proved invaluable during the emergency phase of Covid-19 pandemic. Dr. Lana Silbernagel’s patients adjusted their behaviour to protect their health or to keep immunocompromised family members safe.

Today, wastewater data continues to support Michelle and many others to make informed decisions about their health during disease outbreaks.

Their stories show that Dr. Robert Delatolla’s wastewater tool is empowering individuals and communities with accessible and reliable health information.

Learn more: https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/54725.html?hsid=7a3a10b8-6b23-445f-86b0-f3130f35a472&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research

👏 Burlington Central high school student Josephine Ankomah, wins the 2026 CIHR Canadian Brain Bee!

Josephine has been curious about the brain and the nervous system for as long as she can remember. She hopes to build a career in neuroscience research focused on preventing neurodegenerative diseases.
Josephine will represent Canada at the world competition in November.

CIHR is proud to support Canada’s newest generation of scientists.

New ideas can spark a health breakthrough. determine what works.

From improving treatments for children to advancing cancer care and rare disease research, clinical trials help shape better health outcomes for people in Canada and around the world.

This explore a few of the ways CIHR funding is making a difference: https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/53196.html?hsid=be214d37-ac02-40b9-a49d-4159488bd7a9&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research