CIHR Project Grant Competition

Research Security Update

Know Your Partner: If the research security requirements found in the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC Policy) and/or the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) apply to your Tri-Agency or Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) funding application, please contact the Safeguarding Research Office (SRO) as soon as possible to ensure that we can support you in meeting all applicable requirements and completing required forms and training. One way you can enhance and expedite the partner due diligence process is to provide SRO with complete partner information near the outset of the Risk Assessment Form development process. This information can be provided in your Form 101 (Tri-Agency) or the Private-sector Partner Identification Form (CFI). Please contact the Safeguarding Research Office at safegrd@ualberta.ca with any questions.

Please note: As of September 2025, the institution has introduced new research security training requirements. For all inquiries and support, or to register for training, please connect with the Safeguarding Research Office by submitting a Request for Support or emailing safegrd@ualberta.ca. We’re here to help!

support for researchers

The Research Partner Network provides personalized support and expert guidance on how to apply for this grant and how to manage the funds should you be successful.

If you're interested in applying for this grant, please reach out to the designated Research Partner: Gareth Corry.

summary

Who Can Apply

Individual researchers or groups of researchers conducting research projects within the health sciences.

Value

Varies depending on the research field, approach, and scope of the project. In the last Project Grant competition, the average U of A award was $988,285.

Duration

Up to five years

Intake

Two competitions per year: Spring (early March) and Fall (mid-September). Each competition has two phases: registration and full application.

More information

Visit the CIHR Project Grant website.

Current Competition: Spring 2026

Spring 2026 Project Grant competition information »
Spring 2026 Priority Announcement areas information: TBA »

Deadlines: Spring 2026 competition

February 4, 2026: CIHR registration deadline.
February 13, 2026: Risk Assessment Form submission to SRO.
- If you have a private sector partner and require a Risk Assessment Form (RAF) under the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships , your draft RAF needs to be submitted to the SRO by this date to allow time for institutional review and approval.
February 20, 2026 (4:30 p.m. Edmonton time) – RAS Internal Admin Review Deadline: Applications must be received in the Researcher Home Page by this time.
March 3, 2026 (10 a.m. Edmonton time): Institutional deadline (last day to submit in ResearchNet).
March 4, 2026: CIHR application deadline

Supports + resources

Workshops + Events

The Research Partner Network offers a range of workshops and events throughout the year to assist researchers with their CIHR Project Grant competition applications. These supports will be listed below or shared with the research community in Faculty, College, or institutional communications.

For information on additional U of A resources available for the CIHR Project Grant competition, please contact Gareth Corry or check with your Faculty’s Associate or Vice Dean (Research) or Faculty Research Director.