What We Do

CIHR Innovation and Industry Programs

Please note that Industry-Partnered RCT applications will not be supported through the CIHR/Rx&D Collaborative Research Program or the CIHR/SME Research Program until further notice.

CIHR's Innovation and Industry Programs are designed to help the academic community interact with Canadian companies with an interest in health research and development. The programs promote a wide variety of peer-reviewed research and training projects jointly funded by Canadian companies and CIHR. The research undertaken is based on research excellence and is focused on ultimately improving the quality of health of Canadians.

The two main arms to CIHR 's Innovation and Industry Programs include: the CIHR/Rx&D Collaborative Research Program and the CIHR/SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) Research Program .

All industry-partnered grants and awards are subject to all the guidelines governing CIHR programs. Any exceptions are noted within Section 4 of the Grants and Awards Guide. Please note that Proof of Principle Phase II is industry-partnered as well. For more information, refer to the Proof of Principle program on CIHR funding opportunity database.

The CIHR/Rx&D Collaborative Research Program

The CIHR/Rx&D Collaborative Research Program is inspired by the longstanding successful collaboration between the pharmaceutical research industry and CIHR. Under this program, the eligible company partner is a member of Canada 's Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (Rx&D). The Program promotes peer-reviewed research and enhances the training and development of health research personnel and opportunities in Canada. The Program is designed to enable scientists, clinicians and members of the full spectrum of health professionals, and Rx&D members to optimize their access to the unique opportunities and advantages offered by CIHR's translational research opportunities, including clinical research. The collaboration will better enable CIHR and Rx&D to maximize the impact of clinical and translational research in Canada in order to contribute to the health of Canadians, better delivery of health research and services as well as contribute to the economy of Canada and the world.

The CIHR/SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) Research Program

Under the CIHR/SME Research Program, the industrial partner is a small or medium enterprise (or company) that is not a member of the Canada Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies. The Program encourages, stimulates and enables health research programs of start-ups, university spin-offs and SMEs. This program contributes to the establishment and strengthening of the SME research and industry environment, strengthens Intellectual Property (IP) portfolios and improves opportunities to better address health challenges through Canadian discovery and innovation processes and encourage company growth and development in Canada.

Application Process for Innovation and Industry Programs

A variety of funding tools are available for the support of training awards, salary awards and grants. Within CIHR, applications are reviewed through a CIHR peer review committee.  The competition timelines are as follows:

Co-funding by Industry through Cash & In-kind Contributions

Co-funding is done on a project-by-project basis. The ratios for matching the industry partner's minimum financial contribution (in cash and, if applicable, in-kind) expected from the industry partner will vary depending on the type of application (see Funding Ratio Table).

It should be noted that CIHR funding cannot be leveraged against contributions provided in the past and/or for support of research that has already started or been conducted.

Funding Ratios for Innovation and Industry Programs

* Including eligible in-kind contributions

Funding opportunities for CIHR Innovation and Industry Programs can be found on CIHR funding opportunity database.

For more information please contact:

Melody Sajedi
Program Delivery Officer
Targeted Initiatives Branch
Tel: 613-957-1188
Fax: 613-954-1800
E-mail: melody.sajedi@cihr-irsc.gc.ca