CIHR Industry Partnered Research

Insider Tip

A business cannot apply to CIHR directly -- you must partner with an academic researcher at a Canadian university or research hospital who leads the application. Start by connecting with researchers through your local university's technology transfer office or industry liaison office. The new National Security RAF requirement (since Fall 2023) adds complexity and processing time -- start early and work closely with the institution's research office. Given the ~15% success rate and 23.5% budget cuts applied to all funded grants, many funded researchers are actively seeking industry partners to supplement their projects. Position your company as a knowledge user or application partner who brings real-world validation and co-funding to strengthen the application.

Rejection Pitfalls 9

• Business attempts to apply directly -- CIHR only funds academic institutions, not companies
• Industry partner owns >5% of the company employing the researcher (conflict of interest rule)
• Partner letter missing or lacks specific cash/in-kind commitment details

Success Profile

The typical successful applicant is NOT a business -- it is a health sciences researcher (MD, PhD) at a Canadian university or research hospital. Success profile for a BUSINESS seeking to participate: health-tech, biotech, or medical device company with a defined R&D challenge that benefits from academic expertise; pre-existing relationship with a researcher at a Canadian institution; capacity to commit 75%+ cash contributions as a project partner; clear path from research outcomes to commercial application; willing to engage in 3-5 year research timelines.

Application steps not yet documented.

Required Documents 13

Eligible Expenses 10

• Salaries and stipends for research personnel (postdocs, research associates, technicians)
• Graduate student stipends and tuition
• Equipment purchases ($10K+ requires quotes; $25K+ requires competitive quotes)
• Materials, supplies, and consumables for research
• Travel costs related to the research project
• Knowledge translation and dissemination activities
• Animal care and use costs
• Clinical trial costs (patient recruitment, data management)
• Publication and open access charges
• Professional services (statistical analysis, specialized testing)

Ineligible Expenses 6

• Business's own internal product development costs (these go through SR&ED or IRAP)
• Construction, renovation, or infrastructure costs
• Institutional overhead beyond what CIHR allows
• Entertainment, hospitality, or promotional costs
• Costs incurred before the grant start date
• Expenses not directly related to the funded research project

Deadline Notes

CIHR runs two Project Grant competitions per year (Spring and Fall). The Spring 2026 competition is open now with a March 4, 2026 application deadline. The Fall 2025 competition results were announced in January 2026 (421 grants funded). There is no separate 'industry-partnered' competition anymore -- businesses participate through the standard Project Grant stream by partnering with an academic researcher. The Partnering for Impact Catalyst Grant (up to $125K) had an October 2025 deadline. Strategic funding opportunities with industry relevance are launched throughout the year -- monitor cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/51605.html for announcements.

Compatible Programs

Clawback Risk

Low Risk

Low for the business partner (since the business does not receive CIHR funds). CIHR can withhold or recover funds from the academic institution for misuse, failure to report, or breach of grant conditions. The business's financial risk is limited to its own contributed cash/in-kind investments.