My concern here is that CIHR Admin is moving from the 'rearranging the deck chairs' to just pitching them over the railing. There were fewer comments about 'application pressure' when we met in person and reviewed from 8 am until 6 pm for 2-3 days.
October 2, 2026 at 8:34 PM
My concern here is that CIHR Admin is moving from the 'rearranging the deck chairs' to just pitching them over the railing. There were fewer comments about 'application pressure' when we met in person and reviewed from 8 am until 6 pm for 2-3 days.
Because, if not, this current course will only get worse. The next two years offer a possible respite but only if CIHR invests the majority of it in Project grants. And why should they do that if there isn't willingness of researchers to accept new limits on applications? Time is nearly up folks.
October 2, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Because, if not, this current course will only get worse. The next two years offer a possible respite but only if CIHR invests the majority of it in Project grants. And why should they do that if there isn't willingness of researchers to accept new limits on applications? Time is nearly up folks.
In other words, the current review process is breaking down because there are simply too many grants not funded that drives up applications. But how many should CIHR aim to fund and how best to achieve that without creating yet more applications?
October 2, 2026 at 7:50 PM
In other words, the current review process is breaking down because there are simply too many grants not funded that drives up applications. But how many should CIHR aim to fund and how best to achieve that without creating yet more applications?
On a current base total of ~880, that's a not insignificant 13-18% increase (caveat being flat-lined budget/grant, etc). So the question is whether CIHR should aim to support ~1100 annual project grants (at ~16-18% success rate) and is that stable or will it induce more applications?
October 2, 2026 at 7:50 PM
On a current base total of ~880, that's a not insignificant 13-18% increase (caveat being flat-lined budget/grant, etc). So the question is whether CIHR should aim to support ~1100 annual project grants (at ~16-18% success rate) and is that stable or will it induce more applications?
There is a possible way out of this deadlock. Budget 2024 backloaded tricouncil increases to the latter two years (FY 2028 and 29). By my calculation, there'll be an extra $130M in '28 and $190M in '29 for CIHR (cf $71 M extra in current FY27). That's ~140 more grants per comp this year, ~200 next.
October 2, 2026 at 7:50 PM
There is a possible way out of this deadlock. Budget 2024 backloaded tricouncil increases to the latter two years (FY 2028 and 29). By my calculation, there'll be an extra $130M in '28 and $190M in '29 for CIHR (cf $71 M extra in current FY27). That's ~140 more grants per comp this year, ~200 next.
CIHR has received an abundance of input already but there is no consensus. It's a classic problem: some sort of painful action must be taken but there's no agreement because each action has its own subset of "sufferers". Hence, decision paralysis and risk of Draconian measures.
October 2, 2026 at 7:50 PM
CIHR has received an abundance of input already but there is no consensus. It's a classic problem: some sort of painful action must be taken but there's no agreement because each action has its own subset of "sufferers". Hence, decision paralysis and risk of Draconian measures.
Anyway, tldr, I don’t think CIHR should adopt changes that hide the state of the health research ecosystem from policymakers by manipulating programs to make success rates or other metrics look better.
October 2, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Anyway, tldr, I don’t think CIHR should adopt changes that hide the state of the health research ecosystem from policymakers by manipulating programs to make success rates or other metrics look better.
The only lever that addresses idle capacity concerns is limiting grants held per PI—e.g. the cooling off period after an award or hard limits. But 1 grant per PI is already the norm at CIHR—not a ton of redistributive benefit there.
October 2, 2026 at 6:24 PM
The only lever that addresses idle capacity concerns is limiting grants held per PI—e.g. the cooling off period after an award or hard limits. But 1 grant per PI is already the norm at CIHR—not a ton of redistributive benefit there.
None of it is a meaningful response to the only real structural problem with the program: it is grossly underfunded. That is a problem CIHR programs cannot solve.
October 2, 2026 at 6:24 PM
None of it is a meaningful response to the only real structural problem with the program: it is grossly underfunded. That is a problem CIHR programs cannot solve.
There is nothing wrong with peer review at CIHR except that it is online. There is nothing wrong with application formats/criteria. Category-specific programs increase work for applicants and reviewers, do not promote excellence, and especially do not create more funding.
October 2, 2026 at 6:24 PM
There is nothing wrong with peer review at CIHR except that it is online. There is nothing wrong with application formats/criteria. Category-specific programs increase work for applicants and reviewers, do not promote excellence, and especially do not create more funding.
Some thoughts on the CIHR Project survey. I am very concerned about panicked “do something” changes in the face of declining success rates and rising app pressure. The same thing that lead to several years of stepping on rakes during the “Reforms.”
October 2, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Some thoughts on the CIHR Project survey. I am very concerned about panicked “do something” changes in the face of declining success rates and rising app pressure. The same thing that lead to several years of stepping on rakes during the “Reforms.”
The @mcgillperl.bsky.social @mcgill.ca invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Pandemic Prevention and Global Health Security to support a CIHR STEPS Team Grant focused on strengthening Canada's public health emergency response systems
mcgill.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/McGill...
mcgill.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/McGill...
Postdoctoral Researcher
Please refer to the How to Apply for a Job (for External Candidates) job aid for instructions on how to apply. If you are an active McGill employee (ie: currently in an active contract or position at ...
mcgill.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com
October 1, 2026 at 9:16 PM
The @mcgillperl.bsky.social @mcgill.ca invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Pandemic Prevention and Global Health Security to support a CIHR STEPS Team Grant focused on strengthening Canada's public health emergency response systems
mcgill.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/McGill...
mcgill.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/McGill...
We're in turbulent times in health research with unprecedented advances coupled with funding challenges. CIHR is at the cross-roads of this and is looking for a special advisor to the President (2 days a week, secondment). Be part of the solution. cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/54823.html
Special Advisor to the President - CIHR
Canada has exceptional health research talent and a strong record of scientific discovery. The challenge—and the opportunity—is to ensure more discoveries lead to better health, stronger health systems, new therapies and technologies, and a globally competitive life sciences sector.
cihr-irsc.gc.ca
October 1, 2026 at 2:53 PM
We're in turbulent times in health research with unprecedented advances coupled with funding challenges. CIHR is at the cross-roads of this and is looking for a special advisor to the President (2 days a week, secondment). Be part of the solution. cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/54823.html
Applying for tri-agency grant funding? Get ahead on your Data Management!
Join us online for "Creating a Data Management Plan" to master the DMP Assistant tool and pick the right template for your research.
🗓️ Wed Oct. 7 | 12 - 12:30 p.m.
👥 For faculty/student researchers
🔗 https://bit.ly/4dclXaL
Join us online for "Creating a Data Management Plan" to master the DMP Assistant tool and pick the right template for your research.
🗓️ Wed Oct. 7 | 12 - 12:30 p.m.
👥 For faculty/student researchers
🔗 https://bit.ly/4dclXaL
Data Decoded: Creating a Data Management Plan
Data management plans (DMPs) are often required with funding applications, including those of numerous CIHR grants and a small but growing number of NSERC and SSHRC grants. For...
bit.ly
September 30, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Applying for tri-agency grant funding? Get ahead on your Data Management!
Join us online for "Creating a Data Management Plan" to master the DMP Assistant tool and pick the right template for your research.
🗓️ Wed Oct. 7 | 12 - 12:30 p.m.
👥 For faculty/student researchers
🔗 https://bit.ly/4dclXaL
Join us online for "Creating a Data Management Plan" to master the DMP Assistant tool and pick the right template for your research.
🗓️ Wed Oct. 7 | 12 - 12:30 p.m.
👥 For faculty/student researchers
🔗 https://bit.ly/4dclXaL
Job ID: JR-018794
Extract: The University of Melbourne seeks a CIHR Research Fellow to lead innovative tobacco control research. The role involves data analysis, modelling, and collaboration with international partners.
Extract: The University of Melbourne seeks a CIHR Research Fellow to lead innovative tobacco control research. The role involves data analysis, modelling, and collaboration with international partners.
September 30, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Job ID: JR-018794
Extract: The University of Melbourne seeks a CIHR Research Fellow to lead innovative tobacco control research. The role involves data analysis, modelling, and collaboration with international partners.
Extract: The University of Melbourne seeks a CIHR Research Fellow to lead innovative tobacco control research. The role involves data analysis, modelling, and collaboration with international partners.
September 30, 2026 at 2:05 PM
The September 2026 edition of the CIHR IMHA newsletter is now available and can be viewed here: suivi.lnk01.com/v/443/216324...
This month’s edition includes the latest funding opportunities, updates, and news from across IMHA.
This month’s edition includes the latest funding opportunities, updates, and news from across IMHA.
suivi.lnk01.com
September 29, 2026 at 3:01 PM
The September 2026 edition of the CIHR IMHA newsletter is now available and can be viewed here: suivi.lnk01.com/v/443/216324...
This month’s edition includes the latest funding opportunities, updates, and news from across IMHA.
This month’s edition includes the latest funding opportunities, updates, and news from across IMHA.
Durant cinq jours, ils ont participé à l’entretien du site
➡️ https://l.ouest-france.fr/CiHR
➡️ https://l.ouest-france.fr/CiHR
September 27, 2026 at 7:07 AM
Durant cinq jours, ils ont participé à l’entretien du site
➡️ https://l.ouest-france.fr/CiHR
➡️ https://l.ouest-france.fr/CiHR
Arguably manadatory peer-review participation for funded scientists, and tripling Tri-council funding is a “nation building” exercise - would stop all the deck chair arranging at CIHR and improve success rates, advance diverse research and reduce overall grant fatigue. Might even save CDN science.
Martin Starr as Bohdi: It's A Very Strong Maybe
ALT: Martin Starr as Bohdi: It's A Very Strong Maybe
static.klipy.com
September 26, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Arguably manadatory peer-review participation for funded scientists, and tripling Tri-council funding is a “nation building” exercise - would stop all the deck chair arranging at CIHR and improve success rates, advance diverse research and reduce overall grant fatigue. Might even save CDN science.
A study led by researchers from the Women’s Health Research Cluster, CAMH and the University of Toronto found that just 6.4% of #CIHR operating and project grant funding supported women’s health research questions. https://ow.ly/uA0e50ZRvsR
September 26, 2026 at 4:35 PM
A study led by researchers from the Women’s Health Research Cluster, CAMH and the University of Toronto found that just 6.4% of #CIHR operating and project grant funding supported women’s health research questions. https://ow.ly/uA0e50ZRvsR
When I read about CIHR blaming grant pressure in the Project Grant comp on Ai rather than organic growth from CRC and other salary support programs over the last 15 years…
Jennifer Lawrence: Yeah Sure Ok Eye Roll
ALT: Jennifer Lawrence: Yeah Sure Ok Eye Roll
static.klipy.com
September 26, 2026 at 3:53 AM
When I read about CIHR blaming grant pressure in the Project Grant comp on Ai rather than organic growth from CRC and other salary support programs over the last 15 years…
exactly. CIHR has never had 1 competition per year.
September 25, 2026 at 7:50 PM
exactly. CIHR has never had 1 competition per year.
I don't know CIHR details, but with NIH grants, you get a page to address the concerns of the original reviewers for a revision/resubmission. It makes sense that if it goes back to those three reviewers, that their most pressing concerns are addressed, but new reviewers may bring in new criticisms.
September 25, 2026 at 7:35 PM
I don't know CIHR details, but with NIH grants, you get a page to address the concerns of the original reviewers for a revision/resubmission. It makes sense that if it goes back to those three reviewers, that their most pressing concerns are addressed, but new reviewers may bring in new criticisms.
📢 The Tri-agency Interdisciplinary Peer Review Committee (TAIPR) announced its fifth-year results. Learn more: https://sshrc-crsh.canada.ca/en/news/2026/tri-agency-interdisciplinary-peer-review-committee-fifth-year-results-announced.aspx?utm_source=bluesky&hsid=441aa44f-7ec0-41c7-b0a9-c169d591abbd
September 25, 2026 at 7:09 PM
📢 The Tri-agency Interdisciplinary Peer Review Committee (TAIPR) announced its fifth-year results. Learn more: https://sshrc-crsh.canada.ca/en/news/2026/tri-agency-interdisciplinary-peer-review-committee-fifth-year-results-announced.aspx?utm_source=bluesky&hsid=441aa44f-7ec0-41c7-b0a9-c169d591abbd