Canadian Institutes of Health Research: Health System Impact Fellowship 2027
Overview
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research, through the Institute of Health Services and Policy Research and various partners, presents the Health System Impact Fellowship 2027. This competitive funding opportunity places doctoral trainees and postdoctoral researchers inside health system organizations. Fellows apply their research expertise to real-world challenges, strengthen professional skills, and contribute to evidence-informed decision-making and practical improvements across Canadian health systems.
Who can apply
Doctoral applicants must be enrolled full-time in a doctoral programme at a CIHR-eligible Canadian institution by September 1, 2027, and must not have previously held an HSI doctoral award. Postdoctoral applicants must hold, or be on track to complete by the funding start date, a PhD or DrPH in health services and policy research or a related field, and must not be previous recipients of an HSI postdoctoral award. All applicants must maintain trainee status throughout the fellowship, cannot hold an independent research position, and cannot be current or former employees, owners, or shareholders of the proposed host organization, barring specified exceptions.
What you get
The programme offers two distinct funding streams under competition number 202701HIF. Stream A provides doctoral trainees a one-year fellowship of up to $50,000, consisting of a $45,000 stipend and a $5,000 professional development and research allowance, requiring 60% to 100% time commitment to the embedded project. Stream B provides postdoctoral researchers a two-year fellowship of up to $155,000, featuring a $70,000 annual stipend and a $7,500 yearly professional development and research allowance, requiring 70% to 100% time commitment to host organization research. Eligible participants in northern regions or qualifying international placements may receive an additional $5,000 annually for travel and professional development. Host organizations must provide 30% of the award value as a cash contribution.
Requirements
Submissions must align with the IHSPR General Pool with a focus on health services, systems, and policy research addressing a host organization's priority, and may additionally apply to up to two specific funding pools such as primary health care, aging, cancer, or Indigenous Peoples' health. Each application needs two supervisors, comprising a health system leader and an academic supervisor from a Canadian university-based graduate training programme. Applicants must complete an interactive sex and gender research module, submit the completion certificate, and meet specific engagement requirements for projects involving Indigenous Peoples.
Key dates
Application deadline: January 12, 2027 Anticipated decision date: August 11, 2027 Funding start date: September 1, 2027