Medical Research

New Research Funding Opportunity:
Medical Research RFP 2026–2028

Please note: This opportunity does not use our usual online application process. A separate three-stage process (EOI → LOI → Full Application) applies, with submissions sent to medicalresearch@hrjconsulting.com. Details and key deadlines are provided below.

We are inviting applications for clinical research projects that expand the use of proven or emerging treatments and technologies into new areas of care for vulnerable, medically complex populations.

Projects should:

  • Align with CIHR Pillar 2 (Clinical Research) through rigorous, applied investigations that optimize interventions, evaluate clinical effectiveness, and generate actionable evidence to improve patient outcomes

  • Include clear methodologies, measurable endpoints, and strategies for knowledge translation to ensure feasibility, scalability, and impact within real-world healthcare settings

  • Incorporate interdisciplinary collaboration and the perspectives of patients and caregivers

Cross-cutting themes that proposals may address include:

  • Trauma as a root cause of morbidity in physical health, mental health, and substance use disorders

  • Improving health in comorbid and/or trimorbid populations

  • Gender-responsive approaches to care

  • Enabling technologies such as medical devices or Artificial Intelligence

Areas of potential research could include, but are not limited to:

  • Evaluating or improving the effectiveness of emerging medications or therapies for physical and mental health problems common among the target population

  • Evaluating or improving the effectiveness of existing medications for promising off-label uses in these groups

  • Testing or titrating existing medications for use with vulnerable children and youth

  • Evaluating or improving the effectiveness of existing or emerging therapies for mental health and/or substance use disorders in medically complex populations

Populations of Interest

This RFP supports projects focused on medically complex individuals experiencing poverty who are typically under-represented in research studies. Eligible populations include maternal/infant, child, youth, and adult groups.

Note: Proposals centred on geriatric populations will not be considered under this call.

Eligibility:

  • The Principal Investigator must be affiliated with a Qualified Donee in Canada (as defined by the Canada Revenue Agency). This includes post-secondary institutions, some research hospitals, and other charitable organizations.

  • Applicants are expected to establish a limited number of significant and meaningful partnerships and collaborations to support the project. These may include academic, public, private, and nonprofit organizations. These partnerships should seek to expand the capability of the primary institution, leverage expertise and skills, and increase the capacity for knowledge mobilization to support the uptake, scalability, and impact of the work. Institutions should participate in projects only when their involvement strengthens the initiative or enhances overall leadership. The strategic value of the partnership and the partner’s contribution should be clearly defined through a concrete role in the project’s implementation.

  • Partnerships with Alberta-based organizations are an asset but not required.

Funding Available:

  • Minimum request: $500,000

  • Maximum request: $3,000,000

  • Duration: 1—5 years

Eligible expenses, other than research costs include:

  • Reasonable overhead or indirect costs

  • Salary support for trainees

  • Travel costs necessary for project execution

  • Reasonable knowledge translation or mobilization costs (e.g., conference registration fees, travel, publishing, stakeholder convenings)

Application Process & Deadlines

Expression of Interest (EOI) 

Due November 21, 2025

Potential applicants must submit a one-page summary of the project, including the name and affiliation of the PI; a plain-language description of the project objectives; the population for whom the project is most relevant; and a list of potential co-investigators and project partners. Additional co-investigators and project partners may be added at the LOI stage.

EOIs should be emailed to medicalresearch@hrjconsulting.com.

Letter of Intent (LOI) 

Due January 12, 2026

Potential applicants must submit an LOI that provides the names and roles of the PI and any co-investigators; the names and roles of partner institutions; a summary project proposal maximum five pages); anticipated budget and timeline for the project; and a list of potential expert reviewers. A fillable LOI form is available here.

LOIs should also be emailed to medicalresearch@hrjconsulting.com. Only those applicants who are approved will be eligible to move forward to the Full Application stage.

Full Application

Due July 3, 2026

Applicants advancing to this stage are encouraged to secure necessary ethics approval prior to submission. Applications will be submitted through our online grant portal.

Funding Decisions Announced

October 2026

Questions?

Questions about this RFP should be submitted to medicalresearch@hrjconsulting.com by October 24, 2025.

Responses to common questions will be compiled into an FAQ posted on this page by November 7, 2025.