About Us

We are British Columbia’s health research agency. We are working towards a future where BC is recognized worldwide for its vibrant, coherent, inclusive and globally competitive health research system, which improves the health of British Columbians, the health system and the economy. Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and Indigenous reconciliation and self-determination continues to guide us.

As a provincial organization, our work extends across many Indigenous lands and territories throughout BC. We acknowledge with respect and humility that our Vancouver office is located on the traditional and unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Current Funding Opportunities

Health Research BC-Mitacs Health System Focused Opportunity

Through a partnership with Mitacs, this opportunity provides graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with placements at health organizations or municipalities focused on improving health to gain experience working with BC’s health system and apply their research skills to address pressing health and health system focused challenges.

CANTRAIN Clinical Research Internships

Michael Smith Health Research BC partners with Canadian Consortium of Clinical Trial Training (CANTRAIN), funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, to help increase clinical trials training, expertise and capacity in BC and across Canada.

Health Research BC-Mitacs Industry-Based Opportunity

Through a partnership with Mitacs, the program provides graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with a placement at a life sciences company in order to gain business skills within the sector.

Applications are now open for:

Latest News

News

The image shows a person holding a tablet while sitting on a couch. The tablet screen displays the cover of a report titled "The Time to Act is Now." The cover design features abstract purple shapes on the right side with a blurred background of people in masks, indicating a context related to public health and pandemic preparedness.

New report reviews Canada’s research response to health emergencies

10 October 2024

Canada must act now to be prepared for the next public health emergency, recommends a new report on the federal approach to pandemic science advice and research coordination. 

News

Dr. Davina Banner-Lukaris. White woman with blond hair on green background.

Dr. Davina Banner-Lukaris shares the joy and heartbreak of engaging people with lived experience

9 October 2024

In this interview, Davina speaks on authentic engagement and how taking a leap of faith into patient-oriented research changed her life.

News

An infographic describing the Patient Engagement in Research (PEiR) Committee. PEiR exists to help patients becoming meaningfully engaged in research. The infographic is in a cartoon style with people working and conversing together in a circle. Some speech bubbles and text in the graphic include: "Nothing about us without us," "Patients are experts too," and "Patient-powered research contributes to a learning health care system." The BC SUPPORT Unit Interior Centre logo is in the bottom right.

‘A unique perspective on health’: Patient committee amplifies rural and remote perspectives in BC’s interior

2 October 2024

The Patient Engagement in Research (PEiR) Committee seeks to embed lived experience in research and research planning across the interior region.

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