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

Research Trainee Program

Supports the best and brightest health researchers in training to enable career development and support world-class health research in BC.

Research on Research Joint Initiative

We are partnering with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research on a joint funding opportunity for research on research – the application of rigorous methods and analysis to the practice of research itself – its methods, standards, and evaluation. The funding opportunity welcomes applications related to research-on-research (meta-research) in any disciplinary context. Application deadline: February 20, 2025

Scholar Program

Letter of intent deadline has passed. Supports early career health researchers, helping them form their own research teams, train the next generation of scientists and develop world-leading research programs.

Health Professional-Investigator (HP-I) Program

Letter of intent deadline has passed. Supports health professionals who are actively involved in patient care to build their health research programs, train the next generation of scientists, and make significant contributions to their field.

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 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.

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

RAPP

Research Approvals Processes Project Update: Advancing our initial deliverables

20 November 2024

November is a busy month for Research Approvals Processes Project (RAPP) engagement activities.

News

Promotional image for the 2025 Research Trainee competition. The image features previous recipients of the award.

2025 Research Trainee competition: call for applications

14 November 2024

The program supports health researchers in the training phase of their careers to contribute to the success of BC’s health research landscape.

News

Michael Smith Health Research BC congratulates the 2024 Research Trainee awardees. The image features a grid with photos of 43 awardees. Each awardee is smiling and professionally dressed, with a background that varies from indoor settings to natural environments. The text reads "CONGRATULATIONS 2024 Research Trainee" in bold white letters against a blue background at the bottom of the image.

Research Trainee awards fuel health innovation

29 October 2024

Michael Smith Health Research BC is funding 44 emerging researchers from across BC through the 2024 Research Trainee competition.

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