2026 Research Trainee competition: call for applications

30 October 2025

Feature image of the 2026 Research Trainee launch announcement. There are headshots of last year's awardees including Hiten Naik, Kenneth Noguchi, Linda Truong, Danielle Ferrari.

Health Research BC is excited to launch the 2026 Research Trainee competition, supporting early-career health researchers across BC. This funding will enable postdoctoral fellows and health professional researchers to protect their time for high-quality, innovative research.

By investing in emerging researchers, Health Research BC helps build and retain the province’s health research talent. This support strengthens a diverse, skilled research workforce that can tackle current and future health challenges.

Program details

The Research Trainee program offers two funding streams that support a range of career paths, including academia, research, biotechnology, health policy, and clinical practice.

Key dates:

Information webinar (register): November 5, 2025 | 10 a.m.
Letter of intent deadline: November 27, 2025
Full application deadline (applicants): January 29, 2026
Full application deadline (host institutions): February 5, 2026

All competition details, eligibility requirements, and information on how to apply can be found on the Research Trainee Program page.

Indigenous health research applications and top-up funding

Health Research BC is committed to growing capacity and support for Indigenous health research. Applications that involve First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit Peoples, communities, knowledge, or data will be reviewed by experts in Indigenous health research.

Successful applicants whose projects meaningfully engage with Indigenous communities may also receive up to $10,000 in top-up funding.

Learnings from last year’s Indigenous health research panel, along with guidance from Indigenous partners, award recipients, peer reviewers and advisors continue to shape this year’s review process.

Partnership opportunities

Through co-funding partnerships, Health Research BC and partner organizations invest together in research that addresses shared health priorities. Applicants gain access to expanded funding and valuable partner connections. Partners benefit from supporting exceptional researchers through a trusted, rigorous review process and leveraging their investment with matching funds.

This year, our partners are looking to support projects that strengthen research in mental health and substance use, health quality improvement, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, celiac, and aging. Partnered awards nurture strong relationships between researchers, co-funders, and the communities they support.

Applicants can learn more about organizations currently interested in co-funding researchers by viewing partnered award opportunities.