Scholar and Health Professional-Investigator Programs: 2025 competitions now open

Michael Smith Health Research BC’s Scholar and Health Professional-Investigator (HP-I) awards provide funding to support BC’s health researchers in advancing science and improving the health of British Columbians. Applications are now open for our 2025 competitions.

By supporting exceptional health researchers, we advance medical knowledge that enables new treatments, interventions and tools to improve the health of people and communities. 

Program details

The Scholar Program supports early-career health researchers, helping them form their own research teams and develop world-leading research programs. The award provides salary support, allowing recipients to dedicate 75 percent of their time to health research activities. 

The HP-I Program supports health professionals actively involved in patient care to build their health research programs, train the next generation of scientists, and make significant contributions to their fields. A broad range of health professionals are invited to apply. Previous recipients include psychologists, psychiatric nurses, physicians and a dietitian. 

Both programs provide a maximum of $90,000 per year for up to five year.

Changes for 2025 competitions 

We are committed to ensuring our programs address the changing needs of the health research system. This includes creating a more equitable, diverse and inclusive health research system and advancing our commitment to Indigenous reconciliation.

Indigenous health research review panel 

Guided by advice from Indigenous partners, award recipients, peer reviewers and advisors, we are introducing a distinct peer review panel for Indigenous-led applications to the 2025 competitions.  

This is one step towards building and supporting relationships with First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples and communities, increasing the cultural safety of our funding processes and growing our capacity for review of Indigenous health research applications. Acknowledging we are on a learning journey, this work is part of our ongoing commitment to advancing Indigenous reconciliation.   

Top-up funding to support engagement with Indigenous communities 

New top-up funding is also available from the BC SUPPORT Unit to award recipients whose research involves meaningfully engaging Indigenous communities to support those engagement activities. 

Changes in eligibility for Scholar program 

Personal time off can affect every researcher’s work. We are adjusting our eligibility calculation process, aligning it with the Tri-Agency policy on leave credits for early-career researchers. 

Applicants are encouraged to attend the applicant information webinar on October 31. Visit the program pages for all competition details, eligibility requirements, and information on how to apply.

Health Research BC Scholar Program
Health Research BC HP-I Program 

Partnership opportunities

We are committed to leveraging our funding through strong partnerships that generate additional dollars for research in BC. Co-funding awardees with our partners contributes to building health research capacity in BC, helps funded researchers secure national and international funding, and provides valuable connections between researchers, partner organizations, and patient groups. Applicants can learn more about organizations currently interested in co-funding researchers by viewing partnership opportunities on our website. 

Organizations seeking opportunities to co-fund researchers in these competitions include those working in dementia, Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia.

2025 key dates 

• Webinar: October 31, 2024, 10:00 a.m. Register for webinar.
• Webinar about the Indigenous health research review panel and top-up funds: early November. Details coming soon.

*Both webinars will be recorded and made available on the Scholar and HP-I program pages. 

• Letter of intent deadline: November 19, 2024, 4:30 p.m. 
• Full application deadline (applicant): January 23, 2025, 4:30 p.m. 
• Full application deadline (host institution): January 30, 2025, 4:30 p.m. 
• Anticipated notice of funding decision: June 2025 
• Anticipated start of funding: July 1, 2025 

Stay up to date 

Stay tuned for details of the 2025 Research Trainee competition opening in November.
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If you have questions about any of our 2025 funding competitions or programs, we encourage you to reach out to us via our help desk.