The Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) and Alberta Health Services (AHS) are pleased to announce a funding opportunity for University of Calgary (UC) investigators. This opportunity will support the Eyes High strategic vision of leadership in high-impact clinical research at UC and promote the objectives of AHS strategy for research innovation and analytics.


Key goals for this fund:

  • To increase the number of high impact, UC-led clinical research studies
  • To increase UC’s success in attracting Tri-Council funding for clinical studies
  • To improve the Alberta health system and the health of Albertans


Funds will be available to support high-impact clinical studies that improve health or influence clinical practice and healthcare delivery. Seed funding and funds for planning and pilot work will also be available to support high-quality research that will be competitive for peer-reviewed funding and/or partnerships with industry.

Applications will be submitted to the Calgary Centre for Clinical Research (CCCR) through an online application form and adjudicated by a CSM review committee with input from external peer reviewers as required. 

Applications for Seed Grants will be accepted twice annually (Deadlines: July 15 and December 15). Seed grants will be awarded for up to a maximum of $25,000 cash. An additional $25,000 may be requested for work done in the Clinical Research Unit [CRU] or Heritage Medical Research Clinic [HMRC], which will be provided as credits rather than cash.

Priority Areas for Upcoming Seed Grant Competitions (December 15th, 2022; July 15th, 2023, December 15th, 2023)

While the Clinical Research Fund is open to all clinical research projects, priority will be given to applications proposing health services or population health research aimed at one of the following:

  • improving health outcomes among Indigenous Peoples, in keeping with Indigenous values and traditions 
  • reducing harms and or saving lives related to the opioid overdose crisis 

Proposals with a focus on Indigenous health outcomes should follow the TCPS 2 - Chapter 9 Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada guidelines, and should align with the relevant sections from one or more of the following documents:

  • Ii’ taa’poh’to’p
  • Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report
  • United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples
  • Alberta Health Services: Roadmap to Health
  • Principles respecting the Government of Canada’s Relationship with Indigenous peoples
  • CIHR's 2021-2031 Strategic Plan

Proposals with a focus on the opioid overdose crisis should align with Provincial and Federal public health strategies.

Applications for Pre-submission/Planning/Data Collection Grants can be submitted at any time during the year. Pre-submission/Planning/Data Collection grants will be awarded up to $10,000. Priority will be given to pre-submission applications that request a greater proportion of funds to be used to pay for work done in a CSM clinical research facility (Clinical Research Unit [CRU] or Heritage Medical Research Clinic [HMRC]) rather than cash.


Note:  Pre-submission/Planning/Data Collection applications related to the upcoming CIHR Clinical Trials Fund program are currently accepted.


Please review the revised Terms of Reference and the FAQ prior to preparing your application. 


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