The Health Research Foundation (HRF) is pleased to launch its 2026 Health System Solutions Grant Call for Proposals. This national funding opportunity supports applied research aimed at improving patient access to innovative medicines and strengthening health system performance across Canada.
The 2026 competition focuses on the HRF’s two applied research pillars:
Pillar 1: Health System Factors Affecting Real-World Use and Outcomes
- Focuses on how care pathways, referral processes, system capacity, data, and implementation readiness influence access to and outcomes from innovative medicines.
- Priority Research Area: Improving the Patient Journey Through Care Pathways, Referral, and Coordination. Projects must generate new insights into how health systems can better identify patients, streamline care journeys, integrate services, and support the adoption of innovative medicines.
Pillar 2: Improving the Coherence and Performance of Review and Reimbursement
- Focuses on how health technology assessment (HTA), pricing, reimbursement, and funding processes interact, and how system fragmentation, delays, and inefficiencies affect patient access and health system performance.
Funding is available through two distinct streams:
- Tier 1: Up to $50,000 over 6–12 months for smaller, targeted initiatives.
- Tier 2: Up to $250,000 over 18–24 months for larger applied, multi-site projects.
The HRF welcomes applications from researchers, health system organizations and providers, clinicians, not-for-profit and community-based organizations committed to advancing innovative, implementation-focused solutions for Canadians.
Key Dates
- Call launch: June 24, 2026
- Letter of Intent (LOI) application deadline: July 22, 2026
- Full application deadline (by invitation): September 16, 2026
- Funding decisions: October 20, 2026
For more information, including the full call for proposals, applicant guide, and application materials, please visit the HRF webpage.