Funding Programs

The Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research was established in March 2001 with the mandate to provide leadership and to implement core funding programs to build BC's capacity for excellence in health research.

MSFHR moving towards sustained funding
MSFHR is in discussions with government regarding the implementation of a stable, sustainable funding mechanism for the Foundation. We expect further information to be available by mid to late summer. Until then, MSFHR will be delaying announcements of deadlines and guidelines for new and renewal competitions and award extensions.

Memorandum of Understanding
All funding applications submitted to MSFHR must be approved by the applicant's host institution. To approve funding applications and to hold MSFHR award funds, the host institution must have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with MSFHR. The eligibility criteria are stated within the contents of the Memorandum of Understanding (PDF).

To see if your institution has signed an MOU with MSFHR, please refer to the List of Institutions (PDF).

For questions regarding the MOU, please contact the Help Desk.

Personnel Programs
To improve BC's ability to attract, support and retain outstanding health researchers and trainees, the Foundation's career-path personnel programs provide awards to support researchers' development from Trainee through to the Scholar and Senior Scholar levels.

Personnel Program Review
In preparation for an external review of Research Trainee and Career Investigator Programs in the spring of 2008, MSFHR is gathering information and seeking feedback.
Read about the Review of Personnel Programs

Infrastructure Programs
MSFHR infrastructure programs work together to help create a vibrant and sustainable health research environment that is recognized for excellence, is responsive to BC's health needs, and contributes to building BC's economy. Three main programs provide funding to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of BC researchers, and increase collaboration and training opportunities: Research Unit and Team Infrastructure, Networking Infrastructure and Institutional Infrastructure.

The Research Unit and Team Infrastructure Program includes three types of funding awards:

Research Unit Awards - for established research groups in BC working in focused areas of health-related research. There will be no Research Unit competition in 2007; the next call for applications will be in Fall 2008.
Team Start-up Awards - for emerging research groups in BC involved in multidisciplinary and cross-theme research.
Team Planning Awards - for new groups of researchers in BC to come together and plan the establishment of a team and a shared research agenda.

The Networking Infrastructure Program includes two types of funding awards:

Health of Population Networks - for provincial networks that bring together researchers with a common interest in the health of specific populations within BC;
Technology/Methodology Platforms - for cross-cutting technology and methodology platforms that will underpin and enhance health research across BC.

The Institutional Infrastructure Program includes one type of funding award:

Institutional Awards - for BC's four major universities and four major health research institutes to support internal research infrastructure.

See Funding Programs Reports for more information about planning and evaluation of these infrastructure programs.

To provide sufficient time for MSFHR to develop the Infrastructure Review Implementation Plan, MSFHR has announced extensions to infrastructure programs that have renewal application deadlines in fall 2007 or spring 2008.
Read the Infrastructure Award Extension Announcement (PDF)