Description

Sex, gender, and sexual orientation significantly impact our disease risk, healthcare access, health outcomes, and overall health and well-being. In Canada, Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, queer, questioning, intersex, and other gender and sexual minority (2S/LGBTQI+) communities now represent over 1.3 million people – approximately 4.4% of the population – yet continue to experience persistent and systemic health inequities.1 These health inequities are rooted in the social and structural determinants of health, including stigma and discrimination, limited access to affirming and inclusive health care, and erasure in research, data and policy practices.

While sexually and gender-diverse people are more visible and vibrant than ever before, health research focused on 2S/LGBTQI+ health priorities and needs has not kept pace. This lack of research investment limits opportunity for the development and implementation of evidence-informed care and policies. In Canada, most health research funding for 2S/LGBTQI+ health has supported research on sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs), particularly HIV.

2 These research investments have yielded tremendous advancements in STBBI prevention, treatment, and care, and emerging evidence highlights the need and opportunity for impactful research on broader health priorities affecting 2S/LGBTQI+ individuals and communities, extending well beyond STBBIs.

For instance, trans adults have 40% higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to cis adults.

3 Lesbian and bisexual women face elevated risks for heart disease, cancer, asthma, and arthritis relative to heterosexual women.4,5,6 Chronic pain and mental health challenges are disproportionately high among 2S/LGBTQI+ individuals, especially among youth, older adults, and those experiencing homelessness.1,7,8 Inequities extend to engagement in healthcare services, with 2S/LGBTQI+ individuals more likely to avoid engaging with primary care and have greater unmet healthcare needs than non-2S/LGBTQI+ individuals due

9 – in part – to fears of discrimination, past negative care-seeking experiences, and/or lack of trust in the health system.10 These barriers are compounded by a lack of provider training and affirming care models, particularly for those living in rural areas, navigating disability-related access needs, and/or facing racism within and outside of 2S/LGBTQI+ communities.11,12

Importantly, inequities in health outcomes and access to care may be further compounded by intersecting forms of marginalization, including racism, ableism, colonization, and poverty, underscoring the need for intersectional frameworks and analyses that recognize the diversity, resilience, and strengths within 2S/LGBTQI+ communities.13,14 These frameworks are essential for understanding how multiple systems of oppression interact, and for guiding research and policy that is responsive to the lived and living experiences of those most impacted.15

Despite these challenges, emerging evidence also highlights areas of strength and resilience within 2S/LGBTQI+ communities. For example, access to gender-affirming care – including hormone therapy and mental health supports – has been shown to significantly improve mental health outcomes for trans and gender-diverse individuals, including reductions in depression, anxiety, and suicidality.16,17

Across Canada, there is an urgent demand and need for increased investment in 2S/LGBTQI+ health research that is inclusive, community-led, and equity-focused across the four pillars of health research. The documented rise in harmful anti-2S/LGBTQI+ movements18 risks intensifying health inequities and threatening the health, safety, and well-being of 2S/LGBTQI+ individuals and communities. This funding opportunity calls for bold research proposals that centre lived and living experience and community priorities to generate robust scientific evidence necessary to transform and advance 2S/LGBTQI+ health through research.

Purpose

The overall purpose of this funding opportunity is to advance, strengthen, and enhance inter-disciplinary, high-impact, and community-engaged health research that addresses the health priorities of 2S/LGBTQI+ individuals and communities in Canada.

As we continue to advance 2S/LGBTQI+ health research, several critical gaps must be addressed. This includes the need for studies that directly confront the limitations of existing epidemiological evidence – particularly given that much of the current data is mixed, inconclusive, or not rooted in Canadian contexts. To better understand the root causes of health inequities, mechanistic studies are needed to explore the specific pathways through which these inequities emerge and persist. Strengthening research methodologies and improving measurement tools will be essential to generate more rigorous and actionable evidence. Importantly, this funding opportunity emphasizes the need to move beyond simply including 2S/LGBTQI+ populations in broader studies toward research that is intentionally designed to centre the unique experiences, perspectives, and priorities of 2S/LGBTQI+ people.

A wide range of research approaches are eligible, including community-based and participatory research, Indigenous methodologies, epidemiological studies, clinical studies, health systems research, biomedical research, economic and policy analyses, population-based cohort studies, comparative and measurement studies, and health surveillance. Interdisciplinary research is encouraged, drawing from fields such as biomedical science, public and population health, health systems and services, gender and health studies, Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis) health, Artificial Intelligence (AI) disciplines, sociology, anthropology, political science, and more. Both original and synthesis research are supported.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

All proposals must apply an equity-focused lens in their design and analysis, where relevant. A particular focus should be in relation to the social determinants of health to assess how both biological and sociocultural factors such as sex, gender, age, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, cultural background, migration status, and geographic location interact and intersect with each other to impact 2S/LGBTQI+ individuals and communities. Refer to the Best practice in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research for additional guidance.

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis

Taking a rights-based and distinctions-based approach to Indigenous self-determination in research is important to reflect the unique position of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis as distinct, rights-bearing communities. This approach strengthens Indigenous health and well-being by acknowledging the specific histories, cultures, and needs of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. CIHR's commitment to supporting Indigenous self-determination in health research is available in the CIHR Strategic Plan 2021–2031 and the Action Plan: Building a healthier future for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.

Research Topics

This Funding Opportunity seeks to move beyond descriptive analyses. Possible topics or project themes might include, but are not limited to:

Priority Research Topics

1. Socio-Structural Determinants and Intersecting Health Concerns among 2S/LGBTQI+ Individuals and Communities
2. Chronic Health Conditions (e.g., Cancer, Cardiovascular and Respiratory Health, Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis) in 2S/LGBTQI+ Individuals and Communities
3. Gender Affirming Care and Mental Health/Brain Health

Communities of Focus

1. Trans, nonbinary, and gender diverse individuals and communities
2. Lesbian and bisexual women
3. Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer, and gender diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis individuals and communities
4. 2S/LGBTQI+ older persons

Research Approaches

1. Piloting, evaluating, and/or implementing community-engaged interventions, programming, and training for healthcare professionals tailored to engaging with 2S/LGBTQI+ individuals and communities
2. Innovative and inclusive methodologies, methods, and tools to study and support 2S/LGBTQI+ health
3. Evaluation/validation of existing health measures and tools tailored to 2S/LGBTQI+ individuals and communities
4. Secondary analysis and/or data linkages with existing datasets, national health surveys, and/or electronic health records relevant to 2S/LGBTQI+ individuals and communities

Funds Available

CIHR and partner(s) financial contributions are subject to availability of funds. Should CIHR or partner(s) funding levels not be available or decrease due to unforeseen circumstances, CIHR and partner(s) reserve the right to reduce, defer or suspend financial contributions to grants received as a result of this funding opportunity.

• The total amount available for this funding opportunity is $9,800,000, enough to fund up to 14 grants. This amount may increase if additional funding partners participate. The maximum amount per grant is $175,000 per year for up to 4 years, for a total of $700,000 per grant.
• Of this $9,800,000:
  • $2,800,000 is available to fund 4 applications relevant to Advancing 2S/LGBTQI+ Health
  • $2,100,000 is available to fund 3 applications relevant to Methods, Measures, and Secondary Data Analysis
  • $1,400,000 is available to fund 2 applications relevant to the Health of Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer, and Gender Diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Individuals and Communities
  • $700,000 is available to fund 1 application relevant to the health of 2S/LGBTQI+ Older Persons
  • $700,000 is available to fund 1 application relevant to Cancer in 2S/LGBTQI+ Individuals and Communities
  • $700,000 is available to fund 1 application relevant to 2S/LGBTQI+ Cardiovascular and Respiratory Health
  • $700,000 is available to fund 1 application relevant to Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis in 2S/LGBTQI+ Individuals and Communities
  • $700,000 is available to fund 1 application relevant to Gender Affirming Care and Mental Health/Brain Health among Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender Diverse Individuals and Communities
  • $350,000 is available from Michael Smith Health Research BC to co-fund the highest ranked application(s) in any of the pools where the Nominated Principal Applicant is from a British Columbia-based institution.
• Applications relevant to each specific research area pool will be funded top down in order of ranking.
• Should any specific research area pool be undersubscribed or lack fundable applications, remaining applications in the competition will be pooled together. Pools with remaining funds will review these application(s) for relevance to their respective specific priority research area(s). As such, remaining funds will be distributed to relevant applications in top down order of ranking as far as funding allows.
• Each pool will only fund applications relevant to its specific research area.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1️⃣ High Scientific Excellence & Rigorous Methodology (Most Important)

CIHR reviewers heavily weight methodological rigor, including:

Strong theoretical framework

Clear hypotheses or research questions

Robust study design

Adequate controls, power calculations, and statistics

Reproducibility & transparency practices

Clear milestones and contingency plans

Predictor: Methodological strength is the #1 determinant across all CIHR committees.

2️⃣ Strong Significance & Clear Health Impact for Canadians

CIHR prioritizes research that benefits:

The health of people living in Canada

Canadian healthcare systems and policies

Vulnerable or underserved populations

Chronic disease burdens in Canadian demographics

Predictor: Clear articulation of Canadian relevance dramatically improves scores.

3️⃣ Feasible, Focused, Achievable Objectives

Successful CIHR proposals:

Have 2–3 well-defined aims

Present realistic deliverables within the grant period

Include detailed methodologies for each aim

Avoid overambitious or unfocused scope

Demonstrate precise timeline and project management

Predictor: Feasibility + clarity of approach = high reviewer confidence.

4️⃣ Strong Investigator Track Record & Appropriate Team Expertise

Reviewers value:

Publications relevant to the field

Prior successful funding

Expertise aligned to each aim

Multi-disciplinary teams (clinicians, statisticians, biomedical scientists, policy experts)

For early-career investigators: mentorship, protected time, and institutional support

Predictor: A well-matched, credible team is essential.

5️⃣ Compelling Preliminary Data (especially for Project Grants)

Highly competitive CIHR proposals commonly include:

Pilot experiments or feasibility data

Retrospective analyses

Early mechanistic insights

Proof-of-concept findings

For high-risk or exploratory programs, strong rationale can substitute, but evidence is still preferred.

Predictor: Preliminary data significantly boosts chances.

6️⃣ Strong Integration of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)

CIHR explicitly evaluates EDI in:

Team composition

Training environment

Research design (sex, gender, intersectionality, inclusive sampling)

Barriers to participation or recruitment

Engagement with under-represented or Indigenous populations

Predictor: Meaningful EDI integration is essential; weak EDI sections lower scores.

7️⃣ Clear Knowledge Translation (KT) & Dissemination Plan

CIHR places high value on:

How findings will reach clinicians, policymakers, communities, or the public

Realistic KT activities (briefs, publications, engagement, partnerships)

Integrated knowledge translation when applicable (co-design with stakeholders)

Predictor: Strong KT plan with defined stakeholders and products.

8️⃣ Alignment With CIHR Priority Areas (If Applying Under Strategic Calls)

High success when aligned with:

Indigenous health

Digital health & AI

Aging and dementia

Chronic disease (cancer, cardiovascular, neurological)

Rare disease

Implementation science

Mental health, substance use

Health system strengthening

Predictor: Direct strategic alignment increases competitiveness.

9️⃣ Access to Required Data, Cohorts, Facilities, or Patient Populations

CIHR reviewers look for feasibility evidence:

Confirmed clinical recruitment sites

Existing cohort or biobank access

Computational / lab infrastructure

Letters of support verifying data access

Agreements for collaboration or sharing

Predictor: Proven resource availability reduces perceived risk.

🔟 Well-Justified, Realistic Budget

Successful budgets:

Are lean and proportional to aims

Avoid unnecessary equipment or inflated salaries

Align with Canadian Tri-Council rules

Include justification for trainees, supplies, analyses

Predictor: A clear, efficient budget strengthens feasibility.

🚫 COMMON PITFALLS (Reasons CIHR Applications Fail)