2025 Call for Partnership Opportunity: CIHR-ICR Sponsorship Awards Program

Objectives

The CIHR Institute of Cancer Research (CIHR-ICR) is committed to recognizing research excellence and building capacity in cancer research across Canada. As such, CIHR-ICR is establishing a new Sponsorship Awards Program to foster partnerships with national organizations and collectively recognize the outstanding achievements, leadership, and contributions of cancer researchers across Canada, while also promoting the development of research talent and the establishment of collaborative networks.

Scope

CIHR-ICR will support the establishment of 1-2 joint awards per partnering organization for up to three years per award (pending available funding). The maximum amount CIHR-ICR will contribute to each award is up to $1,500 CAD per year. Joint awards that can be established from this program include "Research Excellence Awards" and "Early Career Researcher Awards". Priority will be given to partnerships with organizations that will target key gaps or address high-priority needs within the cancer research landscape.

The following conditions must be met for joint awards established through this program:

• Each award may have a maximum of one recipient per year.
• Recipient(s) of the joint awards must have a faculty appointment in Canada.
• The name of the joint award(s) must include "CIHR Institute of Cancer Research".
• Partnering organizations will fully administer the joint award competition (e.g., call for applications, review process, notification of decisions).
• CIHR-ICR will be consulted in the selection of the awardees.
• The recipient(s) of the joint awards will be presented during a formal ceremony or event at the partner's national conference, which must take place by the end of the following calendar year (i.e., December 31, 2026).
• Both organizations will notify their networks of the joint awards through joint communication efforts. All external communications and public relations activities and/or use of brands regarding this partnership will be coordinated and approved by both organizations.

Eligibility

For organizations to be eligible for this program, they must meet the following criteria:

• National scope and broad reach: The organization has a national scope with a well-established membership base that reflects the diversity of the Canadian population.
• Well-established with effective governance: The organization has a well-established and effective governance policy and process.
• Promotes research and capacity building: The organization actively promotes opportunities for research development and capacity building (e.g., grants, awards, workshops).
• Applicability to cancer research: The organization's mandate includes a commitment to advancing knowledge and capacity in cancer research.
• Equity, diversity, and inclusion: The organization has a policy or statement that supports principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
• Existing awards program: The organization has an existing awards program in place and has the capacity to administer new awards.
• National conferences: The organization hosts national conferences that have a research component and are well supported by its research community.
• Alignment in mandate and values: The organization's mandate and values align with those of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Institute of Cancer Research (CIHR-ICR).

Organizations currently holding joint CIHR-ICR "Research Excellence Awards" or CIHR-ICR "Early Career Researcher Awards" are ineligible to apply until their existing awards have concluded.

Application Process

Interested partnering organizations are invited to complete the CIHR-ICR Sponsorship Awards Program Application Form. To assist with the application process, a preview of the application questions is available. You may wish to prepare your responses in advance and then copy and paste them into the application form. The application deadline is 11:59 PM ET Friday, August 29, 2025.

The number of applications and awards funded per organization will be determined based on the availability of funds.

Notice of Decision

Successful applicants will be notified by email by September 30, 2025.

Contact Information

For all inquiries, please contact CIHR-ICR by email at cihr.icr@uhn.ca.

Date modified:

2025-05-12