Indigenous Military Personnel Perspectives on Health Care: CIMVHR 2026 Research

Sponsor

Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) 

Program

Joint Federal Research Funding Program for Military Personnel and Veterans

For More Information

Visit the Indigenous Military Personnels’ Perspectives on Health Care Received within the Canadian Military Health System Program Webpage.

Description

Researchers are invited to apply for a new grant funding opportunity sponsored by the Canadian Forces Health Services Women and Diversity Health (WDH) program to conduct a research study exploring the health care needs and experiences of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members identifying as First Nations, Inuit or Métis. This study provides an opportunity to drive health care system improvement.

This funding opportunity is seeking submissions that utilize original data collection to:

1. Capture and synthesize information on Indigenous personnels’ perspectives on health care received within the Canadian Military Health System.
2. Identify strengths, gaps, barriers and opportunities for improvement, based on Indigenous military personnel’s views of what works well, what does not and what could be done differently to better meet their health care needs.

Since it is only through hearing from Indigenous peoples and their experiences with the military health care system that the CAF can make improvements, this funding call seeks submissions that use qualitative methods (i.e., interviews, qualitative surveys, case studies, etc.).

The study population includes individuals identifying as First Nations, Inuit or Métis and who are or were:

• Members of the Regular Force
• Class C Reservists
• Class A or Class B Reservists
• Canadian Rangers

Eligible participants must have had at least one interaction with the Canadian Military Health System. Individuals who previously served in one of the above roles may also be eligible, provided their interaction with the CMHS occurred within the past five years.

Grant recipients can request assistance with reaching and recruiting Indigenous military personnel. Assistance includes, establishing contact with the Defence Indigenous Advisory Group (see: Defence Advisory Groups - Canada.ca) and other connections, as available.

Eligibility

• Principal investigator on the project must have a PhD, MD or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Principal Investigator or Co-principal Investigator(s) must have previous experience conducting primary research with Indigenous populations.
• All appropriate academic research guidelines must be followed, including a research ethics board approval from Defence Research Development Canada (DRDC) or an accredited academic institution in Canada prior to funding being issued if applicable to the method(s) selected.
• Approval from the Surgeon General Health Research Board is required. A CFHS point of contact will be provided to facilitate this process once the research proposals are selected.
• All reports, publications and presentations resulting from this funding opportunity are required to acknowledge that the research was conducted in response to a Funding Opportunity developed and funded by the CFHS WDH.

Funding Availability

One research project up to $130,000

Indirect Costs

The maximum rate that can be retained by funding recipients as institutional overhead costs is 10%. 

Special Notes

Applicants are advised to include eight weeks of administrative lead-time in their timelines. This will allow for ethics board submission and approval (if required) and the drafting and signing of the funding agreement.

How to Apply

Applicants are to complete and submit the Research Funding Application form to research-recherche@veterans.gc.ca.