Joint Canada–Israel Health Research Program (JCIHRP) Phase II – 2025/2026 Call for Proposals

The Joint Canada–Israel Health Research Program Phase II, backed by the Azrieli Foundation, Canada’s International Development Research Center (IDRC), Israel Science Foundation (ISF), and Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), supports world-class, collaborative research projects at the intersection of biomedical sciences and global health. This third call under Phase II specifically seeks proposals in Human Developmental Biology, emphasizing scientific excellence, collaboration, and capacity-building between research teams in Canada, Israel, and eligible low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Research must be co-led by three Principal Investigators one from each: Canada, Israel, and an eligible LMIC and must focus on understanding biological mechanisms shaping human health from the earliest stages of life. Projects must also include robust knowledge mobilization, equity and diversity measures, and data management plans adhering to international standards and Indigenous data governance when relevant.

Who can apply?

• Teams co-led by a Canadian PI (affiliated with eligible institutions in Canada), an Israeli PI, and a PI from an eligible LMIC (see IDRC country list).
• All applicants must meet eligibility rules outlined by their national funding partner and CIHR/ISF/IDRC.
• Researchers/institutions may only participate in one application.

Priority research areas:

• Human Developmental Biology and health impacts across the life course
• Developmental mechanisms of disease
• Genetic, epigenetic, cellular, and environmental influences on development, including in model systems
• Embryonic patterning, cognitive/behavioral development, disease onset, cellular transitions, and more
• Projects must exclude clinical trials, surveys, or studies aimed primarily at public health policy

Funding available:

• Total fund: CAD $7,390,000 (funds ~5 grants, may increase)
• Up to CAD $500,000 each for Canadian and LMIC PIs, up to NIS 1,200,000 for Israeli PI per grant (roughly CAD $478,000), over 4 years (~CAD $1,478,000 per project, subject to exchange rates)

Key dates:

• CIHR Registration Deadline: 6 January 2026
• Application Deadline: 25 February 2026
• Notice of Decision: 12 August 2026
• Funding Start: 1 November 2026

Additional requirements:

• Teams must include knowledge mobilization and capacity-building (e.g., workshops, trainee exchange, LMIC training)
• Consideration of sex/gender, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and open research data/Indigenous data governance principles
• Annual engagement and knowledge-sharing activities

Notes:

• Each Canadian, Israeli, and LMIC investigator co-leading a team can only submit and/or participate in ONE application in the competition.
• Canadian, Israeli, and LMIC investigators co-leading a team are not eligible to hold a grant under this competition if they hold an active grant from Phase II of the JCIHRP at the funding start date for this funding opportunity.
• The Canadian, Israeli, and LMIC investigators co-leading a team are strongly encouraged to complete one of the sex- and gender-based analysis training modules available online through the CIHR Institute of Gender and Health and submit a certificate of completion. Applicants should select and complete the training module most applicable to their research project. Applicants are encouraged to review the "How to integrate sex and gender in research" section of the CIHR website.

Exclusions

Studies, surveys, clinical trials, and work primarily aimed at informing public health policy are NOT eligible for funding through this opportunity. However, the use of randomization in basic biomedical research studies is accepted.

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