[Grants] Evaluating community-based programs and social innovations that support aging in the community

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of the "Evaluating community-based programs and social innovations that support aging in the community" funding opportunity.

This funding opportunity is led by the CIHR Institute of Aging, in partnership with HelpAge Canada and the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR).

Overview

Many older persons face barriers to aging in the community, including social isolation and loneliness, ageism, limited access to health and social care, and insufficient community resources. Community-based organizations are uniquely positioned to deliver programs and social innovations that support the health and wellbeing of older persons living in the community. To bolster community-based care for older Canadians, this upcoming funding opportunity will support evaluations of established community-based programs and/or social innovations, to generate co-created and actionable evidence to strengthen community health systems and enhance the health and overall well-being of older persons living in the community.

In the context of this funding opportunity, established community-based programs and social innovations are those which are currently being implemented in community settings, demonstrate feasibility and utilization, and are beyond the pilot or proof-of concept stage.

The specific objectives of this funding opportunity are to:

• Evaluate the effectiveness, sustainability, and contextual factors influencing performance of established community-based programs and/or social innovations that support aging in the community.
• Identify evidence informed opportunities for spread and scale, as well as any necessary adaptations as appropriate.
• Generate actionable evidence to inform policy, strengthen community health systems, and improve the health span and overall well-being of older persons living in the community. 
• Foster partnerships between academic institutions and community-based organizations to enhance the relevance, objectivity, and uptake of evaluation findings.

As part of this funding opportunity, applicants will be required to partner with a community-based organization that is directly connected to the program and/or social innovation that is being evaluated, and will be required to provide, at a minimum, in-kind contributions that enable evaluation activities throughout the duration of the grant.

Research Areas

General Funding Pool: Supporting proposals for an evaluation of a program or social innovation with an area of focus that may include, but are not limited to:

• Social connectedness
• Housing (e.g., innovative housing models, unhoused, social housing, accessible housing)
• Intergenerational activities
• Caregiver support and respite
• Prevention, risk reduction, and health promotion
• Cultural participation
• Transportation and mobility
• Food security and nutrition
• Health and social care navigation
• Transitions from hospital to community
• Digital literacy and technology

Specific Funding Pools: Supporting proposals relevant to:

• Underserved, Rural and Remote Regions
• Equity-Denied and Rights-Holding Communities
• Veterans and Military Families

Funds Available

The total amount available for this funding opportunity is anticipated to be $3.3 million, enough to fund approximately 11 grants.

The maximum amount per grant is anticipated to be $150 000 per year for up to two (2) years, for a total of $300 000 per grant.

Anticipated Timelines*

These timelines are estimates and subject to change

Info Session Webinar: Tuesday, June 23rd 2026 1:30 – 2:30 pm EDT JOIN WEBINAR WITH THIS LINK

Launch: June 2026

Application Deadline: September 2026

Funding Start Date: February 2027

The official CIHR funding opportunity will be posted on ResearchNet in the coming weeks.