Join the College
Each year CIHR runs approximately 100 funding competitions with varying review requirements, and College members are the first source that are invited to participate in peer review.
Joining the College means you are playing a role in guiding health research funding; ensuring that the investments being made in Canada consider both rapidly evolving science and the highly competitive research landscape.
For academics, the benefits include gaining insight into the peer review process, expanding your knowledge of new research developments, and an opportunity to engage and network with your peers. For others, participation can be deeply personal, providing an opportunity to share your lived experience and knowledge in a way that will improve the health of individuals and entire communities.
Our online application process is always open. You can read more about College membership below, or if you would like to speak to someone about your background, interests, and abilities, send us an email at college@cihr-irsc.gc.ca or call 1-888-603-4178 to arrange a time for us to discuss by phone.
How does the College find its Members?
There are many ways that individuals join the College, with most being through nominations or invitations after participating in peer review or having success in a grant competition.
- Nominations
Individuals interested in joining College can directly nominate themselves or institutions and individuals can nominate potential candidates. - CIHR Grantees Recipients
All CIHR grantees are encouraged to join the College in their notice of decision letter. Some grantees may be invited to the College directly in recognition of their specific expertise. - Peer Reviewers
All standing committee members of CIHR’s Project Grant Competition are automatically invited to join the College, while other CIHR peer reviewers are encouraged to join or may be invited to the College directly in recognition of their specific expertise. - Early Career Researchers
All early career researchers who hold grant funding will be invited to join the College upon completion of their participation in the Reviewer in Training Program. - Targeted Recruitment
Expertise is frequently sought to fill expertise and demographic gaps in College membership in alignment with CIHR's Equity Strategy and competition reviewing needs. Policy makers, educators, practitioners, health care administrators, community leaders and health charity representatives are encouraged to join the College.
What are the Terms of Membership?
All College Members agree to the terms of the Membership Agreement and follow the Member Roles and Responsibilities when participating in peer review and advisory activities. At any time, members can end their term with the College are asked to fulfill their outstanding peer review commitments. College membership is also reviewed periodically to address any imbalances and replace Members who have not responded to invitations over a period of time.
Am I Eligible to Enrol?
The College welcomes a broad range of individuals from academic and non-academic backgrounds, many of which bring multiple perspectives and life experiences to the peer review process. Click on the tabs below to find out more about the requirements for different participants.
Academic Researchers
Academics form the largest proportion of College Members and are recognized experts in their fields that are committed to the health research funding landscape. They bring a demonstrated track record of excellence and dedication to the peer review system, and they afford a stable base for the reviewing needs of research proposals received to CIHR’s grants and awards competitions.
If you are an academic interested In joining the College we encourage you to express your interest online and we will contact you to discuss your eligibility and areas of scientific expertise. Academic candidates may be offered Full or Associate College membership based on the level of peer review experience.
Candidates will be asked to complete a Reviewer Profile to determine their eligibility:
- Required Research and Grant Experience for Membership:
- Academic/professional appointment as an independent researcher;
- At least one federally funded (or equivalent) peer reviewed grant as a Principal Investigator; and
- Knowledge and experience within CIHR's mandate.
- Peer Review Experience (Academic):
- Full Member: participated in two or more peer review roles at CIHR or other recognized organization.
- Associate Member: participated in less than two peer review roles at CIHR or other recognized organization.
*Individuals that do not meet the criteria for academic membership may be eligible for learning and capacity development programs. Please consult the Reviewer Pathway for details.
Knowledge Users
Knowledge Users play a critical role in the success of the peer review system by bridging how research can best inform future health policies, programs, and practices. Knowledge users come from a variety of backgrounds such as policy makers, educators, practitioners, health care administrators, community leaders and health charity representatives, all of which bring a unique perspective to the discussion.
If you are a Knowledge User that has professional experience using research results to inform health policies, programs, and/or practices, we encourage you to express your interest online.
Indigenous Community Members
In addition to academics and researchers engaged in Indigenous health research, CIHR is dedicated to increasing the engagement of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis community members to bring Indigenous knowledge perspectives and lived experiences to the review of research addressing Indigenous health. Your guidance strengthens the understanding of ways proposals could impact health in Indigenous communities and how research could address specific needs within community.
If you are an Indigenous community-based researcher, Elder, and/or Knowledge Keeper/Holder and would like to share your knowledge in CIHR peer review or contribute in an advisory role, we encourage you to you to express your interest.
Patients, Caregivers & Advocates
CIHR is seeking to improve the inclusivity of people with lived experiences by encouraging patients, caregivers, and patient advocates to participate in in the peer review process or in advisory roles. Your perspective can play an important role in shaping decisions that will directly impact the future treatments, interventions, and the quality of services and care that patients receive.
If you are a patient, caregiver, or patient advocate and would like to share your knowledge and experience as a reviewer or in an advisory role, we encourage you to express your interest.
Don’t yet meet the requirements to join? You may be eligible to gain the required peer review experience needed for College Membership through CIHR’s Reviewer Pathway.
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