CIHR FRESH Program - School Food and Health Research Funding

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Funding Opportunity Details

Funding Organization Canadian Institutes of Health Research Program Name Team Grant
:

        Funding Research for Evidence in School Food and Health (FRESH) **Sponsor(s)** CIHR Institute of Population and Public Health (IPPH), CIHR Institute of Indigenous Peoples' Health (IIPH),  Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

Program Launch Date 2026-04-08

Important Dates

| Competition | 202610FRE |
| --- | --- |
| Registration Deadline | 2026-06-25 |
| Application Deadline | 2026-10-07 |
| Anticipated Notice of Decision | 2027-02-25 |
| Funding Start Date | 2027-01-01 |

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Notices

Tri-agency CV

This funding opportunity uses the tri-agency CV. This narrative-style CV is more flexible and allows applicants to best highlight their wide range of outputs and expertise. The tri-agency CV allows applicants to capture relevant information, describe their career trajectories in more detail, provide indicators of quality and impact, and provide context to their contributions in a narrative format to help peer reviewers assess their track record. More information on the new CV is available on the tri-agency CV – frequently asked questions page.

As we gradually transition to the tri-agency CV, the system may continue to display references to the CCV. Please note that all participants must follow the tri-agency CV instructions as specified in the Funding Opportunity and complete and attach the tri-agency CV.

For details on using the tri-agency CV on this funding opportunity, see the How to Apply section.

Webinar

CIHR will be hosting webinar(s) to support participants with the requirements of this funding opportunity and to answer questions. To find out more information, visit the Webinars page.

Partner Linkage Tool

CIHR is providing a Partner Linkage Tool that is intended to facilitate connections between interest-holders (researchers, decision-makers, and other knowledge users), should there be interest. This is not a mandatory tool. Information is provided on a volunteer basis and does not confer any advantages in the evaluation and funding of applications. The table will be updated weekly, until the application deadline. If you would like to use this tool, please complete a short survey. The information you provide will appear on a public CIHR web page. Please note that potential applicants are not required to use the linkage tool or contact those who have submitted their information.

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Table of Contents

• Description
• Objectives
• Eligibility
• Guidelines
• Review Process and Evaluation
• How to Apply
• Contact Information
• Sponsor Description
• Additional Information

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Description

School food programs (SFPs) provide children and youth with meals and/or snacks at school, often at no-to-low cost for participating families. These programs can serve various functions, including supporting positive health outcomes and health equity, improving students' academic performance and fostering connections with culture and traditional food systems, all of which can have positive lifelong impacts 1. In Canada, SFPs largely fall under the jurisdiction of provinces and territories (PTs), with wide variation in programming across the country, reflecting diverse regional priorities and approaches to SFP delivery, both within and across jurisdictions.

Launched in 2024-25 with an investment of $1 billion over five years, the National School Food Program (NSFP) is supporting provinces, territories and Indigenous partners to enhance and expand access to SFPs across Canada, with a proposal in Budget 2025 to introduce legislation and provide funding for program permanence. The NSFP is guided by the National School Food (NSF-) Policy, which sets a collaborative, long-term vision for SFPs across the country. The NSF-Policy emphasizes universal access to school meals without stigma or barriers, the promotion of healthy eating practices and the integration with local food systems, cultures and environments within programming. Of note, the NSF-Policy includes an objective to " prioritize communities and populations that face barriers to accessing nutritious food and which are most affected by food insecurity, including those that are Indigenous, Black, or other racialized groups, people living in rural, remote or isolated areas, and in immigrant, single-parent, or low-income households ".

Research from countries with long-standing national SFPs demonstrates their many benefits, including the improved health and well-being of children, families and communities, reduced inequities in health 2,3 and significant return on investment for governments. For example, studies have estimated that every dollar invested in SFPs yields a return of two to six dollars in educational, health, social, economic and environmental benefits 4. Additionally, research suggests that the provision of healthy foods and food literacy education in schools support students' nutrition and food skills development, and are important for the establishment of life-long healthy eating behaviours and chronic disease prevention 3,5.

However, there are significant gaps in available school food data and research in Canada, including a fulsome understanding of the barriers and facilitators to program participation, promising practices for program delivery in different contexts, and SFPs' social and health impacts for youth, families and communities across regions, populations and settings. These evidence gaps limit our understanding of SFPs in Canada, including their related benefits, limitations and opportunities (in the health realm and beyond), and hamper opportunities for partners and policymakers at all levels (i.e., federal, PT, municipal, community) to make evidence-informed decisions about program design, delivery and policies within the Canadian context.

The Team Grant: F unding R esearch for E vidence in S chool Food and H ealth (FRESH) aims to generate actionable, high-quality evidence to inform and improve school food policy, programming and practice across Canada. This funding opportunity supports intersectoral, interdisciplinary research led by a tripartite leadership team composed of researchers, decision-makers, and knowledge users.

Eligible research must focus on SFPs in all their diversity within the Canadian context, so long as the programs are delivered to children and youth during the school year and in schools or school-like settings (e.g., elementary schools, secondary schools, community centres, etc.). A broad range of research methods and approaches are welcome, including but not limited to: cross-jurisdictional or comparative studies; implementation science; mixed-methods; longitudinal studies; quasi-experimental designs; econometrics; policy studies; community-engaged research; systems research; and Indigenous and decolonizing methodologies. Research proposals must explicitly focus on the link between SFPs and population health and health equity.

In line with the NSF-Policy, successful FRESH Teams must take an equity focus with respect to research outcomes (SFPs' potential role in reducing health inequities); research priorities (assessing the extent to, and ways in which, equity is embedded in the design and delivery of school food policies and programming); and research processes (research methods and team composition, if applicable).

Research Areas

This funding opportunity will support projects that are relevant to at least one of the following research areas:

Pool 1. The Health, Well-Being and Socioeconomic Effects of SFPs

Applications in this area must focus on the health, social and/or economic impacts of school food programming and related policies in Canada, including their potential to reduce social and health inequities in key populations and settings, and considering varying contextual factors.

Research topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Impacts of SFPs among priority populations (as defined in the aforementioned NSF-Policy), including those related to: food spending and insecurity; access to, and, availability and intake of nutritious food; education outcomes; and other relevant social determinants of health.
• Examination of SFPs' potential economic benefits and return on investment;
• Influence of SFPs on healthy food environments, food literacy, food skills and/or development of healthy eating behaviours; and
• Impact of SFPs on building school community resilience and social cohesion. Pool 2. Policy and Program Design and Delivery for Equitable Outcomes

Applications in this area must focus on the design, implementation and evaluation of SFPs and policies across diverse settings, contexts and populations. Proposals should aim to identify promising practices and key program and/or policy features and factors that confer health, well-being or socioeconomic impacts (negative, positive, intended, unintended).

Research topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Evolution of SFPs in Canada over time, focusing on changes in scale, coverage, participation, accessibility and delivery methods, especially pre- and post-2024/25 (i.e., introduction of the NSFP);
• SFP features that enhance participation and maximize corresponding social and health impacts for equity-denied populations and/or promote economic, environmental, or social sustainability while maintaining program quality;
• Data governance and collection practices that effectively support SFP evaluation and quality improvement, including barriers and facilitators to their adoption;
• Impacts of policies, resource allocation and governance models on various aspects of SFP delivery (e.g., labour practices, nutritional quality of food, etc.), and on health equity and population health across diverse settings (e.g., urban, rural) and among priority populations; and
• Role and influence of intersectoral partnerships (e.g., between schools, communities, farms, non-governmental organizations, philanthropic organizations, the private sector) on SFP delivery, coverage and sustainability, including building community resilience. Pool 3. SFPs and First Nations, Inuit and Métis Students, Schools and Communities

Applications in this area must focus on SFPs' impacts and outcomes (negative, positive, intended, unintended) and/or policy and program design features, as they relate to First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis (FNIM) students, schools, communities, governments and governance contexts.

Research topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Impacts of SFPs as they relate to climate change-driven food (in)security and traditional/country food systems in the Canadian North*.
• Impacts of SFPs and policies on distinctions-based FNIM food sovereignty, including alignment with community priorities and decision-making processes;
• Impacts of SFPs on FNIM children and youths' access to, availability and intake of, nutritious and culturally relevant foods, as well as the promotion of other positive dietary behaviours;
• Integration of cultural traditions, Indigenous knowledge and local food practices (e.g., land-based food) into SFPs, and the implications for food sovereignty and Indigenous self-determination;
• Impacts of FNIM cultural teachings through SFPs on children's identity, belonging and well-being;
• SFP design, delivery and sustainability elements, including Indigenous leadership and governance roles, and their relationship to FNIM health and well-being outcomes; and
• Jurisdictional, policy, regulatory and funding contexts shaping SFP implementation in FNIM settings, including urban, rural and remote environments. *The Canadian North refers to Inuit Nunangat (Inuit Nunangat Policy) and the Territories, as well as the northern regions of Newfoundland and Labrador, Québec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.

Role and Contributions of Applicant Partners: CIHR recognizes that a broad range of partners may be relevant to this opportunity and it is expected that applicant(s) describe the role of all applicant partners and how/if they will contribute to research and research-related activities. Any consideration of risk and/or conflict of interest should also be explained, as appropriate.

Funds Available

CIHR and partner(s) financial contributions for this initiative are subject to availability of funds. Should CIHR or partner(s) funding levels not be available or are decreased due to unforeseen circumstances, CIHR and partner(s) reserve the right to reduce, defer or suspend financial contributions to grants received as a result of this funding opportunity.

• The total amount available for this funding opportunity is $12,600,000, enough to fund approximately 14 grants. This amount may increase if additional funding partners participate. The maximum amount per grant is $300,000 per year for up to 3 years, for a total of $900,000 per grant.
• Of this $12,600,000:
  • $3,600,000 is available to fund 4 applications relevant to the Health, Well-Being and Socioeconomic Effects of SFPs research area (Pool 1).
  • $3,600,000 is available to fund 4 applications relevant to the Policy and Program Design and Delivery for Equitable Outcomes research area (Pool 2).
  • $2,700,000 is available to fund 3 applications relevant to the SFPs and First Nations, Inuit and Métis Students, Schools and Communities research area (Pool 3).
  • Of this $2,700,000, $900,000 is available to fund 1 application relevant to the Pool 3 research area, specifically in the Canadian North.
  • $2,700,000 is available from PHAC to fund 3 applications relevant to the Health, Well-Being and Socioeconomic Effects of SFPs (Pool 1) and/or the Policy and Program Design and Delivery for Equitable Outcomes (Pool 2) research areas that also align with the PHAC mandate (see Relevance Review Process below for details). Applications relevant to each pool will be funded top down in order of ranking. If a pool is undersubscribed or lacks fundable applications, funds and/or applications may be rolled into another pool.

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Objectives

The specific objectives of this funding opportunity are to:

1. Increase the evidence base on:
   1. The health, social and/or economic impacts* of SFPs and policies, including their potential to reduce social and health inequities; and/or
   2. SFP and policy design, implementation and evaluation within/across diverse settings, contexts and populations;
2. Build capacity for collaboration across disciplines, sectors and perspectives (i.e., researchers, knowledge users, decision-makers) to generate actionable evidence on SFPs and policies;
3. Increase knowledge mobilization activities and strategies to support equitable and evidence-informed SFPs and policy at various levels (i.e., schools and school boards, municipal, PT, or national governments; and First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments, organizations and communities). *A clear link between health outcomes and SFPs must be made explicit in the research proposal. Health outcomes may include, for example, any aspect of mental and/or physical health and well-being, including among students or those in their households.

** Social and economic impacts may include, for example, savings in household budgets, economic and workforce stimulation in local food markets, achievement of higher education and lifetime savings, food security, building community resilience and social cohesion, and government ROI at local, FPT and/or federal levels.

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Eligibility

Eligibility to Apply

For an application to be eligible, all the requirements stated below must be met:

1. The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) must be an independent researcher or a knowledge user affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution or not-for-profit organization with the capacity to carry out the proposed research.
2. The NPA must have their substantive role in Canada for the duration of the requested grant term.
3. The Institution Paid must be authorized to administer CIHR funds by the funding start date.

4. The tripartite leadership team must be co-led and include each of the following in a Principal Role (one NPA and two Principal Applicants (PAs), comprising at least one member from each of the following categories:

   1. An independent researcher;
   2. A senior decision-maker with the ability and mandate to make/influence decisions regarding SFPs or policy across any scale/level (school board, municipal, Indigenous government, FPT). For example, this may include a school board director, the director of a community-based or philanthropic organization involved in SFPs, an authority in a school food environment, an Indigenous health authority representative, or a decision-maker from an Indigenous non-governmental organization in Canada with a research and/or knowledge mobilization mandate; and
   3. A knowledge user who has lived experience of, or expertise with, school food environments, food systems or SFPs. For example, this may include a practitioner, community member/leader/partner, educator, public health professional (e.g., nurse, social worker, community worker), program coordinator or participant, advocacy group, or a person with lived experience such as youth, parents or other caregivers. *If the NPA is an independent researcher, then the knowledge user must be identified as one of the PAs. If the NPA is a knowledge user, then the independent researcher must be identified as one of the PAs.

5. The NPA and all Principal Applicants (PAs) must have successfully completed one of the Sex and Gender Training Modules available online through the CIHR Institute of Gender and Health and submit a Certificate of Completion by the full application deadline (see How to Apply for more details).

Organizations as NPAs: For organizations applying as the NPA, a representative of the organization must complete the training module on the organization's behalf.
2. An individual cannot submit more than one (1) application to this funding opportunity as an NPA. If the NPA submits more than one application, CIHR will automatically withdraw the subsequent application(s) submitted based on timestamp of submission.
3. For any research applications involving First Nations, Inuit, and Métis populations or research areas, the team must include:
- *at least one (1)** principal applicant (NPA or PA) who self-identifies as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) or who can provide evidence of having meaningful and culturally safe involvement with Indigenous Peoples or both (see How to Apply).

AND
- at least one (1) of the following individuals on the research team (in any role): Indigenous Elder, Indigenous Knowledge Holder, Indigenous person with lived/living experience, or an Indigenous scholar.
Note: Elders and/or Indigenous Knowledge Holders, including community representatives (other than the core tripartite leads), may participate on an application in a Collaborator role without the need to secure a CIHR PIN. Follow the instructions in the How to Apply section that pertain to Collaborators and indicate their role in the participant table. Elders' and/or Indigenous Knowledge Holders' contributions to the proposed activities and their meaningful engagement must also be captured in the research proposal to address the points outlined in the evaluation criteria. Please note, names of Collaborators do not appear in CIHR funding decision databases and documents.

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Guidelines

General CIHR Policies

Before submitting an application to this funding opportunity, applicants should review the relevant policies and guidelines on the CIHR Funding Policies page, including the CIHR Application Administration Guide – Part 2 General Requirements for Grants and Awards Applications, to ensure understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

Research Security

The Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC Policy) is applicable to this funding opportunity. Consult the Tri-agency guidance on the STRAC Policy for more information.

Allowable Costs

Applicants are advised to consult the Use of Grant Funds section of the Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC) Guide on Financial Administration (TAGFA) to determine if an expenditure is an appropriate use of grant funds.

To further clarify, the following expenses are examples of appropriate uses of grant funds, provided they satisfy the principles and pertinent directives of the TAGFA:

• Compensation of knowledge users and/or people with lived or living experience. Please refer to the considerations when paying community/patient partners in research and consult the Directive on Employment and Compensation Expenditures.
• Full-time or part-time salaries paid to members of the grant team, as long as:
  • they do not conduct research independently, as part of the terms and conditions of their employment (i.e. researchers in academia, hospitals and research institutes); or
  • they are not themselves the recipient of an agency grant (i.e., NPA or equivalent); or
  • they are not receiving compensation from other sources for their time spent on the funded research/activities.
  • For more information consult the Directive on Employment and Compensation Expenditures.
• Rental of space in non-academic institutions if it is justified as a direct cost of the research project. The cost must cover the rental of space required specifically for the research project, which would not otherwise be available to the institution.

• Expenditures that respect the culture and traditions of Indigenous peoples, where needed for the meaningful conduct of research. See TCPS 2 (2022) – Chapter 9 Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada and TAGFA Directive on Gifts, Honoraria and Incentives. These include:

  • Costs related to community mobilization and engagement, including culturally relevant promotional items such as tobacco, cloth, feasting and gift giving for honouring ceremonies, and cash reimbursements (in a method acceptable to the individual or community being reimbursed) to compensate community participation.
  • Contracts and/or consultant fees for knowledge translation and communication activities for Indigenous Elders, community representatives, and Indigenous Knowledge Holders involved in activities related to the Indigenous community.
  • Costs related to the translation and preparation of information/material intended for public consumption for the purposes of informing and engaging partners (e.g., website content, information pamphlets, guidelines, promotional and event-related material, etc.).
  • Costs associated with engaging a diversity of communities relevant to the research or knowledge mobilization activities (e.g., community mobilization and engagement of historically excluded or underrepresented communities).
  • Expenses related to accessibility supports considered necessary for the NPA to carry out the project, provided the accommodation is not already provided by the administering institution. The following are examples of expenses not eligible to be paid from grant funds, as per TAGFA requirements:

• Costs associated with the funding, financing or implementation of SFPs
  Use of Personal Information

All information is shared in accordance with the Privacy Act. As per the Privacy Act, personal information means information about an identifiable individual that is recorded in any form.

• Personal information submitted during the application process, including but not limited to information provided through applicant CVs, the Self-identification Questionnaire and other application documents required by this funding opportunity, will be made available to CIHR personnel for the purposes of future program planning and design and evaluation and learning for organizational and program strengthening. For further information about the Self-identification Questionnaire and the use of personal information, see the Self-identification Questionnaire Frequently Asked Questions.
• The following information submitted to CIHR at the registration stage will be shared with the proposed institution paid for planning purposes: name of the NPA (and other applicants, if provided), application number, title of the proposal and requested budget.
• For this Funding Opportunity, full application (including CVs) and nominative information (except the data labeled "for Administrative use only") will be shared with competition partners and/or CIHR Institute staff, for purposes of relevance review and/or funding decisions, notwithstanding when consent is not provided in the ResearchNet Consent and Submit Task, Section B. Any applicant to this funding opportunity is deemed to accept this condition by virtue of submission.
• Personal information, including related research security forms, collected as part of the implementation of the research security measures, may be shared with Canada's national security departments and agencies for the purpose of assessing risks to national security.
• All progress and final reports and knowledge mobilization products will be shared with partners supporting the grant (See Conditions of Funding for report details).
• Personal information will be used to administer the following aspect of this funding opportunity: knowledge mobilization activities and workshops. Conditions of Funding

In addition to the general conditions of funding governing CIHR grants, the following are the program specific conditions of funding applicable to this funding opportunity:

• Data related to First Nations, Inuit or Métis communities whose traditional and ancestral territories are in Canada must be managed in accordance with data management principles developed and approved by those communities, and on the basis of free, prior and informed consent. This includes, but is not limited to, considerations of Indigenous data sovereignty, as well as data collection, ownership, protection, use, and sharing.
• All information intended for public consumption, including for the purposes of informing and engaging partners (e.g., website content, information pamphlets, guidelines, promotional and event-related material, etc.), must be provided in both official languages (English and French) and should be developed using plain language practices. See Allowable Costs for more details.
• CIHR is a signatory to the World Health Organization's Joint Statement on Public Disclosure of Results from Clinical Trials ("WHO Joint Statement") requiring all clinical trials to be registered and the results disclosed publicly in a timely manner. For more information, please consult the CIHR Policy Guide - Requirements for Registration and Disclosure of Results from Clinical Trials.
• CIHR reserves the right to terminate or suspend funding if there is a determination of unacceptable national security risk by the Government of Canada.
• The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) is responsible for submitting the following required reports:
  • A Progress Report demonstrating progress (challenges, outcomes, impacts) part-way through the funding period;
  • An Impact Brief (or comparable product) at the end of the funding period;
  • An electronic Final Report. This standard online report will be made available to the NPA on ResearchNet at the beginning of the grant funding period and can be filled in as the research progresses.

More information, including a template and instructions regarding the Progress Report and Impact Brief, will be provided by CIHR and partners during the funding period.
- Successful teams are expected to attend a knowledge mobilization (KM) workshop during the funding period, hosted by ESDC and/or CIHR (held either in person or virtually). This will provide an opportunity for knowledge exchange, synthesis and mobilization within and across research teams and partners. At the KM workshop, emerging evidence and research gaps may also be discussed. In the case of an in-person event, teams must allocate $8,000 from their budget for a minimum of two team members (an independent researcher and knowledge user) to attend this workshop.
- A future Data Platform may be made available to successful FRESH Teams to share data and information with and across funded research teams, knowledge-users, and partners. The outputs could also inform policy and practice decisions/discussions with decision makers. FRESH Teams would be required to engage with such a Data Platform should one be established. Details to follow.
- In addition to CIHR's conditions of funding, grants/grantees funded by PHAC:
- will be awarded on the condition that PHAC enter into a separate Grant Agreement with the host institution of the NPI. This agreement will outline the PHAC conditions, terms, reporting requirements and (in)eligible expenses.
- cannot transfer PHAC funds either in part or whole to another institution, but can cover costs related to the project through service contracts.
- will exceptionally initiate their funding start date on April 1, 2027, but for the same funding duration (i.e. 3 years).

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Review Process and Evaluation

Relevance Review Process

CIHR and competition partners will perform a relevance review at registration phase and/or application stage to identify applications that are in alignment with the objectives and research areas of this funding opportunity.

The Summary of Research Proposal and the Relevance Review Form will be used to determine relevance and must adequately explain how the proposal is in alignment with the objectives and research area(s) of this funding opportunity.

Applications that are deemed to be not relevant will be withdrawn from the competition.

• For applications to be considered for funding by PHAC, the following relevance criteria applies:
  • Alignment to PHAC's mandate in addressing the common risk and protective factors that are important to promoting better health and preventing the main chronic diseases of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.
  • Research proposals must be related to healthy eating, healthy food environments and/or building community resilience and social cohesion among the prioritized communities and populations (as described in this funding opportunity) who are known to face health inequalities and are at greater risk of developing chronic disease. This includes research focused on: the role of healthy food environments in reducing chronic disease risk by increasing healthy eating and food literacy; and/or the impacts of SFP on building community resilience and social cohesion.
  • Definitions for school food environments, healthy eating, food literacy, community resilience and social cohesion can be found in the Additional Information section Review Process

For information on the peer review process for this funding opportunity, see the Review guidelines – Priority-driven initiatives.

For information on CIHR's peer review principles, see the Peer Review: Overview section of CIHR's website.

Peer review will be conducted in accordance with the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).

Evaluation Criteria

To support the strategic objectives of this funding opportunity, the following evaluation criteria will be used:

1. Research Approach
   1. Clarity of the research question(s) and objective(s).
   2. Extent to which the proposal responds to the objectives, and research areas of the funding opportunity.
   3. Extent to which equity is incorporated in the proposed research outcomes, priorities, and processes as defined in the Description section (e.g. proposed plan to engage with key equity-denied populations, regions, and settings, where applicable).
   4. Appropriateness, rigour, and feasibility of the research approach, design, and methodology as it pertains to the topic studied.
   5. Anticipation of challenges that may be encountered in the research and plans for their management.
   6. For research projects involving Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis) Peoples the following criteria will also be considered:
   7. Description of how the research project will uphold the rights, self-determination and self-governance of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples including by respecting the First Nations Principles of OCAP ® (Ownership, Control, Access and Possession) and/or other approaches as appropriate (e.g., CARE Principles [Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility and Ethics] for Indigenous Data Governance), with evidence of meaningful and culturally safe data designs, practices, plans and activities throughout the project; and
   8. Demonstration of the extent to which the Nominated Principal Applicant will ensure that the research is conducted by, grounded in, or engaged with First Nations, Inuit or Métis communities, societies or individuals and their wisdom, cultures, experiences or knowledge systems.
2. Originality of the Proposal
   1. Originality of the research question and objective.
   2. Innovations in the use of research design, methodology, and disciplines to generate evidence on SFPs.
3. Team and Research Environment
   1. Appropriateness and complementarity of expertise and experiences within the research team (including researchers, knowledge users, decision-makers), as relevant to the project. Quality of interdisciplinary perspectives, and/or intersectoral partnerships within the research team's composition.
   2. Appropriate inclusion of local, regional, provincial/territorial or national perspectives on the team, as relevant to the proposed research.
   3. Track record, experience and or expertise in the research team on SFPs, school food settings/ environments, and/or engagement with equity-denied communities, if applicable to the project.
   4. For research projects involving First Nations, Inuit, Métis Peoples:
   5. The extent to which the applicant(s) have the necessary knowledge, expertise and experience in Indigenous health research.
   6. The extent to which the applicant(s) demonstrate a commitment to meaningful and culturally safe involvement with Indigenous communities.
4. Impact of the Research
   1. Potential to generate actionable evidence on school food policy and practice and improve wellbeing and health equity.
   2. Quality of the knowledge mobilization strategy (objective 3), including its potential to meaningfully engage local communities, families, schools and partners throughout the research process (i.e. from co-identifying priorities to sharing back summary of research findings), where applicable;
   3. Potential of the research to inform best practices and policies as it relates to SFPs across scales and/or levels of government (community, municipal, Indigenous, provincial, territorial, federal).
   4. Potential transferability or applicability of research findings to other populations, regions, and settings.
   5. Potential transferability or applicability of research findings to reducing health and well-being (in)equities.
   6. Potential of the proposed research to inform SFP improvements and sustainability in the (or other) jurisdiction(s)/population(s) studied beyond the funding period.
   7. Extent of the role(s) and contribution(s) of all applicant partner(s) in advancing research objectives (if applicable).
   8. Proactive and meaningful consideration of partnership risks, including the extent of real and/or perceived conflict of interest and appropriateness of its management and mitigation (if applicable). Funding Decision

Applications will be funded in rank order within each pool. Remaining applications in the competition will be pooled together and funded in percent rank order.

The names of successfully funded applicants will be published on the CIHR website.

Partner and Internal Collaborator Participation
The opportunity to add new partners and internal collaborators to this funding opportunity may arise after publication. These partners and internal collaborators may not be listed; however, the principles that govern relevance review, including consent to share information and funding decisions, will still apply.

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How to Apply

• The application process for this funding opportunity is comprised of two steps: Registration and a Full Application.
• To complete your Registration, follow the "Specific Instructions" listed below and where applicable, consult the Grants – Registration Guidelines. Note that a Registration must be submitted to be eligible to submit a full application.
• To complete your Full Application, follow the "Specific Instructions" listed below, and where applicable, consult the Grants – Application Guidelines.
  • Note: This funding opportunity is using the tri-agency CV.
  • For applications written in French, additional pages will be permitted for the Research proposal and tri-agency CVs. See tasks for details.
• All participants listed, with the exception of Collaborators are required to:
  • Have/obtain a CIHR PIN
  • Complete the Tri-Agency Self-identification Questionnaire.
• Keep your information up to date: Regularly review and update your My CIHR Profile, including confirming the correct Primary Affiliation is linked.
  • The Primary Affiliation field of the My CIHR Profile is important for various funding related activities, including eligibility assessments and Research Support Fund calculations (if applicable). Your My CIHR Profile can be accessed by clicking on your name in the top right-hand corner of the ResearchNet screen. If your Primary Affiliation name is not available in the drop-down menu, contact the CIHR Contact Centre. Specific instructions to complete your ResearchNet application

Step 1 — Registration

Task: Identify Participants

• List all known participants in the "Identify Participants" task. Consult the Eligibility section. The list does not need to be final at the registration stage.
• The Nominated Principal Applicant must remain unchanged between the registration and full application phases of the competition. Other participants can be added or removed between the two stages.

• No CVs are required at this stage.
  Task: Enter Proposal Information

• Complete the Overview, Details, and Descriptors sections.

• A Research Proposal is not required at this stage.
  Task: Complete Summary of Research Proposal

• The summary must describe how the proposal is in alignment with the objectives of this funding opportunity. Note that your summary cannot exceed 3,500 characters (including spaces) or approximately one (1) page.

• The summary submitted at registration may be used for relevance review.
  Task: Complete Peer Review Administration Information (optional)

• You are encouraged to suggest reviewers that you feel have the expertise to review your application. CIHR reserves the right to make the final selection of external reviewers. You should not suggest reviewers in conflict of interest.

• You also have the option to exclude reviewers by providing the names of individuals that you feel cannot provide an objective review of your application.
  Task: Apply to Priority Announcements/Funding Pools (Mandatory)

• Select the funding opportunity title under the "Priority Announcement/Funding Pool Title" drop-down list, then select the Research Area most relevant to your funding opportunity under the "List of Relevant Research Areas" drop-down list.

• Only one Research Area should be selected. If you select more than one, your application will only be considered for the first one identified.
  Task: Manage Access (optional)

• The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) can delegate access to a maximum of five individuals to support the completion of the application. Note: A delegate's access does not carry over from one stage of the competition to another (i.e., from the registration to the application stage). The NPA will need to delegate access at each stage of a competition. NPAs should revoke delegates' access prior to completing the Consent and Submit tasks if they do not want them to retain access to submitted applications via their Completed Activities tab. For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
  Step 2 — Application

Task: Identify Participants

• List all participants in the "Identify Participants" task. Consult the Eligibility section and ensure that all requirements are met. All participants must also be listed in the Participant Table under the task "Attach Other Application Materials" (see below).
• All participants (excluding collaborators) are required to submit a tri-agency CV. As we gradually transition to the tri-agency CV, the system may continue to display references to the CCV. Please note that all participants must follow the tri-agency CV instructions as specified in the Funding Opportunity (FO) and complete and attach the tri-agency CV. Applicants should include contextual factors such as career stages, opportunities, diverse career paths, and leaves in Section 1. Personal Statement of the tri-agency CV. Knowledge users with relevant experience, Indigenous Elders and/or Indigenous Knowledge Holders must include in their CV a description of their relevant lived/living experiences in the context of the application.
  • If an Indigenous non-governmental organization is identified as the Nominated Principal their tri-agency CV must include in the Personal Statement a description of the organization's mandate and how it meets the Eligibility requirements of being an Indigenous non-governmental organization with a research or knowledge translation mandate.
  • The maximum length of CVs is 5 pages in English and 6 pages in French. Any content in excess of the page limit set for the language will be removed without further notice to the CV owner(s) or the NPA.
  • CVs must follow CIHR's formatting guidelines for attachments.
• Submit tri-agency CVs by uploading the completed documents in the " Attachment " tab and selecting " Curriculum Vitae " as the Document Type in the dropdown menu. Consult the tri-agency CV instructions and the Tri-agency CV – frequently asked questions for assistance with completing the tri-agency CV template.

Note: Elders and/or Indigenous Knowledge Holders may be named as Collaborators on your application, allowing them to participate without securing CIHR PINs. For these participants, please see instructions below under Task: Attach Other Application Materials for how to upload their tri-agency CV. Please note names of Collaborators do not appear in CIHR funding decision databases and documents.

Task: Enter Proposal Information

• The Research Proposal must outline each of the elements presented in the Evaluation criteria.
• Research proposals written in French will be allowed to submit additional pages, in support of evidence demonstrating that French documents require approximately 20% more space than similar English documents. Therefore, to ensure an equitable amount of space is provided, the following page limits will apply:
  • 10 pages for Research Proposals written in English
  • 12 pages for Research Proposals written in French Note: Any additional pages over the above-mentioned limit will be removed with no further notification to the Nominated Principal Applicant.

• References, charts, tables, figures and photographs can be uploaded under "Attachments – Research Proposal Appendix".
  Task: Identify Sensitive Technology Research Areas

• If the research grant will aim to advance any of the listed Sensitive Technology Research Areas, the applicant must answer "Yes" to the screening question.

• All researchers with named roles in the research grant must review the List of Named Research Organizations, and are individually required to complete the Attestation form.

• The NPA must combine all attestation forms into one (1) PDF file and upload it under this task.

• Completed attestation forms will be neither accessible to, nor shared with, peer reviewers.

• CIHR will use this information to ensure applicants are compliant with the Government of Canada's policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern.

• For resources to assist in completing the Attestation form, please consult the Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern, the Tri-agency guidance on the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC Policy); and CIHR Research Security.
  Task: Complete Summary of Research Proposal

• The summary must describe how the proposal is in alignment with the objectives of this funding opportunity. Note that your summary cannot exceed 3,500 characters (including spaces) or approximately one (1) page.

• The summary submitted at full application may be used for relevance review
  Task: Enter Budget Information

• Provide a budget justification in relation to planned activities and clearly justify all budget items (including cash and cash equivalent contributions, if relevant).

• Budget must include funds to attend an in-person knowledge mobilization event by CIHR and relevant partners, if applicable (see Conditions of Funding section).
  Task: Attach Other Application Materials

• Other – upload the following documents under "Other":

  • Label as: "Sex and Gender Module Certificate" (mandatory for NPA and all PAs):
  • After completing the appropriate training module that applies to your research project, you will receive a certificate of completion that you will save and upload here. The training module should take approximately 40 minutes to complete.
  • N.B. The certificate was previously issued as a secured document. If your certificate is secured, to successfully append the document to your application, you must upload an unsecured PDF copy. The certificate can be saved as an unsecured PDF by using print screen or by scanning the document.
  • Note: For Organizations, an official must complete the training and submit the Certificate on behalf of the Organization.
  • For any research involving First Nations, Inuit, Métis Peoples – Label as "Indigenous Health Research Cultural Safety – Name/Organization" (Mandatory if applicable):
  • This funding opportunity seeks applicants who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) or applicants who can demonstrate their experience working in an Indigenous Health Research environment having meaningful and culturally safe involvement with Indigenous Peoples, or both.
  • The NPA must upload a completed Indigenous Health Research Cultural Safety Form.
  • Label as "Relationships with private industry (mandatory if applicable): Should an applicant or any project participant(s) have current or previous (within the past 7 years) relationships, including ownership, with private industry including, but not limited to, financial or in-kind support for research, the applicant(s) must justify in a one (1) page attachment for peer review consideration how this/these existing or previous relationship(s) will contribute to the research as well as any potential risk, or how conflict of interest will be mitigated, as appropriate. CIHR recognizes that the range of industries relevant to this field of research is broad and it is expected that all possible relationships are disclosed and the risk of potential conflicts of interest are mitigated.
  • Applicant Partner COI Document (required if applicable): Describe the role of all applicant partners, how/if they will contribute to research and research related activities, and any consideration of risk and/or conflict of interest as appropriate (Maximum 1-page).
  • Label as "Tri-Agency CV – Name" (Optional): Elders and/or Indigenous Knowledge Keepers fulfilling a key participant role on the application but identified as Collaborators in ResearchNet for administrative purposes must have their tri-agency CV included in the application.

• Participant Table (mandatory):

  • In table format, list all participants and applicants (including Collaborators) with their affiliations and region, clearly identifying their role on the application (i.e., NPA, Principal Applicant, Co-Applicant, PKU, KU, Collaborator); if they are a member of the tripartite leadership team and their role in it, if applicable (i.e., independent researcher, decision-maker, or knowledge user); and a short description of the expertise each brings to the proposal, including Collaborators. For proposals on Indigenous Health Research, the table must identify the participants who self-identify as Indigenous or who can provide evidence of having meaningful and culturally safe involvement with Indigenous Peoples.

• Letters of Collaboration (mandatory if applicable):

  • Provide letters from all Collaborators who are expected to make a significant contribution, confirming their willingness to participate in the manner indicated in the application/participant table.

• Letters of Support (optional):

  • Provide signed letter(s) of support from all partners. For more details about writing a letter, please visit CIHR Writing Letters of Support. Task: Identify Application Partners – Upload Partner Information

• Application Partners (if applicable) must be identified in this task

• Submit a "Partnership Details" form for each partner

• For each partner, upload a signed "Partner Letter" describing their role, activities, authorities, accountabilities and contributions (including intellectual, financial [cash or cash equivalent] and other resources).

• The Partner letter should describe the agreement with the partner(s) who will cover the cost of the project should their team grant application be successful. For more details about writing a letter, please visit CIHR Writing Letters of Support.
  Task: Apply to Priority Announcement/Funding Pools (mandatory)

• Select the funding opportunity title under the "Priority Announcement/Funding Pool Title" drop-down list, then select the Research Area most relevant to your funding opportunity under the "List of Relevant Research Areas" drop-down list.

• Only one Research Area should be selected. If you select more than one, your application will only be considered for the first one identified.

• Complete the Relevance Review Form(s): Describe (in a half-page) how the research proposed will address the objectives and the relevant research area. This form will be used along with the Summary of Research Proposal to determine relevance.
  Task: Complete Peer Review Administration Information (optional)

• You are encouraged to suggest reviewers that you feel have the expertise to review your application. CIHR reserves the right to make the final selection of external reviewers. You should not suggest reviewers in conflict of interest.

• You also have the option to exclude reviewers by providing the names of individuals that you feel cannot provide an objective review of your application.
  Task: Manage Access (optional)

• The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) can delegate access to a maximum of five individuals to support the completion of the application. Note: A delegate's access does not carry over from one stage of the competition to another (i.e., from the registration to the application stage). The NPA will need to delegate access at each stage of a competition. NPAs should revoke delegates' access prior to completing the Consent and Submit tasks if they do not want them to retain access to submitted applications via their Completed Activities tab. For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
  Task: Print Signature Pages

• Signature Requirements:

  • Signature of the Nominated Principal Applicant is not required for applications submitted through ResearchNet.
  • Signatures must be included for all other applicants (except Collaborators), and individual(s) with signing authority from the Institution Paid.
  • Original signatures are not required. The scanned signed signature pages and the Routing Slip must be uploaded in the Print/Upload Signature Pages task in ResearchNet prior to submitting your application.

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Contact Information

For all inquiries, please contact:

CIHR Contact Centre
Telephone: 613-954-1968
Toll Free: 1-888-603-4178
Email: support-soutien@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

For service hours, please consult our Contact us page.

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Sponsor Description

External Partners

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
The mission of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), including the Labour Program and Service Canada, is to build a stronger and more inclusive Canada, to support Canadians in helping them live productive and rewarding lives and improving Canadians' quality of life.

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
The vision of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is to achieve health, well-being and equity for all people and communities in Canada. PHAC's work includes supporting population health across the life course and addressing factors and health determinants related to healthy living, physical and mental health, chronic disease prevention and health equity.

Internal Collaborators

Canadian Institutes of Health Research
At the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), we know that research has the power to change lives. As Canada's health research investment agency, we collaborate with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen our health care system.

CIHR – Institute of Population and Public Health
The mandate of the Institute of Population and Public Health (IPPH) is to support research into the complex biological, social, cultural and environmental interactions that determine the health of individuals, communities and global populations; and to apply knowledge to improve the health of individuals and populations through strategic partnerships with population and public health stakeholders and innovative research funding programs. IPPH's mission aims to improve the health of populations and promote health equity in Canada and globally through research and its application to policies, programs, and practice in public health and other sectors.

CIHR – Institute of Indigenous Peoples' Health (IIPH)
The Institute of Indigenous Peoples' Health (IIPH) fosters the advancement of a national health research agenda to improve and promote the health of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in Canada, through research, knowledge translation and capacity building. The Institute's pursuit of research excellence is enhanced by respect for community research priorities and Indigenous knowledges, values and cultures.

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Additional Information

Definitions:

Healthy eating is defined as regularly eating a variety of nutritious foods, including fruits and vegetables, to support overall health and well-being.

Food literacy includes food skills and the factors within the broader environmental context that provide a person with the knowledge, abilities, and practices to acquire nutritious foods and prepare meals and snacks that are safe, nutritious, and culturally acceptable. Increasing food literacy is a practical way to support healthy eating.

School food environments include the physical, social, economic, and cultural factors that impact the accessibility, availability, adequacy and quality of food within the school system.

Community resilience is the ability of a community to prepare for, withstand, adapt to, and recover rapidly from disruptions like economic downturns, or social changes, by leveraging strong social ties or cohesion, resources, and proactive planning. Building community resilience through school food programs ensures all students have reliable access to sufficient, healthy, and culturally appropriate food, to support people during disruptions and in times of need. It can include creating resilient food networks through intersectoral partnerships between local farmers and school food providers, sliding scale school food programs, or other initiatives to strengthen food security and the economic resiliency of families and create an adaptable local food system that can withstand shocks and stresses.

Social cohesion is the sense of unity and connectivity among groups and members of those groups in society. It relates to social and community connectedness that fosters individuals' sense of belonging, trust in one another and community institutions. Social cohesion considers diversity, equity and accessibility and fosters social inclusion and a sense of community.
Improving social cohesion through school food programs is enabled by inclusive, shared meal spaces that foster a sense of belonging, reduce stigma, build relationships between diverse groups, cultivate social connections, and establish a welcoming school community that strengthens the entire school community and beyond.

References

1. Badyal P, Moffat T. Considerations for diverse, equitable, and inclusive school food programs in the USA and Canada. Health Promotion International. 2025; 40 (2): daaf015, https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daaf015.
2. Cohen, JFW, et al. Universal school meals and associations with student participation, attendance, academic performance, diet quality, food security, and body mass index: a systematic review. Nutrients 2021; 13 (3): 911.
3. Hernandez K, et al. The case for a Canadian national school food program. Canadian Food Studies. 2018; 5 (3): 208-229.
4. National School Food Policy, 2024. Government of Canada.
5. Carducci B, et al. Promoting healthy school food environments and nutrition in Canada: a systematic review of interventions, policies, and programs. Nutrition Reviews. 2025; 83 (2): e356-e391.

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  Date Modified:

20260226.1