Centre for Research on Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies

The Government of Canada has created the Centre for Research on Pandemic Preparedness, within the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), to protect the health of all Canadians by developing and mobilizing health research for pandemic and health emergency preparedness, prevention, response and recovery. The Research Centre will work with the Public Health Agency of Canada and other key Canadian and international stakeholders to identify priorities, coordinate activities, and make targeted research investments.

Starting in 2021-22, CIHR received new, ongoing funding of $18.5M per year to support the research activities and operations of the Research Centre.

In its first year of operation, the Research Centre has supported several COVID-19 research activities under its mandate.

COVID-19 Evidence Network to support Decision-making (COVID-END)

Through the COVID-19 Evidence Network, the Research Centre is supporting the coordination, prioritization, and development of rapid and timely knowledge syntheses and evidence-based products to ensure the Canadian and international response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be informed by the best available science.

Addressing the Wider Health Impacts of COVID-19

The Research Centre is funding research to better understand the wider impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in relation to its harmful and severe impacts of the pandemic on the economy, education, social relationships, and health care in Canada. Research funded in this area will generate knowledge and strengthen capacities so that Canada is better prepared and better able to respond to and recover from future pandemics and health emergencies.

CIHR is currently finalizing the governance structure and has nearly completed the recruitment of staff.