Canada Research Coordinating Committee: 2025-26 Review
Introduction
Significant geopolitical change marked Canada and the Canadian research community in 2025-26. In response, members of the Canada Research Coordinating Committee (CRCC) worked closely together, with multiple partners, to strengthen Canada’s position in the global research enterprise, support national missions, and promote an agile and inclusive research ecosystem for Canadians.
Positioning Canada in the global research enterprise
A central element of Canada’s research response to geopolitical change was the rapid development and implementation of the Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative, a suite of programs designed to strengthen Canada’s research and innovation capacity. To assess the potential impacts and opportunities caused by disruptions in the research ecosystem, the CRCC mobilized member organizations and university and government partners to collect institutional data and information from funded scholars and Canadian embassies, consulates and offices abroad. Member agencies; Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED); Health Canada; and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) then worked with Canadian institutions and other government partners to design one of the world’s largest international research talent recruitment initiatives.
Canadian institutions are now recruiting more than 1,000 of the world’s best researchers, emerging scholars, postdoctoral researchers and doctoral students. These scholars will advance world-leading research in critical fields with direct economic, societal and health benefits for people in Canada. The Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards are administered by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). The Eddie Goldenberg Research Chairs of Canada and Canada Impact+ Emerging Leaders competition are administered by the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS), based at SSHRC, on behalf of the three federal research funding agencies. The CFI, meanwhile, administers the Canada Impact+ Research Infrastructure Fund.
At the same time, the New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) brought together a coalition of international funders to support researchers from 21 countries on six continents for the NFRF 2026 International Joint Initiative for Research Harnessing Disruptive Technologies to Address Global Challenges. This funding opportunity, initiated by the CRCC and administered by TIPS, broadens Canadian partnerships worldwide and helps position Canada as an international leader and trusted partner in the global research enterprise.
A leading middle power in research
CRCC member organizations have also taken steps, individually and collectively, to further expand and diversify Canada’s international collaborations as a leading middle power in research. Working together through the CRCC Secretariat, the funding agencies strengthened ties with South Africa through a program-level funders’ exchange, following which SSHRC launched a collaborative seed-funding opportunity with the South African National Research Foundation. Both SSHRC and NSERC signed agreements to strengthen Canada-Mexico collaboration, while NSERC also signed agreements with funding agencies in Chile and Taiwan. Similarly, ISED opened new doors for researchers in Canada by mobilizing participation, as an associate country, in Horizon Europe.
CRCC member organizations also worked multilaterally on key policy issues to strengthen the international research community. With CRCC Secretariat coordination, they shaped work on the future of research assessment at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Global Science Forum (GSF) and, with leadership from ISED and NSERC, played a leading role in the GSF expert group on research security and integrity.
During Canada’s G7 presidency, NSERC hosted the R7+ Engagement Group Summit on AI in Research and, with ISED, co-chaired the G7 Security and Integrity of the Global Research Ecosystem Working Group. NSERC also chaired the Global Research Council Governing Board, providing leadership to advance international discussion and alignment on responsible research assessment; equity, diversity and inclusion; open science; and research for sustainable communities. Finally, CIHR, SSHRC and Health Research BC—core partners in the international Research on Research Institute (RoRI)—invested in meta-research projects bringing Canadian expertise into the global dialogue on research funding practices. SSHRC served as co-chair of both the RoRI Partnership Board and the international Research Data Alliance Funders Forum.
Supporting national missions
Recognizing the complexity of the challenges facing Canada today, CRCC member organizations began to explore ways the energy and expertise of the academic community could be engaged to accelerate progress on key national missions. Leaders from within CRCC organizations worked collaboratively to assess tools and approaches to support mission-driven research with increased focus on outcomes and intersectoral collaboration. The goal is to help Canada prioritize and scale research where coordination matters most—so investments across organizations reinforce one another and deliver clear, measurable benefits.
New and dual-use technologies
To accelerate research and the application of critical new and dual-use technologies, the National Research Council (NRC) launched Challenge Programs in areas of national priority, including AI for Productivity; Quantum Internetworking; e-Auto; as well as the Quantum Safe Technologies Initiative, to enhance the security of Canada’s critical communications infrastructure; and the Biomedical Countermeasures Initiative, for defence preparedness and health security. The NRC and NSERC are both working with the Department of National Defence (DND) to coordinate calls related to quantum sensors. NSERC is also coordinating interagency engagement with CFI, ISED and DND to align increased investment in defence research with all funding programs across government. In addition, the CFI is coordinating its next Innovation Fund competition with DND, to include mission-driven research proposals focused on defence and dual-use technologies.
At the same time, CIHR and Health Canada are working with the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) and other partners through the Health and Life Sciences Data, Research, and Infrastructure Collaboratorium. Together, they are identifying how Canada can connect health data, research infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI) expertise responsibly so researchers can study disease, develop and validate new tools, and generate evidence that leads to better care for Canadians. This work aligns with Canada’s AI for All strategy, which commits $100 million to launch a Health Sector Data Space in partnership with CIHI. The Data Space is intended to link secure, standardized datasets to strengthen clinical trials, health services research and health-system measurement.
Economic competitiveness
To accelerate the commercialization of research outcomes in Canada, member organizations undertook a comprehensive review of existing measures, working collaboratively to map challenges and systemic gaps within Canada’s innovation ecosystem. This work has informed the mandate and activities of the Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences Sector Task Force and is guiding greater program alignment across the agencies, the CFI and the NRC.
Building on this foundation, the agencies have started targeted discussions with key delivery organizations, including the NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program and Mitacs, to strengthen links across complementary programs; improve pathways from discovery to application; enhance support for researchers and innovators at critical stages; and, ultimately, foster a more integrated, dynamic and effective innovation ecosystem.
In addition, SSHRC launched its Policy Innovation Partnership Grants, addressing Canada’s productivity challenge. These grants support partnerships between postsecondary research institutions and one or more federal government departments to establish long-term research programs focused on specific topics in an area of importance to Canada.
Promoting an agile and inclusive research ecosystem
Growing diversity and agility in Canada’s research ecosystem provide hallmarks of excellence and responsiveness to societal priorities. This makes Canadian research uniquely relevant to people in Canada and—increasingly—a reference for the world.
Indigenous research
Reflecting the CRCC’s commitment to reconciliation, member agencies continued their work with the Indigenous Leadership Circle in Research and Indigenous partners across the country to support Indigenous self-determination in research. Together, they piloted implementation of the Tri-Agency Policy on Indigenous Citizenship and Membership Affirmation to support the integrity and authentic representation of Indigenous Knowledge in research. In addition, the agencies launched three dedicated funding opportunities for First Nations, Inuit and Métis organizations and postsecondary institutions to support Indigenous Knowledge systems and increase Indigenous leadership in research. Based on the advice of Indigenous partners, they also extended the interagency strategic plan for Indigenous research and research training to 2029, to allow time for an Indigenous-led evaluation of agency initiatives.
Equity, diversity and inclusion in research
To make Canadian research more rigorous, accessible and valuable to more people, the research funding agencies remain committed to advancing the objectives of the Tri-Agency Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan to provide fair access to research support and ensure equitable participation in the research system. They introduced updated learning modules for participants in peer and merit review, and continued development of a narrative tri-agency curriculum vitae to promote equity, inclusion and responsible research assessment. They also restored the Dimensions Canada recognition program and awarded the first Dimensions Canada grants, administered by NSERC, to help anchor an equitable and inclusive research culture at institutions across Canada. In addition, the agencies, the CFI and Health Canada appeared before the External Advisory Panel on the Creation and Dissemination of Scientific Information in French, convened by Canadian Heritage, and provided information for its work.
Research training
To prepare the next generation of researchers and innovators for careers in all sectors of society, and to strengthen Canada’s research ecosystem, the agencies implemented policies to support early career researchers, and consolidated their various scholarship and fellowship programs into the Canada Research Training Awards Suite (CRTAS). CRTAS harmonizes, simplifies and streamlines agency support for research training, while increasing the number and value of awards available for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in all fields.
Serving researchers and institutions
Finally, to better serve Canadian researchers and institutions, the research funding agencies launched the implementation phase of the Tri-agency grants management solution. This single platform developed with the input of agency staff and the research community will replace legacy systems. It will enhance user experience; reduce administrative burden; facilitate interdisciplinary research; provide greater efficiency and security for researchers, administrators and reviewers; and help the agencies and research community respond to government priorities.
Looking ahead
In the face of important geopolitical change, CRCC member organizations worked together in 2025-26 to meet new challenges and redouble their commitment to an agile, inclusive research ecosystem that strengthens Canadian society.
Today, Canadian universities are attracting leading scholars from around the world, while researchers and Knowledge Keeper are exploring new ideas and building new partnerships at home and abroad. They are bringing their expertise to new and dual-use technologies, to measures that strengthen the economy and improve health care for everyone.
In the coming year, CRCC member organizations will continue to work closely together and with diverse partners to strengthen Canada’s research enterprise, foster world-leading knowledge and talent, and advance the social and economic well-being of all Canadians.
Dr. Paul Hébert
Chair, Canada Research Coordinating Committee, 2025-26
President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research