Joint Federal Research Funding Program for Military Personnel and Veterans

Investing in targeted research and knowledge exchange to optimize the health and well-being of Canadian military personnel, Veterans and their families.

About this program

The research funding program aims to enhance the well-being of Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, and their families by supporting Canadian research focused on supporting these populations.

The program’s objectives are to:

  • Drive progress on new knowledge and understanding of military members, Veterans and well-being of their families
  • Foster the development and implementation of policies and strategies on programs and benefits that address identified priorities for Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans and their family well-being
  • Identify, assess, and promote new approaches, models, and best practices, leading to improved well-being for military members, Veterans and their families
  • Build capacity within the research field engaged in studying Veterans’ issues
  • Foster partnerships and networks with research institutions

Funded research tasks may include, but are not limited to: literature reviews; surveys; experimental and clinical studies; field studies and data analysis; population statistics; workshops and presentations to government and health care system stakeholders, and the development of tools and treatments.

The program is a partnership between:

Canadian Forces Health Services

Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research

Defence Research and Development Canada

Veterans Affairs Canada


Funding opportunities

In progress
Human mental states in military personnel to detect bias in human-autonomy teaming
(Application Deadline: 3 December 2024)
Battlefield evacuation optimization during a mass casualty incident
(Application Deadline: 3 December 2024)
Vision requirements for Extended Reality displays in military aviation
(Application Deadline: 3 December 2024)
PET Tau Brain Imaging and Blood-Based Molecular Biomarkers of Tauopathy
(Application Deadline: 10 December 2024)
Evaluating Trauma-Informed Support for Military Personnel and Enhancing Access to Resources using AI
(Application Deadline: 10 December 2024)
Measurement-based care in military and veteran mental health care systems
(Application Deadline: 10 December 2024)
Review of the experiences and biopsychosocial impacts of the menopause transition (perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause) on women Veterans
(Application Deadline: 14 January 2025)
Review of novel, emerging and alternative mental health interventions for women Veterans
(Application Deadline: 17 January 2025)
Review of links between Military Occupational Exposures and cancers in women Veterans
(Application Deadline: 17 January 2025)

If you want to be notified when new opportunities are posted, contact us by email to be added to our email list.

Closed
Needs Assessment to identify priority health research areas for women and diverse members in the Canadian Armed Forces, and to identify existing barriers to carrying out health research for these populations
(Application Deadline: 6 September 2024)
Barriers to access and use of contraception in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), other military forces, and Canadian and Global populations
(Application Deadline: 3 October 2024)
AI-enabled Transfusion Algorithm for Personalized Trauma Care
(Application Deadline: 10 October 2024)
Environmental scan and evaluation of key attributes of training scenarios involving moral-ethical dilemmas for military personnel
(Application Deadline: 10 October 2024)
Systematic Review Exploring the Possible Effects of Military Occupational Exposures on Reproductive Health
(Application Deadline: 10 October 2024)
Experience, access to care and support
(Application Deadline: 25 October 2024)
Feasibility Study On Health Outcomes for Women and Diverse Members in the Canadian Armed Forces
(Application Deadline: 7 November 2024)

Previously funded projects

2023 – 2024

2023-2024
Funding opportunity Funding recipient Funding source Project dates Project status
Environmental Scan: Best Practices and Approaches to models of care for aging populations Perley Health (The Perley and Rideau Veteran’s Health Centre) VAC November 2023 to March 2024 Complete
Biophysical assessment of Canadian Armed Forces clothing with a sweating thermal manikin University of British Columbia DRDC March 2024 to June 2024 In progress
Exploring the biopsychosocial impacts of pelvic health issues for women Veterans University of Ottawa VAC March 2024 to September 2025 In progress
Exploring the experiences and impacts of interpersonal violence affecting Veterans and their families Mount Saint Vincent University VAC March 2024 to October 2025 In progress
Comprehensive literature review of pelvic floor dysfunction in Canadian Armed Forces women Université de Sherbrooke DRDC March 2024 to March 2025 In progress
Development of a functional test battery for concussion/brain injury to promote recovery and reduce future risk of potential brain and musculoskeletal injuries The Governing Council of the University of Toronto DRDC March 2024 to March 2026 In progress
Feasibility of IV Ketamine for the treatment of traumatic brain injury and depression Keenen Research Centre for Biomedical Science at St. Michael's Hospital DRDC March 2024 to March 2026 In progress
Operational colour vision requirements for RCAF pilots University of Waterloo DRDC March 2024 to March 2026 In progress
Experiences of LGBT purge survivors with Veterans Affairs Canada Programs and Services Lawson Research Centre VAC September 2024 to September 2025 Upcoming

2024 – 2025

2024-2025
Funding opportunity Funding recipient Funding source Project dates Project status
Development of new approaches to improve the supply of universal “O-type” red blood cells University of British Columbia CFHS June 2024 to May 2025 In progress
Canadian Armed Forces Health Survey (CAFHS 2019) data analysis to examine health trends and factors affecting Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) women and gender-diverse members McMaster University (1)

McMaster University (2)

Queen’s University

University of Toronto
CFHS June 2024 to May 2025 In progress

Who can apply

The following types of organizations may apply for funding opportunities:

  • Non-profit organization
  • Educational institution
  • Research organization
  • Public health and social services institution
  • Indigenous organization
  • Provincial, territorial, and local government
  • International organization (e.g., Not-for-profit, academic institutions, Veteran health research organizations)

The following types of organizations are not eligible to apply for funding opportunities:

  • Individuals
  • For-profit organizations

How to apply

Each funding opportunity will include a link to an application form which can be submitted via email by the posted deadline.

Upon receipt, applications will be screened for program eligibility and relevance to the posted funding opportunity. Applications that are retained will then be assessed through an internal and/or peer review process on scientific merit, depth of expertise of the research team, proposed budget and proposed timeline.

Applicants will be notified of final decisions and project teams that are selected for funding will be posted on this website.

Not all submitted applications will be selected for funding, as funding is limited. Please note that decisions are final and there is no appeal process.


Frequently asked questions

How often are funding opportunities posted?

There is no set schedule for funding opportunities to be posted. As projects are identified and funded, they will be added to the “Funding Opportunities” page. If you want to be notified when new opportunities are posted, contact us by email to be added to our email list.

How are topics selected for research projects?

Research projects are identified based on policy priorities and evidence requirements.

How much funding is available?

Amounts will vary for each funding opportunity based on the size and scope of the project. The intended scope of each project is determined by the sponsoring department and will be stated in the funding opportunity.

How much funding can be retained as institutional overhead?

The maximum rate that can be retained by funding recipients as institutional overhead costs is 10%. Veterans Affairs Canada may, at its sole discretion, consider a request to apply a higher rate in exceptional circumstances.

Will methods and results from research projects be shared publicly?

An overview of each funded project will be posted on the funding opportunities page once funding has been awarded. Project summaries will also be posted upon completion.  

Will GBA Plus be assessed?

Applicants are asked to describe how their project will meaningfully consider, involve, and represent the full range of diversity and intersectionality across the study population, such as age, sex, gender, race, indigeneity, family status, and other life circumstances and vulnerability characteristics.

Can research teams propose their own research projects?

Recommendations for research topics for future funding opportunities can be submitted by anyone at any time. These suggestions will be reviewed and will help to inform future planning. Eligible organizations may propose research projects outside of advertised funding opportunities, noting that unsolicited proposals may not always be reviewed. Please contact the research inbox to obtain an application form for unsolicited research projects.