Canadian Institutes of Health Research

10/20/2026

Who let the dogs in? 🐾

Dr. Colleen Dell and her team are shining a light on the importance of our connection to animals in healing. Their research has shown that therapy dogs help reduce patients’ pain and anxiety, support recovery from substance use, and provide connection to people who are incarcerated.

Learn more: https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/54842.html?hsid=9079c7f0-62bd-4927-9768-43e0c6d9a06f&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research

University of Saskatchewan

10/15/2026

Please join us in welcoming Dr. George Mutwiri to CIHR’s Governing Council!

Dr. Mutwiri is Executive Director and Professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Saskatchewan. His work combines vaccine research and public health with academic leadership and community engagement.

We look forward to the knowledge and perspectives he will bring to CIHR.

Learn more: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2026/10/government-of-canada-announces-appointment-of-dr-george-mutwiri-to-thecanadian-institutes-of-health-research-governing-council.html?hsid=d1080518-6d5a-41be-a282-6fa4e2fad645&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research

10/06/2026

For rural Albertans with shoulder pain, a specialist appointment can mean hours on the road, missed work, and costly travel.

CIHR-funded researcher Dr. Lauren Beaupre is helping bring that care closer to home. Through Alberta’s Remote Management of ShoUlders Program (ARMS UP), patients visit their local health care centre, where a rural clinician assesses their shoulder while consulting virtually with an urban specialist.

The approach helps patients access expert advice and appropriate treatment while reducing travel and building local providers’ skills.

Read the full story: https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/54838.html?hsid=74a6a84f-587a-48a2-9241-01e1680d48f8&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research

University of Alberta - Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine

10/02/2026

Males and females are affected differently by disrupted sleep-wake patterns and social isolation, but why?

Drs. Paula Duarte Guterman and Nathan Insel are working with degus—highly social rodents that are active during the day—to learn how light cycles and social conditions affect everyday aspects of our lives: behaviour, sleep, hormones, brain function, and more.

Their research aims to reveal the mechanisms at play and to support more personalized approaches to health for men and women.

Read more: https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/54578.html?filter=Insel+Guterman&hsid=9f47a123-43c5-4719-8db8-44bdac3ac237&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research
Brock University

10/01/2026

As the size of Canada’s older population grows, more research is being done into healthy aging.

According to the CIHR Institute of Aging’s Scientific Director, Dr. Jane Rylett, the secret isn’t inherently a long lifespan: it’s a long healthspan.

In her latest interview, she describes the healthspan: the amount of time a person lives in good health without fragility or disability. Longer healthspans help people age safely and with dignity, creating a stronger and more effective health care and caregiving network.

Read how this research is impacting Canadians and improving quality of life for all ages: https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/54827.html?hsid=9868d3fa-f8f2-4ddb-a172-51ffe7d8fec9&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research

09/30/2026

09/29/2026

Please join us in welcoming Crystal Lennie to CIHR’s Governing Council!

Crystal is an Inuvialuit beneficiary, researcher and Indigenous advocate from Inuvik, Northwest Territories, with extensive experience in research, governance, advocacy and community development. Her work is grounded in supporting Indigenous communities to lead and inform research and use the findings to advance their own priorities and goals.

We look forward to the knowledge and perspectives she will bring to CIHR.

Learn more: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2026/09/government-of-canada-announces-appointment-of-crystal-lennie-to-thecanadian-institutes-of-health-research-governing-council.html?hsid=640e4e1c-1871-4ccf-bafb-11f38fb97620&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research

09/28/2026

🧡Ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, we pause to remember the children who never came home, honour Survivors of residential schools and recognize the enduring impacts on First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, families and communities.

For CIHR, this day is also an opportunity to reflect on our responsibility as Canada’s federal health research investment agency – and on how we can support Indigenous health research and advance reconciliation through research.

Reconciliation is ongoing work. It requires listening, learning, rebuilding trust and acting with humility and accountability.

Read our full statement: https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/54828.html?hsid=3cdc01a9-7d6a-4f9d-9139-30fc5e92826f&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research

09/25/2026

Celebrating the Canadian National Brain Bee and the students exploring the fascinating world of neuroscience! 🧠 Learn more about this longstanding competition and its impact on the next generation of Canadian neuroscientists.

09/18/2026

Summer may be over, but he IHDCYH Talks knowledge mobilization competition is still open for submissions.

Share a short evidence-based video, infographic, podcast, comics, music, dance, theatre and more about research that impacts children, youth and families.

Registration deadline: September 28, 2026
Submission deadline: October 14, 2026

https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/36089.html?hsid=39f973d3-b2b1-4235-8c60-a7ed4e751a79&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=canadian%20institutes%20of%20health%20research