Application Deadline: December 23, 2026
Start Date = Notice of Decision: January 29, 2027
On behalf of the Canadian MSK Rehab Research Network’s Executive Committee, we are pleased to launch the 2026 Team Development Support Applications.
Description
It is a priority of the Canadian MSK Rehab Research Network to encourage new, externally funded, transdisciplinary research initiatives. Accordingly, a portion of our annual CIHR funding is allocated to enable Network members to work in teams to initiate and advance innovative, high-impact projects. Support will be targeted specifically to teams/projects that meet the Network objectives, have the potential to leverage future external funds, and address priority research themes in MSK rehabilitation.
This round of Team Development Support will focus on two strategic research priorities:
1. Advancing Access to Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
Proposals must focus on the Network’s cross-cutting theme of accessibility and equity of access to musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Building on previous funding opportunities, this priority emphasizes innovative and scalable approaches that have the potential to improve access to rehabilitation services for large and diverse patient populations.
2. Scaling Up Multi-Centre Human Movement Research in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
Proposals must focus on strengthening capacity for multi-centre human movement research in MSK rehabilitation. This includes fostering collaboration across institutions, harmonizing research protocols and outcome measures, standardizing approaches to human movement data collection and analysis, and integrating innovative technologies such as motion capture and wearable sensors.
The support is not intended to fund the conduct of a pilot research study but should be used to plan the creation of a new pan-Canadian research team or advance new initiatives within an existing team. Activities could include, but are not limited to, planning the creation of new innovations and/or co-designing relevant study protocols.
Funds Available
Up to $100,000 in total funding is available across both research priority streams.
The Network anticipates supporting two teams and may support up to three teams, depending on the number and quality of applications received, the funding requested, and the overall allocation of available funds.
A maximum of $50,000 per team may be awarded, based on provincial/territorial representation, including patient partners:
- Up to $30,000: Teams with members from two provinces/territories.
- Up to $40,000: Teams with members from three provinces/territories.
- Up to $50,000: Teams with members from four or more provinces/territories.
Funding is not necessarily reserved equally between the two research priority streams.
Objectives
To form new teams or advance new initiatives within existing teams with a common interest in either improving access to MSK rehabilitation or scaling up multi-centre human movement research, leading to new pan-Canadian projects.
The proposed work is anticipated to be of relatively short duration (e.g., 12 months), with plans outlined in the application to leverage new, larger external support. Applications should provide a clear rationale for the proposed research, demonstrate innovation, and include a budget that justifies the planned expenditures.
Purpose
Advancing Access to Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
Research and our patient representatives have identified access to care as a major barrier in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Major barriers can include distance, costs, waiting times, scheduling conflicts, cultural appropriateness, mobility challenges, reliance on inaccessible technologies, language, and systemic issues such as ableism and racism.
Projects may address some or all of these gaps in service. Teams should focus on innovative solutions to resolve current access challenges, with particular emphasis on approaches that demonstrate broad and meaningful impact, scalability, and the potential to improve access for large and diverse patient populations.
Scaling Up Multi-Centre Human Movement Research in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
There is a need to strengthen capacity for multi-centre human movement research in MSK rehabilitation to enable larger, more representative, and generalizable research studies and accelerate the translation of findings into clinical practice.
Multi-centre research can be strengthened through collaboration across institutions, harmonization of research protocols and outcome measures, standardized approaches to human movement data collection and analysis, and strategic integration of technologies such as motion capture, wearable sensors, and other human movement assessment tools.
For both research priorities, proposals should outline a clear pathway for leveraging the Team Development Support into larger-scale external funding.
Application Guidelines
Please review the corresponding application guidelines for full details on eligibility, funding conditions, and application requirements:
1. Team Development Support Application 2026 – Advancing Access to Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
Team_development_Advancing Access to Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
2. Team Development Support Application 2026 – Scaling Up Multi-Centre Human Movement Research in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
Team_Development_Scaling Up Multi-Centre Human Movement Research in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
Submission
Application Deadline: December 23, 2026
Please ensure all sections are completed and the application is signed.
Compile the entire application as a single PDF and send it to rehabnet@uwo.ca.
The nominated applicant will receive an email acknowledging receipt of the application.
If you have any questions, please email rehabnet@uwo.ca.
