NEW FOR THE 2026/27 FUNDING OPPORTUNITY CYCLE

Heart & Stroke wishes to alert all applicants that we have updated our guidelines and documents. These updates come into effect starting with the 2026/27 funding opportunity cycle. Updates include creating a consistent guideline layout that provides specific program information and eligibility requirements upfront followed by more general information related to our research programs. We have also introduced new requirements in our ongoing commitment to responsible research and inclusive practices. New and notable guidelines updates include:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Guidance on using artificial intelligence (AI) in grant and award applications to assure a consistent, transparent, and responsible approach to AI use for applicants and reviewers.
• Research Security Compliance Guidance regarding compliance with the Government of Canada directives on research security as outlined in the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships and the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC Policy).
• Sex and Gender Based Analysis and Reporting (SGBAR), Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI): SGBAR guidelines updated to require the integration of SGBAR into their research design and inform applicants it will now be explicitly included in the evaluation criteria in the 2026/27 competition. EDI guidelines updated to inform that applicants are required to describe how EDI considerations have been integrated into their research design (EDI-RD), as appropriate. For GIA application Only EDI-RD considerations, as appropriate, will be included in the evaluation criteria in the 2026/27 competition.
• Heart & Stroke BioSketch: We have developed our own version of a BioSketch to replace the soon-to-be discontinued Common CV. This new document will replace the Common CV as part of the application process. A BioSketch form must be completed and uploaded for the PI, Co-PI, trainee, supervisor and any all Co-Applicants named on the application via CIRCUlink

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING

• Applications must be submitted online by 15:00 EDT on the submission deadline date
  CIRCUlink will not accept submissions after the deadline (date and time). There will be no appeal process for a late submission. Heart & Stroke advises and strongly recommends all applicants to submit well before the deadline date and time. Registration closes at 13:00 EDT.
• 2026/27 Application Deadline Support Notice
  Due to limited resources, Heart & Stroke cannot provide any assurances of available support after 14:00 EDT on deadline days. The Research Team will attempt to provide support to all applicants requiring assistance up to 15:00 EDT, but it is the applicants' responsibility to ensure that a completed application is submitted prior to the deadline.
• Specific to the Heart & Stroke BioSketch for:
  • GRANTS-IN-AID - Please note that only the last 5 years are requested for the following sections: Research Funding History (Awarded, Completed, Under Review), Supervisory Activities/ Publications.
  • NEW INVESTIGATORS - Please include full career history for all sections.
  • PERSONNEL AWARDS - Please include full career history for all sections.

HOW TO APPLY

NEW USERS:

1. Select 🔍 Browse Funding Opportunities in the menu bar on the left and search for "GIA", "NI", "PFA", "WPA", "MSc", "PhD", "PDF", "BSA", or "ISA".
2. A wizard will guide you through creating your profile and the application process.

RETURNING USERS:

1. Enter your username and password in the corresponding fields in the menu bar on the left.
2. Click Login.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Before beginning, applicants are advised and strongly encourage to thoroughly review the following as applicable:

• CIRCUlink User Guide: Explains how to create a user profile and navigate CIRCUlink to complete an application.
• BioSketch Template: *NEW* Application submission requirement.
• BioSketch Instructions: Provides addtional details for BioSketch.
• GIA Submission Guidelines: Application submission requirements for Grant-in-Aid competition.
• NI Submission Guidelines: Application submission requirements for New Investigator competition.
• PFA Submission Guidelines: Application submission requirements for Postdoctoral Fellowship Award competition.
• WPA Doctoral Submission Guidelines: Application submission requirements for Women’s Heart and/or Brain Health Doctoral competition.
• WPA Postdoctoral Submission Guidelines: Application submission requirements for Women’s Heart and/or Brain Health Postdoctoral competition.
• BSA Master Submission Guidelines: Application submission requirements for Black Scholar Award (Master).
• BSA Doctoral Submission Guidelines: Application submission requirements for Black Scholar Award (Doctoral).
• ISA Master Submission Guidelines: Application submission requirements for Indigenous Scholar Award (Master).
• ISA Doctoral Submission Guidelines: Application submission requirements for Indigenous Scholar Award (Doctoral).
• Grant Management Guidelines: Administration of funded applications during the course of the grant.
• FAQ: Provides answers to common questions concerning the online application process.
• Research website: Additional information on Heart & Stroke research programs.
• Privacy Policy Statement: How HSF collects, uses, and discloses your personal information.