Funding Opportunities

Description 

This Project Grant is a part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), Northern Health (NH) and University of Northern BC (UNBC) partnership and the focus of this call reflects the funders priorities. There will be a seed grant competition next year with a focus on emerging priorities. 

The goal of the Project Grant Program is to enable collaborators from UNBC, NH, and PHSA to work in partnership and initiate new research projects that focus on improving the quality of health services and the health of the population in northern BC. 

The Project Grant is guided by the following principles: 

  • Addresses the needs and realities of northern BC in the overall context of BC through respectful engagement and attending to issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • A research-based collaborative relationship for the purposes of improving the quality of health services and improving the health of the population.  
  • Mutual respect and acknowledgement of the skills and expertise each organization brings to the partnership.
  • Builds capacity for partnered research and leaves a legacy of capacity across all three organizations.
  • Builds sustained research capacity in the North for the North.
  • Creates a culture of learning.
  • Open and transparent communication between the Partners.  

The UNBC Health Research Institute (HRI) serves as the Secretariat to support UNBC, NH, and PHSA in their commitment to enhance research collaboration among the three organizations. 

Award Amount and Duration

The 2025 funded 2 research teams. The maximum amount for each award is $45,000 for a 24-month period starting August 1, 2025. 


2025 Winners

  • Title: Centering Lived Experience to Advance Equity-Oriented Substance Use Services in Northern BC\|
    Principal Investigator (UNBC): Viviane Josewski 
    Co-Principal Applicant (NH): Kerensa Medhurst 
    Co-Applicant (PHSA): Sammy Iammarino 
    Co-Applicant (UNBC): Susan Burke
     
  • Title: Understanding Off-Road Vehicle Use for Effective Injury Prevention
     Principal Investigator (UNBC): Floyd Besserer 
     Co-Applicant (NH): Rakel Kling 
     Co-Applicant (PHSA): Jeanette Foreman 

2024 Winners 

  • Title: Addressing Moral Distress for Lasting Workforce Sustainability: A Comprehensive Intervention Strategy in the sector of Long -Term and Assisted Living in Northern BC
    Principal Investigator (NH): Esther Alonso-Prieto
    Co-Applicant (PHSA): Alice Virani
    Co-Applicant (UNBC): Davina Banner-Lukaris 
     
  • Title: Closer to Home: Decentralizing Clinical Trials to Improve Access for Rural Cancer Patients in Northern BC
    Principal Investigator (NH): Damanpreet Kandola
    Co-Applicant (PHSA): Roel Schlijper
    Co-Applicant (UNBC): Davina Banner-Lukaris 

Contact for Further Information

Health Research Institute
University of Northern BC 
3333 University Way, Prince George BC V2N 4Z9
Email: hri@unbc.ca; Tel: 250-960-5501