Health research is shaped by the expertise and experiences of the people and communities it aims to serve. Bringing these perspectives together early creates opportunities to identify shared priorities, strengthen partnerships, and explore research that is relevant and responsive to the needs of people across British Columbia.
Today, Health Research BC is announcing the inaugural recipients of the Engage Award. Delivered with support from the BC SUPPORT Unit, the award will enable 50 teams across BC to strengthen collaboration, explore shared priorities, and lay the foundation for future knowledge mobilization. The Engage Award is the first funding opportunity under the Impact Pathways Program, a new initiative supporting collaborative, community-connected health research across BC.
“Some of the most important conversations in health research happen before research begins. By supporting engagement early, the Engage Award helps ensure future research and knowledge mobilization are informed by the people who will contribute to and use research knowledge.”
— Dr. Geoff Payne, President & CEO, Michael Smith Health Research BC
Bringing diverse perspectives together around shared priorities
The Engage Award cohort includes teams from across BC, representing diverse regions, disciplines, and areas of expertise. The teams bring together researchers and research users from a range of sectors and communities, including health system staff, policymakers, community organizations, Indigenous Peoples and organizations, people with lived experience, and private and not-for-profit organizations, to explore research aligned with Health Research BC’s priority themes.
Supporting Indigenous and community-informed research
The cohort also includes teams working alongside Indigenous communities, organizations, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers to build relationships and better understand community-identified priorities that can inform future health research.
Projects involving Indigenous partners span areas such as primary care, healthy aging, public health, and community health priorities. These collaborations are grounded in Indigenous leadership, knowledge, expertise, and perspectives, helping shape research approaches that reflect Indigenous priorities and experiences.
Meet the 2026 Engage Award teams
Co-Designing Local Pathways for Nature-Based Literacy and Child Wellness in SD61
“By equipping educators to implement climate-responsive outdoor learning, this research strengthens child health and well-being while building healthier, more resilient communities in Victoria, BC.”
– Jennifer Gruno, Primary Applicant
Read moreBuilding Community Partnerships to Reach Hidden Older Adults: Exploring Community-Based Outreach Strategies
“Our research will help communities and health system partners identify effective outreach strategies to better reach socially isolated older adults and strengthen healthy aging across British Columbia.”
– Boah Kim, Primary Applicant
Read moreListening and Learning with the Squamish Nation on Antimicrobial Resistance and One Health
“The One Health approach for antibiotic stewardship balances human, animal and environmental health, Elder Christine Baker’s generous gift of time and conversations allows us to bring wholistic health learnings into our work and continue to better support antibiotic stewardship for current and future generations.”
– Lynsey Hamilton, Primary Applicant
Read moreThese are just a few examples of the collaborative work supported through the award. Explore the full list of the 2026 Engage Award teams and activities.
Modernizing our approaches to funding
Health Research BC actively contributes to and engages in national and international discussions on modernizing research funding. As part of our commitment to evidence-informed funding practices, Health Research BC used a modified lottery process to determine recipients of the 2026 Engage Award. Applications that met eligibility, relevance, and administrative requirements were entered into a randomized selection process. This pilot approach aims to streamline decision-making, reduce reviewer burden, and support equitable funding outcomes by minimizing bias.
Mobilize Award opens this Fall
The next funding opportunity under the Impact Pathways Program, the Mobilize Award, will support teams to design, develop, and share research knowledge in ways that are meaningful and useful for people across BC.
The award will provide up to $20,000 to support postdoctoral fellows, early- and mid-career researchers, and research users from across BC to undertake collaborative knowledge mobilization activities.
Guidelines are expected to be available in early Fall, with applications anticipated to open in October 2026.
Learn more about the Mobilize Award
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