Research Operating Grant
Research Grant Process
The call for 2027 MMSF Research Operating Grant funding opened on February 2, 2026. The deadline for receiving applications is 4 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026.
The Manitoba Medical Service Foundation (MMSF) will consider the provision of funds for the advancement of scientific, educational, and other activities in the maintenance and improvement of the health of the residents of Manitoba. The primary focus of the Foundation is to promote and encourage the work of early-career health researchers in Manitoba.
Research applications are welcomed from Manitoba-based researchers in the health field, e.g., physicians, scientists, social workers, nurses, epidemiologists, and any other health workers engaged through organizations involved in the preventive, therapeutic and rehabilitative care of persons or groups of persons.
Applications may be submitted in a language of your choice. However, to ensure that all applications are similarly and fairly adjudicated, any applications and related materials that are submitted in a language other than English must be accompanied by an accurate translation issued by the primary investigator or a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial organization of translators and interpreters in Canada. Reviews, grant agreements, interviews and all correspondence will be conducted in English. The MMSF does not have the ability to translate applications, documents, or correspondence nor the ability to conduct interviews in any other language.
INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLICANTS
- Applicants should read the accompanying guidelines, criteria and instructions carefully before completing this application form.
- Application submission should be ONE COMPLETE PDF DOCUMENT ONLY which includes all sections of the application.
- Letters of support are required from each Mentor(s) (that includes a mentorship plan), Collaborator(s) and any partnering agencies with the submission of the application.
- Applications will not exceed 40 pages of text that is single spaced and on 8 ½” x 11" letter size paper. Sample Surveys / Questionnaires can be provided up to a maximum of 10 additional pages.
- Twelve (12) point font is to be used.
- All sections of the application form must be completed. If a section does not apply, state "Not Applicable" in the specific section.
- Do not submit a curriculum vitae of the applicant or collaborators.
- Applicants are to submit the complete application form with all signatures to info@mmsf.ca by 4:00 pm on June 1. If June 1 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline extends to 4:00 pm on the next business day. Applications will NOT be considered if they are not complete, or do not have appropriate signatures.
- All efforts should be made to obtain actual signatures, however, if it is not possible, electronic signatures will be accepted.
- Ensure that you receive a confirmation email from the MMSF Administrative Assistant that your application has been received by the application deadline.
- Misrepresentation of facts or academic dishonesty including, without limitations, plagiarism, will result in disqualification of the application and possible suspension of the applicant from future competitions, as determined by MMSF in its sole discretion. The applicant and, at the sole discretion of MMSF, any party connected with the application, including collaborators, Department Head, Dean of the Faculty and/or Director of the Nominating Institution, may be notified in the event of disqualification based on misrepresentation of facts or academic dishonesty. In such circumstance any documentation including the external peer review and grant application may be made available to any or all signatories on this application.
Frequently Asked Questions
The MMSF holds one competition annually for research operating grants. The call for applications usually opens February 1.
The MMSF invites medical, health and wellness related research proposals.
Click here to see past research projects that have been funded.
Any researchers –however, the primary focus of the Foundation is to promote and encourage thework of early-career health-related researchers in Manitoba.
If you are within five years of your first independent research-related academic appointment, you qualify to apply for the award.
Established researchers who conduct additional training (e.g., MSc or PhD) will be eligible as an experienced researcher contingent upon being within five (5) years from the completion date of their new training and where the research relates to their new training.
Investigators must be residents of Manitoba.
Researchers from post-secondary institutions in Manitoba such as the University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg, St. Boniface University, and Brandon University are invited to apply.
These are examples of various health-related fields: Medicine, Dentistry, Basic Sciences, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Kinesiology, Public Health, Nursing, Psychology, Indigenous Health, Physiology, Epidemiology, Pharmacology, Sociology, Agriculture & Food Sciences, Music Therapy etc.
Research operating grants can receive up to a maximum of $45,000 per application.
Additional funding is awarded for the best application (Shaun Lamoureux Best MMSF Operating Grant Award, $1,000) and for best communication (MMSF Kerry Bittner Communications Award, $1,000), which may be shared.
Following the submission of a written application, eligible candidates are required to attend an interview process, which is unique to the MMSF adjudication.
Applicants are required to provide a 15-minute presentation followed by a Q&A to an interview panel made up of professional and lay members of the Board of Directors.
The panel will meet the researcher proposing the project and understand the purpose and methods of the research proposal.
The applicant demonstrates their skills of knowledge translation and public speaking.
The panel will comment on the relevance, and methodology of the research and make recommendations that might enhance the research project.
A written external review is requested for each applicant, and if received it will be considered in the adjudication process. This review may be shared with the applicant upon approval being received from the external reviewer.
Call for applications
The call for applications is February 1 of the competition year.
Application deadline
All submissions are due by 4:00 pm on June 1. If June 1 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline for submission will extend to 4:00 pm the next business day.
Interview dates
Interviews occur during the month of September.
Final approval notification
Applicants are notified of results following the December Board meeting, which is normally scheduled for the second week of December.
Distribution of funds
Funding is effective January 1 of the following year and funds are released once all requirements have been met.
Duration of funds
Funds are allocated over a two-year period.
Find applications here.
Members of the MMSF would not be able to mentor applicants, as this would be considered a conflict of interest. However, if you need assistance in finding a mentor, we could try to assist you with that.
Project and career mentors are an especially important component to the application and research process. Mentors are required to sign off on the grant application for it to be considered complete.
The MMSF does not provide direct mentorship other than to answer questions related to the application procedures.
A mentor is a person who helps to guide the mentee’s career, through support, feedback, providing perspective and advice as needed. A mentor can assist in the building of networks and the avoidance of problems.
For important information about the role of a mentor and how to select a mentor can be found in the Research Operating Grant Guidelines and Criteria.
The successful applicant is required to submit a final report within six (6) months of completion of the project or the end of the funding period.
Any changes in methodology or timelines should be approved by the MMSF.
Successful applicants are expected to attend the annual award reception normally hosted in April.
Successful applicants may be asked but not expected to speak to the media or other promotional events.
For more information, please contact us.
Shaun Lamoureux Best MMSF Operating Grant Award
History of the Award:
In February 2021, as a result of a portion of the income from a generous donation of $100,000 by Manitoba Blue Cross, the Foundation recommended the creation of the MMSF Shaun Lamoureux Legacy Award for the best operating grant in the MMSF Annual Operating Grant Competition. Shaun Lamoureux was Chief Financial and Technology Officer and Vice President at Manitoba Blue Cross for many years and in 2018 he was appointed President and CEO. Shaun will be remembered for his strong leadership and his dedication to Manitoba Blue Cross and the MMSF. Over his 18 years with Manitoba Blue Cross, Shaun’s business acumen, strategic vision and commitment to excellence played a significant role in the growth and development of the Foundation. Shaun was an avid supporter of the Foundation and is remembered for the many years of valued financial and business advice he provided.
This award will be presented annually to a Principal Investigator who received the highest overall score in the competition. It may be shared in the event of a tie. Selection is based on the quality of the MMSF written operating grant application, oral presentation, response to questions, the external reviewer’s comments and the resulting overall adjudication score of the subcommittee panel. The award is valued in the amount of $1,000 as a supplement to the adjudicated amount of the grant
MMSF Kerry Bittner Communications Award
History of the Award:
In February 2021, as a result of a portion of the income from a generous donation of $100,000 by Manitoba Blue Cross, the Foundation recommended the creation of the MMSF Kerry Bittner Communications Award for the best communication in the MMSF Operating Grant Competition. Kerry Bittner served on the MMSF Board of Directors for 33 years. Kerry also had a successful career with Manitoba Blue Cross from 1976 to 2003 and served as President and CEO from 1983 until 2003. He was an exceptionally kind and friendly man – a true leader who had the ability to connect at a personal level, making everyone comfortable and bringing people together. He will be fondly remembered for being a true ambassador and supporter of the Foundation.
The Kerry Bittner Communication Award is to recognize a Principal Investigator who provides the best communication of an operating grant, based on the quality of the oral/visual presentation to the adjudication sub-committee. This award will be presented annually to a Principal Investigator who received the highest overall score in the competition. It may be shared in the event of a tie. The award is valued in the amount of $1,000 as a supplement to the adjudicated amount of the grant.
