Digital Health Innovation Fund 2026: Competition II

Digital Health Innovation Fund 2026: Competition II

The second round of Requests for Application (RFA)
to the Digital Health Innovation Fund has now launched. 

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The DHDP is launching Competition 2 of the Digital Health Innovation Fund (DHIF) to support collaborative projects that advance adoption and practical use of the Platform and contribute to Canada’s digital health research and innovation ecosystem. 

We are looking for a clear research, innovation, or platform-enabled use case, with the ability to carry out the project in Canada, in addition to practical integration with DHDP platform capabilities (discovery, edge execution, federated analytics).

While DHDP continues to prioritize oncology, neurology, and other data-rich disease areas, the platform is disease-agnostic. Applications in other health domains (e.g., cardiology, diabetes, rare diseases) will be considered where they align with DHDP goals and capabilities. 

Please see the full Request for Applications (RFA) for all details.

Support Offered

Competition 2 represents an approximately $70 million funding opportunity through the Digital Health Innovation Fund across the remaining eligible program period (to September 2028). 

Funding operates under the Government of Canada’s Strategic Response Fund (SRF, Stream 4) framework on a reimbursement model. See our full RFA for details

DHDP will provide data providers with technical and operational onboarding support, including resources for data readiness, OMOP mapping, and local edge deployment. 

 

Eligibility Criteria 

This competition is open to eligible private sector and public organizations across Canada, including academic and research institutions, health authorities and hospitals, independently owned businesses, SMEs, multinational enterprises (MNEs), non-governmental organizations, and granting agencies. 

Note: Competition 1 projects are eligible to apply for extensions or renewals and will undergo the same evaluation, review, and approval process as new applications, based on updated workplans, Statements of Work (SOWs), and budgets.

Minimum Project Team Requirements: at least one (1) Canadian SME (fewer than 499 employees) and a data provider (operating within Canada and able to make relevant health data accessible through the DHDP Platform). 

See full RFA for details

Application Process & Key Dates

November 4, 2026: DHIF Competition II launch

Public announcement and release of Request for Applications guidelines and portal

December 18, 2026: Expression of Interest (EOI) & Matchmaking due

Complete this EOI survey to register interest, outline proposed project team, and request matchmaking assistance.

November 25, 2026: Information Webinar and Q&A

Invitations will be sent to those who have completed the EOI survey, as well as existing DHDP Network members. Participants will have the opportunity to submit questions through the webinar registration form.

January 27, 2027: Letter of Intent (LOI) due

One (1) LOI per project team used to assess strategic fit, team composition, data readiness, and high-level budget. Templates and guides will be posted shortly.

Early February, 2027: Invitation for full application

LOIs are assessed for eligibility and alignment with DHDP objectives. Select project teams will be invited to submit a full application.

March 24, 2027: Full applications due

Detailed workplans, budgets, data governance plans, and Statement of Work.

April 2027: Project review and selection

A multidisciplinary Selection Review Committee will evaluate each project before final review and approval by the DHDP and TFRI Boards.

Early May 2027: Notification of results

Recommendation or conditional award letters will be issued to successful applicants.

May 2027: Clarification period

Clarifications for conditionally selected projects, if applicable.

May–June 2027: Agreements & onboarding

DHDP membership finalization, Project Partner Collaboration Agreement, and URCA execution, and technical onboarding.

July 1, 2027 to September 30, 2028: Project execution window

Active project performance period.
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