Update on CIHR’s transition to a narrative-style CV
Message from the Acting Vice-President, Research Programs

April 7, 2025

CIHR recently announced that we are gradually transitioning to a new narrative-style tri-agency CV for our competitions and moving away from the Canadian Common CV (CCV). This new CV format was developed following extensive consultation with users. The narrative style allows applicants flexibility to contextualize the research contributions that best highlight their expertise and impact.

To provide sufficient time to adapt to the new CV format, the new tri-agency CV will not be used for the Fall 2025 Project Grant competition.

We know this is a big change—one for which the research community needs time to prepare. Our goal is to introduce the new tri-agency CV in the Project Grant competition beginning with the Spring 2026 competition, though this may be delayed if the community needs more time to become acquainted with the new CV style.

Over the next year, we will use the tri-agency CV in some competitions, with which CV to use clearly marked in the funding opportunity. This will give us the chance to continue to engage with members of the research community, including Project Grant applicants and peer review committee members, to refine the new template and its components.

 We will also discuss with the community which people with named roles in grant applications should submit CVs (nominated principal applicants and principal applicants only, for example, with co-applicants summarized elsewhere?).

Our goal is to ensure that the template is effective for both applicants and reviewers while providing support and guidance for a smooth transition.

Now is a good time to familiarize yourself with the new CV template, instructions and Frequently Asked Questions. As we transition funding opportunities to the tri-agency CV, which CV to use (the new tri-agency CV, the Canadian Common CV or the Applicant Profile CV) will be clearly marked in the funding opportunity text. Besides the instructions found on our website, CIHR staff are at work on additional learning materials, including an interactive tool to help applicants complete the new CV and learning modules for reviewers.

As we get closer to introducing the tri-agency CV in the Project Grant competition, we will also be holding Ask Me Anything webinar sessions where you will have a chance to ask questions about the new CV format.

Sincerely,

Adrian Mota
Acting Vice-President, Research – Programs

Date modified:

2025-04-07