Primary Care Innovation Fund

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include:

• Primary Care Networks
• provincially funded health system organizations
• provincially recognized post-secondary institutions
• federally or provincially incorporated non-profit and not-for-profit organizations, including community-based
• organizations and health foundations
• Indigenous governments, organizations and representative bodies
• Alberta for-profit corporations applying in partnership with an eligible health system organization
• municipalities

Summary

The Primary Care Innovation Fund (PCIF) supports innovative projects that improve outcomes, care experiences and system efficiency in Alberta¿s health system. The program funds innovations that strengthen primary care, advance health equity and support prevention and early intervention.

PCIF supports the demonstration, validation, and scaling of innovations that can be adopted across diverse primary care settings, including urban, rural, remote and Indigenous communities.

Funding is available through 2 streams:

1. Primary Care Innovation
Increase patient attachment and improve access to and continuity of primary care.
Reduce administrative burden on providers and teams.
Strengthen team-based models of care.
Improve transitions and continuity of care.
Support innovations ready for demonstration, validation, or scale.

2. Health Equity and Prevention
Improve access and outcomes for underserved populations.
Support prevention and early intervention.
Advance culturally safe and community-informed care.
Address unmet needs and reduce avoidable demand on downstream health services.
Generate evidence to support broader adoption of equitable and preventative care models.

How to apply

Step 1. Read the guidelines
Review the PCIF 2026/27 Program Guide.

Step 2. Complete the online application
Fill out the PCIF 2026/27 Application Form.
The application is completed and submitted through the online form.
To avoid losing your work, we recommend drafting the application in a separate document before entering information into the application form.
To save your progress and continue later, click Save and enter your email address. You will receive an email from noreply-forms@gov.ab.ca containing a link to return to your application and information about the link's expiration date.

Step 3. Submit the application
Click the Submit button at the bottom-right corner of the last page of the application.
When prompted, enter your email address in the pop-up window and click Submit to send your application.
You will receive a copy of your submitted application and an email from noreply-forms@gov.ab.ca with instructions for forwarding the required supporting documentation as email attachments to hif@gov.ab.ca.
You will also receive an automated notification confirming that your application has been received.

Connect with the PCIF Team:
Email: hif@gov.ab.ca

Overhead

Application deadlines

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

RESOURCES

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be!

Contact the following Research Service units for support with:

Projects Involving Indigenous Research:

Support with incorporating wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management is available through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST).

Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

Knowledge Mobilization, Research Impact Assessment, DORA:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, research impact, responsible research assessment (DORA), and open science, is available through the Knowledge to Impact team.

Applicants can reach out by email to the KI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca.

For more information and access to resource archives, please visit the KI team webpage.

Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca.

EDI in Research:

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice.

Contact edi.rso@ucalgary.ca for more information.

Research Security:

The Research Security Division is available to ensure researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC).

Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.

Pre-Award Submissions:

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI
RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application