{"id":4936,"date":"2025-09-24T12:22:41","date_gmt":"2025-09-24T15:22:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.atlanticpath.ca\/?p=4936"},"modified":"2025-09-24T12:22:42","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T15:22:42","slug":"canpath-awarded-3m-to-study-crises-in-a-changing-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.atlanticpath.ca\/index.php\/2025\/09\/24\/canpath-awarded-3m-to-study-crises-in-a-changing-world\/","title":{"rendered":"CanPath awarded $3M to study crises in a changing world"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Two<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Read the original news release from the Government of Canada<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toronto, Canada, September 23, 2025<\/strong> \u2013 What if Canada had a research platform ready to track the next pandemic, study the effects of climate change on health, and help explain rising cancer rates in young people? With a $3 million grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), CanPath is that platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Awarded through CIHR\u2019s Pandemic Research Platforms Interim Funding<\/em> opportunity<\/a>, this two-year operating grant supports CanPath\u2019s unique ability to generate fast, meaningful insights during public health emergencies. This work goes far beyond pandemics: it also aims to tackle broader crises like climate-related health risks and early-onset cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis grant strengthens CanPath\u2019s ability to respond quickly and effectively to future public health emergencies,\u201d said Dr. Jennifer Brooks<\/a>, CanPath\u2019s Executive Director. \u201cOur platform is built for this kind of work, with hundreds of thousands of Canadians already engaged, linked health records, and long-term follow-up in place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The grant is led by Dr. Brooks and Dr. Philip Awadalla<\/a>, CanPath\u2019s National Scientific Co-Director, with a national team of co-investigators. The funding is held at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health<\/a>, University of Toronto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCanPath is known as a research resource, but now in its prime, it\u2019s built for resilience,\u201d said Dr. Awadalla. \u201cWe\u2019re proud to continue this work with our partners and support Canada\u2019s preparedness for emerging diseases in a changing world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canada\u2019s largest health study is ready to respond<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

CanPath<\/a>, the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow\u2019s Health, is the country\u2019s largest population health cohort, with more than 330,000 participants recruited from all 10 provinces. Participants have consented to long-term follow-up, data linkage, and future contact, providing a uniquely flexible and future-ready research platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the COVID-19 pandemic, CanPath rapidly deployed a national antibody study<\/a>, linked testing data to participant records, and surveyed participants in real time. Results were shared widely with researchers, policymakers, and the public and featured by Global News<\/em><\/a>, National Post<\/em><\/a>, and The Globe and Mail<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCanPath\u2019s COVID-19 response showed how powerful our model can be,\u201d said Dr. Victoria Kirsh<\/a>, CanPath National Scientific Coordinator. \u201cWe were able to launch surveys, test for antibodies, and communicate directly with participants in record time. This grant ensures we can build on that success, strengthen our partnerships, and stay ready to support evidence-based action when it matters most.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What this funding supports<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Through this grant, CanPath will continue to:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n