Program Overview
The Health Equity Fund (HEF) internal funding competition, a collaboration between Nova Scotia Health and the QEII Health Sciences Centre Foundation, supports researchers and innovators dedicated to integrating health equity principles and objectives into their work. The program aims to address inequitable and avoidable differences in social determinants of health, health outcomes, and the impact of interventions for specific populations. The HEF will provide funding opportunities to develop and implement innovative approaches, advanced technologies, inclusive research, and related policies to mitigate implicit bias in the healthcare system.
The Expression of Interest portal is now open. Completed application packages for this year's competition are due by 4pm ADT on February 28, 2025. Full competition dates may be found by scrolling to the bottom of the page.
NS Health utilizes an online submission portal for Research Fund applications and related study materials. The NS Health Research Fund application can be accessed via the following link:
Objectives
The HEF program is designed to empower researchers and innovators to:
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Advance health equity: Apply research and innovation to increase health equity in equity-deserving communities and populations throughout the Province.
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Build internal capacity: Enhance the integration of health equity considerations into research conducted within the Nova Scotia Health research community.
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Eliminate systemic barriers: Promote excellence in identifying and addressing obstacles that impede the career advancement, recruitment, and retention of underrepresented and disadvantaged groups.
Aligned with the Department of Health and Wellness Health Equity Framework, this program supports research teams working to:
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Remove red tape and barriers affecting various equity communities.
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Increase equity representation in health leadership and frontlines.
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Focus on collecting and analyzing equity-based data.
Award Streams
The CAB will select one application to fund from each of the available award streams:
Research Stream ($100,000): Intended for projects that contribute to advancing knowledge and understanding of health equity. Initiatives are focused on rigorous research, data collection, and analysis to identify, address, or evaluate barriers to equitable healthcare access and outcomes.
Innovation Stream ($100,000): Intended for projects involving creative and practical solutions aimed at improving health equity. Involves the implementation or development of innovative programs, tools, technologies, or approaches that directly address disparities and promote inclusive healthcare practices.
Expression of Interest Review Process:
Submitted EOIs will be reviewed by an independent Community Advisory Board (CAB), who will provide constructive feedback to enhance the quality of full proposals. Applicants will be chosen to submit full proposals based on review by the CAB.
Community Advisory Board: The primary purpose of the CAB is to provide guidance, feedback, and recommendations to ensure that the HEF aligns with its strategic goals of increasing health equity in equity-deserving communities throughout Nova Scotia. The CAB includes individuals from a variety of equity-deserving groups (e.g., Indigenous communities, racialized populations, people with disabilities, immigrants and refugees, LGBTIQ2S+, and lower-income individuals). The CAB will advise on the integration of health equity considerations into research and the elimination of systematic barriers for underrepresented groups.
Key Dates and Deadlines (preliminary and may be subject to adjustment):
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Expression of Interest Due: February 28, 2025
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Selected Applicants Invited to Submit Full Proposal: April 30, 2025
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Application Portal Opens to Invited Applicants: ~April 30, 2025
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Full Applications Due: June 30, 2025
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Application Review: June 30, 2025 - August 15, 2025
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Successful Applicants Announced: August 30, 2025
Resources for Applicants:
Integrating Health Equity into Funding Proposals: A Guide for Applicants - Canada.ca
