CCRF APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Established in September 2009, the Canadian CAM Research Fund (CCRF) represents an annual competitive research funding initiative that is administered by INCAM and is exclusively available to INCAM members. Through a stringent peer-review process, grants are awarded to select research project proposals.

In recognition of the philanthropic vision of Dr. Marja Verhoef, a Co-Founder of INCAM, and the continuous support from the INCAM membership, the CCRF sustains its mission by awarding grants of up to $5,000 annually.

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GOALS & RESEARCH PRIORITIES

The main goal of the CCRF is to build research capacity in CAM in Canada by supporting high-quality projects that are relevant to practice, education, policy, or public understanding.

Projects must align with at least one of the following priorities:

  • Studying the effectiveness, safety, or cost-effectiveness of CAM therapies, practices, or products
  • Evaluating healthcare models that include CAM approaches
  • Examining or developing CAM-related health policies in Canada
  • Evaluating knowledge translation efforts (e.g., how CAM information is shared with the public, practitioners, or policymakers)

WHO CAN APPLY?

Applicants must be INCAM members. You can join at: www.incamnetwork.ca/join-incam. Questions about membership can be sent to: incam.network@gmail.com.

Eligible applicants include:

  • 1 Established Canadian researchers affiliated with a Canadian academic institution
  • 2 Graduate students (MSc or PhD) conducting CAM-related thesis research at a Canadian university, supervised by an INCAM member
  • 3 CAM practitioners, if they are collaborating with a researcher or trainee at an academic institution that can hold and administer the funds

Applications that demonstrate strong collaboration between researchers and practitioners across disciplines will receive priority consideration.

We're excited that you're interested in having INCAM support your research endeavors! Before applying, you should review the full CCRF Application Guideline below. We also invite you to create your INCAM Member Account if you are not currently an INCAM member.

 

THE CCRF COMPETITION IS NOW OPEN!

Deadline to submit is JULY 15, 2026 @ 11:59 PM ET

APPENDIX 1

  • A

    Acupressure

    Acupuncture (e.g., needle acupuncture, electroacupuncture)

    Alexander technique

    Aromatherapy

    Arts therapy (e.g., dance therapy, drama therapy, music therapy)

    Ayurvedic traditional medicine (Ayurveda)

  • B

    Balneotherapy

    Bee products (e.g., honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly, venom)

    Biofeedback

  • C

    Chelation therapy*

    Chinese traditional medicine

    Chiropractic (i.e., spinal manipulation)

    Color therapy (i.e., chromotherapy)

    Craniosacral manipulation

  • D

    Dietary supplements (non-herbal)* (e.g., vitamins, hormones, amino acids)

    Diet therapy* (e.g., low fat diets, vegan diets)

    Distant healing

  • E

    Electric stimulation therapy* (e.g., transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)

    Electromagnetic therapy*

    Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)

  • F

    Feldenkrais method

  • H

    Herbal supplements (e.g., echinacea, garlic)

    Homeopathy

    Hydrotherapy

    Hyperbaric oxygenation*

    Hypnosis

  • I

    Imagery (i.e., visualization techniques)

  • L

    Light therapy* (i.e., phototherapy)

  • M

    Magnetic field therapy (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation)

    Massage therapy

    Mindfulness practices/meditation

    Morita therapy

    Moxibustion

  • N

    Naturopathy

  • O

    Osteopathic manipulation

    Ozone therapy*

  • P

    Play therapy

    Prolotherapy

  • Q

    Qi gong

  • R

    Reflexology

    Reiki therapy

    Relaxation techniques

  • S

    Snoezelen

    Speleotherapy

    Spiritual healing (e.g., prayer)

  • T

    Tai chi

    Therapeutic touch

    Traditional healers & healing practices (other than Chinese) (e.g., Kamp, Shamanism)

    Tui Na

  • U

    Ultrasonic therapy*

  • Y

    Yoga*

*Depending upon the condition being treated, these therapies may also be standard Western allopathic treatments.

Reference: Wieland LS, Manheimer E, Berman BM. Altern Ther Health Med. 2011; 17(2): 50-59