Applied Innovation grants support small-scale, shop-floor research projects that lead to the development of practical knowledge and solutions that can be implemented in the workplace. The intent of this funding stream is to bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical application of solutions and interventions that can make a real difference in workplaces.

Applied Innovation supports research that builds on existing knowledge and technologies and applies them in innovative ways. Typically, the outcomes from projects in this stream include novel programs, procedures, frameworks, or methodologies that can be used to address a health and safety or work disability problem. Research activities may include administering surveys, running focus groups, assessing risks in the workplace, developing programs and procedures, and impact assessments.

Who can apply

Any Canadian resident can apply to Applied Innovation as a principal applicant, including workers, employers, and academic researchers. All applicants must propose research topics that align with our research priorities.

Please note the following additional eligibility requirements:

• Academic researchers who are affiliated with a college, university, or research institution may apply, but we require industry member collaborations or a non-academic partner on the research team.
• International applicants are not eligible to apply as principal applicants; however, they may participate as co-applicants.
• Full-time employees of WorkSafeBC are not eligible to apply as principal applicants; however, they may participate as co-applicants.

Funding and duration

Applied Innovation grants are up to $50,000, for a duration of one year.

Funding opportunities

The 2026 Applied Innovation competition is now open. Applications are due January 16, 2026.

• Application form
• Consent for use and disclosure of personal information (A signed form is required for each applicant and co-applicant)
• Application guidelines

Proof of Principle and Prototyping is dedicated to research that may lead to novel tools and technology that can be used in workplaces to improve health and safety or work disability. A Proof of Principle and Prototyping project must be in the early stages of development — it may include proof of principle or concept; analytic or laboratory studies; or validation of concepts, tools, and technology.

Projects should not be so advanced that the tool or technology is ready for commercialization. The Government of Canada’s Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) scale is used to determine the maturity level of a technology. TRLs are based on a scale from 1 to 9, with 9 being the most technologically mature. Proof of Principle and Prototyping projects must fit within levels 1 to 6 of the TRLs.

The outcomes from projects in this stream typically include mobile applications, gadgets, prototype tools, software, or novel processes. Examples of research activities include developing, refining, and implementing designs; verifying application; conducting field studies; preparing demonstrations; building prototypes; performing beta testing; piloting a new process amongst workers; and conducting efficacy or safety trials.

Who can apply

Any Canadian resident can apply to Proof and Prototyping as a principal applicant, including workers, employers, and academic researchers. All applicants must propose research topics that align with our research priorities.

Please note the following additional eligibility requirements:

• Academic researchers who are affiliated with a college, university, or research institution may apply, but we require industry member collaborations or a non-academic partner on the research team.
• International applicants are not eligible to apply as principal applicants; however, they may participate as co-applicants.
• Full-time employees of WorkSafeBC are not eligible to apply as principal applicants; however, they may participate as co-applicants.

Funding and duration

Proof of Principle and Prototyping grants are up to $100,000 total for a duration of two years.

Funding opportunities

The 2026 Proof of Principle and Prototyping grant competition is now open. Applications are due January 16, 2026.

• Application form
• Consent for use and disclosure of personal information (A signed form is required for each applicant and co-applicant)
• Application guidelines

Exploratory Research is a new funding stream within Innovation supporting exploration of occupational health and safety and work disability challenges through a new lens, bringing together non-traditional disciplines and interdisciplinary teams of researchers, workers, and employers to create bold and lasting effects. This stream is meant for high-risk/high-reward research that investigates new areas of scientific inquiry and challenges current paradigms.

Funding under this stream is intended for early-stage projects that have potential to disrupt conventional thinking and lead to significant advancements or breakthroughs. The outcomes from this stream are not restricted to any specific type of intervention and could include a novel tool, technology, program, or method that revolutionizes how a particular occupational health and safety or work disability problem is currently viewed and addressed.

Who can apply

The principal applicant must be an academic researcher based in (or formally affiliated with) a Canadian university or a Canadian research institution. All applicants must propose research topics that align with our research priorities.

Please note the following additional eligibility guidelines and requirements:

• Researchers are encouraged to form multi-disciplinary teams, including workers and employers, to address the research topic. Applicants are asked to carefully consider the composition of the research team to ensure that there is sufficient expertise and resources to conduct the project, perform effective knowledge translation and exchange, and obtain ethics approval as needed.
• International applicants are not eligible to apply as principal applicants; however, they may participate as co-applicants.
• Full-time employees of WorkSafeBC are not eligible to apply as principal applicants; however, they may participate as co-applicants.

Funding and duration

Exploratory Research grants are up to $125,000 per year for a duration of two years.

Funding opportunities

The 2026 Exploratory Research competition is now open. Applications are due January 16, 2026.

The forms and resources provided below are for reference only.

• Application form
• Consent for use and disclosure of personal information (A signed form is required for each applicant and co-applicant)
• Application guidelines

Applied Innovation grants support small-scale, shop-floor research projects that lead to the development of practical knowledge and solutions that can be implemented in the workplace. The intent of this funding stream is to bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical application of solutions and interventions that can make a real difference in workplaces.

Applied Innovation supports research that builds on existing knowledge and technologies and applies them in innovative ways. Typically, the outcomes from projects in this stream include novel programs, procedures, frameworks, or methodologies that can be used to address a health and safety or work disability problem. Research activities may include administering surveys, running focus groups, assessing risks in the workplace, developing programs and procedures, and impact assessments.

Who can apply

Any Canadian resident can apply to Applied Innovation as a principal applicant, including workers, employers, and academic researchers. All applicants must propose research topics that align with our research priorities.

Please note the following additional eligibility requirements:

• Academic researchers who are affiliated with a college, university, or research institution may apply, but we require industry member collaborations or a non-academic partner on the research team.
• International applicants are not eligible to apply as principal applicants; however, they may participate as co-applicants.
• Full-time employees of WorkSafeBC are not eligible to apply as principal applicants; however, they may participate as co-applicants.

Funding and duration

Applied Innovation grants are up to $50,000, for a duration of one year.

Funding opportunities

The 2026 Applied Innovation competition is now open. Applications are due January 16, 2026.

• Application form
• Consent for use and disclosure of personal information (A signed form is required for each applicant and co-applicant)
• Application guidelines

Proof of Principle and Prototyping is dedicated to research that may lead to novel tools and technology that can be used in workplaces to improve health and safety or work disability. A Proof of Principle and Prototyping project must be in the early stages of development — it may include proof of principle or concept; analytic or laboratory studies; or validation of concepts, tools, and technology.

Projects should not be so advanced that the tool or technology is ready for commercialization. The Government of Canada’s Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) scale is used to determine the maturity level of a technology. TRLs are based on a scale from 1 to 9, with 9 being the most technologically mature. Proof of Principle and Prototyping projects must fit within levels 1 to 6 of the TRLs.

The outcomes from projects in this stream typically include mobile applications, gadgets, prototype tools, software, or novel processes. Examples of research activities include developing, refining, and implementing designs; verifying application; conducting field studies; preparing demonstrations; building prototypes; performing beta testing; piloting a new process amongst workers; and conducting efficacy or safety trials.

Who can apply

Any Canadian resident can apply to Proof and Prototyping as a principal applicant, including workers, employers, and academic researchers. All applicants must propose research topics that align with our research priorities.

Please note the following additional eligibility requirements:

• Academic researchers who are affiliated with a college, university, or research institution may apply, but we require industry member collaborations or a non-academic partner on the research team.
• International applicants are not eligible to apply as principal applicants; however, they may participate as co-applicants.
• Full-time employees of WorkSafeBC are not eligible to apply as principal applicants; however, they may participate as co-applicants.

Funding and duration

Proof of Principle and Prototyping grants are up to $100,000 total for a duration of two years.

Funding opportunities

The 2026 Proof of Principle and Prototyping grant competition is now open. Applications are due January 16, 2026.

• Application form
• Consent for use and disclosure of personal information (A signed form is required for each applicant and co-applicant)
• Application guidelines

Exploratory Research is a new funding stream within Innovation supporting exploration of occupational health and safety and work disability challenges through a new lens, bringing together non-traditional disciplines and interdisciplinary teams of researchers, workers, and employers to create bold and lasting effects. This stream is meant for high-risk/high-reward research that investigates new areas of scientific inquiry and challenges current paradigms.

Funding under this stream is intended for early-stage projects that have potential to disrupt conventional thinking and lead to significant advancements or breakthroughs. The outcomes from this stream are not restricted to any specific type of intervention and could include a novel tool, technology, program, or method that revolutionizes how a particular occupational health and safety or work disability problem is currently viewed and addressed.

Who can apply

The principal applicant must be an academic researcher based in (or formally affiliated with) a Canadian university or a Canadian research institution. All applicants must propose research topics that align with our research priorities.

Please note the following additional eligibility guidelines and requirements:

• Researchers are encouraged to form multi-disciplinary teams, including workers and employers, to address the research topic. Applicants are asked to carefully consider the composition of the research team to ensure that there is sufficient expertise and resources to conduct the project, perform effective knowledge translation and exchange, and obtain ethics approval as needed.
• International applicants are not eligible to apply as principal applicants; however, they may participate as co-applicants.
• Full-time employees of WorkSafeBC are not eligible to apply as principal applicants; however, they may participate as co-applicants.

Funding and duration

Exploratory Research grants are up to $125,000 per year for a duration of two years.

Funding opportunities

The 2026 Exploratory Research competition is now open. Applications are due January 16, 2026.

The forms and resources provided below are for reference only.

• Application form
• Consent for use and disclosure of personal information (A signed form is required for each applicant and co-applicant)
• Application guidelines

The list of 2025 Innovation award recipients will be published soon.