In short
The 2026 Research Trainee Guidelines say Health Research BC discourages generative AI tools in application development. Applications must be the applicant's original concepts and ideas, and applicants who use AI must exercise caution and comply with the Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research. The pages state no disclosure rule and no guidance for reviewers.
Limits AI. Applicants may use AI for some tasks, and the funder restricts how much of an application AI may write.
For applicants
- Health Research BC discourages using generative AI tools such as ChatGPT in application development. Applications are expected to be the original concepts and ideas generated by the applicant. [1]
- Applicants must make sure their applications comply with the Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research, especially on research integrity. [1]
- Applicants who still wish to use AI tools should exercise caution and good judgment. Risks include content that has others' intellectual property, false information or biases, harvesting of original ideas without consent or credit, and poorly written or poorly cited applications. [1]
- Health Research BC advises having at least one person review the application before submitting. [1]
For reviewers
Michael Smith Health Research BC has published no rules for reviewers.
Sources
2026 Research Trainee Guidelines (opens in a new tab)
Health Research BC discourages using generative AI tools in application development.
Applications submitted to Health Research BC are expected to be the original concepts and ideas generated by the applicant.
Applicants must ensure that their applications comply with the Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research, especially pertaining to research integrity.
Using AI tools could also result in original content and ideas being harvested and used without consent or credit.
To avoid these risks, applicants who wish to use AI tools to assist in application development should exercise caution and good judgment when doing so.
It is always beneficial to have at least one person review your application before submitting.
See Michael Smith Health Research BC's programs
This page summarizes what the funder has published and is not legal advice. Policies change, and one solicitation can add its own rules. Confirm against the funding announcement before you apply.