Innovation Initiatives
Exploring new ways to improve care experiences, reduce barriers, and respond to emerging needs and challenges across our sector.
Innovation Initiatives
2026-27 Innovation Initiatives
Apply for up to $100,000
For the third consecutive year, Innovation Initiatives is focusing on funding agencies who are focused on designing, implementing, and evaluating culturally responsive programs to advance equity and inclusivity in the sector.
If your organization is funded by the Ministry of Health to provide community-based child and youth mental health, substance use health or addictions services, we encourage you to apply.
How innovation drives change
Innovation plays an important role in improving care and service experiences for children, young people, and families.
Our Innovation Initiatives fund projects that address emerging needs and challenges around child and youth mental health and substance use health. Focus areas are informed by ongoing engagement with partners, alongside evidence on gaps and opportunities to improve care.
Over the years, funded projects have addressed barriers related to wait times, culture and stigma, health literacy, and access to care.
This year's funding priority: Culturally responsive care
Culturally responsive programs adapt evidence-based practices to reflect the cultures, languages, values, and lived expertise of the people they serve.
Research shows these approaches can improve engagement, build trust, and lead to better outcomes for children, young people, and families.
What kind of projects are we looking for?
Your project should fit into one of these four areas:
Ready to apply?
Deadline: October 23, 2026, 4 p.m. EST
Successful applicants will receive funding for an 18-month project period (March 2027–September 2028). Additional details are outlined in the application guide.
Got questions? Email us at initiatives@cymha.ca
Meet the 2025–26 grantees
Explore the organizations and projects supported through the 2025–26 Innovation Initiatives.
Browse previous projects
Explore past Innovation Initiatives to learn how organizations have implemented and evaluated promising practices in different communities and care settings. These project summaries highlight real-world approaches, lessons learned, and ideas that can be adapted in different contexts.
2023-2024 cohort
Theme: Culturally responsive care
Focus on implementing and evaluating culturally responsive child and youth mental health and addictions programs. Projects explore how services can be adapted to better meet the needs of racialized children, young people, and their families.
2021-2022 cohort
Theme: Strengthening virtual care
Highlights projects that strengthened virtual care by addressing key recommendations from the Transition to virtual care report. Teams tested ways to improve access, quality, and client experience in virtual service delivery.
2019-2020 cohort
Theme: Improving access to care
Features projects focused on improving access to care within local communities. These initiatives explore practical solutions to reduce barriers and connect children and young people to services sooner.