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SickKids

SickKids Research Institute

Driving clinical impact with every
research question

The SickKids Research Institute (RI) is Canada’s largest, hospital-based child health research institute conducting and translating groundbreaking researchtraining the next generation of researchers, and supporting global scientific communities with knowledge and state-of-the-art facilities.  

We’re taking more discoveries from the lab bench to the bedside, making a bigger impact on children’s lives around the world, sooner.

279 scientists

1,387 research trainees

401 project & team investigators

1,236 research support staff

$298.6M research spend

2,794 publications

Award

#1 research intensive hospital in Canada

#2 paediatric hospital in the world

Bridging research and care

Access Clinical Research Services

CRS supports study teams and quality clinical research with tools, templates, education, facilities and more.

Adolescent sits in a chair wearing a headband connected to a laptop with wires while an adult is standing behind her adjusting this headband

Participate in clinical research

Interested in participating in clinical research at SickKids? Learn how you can get involved in the next ground-breaking study.

Explore the Institute

Staff member sits in front of a microscope while looking at a scientific image on a nearby computer screen

Discover world-class facilities

Enhance the scope and quality of your research. Conduct your studies in a world-class setting equipped with new technologies and infrastructure – check out our facilities and learn what our distinct research design services can offer you.

A woman in a lab coat standing at a lab bench while looking through a microscope.

Work alongside renowned researchers

The Research Training Centre (RTC) offers trainees hands-on opportunities to contribute to some of the most important research projects in Canada and to work with top scientists.

A woman in a lab coat standing at a lab bench while looking through a microscope.
A person in a lab coat and cap measuring nutrients on a weighing scale.

Explore leading edge research

Across our seven research programs, clinician scientists and researchers are conducting ground-breaking research to improve child health outcomes, policy and clinical care.

Latest research news

A close up of hands packing baby supplies including a blanket and a stuffed elephant toy.

March 14, 2024

SickKids program provides integrated, trauma-informed care for pregnant and parenting adolescents

The program helps address recent findings that teen pregnancy in Ontario is associated with a significantly increased risk of premature mortality for adolescent mothers.

An exterior view of the Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning where windows are curved like waves.

March 13, 2024

SickKids-led projects receive $17.9 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation

The funding will support SickKids research into understanding memory formation, increasing genomics capacity in Canada and advancing precision child health.

Two people sitting at a desk working on a computer.

February 29, 2024

Overcoming barriers to conducting clinical trials in childhood rare disease research

SickKids researchers use novel approach to show that a medication reduces the rate of liver disease progression in children with Alagille syndrome.

Adam Shlien and team members in SickKids branded lab coats standing at a lab bench and conversing.

Research community

Discovery District

In the heart of Toronto’s Discovery District and affiliated with the University of Toronto, our scientists are steps away from Canada’s largest concentration of hospitals, research institutes, business incubators and venture capital organizations.

Innovation hub

Our collaborative partnerships are key to uncovering the next breakthrough in child health research. With the support of Industry Partnerships & Commercialization (IP&C), our scientists help make Toronto one of the most innovative cities in the world.

Powered by diversity

At the SickKids Research Institute, you are part of a community that has come together from across the globe to advance innovative and impactful paediatric health research.

World-renowned research

From esteemed child health researcher Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta (winner of the 2023 Henry G. Friesen International Prize in Health Research) to the 35 scientists currently holding Canada Research Chairs, we are leaders in child health research in Canada and around the world.

Research programs

Explore SickKids research underway in each of our seven research programs that cover the spectrum of child health.

More from the Research Institute

Comprised of internationally-recognized leaders in research and innovation, the SickKids Scientific Advisory & Innovation Board (SAIB) supports and provides input on the overall strategic directions for the Research Institute.

View SAIB members

Canada Research Chairs showcase the calibre and diversity of scientists and clinicians working at the SickKids Research Institute.

View Canada Research Chairs

SickKids is home to 59 scientific and academic chairs. See who holds current chairs in Canada.

View Chairs

The SickKids Institutional Research Data Management (RDM) strategy outlines our commitment to fostering sound RDM practices and supporting researchers in following the FAIR principles to make data findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable.  

Learn about RDM at SickKids 

Research Awards & Financial Services (RAFS) supports researchers through the grant lifecycle, from grant applications and contract management, to monitoring and financial reporting.

Learn About RAFS

Contact the Research Institute

For all inquiries about SickKids Research Institute, please email Francesca Pak, Manager, Communications (Research Institute & Strategic Initiatives), Communications & Public Affairs at francesca.pak@sickkids.ca.

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