• Jeff Reading, PhD, University of Manitoba and health research adviser to the Assembly of First Nations: Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health;
• Philip Branton, PhD, McGill University: Institute of Cancer Research;
• Bruce McManus, MD, PhD, University of British Columbia: Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health;
• Roderick McInnes, MD, PhD, University of Toronto and Hospital for Sick Children: Institute of Genetics;
• Miriam Stewart, PhD, University of Alberta: Institute of Gender and Health;
• Réjean Hébert, MD, Université de Sherbrooke: Institute of Healthy Aging;
• Morris Barer, PhD, MBA, University of British Columbia: Institute of Health Services and Policy Research;
• John Challis, PhD, University of Toronto: Institute of Human Development and Child and Youth Health;
• Bhagirath Singh, PhD, University of Western Ontario: Institute of Infection and Immunity;
• Cyril Frank, MD, University of Calgary: Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis;
• Diane Finegood, PhD, Simon Fraser University: Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes;
• Rémi Quirion, MD, Douglas Hospital of McGill: Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction;
• John Frank, MD, Department of Health Sciences, University of Toronto: Institute of Population and Public Health.

In addition to the scientific directors, Dr. Renée Lyons of Dalhousie University was named special adviser to the president on rural health and rehabilitation research. The directors will lead the institutes from their current locations. They will oversee the development of multidisciplinary research involving what the CIHR considers the 4 pillars of research: biomedical, clinical, health systems and services, and social, cultural and other determinants of population health. They are also expected to develop strategic alliances with members of the private, public and voluntary sectors, and to encourage the translation of research results into improved health care.