WE-SPARK awards $522,000 to advance 33 local health research projects

From wearable technology that could help detect movement disorders earlier to improving emergency care in rural communities, 33 newly funded research projects are exploring ways to improve health and healthcare in Windsor-Essex and beyond.

WE-SPARK Health Institute and its funding partners celebrated this year’s grant recipients at an awards ceremony on September 16 at the Ambassador Golf Club. The grants total $522,000 and involve 203 researchers and trainees across the region.

The investment includes 19 Igniting Discovery Grants, 11 IDEA Grants, one Incentive Grant and two Student Research Training Grants. It brings the total awarded through WE-SPARK’s grants program to more than $2.8 million since its launch in April 2020.

“These grants provide research teams with the opportunity to explore new ideas, build partnerships and generate the early evidence needed to move important projects forward,” said Dr. Dora Cavallo-Medved, Director, WE-SPARK Health Institute. “The range of projects funded this year reflects the strength of our regional research community and its commitment to addressing health challenges that matter locally and beyond.

The projects bring together researchers, healthcare professionals and students from WE-SPARK’s five partner institutions: Erie Shores HealthCare, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, St. Clair College, the University of Windsor and Windsor Regional Hospital.

This year’s funded research spans cancer prevention and treatment, mental health, rehabilitation, healthy aging, artificial intelligence, environmental health and healthcare education. Projects include:

• Using wearable technology to explore the early detection of movement disorders.
• Improving the recognition and treatment of sepsis in rural emergency departments.
• Strengthening psychosocial support for people receiving cancer care.
• Creating new connections between housing and primary care.
• Using virtual reality to enhance resuscitation training.

Other studies will examine substance-use treatment, adolescent vaping, cognitive health, nursing wellness, disability and housing justice, climate-related stressors and access to care in rural communities.

WE-SPARK’s grants program provides seed funding to help teams test ideas, gather preliminary data and build collaborations that can lead to future funding. It also creates opportunities for students and emerging researchers to gain experience and contribute to health research in the region.

“We are deeply grateful to the many community organizations, philanthropic partners and sponsors whose support makes these funding opportunities possible and helps drive innovation that benefits our communities,” said Dr. Cavallo-Medved.

Explore the complete list of 2026 funded projects to learn more about the research taking place across our region.