Canadian Institutes of Health Research (request feedback)
G. Dellaire, Ph.D.
G.Dellaire at hgu.mrc.ac.uk
Mon Sep 27 06:31:48 EST 1999
Aug 27, 1999 - Programs Sub-committee of the Canadian Insitutes of
Health Research seeks your views.
In the 1999 February budget, the Federal Government announced the
creation of the
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), an organization that will
important role in ensuring the future health of Canadians. An Interim
Council (IGC) was appointed by the Minister of Health to advise on the
implementation of this initiative by April 1, 2000. The IGC established
Sub-committees to examine specific areas of CIHR development. These
Sub-committees have a keen interest in receiving broader input on
various issues and have identified a series of key questions which will
inform their deliberations at this time. This list serve contains
questions related to the Sub-committee on Programs. For further
information please contact Lynda Damen at (613) 954-1818 or visit our
Please respond by October 31st, 1999.
Manager of Communications
The mandate of the Sub-committee on programs is to recommend
activities for the institutes. The scope of the recommendations includes
elements, incorporating means of supporting and enhancing existing
developmental activities where there is a need to build capacity.
An environmental scan has been conducted to examine existing programs in
of organizations in Canada and around the world. This paper serves to
what exists now and fosters ''thinking outside the box'' to explore
programming opportunities in light of CIHR's ''transformative and
The Sub-committee is also involving senior staff from the granting
councils and the
Voluntary Health Organizations, and Health Canada to provide formal
input and advice
on programming initiatives and transition issues.
Guiding Principles for CIHR Programs
In developing its program proposals the sub-committee was guided by a
principles. Just as they have guided the Sub-committee, these principles
CIHR in its adjustments to the program structure over the years.
The program structure needs to be a model of simplicity. It should be
both easy to
manage and readily understandable to the researchers applying for
The programs should be flexible. Research projects are inherently
unique and rather
than force researchers to adapt their projects to the constraints of
programs need to permit the funding of a broad spectrum of possible
Collaborative and multi disciplinary research and research that cuts
across the themes of CIHR needs to be both encouraged and facilitated by
the program structure created by the CIHR.
Partnerships between research agencies needs to be an integral aspect
of the work of
CIHR. All programs of the CIHR should be open to partnering.
Partnerships do not
mean that the onus for finding sufficient funding from a number of
rests with the individual researcher.
CIHR programs need to be responsive to the needs of researchers and
health research priorities. Time-limited allocations of resources
targeted to deal with
specific issues or priorities will help create responsive programs.
The program structure needs to provide for both investigator-initiated
strategic or targeted research. The Governing Council
should adjust the resources
allocated to support these two forms of research
according to changing needs.
In response to identified areas of need the CIHR
needs to develop programs to build
research capacity, including training, career support
and infrastructure development.
Research budgets need to be determined by the
research question to be answered
rather than an arbitrary upper limit.
CIHR programs need to be structured and managed so
as to create an environment in
which researchers are given the freedom and time to
complete their projects with a
minimum of administrative intervention.
The dissemination of research findings must be a
priority for all research funded by
the CIHR. Where appropriate, research reports should
be linked to relevant policy
The transfer of knowledge and technology, including
the support for appropriate
commercialization, needs both staff support and
funding by CIHR.
Both the researchers and the CIHR must be held
accountable for the research
funded. The program structure needs to permit the
measurement of research outcomes
against goals and priorities.
As the time for submission of the draft paper draws
closer, the Sub-committee would
like additional public input on the following
1.We would appreciate comments on the guiding
principles proposed by the
Sub-committee on programs. Should these principles
guide CIHR program
development in the future?
2.What programming modalities should CIHR support?
3.To what extent should partnership programs with
other sectors complement and
enhance research programs supported by CIHR?
4.Should CIHR support research "chairs" in
partnership with other agencies or the
5.What priority should CIHR give to salary support
(career awards), for both new and
established researchers, as a central component of
capacity development in all needs
of health research?
6.What is the best way to support student training
component of CIHR?
7.Should the CIHR give special priority to
multidisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary
groups? What is the best way to support this
8.Should there be special program support within the
CIHR to encourage high-risk,
9.To what extent should CIHR be supporting
international health research activities?
What mechanisms of support are appropriate for this?
10.Should the CIHR support the maintenance of
national databases and registries of
research relevant material?
11.Should researchers be funded to disseminate the
results of their research to groups
outside their field of research or is this activity
best carried out by others?
12.Should CIHR offer special awards and other
mechanisms to recognize the
creativity, expertise and innovation?
13.Do you have any suggestions for innovative
programming in any of the categories
that are related grants and personnel support?
Please send your response to these questions to
cihr_info_icrs at hc-sc.gc.ca.
Graham Dellaire, Ph.D.
MRC Human Genetics Unit
Western General Hospital
Fax: +44 (0)131 343 2620
Phone: +44 (0)131 332 2471
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