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Partnership Matters - Spring 2009

Table of Contents

Message from the Vice-President of Knowledge Translation

Welcome to the Spring issue of Partnership Matters.

In our last issue, we informed our partners about CIHR's plans to develop and implement a new Partnership Strategy. At that point in December, we were in the initial phases of consulting with partner representatives from each sector for their feedback on CIHR's partnership processes. I am pleased to report that both internal and external consultations have now been completed, and the important insights gathered from those consultations have been used to guide the first drafts of the strategy document. In the coming months, work on the strategy will continue and a comprehensive implementation plan will be developed.

We have been very encouraged by the level of enthusiasm for partnerships that we have encountered both internally and externally. On behalf of CIHR, I'd like to thank our partners for your continued support and for your excitement about the future. I believe that we are moving in the right direction by reinforcing the importance of partnerships in the Canadian health research enterprise, and I am optimistic that CIHR will be able to enhance its communication and coordination of partnership activities as we move forward.

Dr. Ian Graham
Vice-President, Knowledge Translation
Canadian Institutes of Health Research


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CIHR Partnership Award: Call for Nominations

CIHR is pleased to launch the call for applications for its annual Partnership Award.

The CIHR Partnership Award, established in 2002, recognizes partnerships between organizations that exemplify excellence by bringing health research communities together to create innovative approaches to research, develop research agendas that are responsive to the health needs of Canadians and/or accelerate the translation of knowledge for the benefit of Canadians. The emphasis of the award is on innovative cross-sector partnerships between organizations that promote excellence.

CIHR will present the Partnership Award at a special event of the winning organization where they will receive a $25,000 award in the form of a one-year research grant, to be used by the awardee(s) to advance the research or knowledge translation activities of the partnership.

The deadline for nominations is May 1, 2009.

For information about how to apply, please visit the Partnership Award web page. If you have any questions about the award, please contact Rosa Venuta at rosa.venuta@cihr-irsc.gc.ca or 613-941-1006.


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Partnerships for Health System Improvement (PHSI): Revitalized

Partnerships for Health System Improvement (PHSI) aims to strengthen Canada's healthcare system through collaborative, applied and policy-relevant research. PHSI is Canada's premier health services and policy research competition - and with its strong emphasis on partnerships and knowledge translation, it is also a major resource for managers and policy makers who want relevant research to inform their decision-making. PHSI funds teams of knowledge-users and researchers to conduct applied health services and policy research. Because they participate throughout the research process, the research results are more likely to be relevant to and used by decision makers. PHSI projects can last up to three years and receive up to a maximum of $400,000 from CIHR over the life of the project. Additional funding from external partners is required.

PHSI will be launched again in June 2009 with a Fall 2009 application deadline.

For partnership opportunities or to find out more about the program please contact Meghan McMahon at meghan.mcmahon@utoronto.ca or Chris McCutcheon at christopher.mccutcheon@cihr-irsc.gc.ca or visit About PHSI.


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Coming Soon: The CIHR Partnerships Casebook

Partners offer a wealth of expertise, leadership and experience that contribute to the overall health research enterprise. Strategic partnerships are critical to achieving a shared vision of a vibrant health research community that is independent, creative, and responsive to the needs of Canadians and the global community. The CIHR Partnerships Casebook will offer first-hand cases of successful collaborations between organizations and/or researchers to highlight best practices in partnership activities.

A total of 14 cases will be included in the Casebook, including eight cases that were successful in a competitive process and six "Partnership Profiles" of the past CIHR Partnership Award winners. These cases run the gamut from researcher-to-researcher collaborations to initiatives that involve researchers, organizations, communities and policy makers.

The Casebook is expected to be published and distributed in May 2009. Please contact Allison Forsythe for more information (allison.forsythe@cihr-irsc.gc.ca) or visit the Casebook web page for updates.


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Canadian Public Health Association 2009 Conference

This year, the Canadian Public Health Association's annual conference will take place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, from June 7-10th, 2009. This event, entitled "Public Health in Canada: Strengthening Connections," is being presented in collaboration with CIHR's Institute of Population and Public Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada. For more information and to register, visit the CPHA website.


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CIHR's Institute of Gender and Health Launches a New Strategic Plan

CIHR-IGH recently released its strategic plan for 2009-2012. The Institute has made many important achievements in the years since its inception. They include fostering the development of a research community dedicated to understanding how gender and sex influence health outcomes, and supporting studies on gender- and sex-related health impacts in such areas as violence, caregiving, immigrants and refugees, breast cancer, homelessness and housing, HIV/AIDS, occupational health, tobacco use, and reproductive health.

Members of the Institute Advisory Board (IAB) agreed that it was time to build on the Institute's past successes by undertaking a comprehensive discussion about the Institute's mission, vision, values, and strategic directions. The process used to develop this strategic plan was a rigorous one that involved extensive background work, including the synthesis of cross-Canada interviews and consultations that took place during the spring and fall of 2008. It culminated in a two-day workshop in November, where, after thoughtful discussion and a thorough review of the background information and strategic priorities of the other CIHR institutes, the IAB agreed unanimously on the six strategic directions described in Gender Matters! IGH Strategic Plan 2009-2012.

The strategic planning process has enabled the Institute to take stock of the current state of research on gender, sex, and health and to identify potential partners for future work. The good news is that there is no shortage of opportunities. The field of research that explores gender influences and sex differences is now, more than ever, providing important insights into ways to improve the health of Canadians.

IGH is confident that the strategic directions it has chosen in collaboration with its stakeholders will enable the Institute to continue to exert a positive influence on the health of women, men, girls, and boys - and to move closer to achieving its vision of a world in which gender and sex are key considerations in health research and its applications.

For more information, please contact Sandra Ramezani, IGH Communications Officer, at sramezani@exchange.ubc.ca.


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Let's Share Our Health Research Success Stories

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) works with many partners to support the brightest researchers in the country. Together, we've made considerable progress in expanding what we know about health, improving the way we prevent and treat disease and addressing Canadians' most pressing health concerns. To document these advances, CIHR produces a wide range of articles, opinion pieces, information sheets and resources for people who want to know more about Canadian health research.

If you would like to use some of CIHR's communications products or explore other collaborative communications opportunities, please contact Andrew McColgan at andrew.mccolgan@cihr-irsc.gc.ca or 613-946-0927.

To find past editions of Partnership Matters visit the Resources web page or contact Allison Forsythe at allison.forsythe@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.


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CIHR Knowledge Translation Award: Call for Nominations

CIHR is pleased to announce its call for nominations for its annual Knowledge Translation (KT) Award.

The award honours and supports the exemplary knowledge translation efforts and activities of an exceptional individual, team or organization that has made an outstanding contribution (at a national level) to increasing the application of research findings, improving the health of Canadians, health services and products, or strengthening the health-care system. Nominated individuals, teams or organizations will be assessed on significant achievements in knowledge translation activities relevant to any area of health research (e.g., biomedical, clinical, health services and policy, and population and public health). The achievements of the individual, team or organization that is the recipient of the CIHR Knowledge Translation Award will be celebrated at the annual CIHR Awards Ceremony held in Ottawa each fall.

The deadline for nominations is May 1, 2009.

For information about how to apply, please visit the Knowledge Translation Award 2009 web page. If you have any questions about this award, please contact Leah Jurkovic (leah.jurkovic@cihr-irsc.gc.ca).


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Sign Up for the "CIHR E-Alert: News for Researchers"

The CIHR E-Alert is a monthly bulletin that is sent out via e-mail and provides announcements relating to funding opportunities, application and policy changes, news from the V.P. of Research and the V.P. of Knowledge Translation, and any other news from CIHR that would be of interest to researchers and research administrators.

If you would like to sign up for the E-Alert, please take the following steps to subscribe:

  1. Visit the Funding News web page.
  2. Click on the Useful Link titled "Subscribe to CIHR's News for Researchers" (located on the right-hand side of the web page).
  3. Clicking the link will open a pop-up subscription form that you or your colleagues can complete.
  4. Click the "Submit" button.
  5. You will then see a pop-up message thanking you for your subscription.

There is no fee for this subscription and you can stop the subscription whenever you wish.

The E-Alert also contains a section for "Announcements from other organizations." If you have news that may be of interest to the research community (for example, conferences, associations, etc.), please contact Allison Forsythe (allison.forsythe@cihr-irsc.gc.ca) to discuss the news and how it could be included in an upcoming E-Alert.

Have you checked out CIHR's redesigned website?


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Research Spotlight: Dr. Etienne Gagnon

Dr. Etienne Gagnon is the recipient of the 2008 CIHR BIOTECanada / Schering-Plough Canada Fellowship. The award is presented to the highest-ranked postdoctoral fellowship candidate in the fields of immunology, infectious and inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, allergies and respiratory problems.

Dr. Gagnon is part of a growing research field known as cancer immunology, and his postdoctoral studies could dramatically improve our understanding of how our bodies outwit disease. One of the most promising new strategies in the fight against cancer involves harnessing the body's innate disease-fighting abilities.

Working with Dr. Kai Wucherpfennig at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Dr. Gagnon is trying to uncover the mechanics of T cell activation. By improving our understanding of the physical process behind T cell activation, Dr. Gagnon's research could someday lead to new cancer therapies that are based on manipulating the body's immune response.

To read more about the winners of the 2008 Canadian Health Research Awards, visit the Canadian Health Research Awards Night 2008 web page.


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Introducing CIHR's Online KT Learning Modules

CIHR is pleased to announce that three knowledge translation online learning modules are now freely available on the CIHR knowledge translation website. These modules, including A Guide to Researcher and Knowledge User Collaboration in Health Research, Introduction to Evidence-Informed Decision Making and Critical Appraisal of Intervention Studies, are briefly described below. Please enjoy!

A Guide to Researcher and Knowledge-User Collaboration in Health Research

This learning module will lead those engaged in collaborative health research - both researchers and knowledge users - through many of the key issues that should be considered and addressed when you take an integrated approach to creating knowledge and translate it into action. The module includes many real-life examples and case studies to illustrate learning points discussed in each section. This tutorial material was developed by Participatory Research at McGill (PRAM).

Introduction to Evidence-Informed Decision Making

This module has been developed to increase understanding about the components of evidence-informed decision making. It is built on a scenario that allows the learner to understand and apply each stage of the evidence-informed decision making process. The module was developed by Donna Ciliska, RN, PhD, Professor, McMaster University and Scientific Director, National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools.

Critical Appraisal of Intervention Studies

The objective of this module is to increase the learner's ability to decide if an intervention study is of sufficient quality to be applied to a particular situation. The module is built on a scenario that allows the learner to understand and apply each criterion for critical appraisal of an intervention study. The module was developed by Donna Ciliska, RN, PhD, Professor, McMaster University and Scientific Director, National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools.

If you have any comments or questions about these modules, please contact CIHR's Knowledge Synthesis & Exchange Branch at kse-sec@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.


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Visit our new Partnerships web page

This page and its linked resources are being updated to provide our partners with easy access to:

  • information about how to partner with CIHR
  • success stories from some of our partnered programs
  • contact information for the Partnerships & Citizen Engagement Branch

If you have any suggestions, questions, or comments, please contact Allison Forsythe at allison.forsythe@irsc-cihr.gc.ca.


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Canada-Wide Science Fair 2009

The Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF) is the premier event of the Youth Science Canada (YSC) National Science Fair Program and is jointly presented by YSC, the national governing body for science fairs, and a local Host Committee comprised of professors, research scientists, members of the business community, science educators, and graduate students.

Each year, some 450 top young scientists in grades 7-12 are chosen from approximately 25,000 competitors at over one hundred regional science and technology fairs across the country. These elite participants compete in nine divisions and three age categories for medals and other prizes worth over $360,000. Judges include top scientists and industry experts.

This year, the event will take place in Winnepeg, Manitoba, from May 9-17th. The CWSF week includes project setup, judging, scientific and cultural activities, social events, banquets, and tours, including visits to local museums, university and industry research labs, and wildlife conservation areas. The week culminates in a spectacular awards ceremony. Over 1,000 participants attend the fair, including Canadian students, international students, parents, teachers and industry and government representatives.

For more information, please visit the event website.


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Mark Your Calendars

  • April 30, 2009: Anticipated date for the next CIHR E-Alert
  • May 1, 2009: Deadline for nominations for both the CIHR Partnership Award and the CIHR Knowledge Translation Award
  • May 9-17, 2009: Canada-Wide Science Fair in Winnipeg
  • June 7-10, 2009: Canadian Public Health Association's annual conference

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First-Ever CIHR Journalism Awards

CIHR announced the results of its first-ever CIHR Journalism Awards competition on March 10th, 2009. Nineteen Canadian journalists won awards that will give them critical extra resources to conduct additional in-depth investigation and reporting of health research issues of interest to Canadians.

The 33 applications received for this program were evaluated by an eight-member independent merit review committee. Four of the members were nominated by the Canadian Science Writers Association and four by the Association des communicateurs scientifiques du Québec. In view of the high quality of the applications, CIHR has decided to fund 19 awards instead of the original 10 proposed in order to foster additional coverage of health research issues that would benefit Canadian readers, viewers and listeners.

CIHR sees the media as a key vehicle for communicating the results of health research to Canadians and we are delighted to see the interest and excitement growing in the journalism community.


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Update on CIHR's Citizen Engagement Framework

In 2007, CIHR's Knowledge Translation Portfolio identified the establishment of a Citizen Engagement Framework as a key commitment for CIHR. This Framework will guide CIHR staff in the meaningful involvement of individual citizens in both strategic priority-setting and in research processes.

As end-users of health research, citizens are sources of valuable input. Citizen Engagement is an opportunity to seek common ground and greater alignment with the priorities, needs, and concerns of citizens in relation to specific issues. Engaging citizens ensures that the research is relevant and allows CIHR staff to assess whether science-based conclusions are aligned with the values and experiences of citizens. Furthermore, this engagement not only enhances the organization's accountability and transparency practices, but it can also help us to uncover new ways to translate research knowledge into practice.

The CIHR Citizen Engagement Framework has been developed through two main activities: 1) an analysis of Citizen Engagement activities and programs from select research agencies in Canada and abroad; and 2) an internal survey of Citizen Engagement activities from CIHR's Institutes and Branches. We are building on our own activities and experience, and learning from the lessons and expertise of others. A consultation process for the draft of the framework took place from September 2008 - February 2009; the framework was recently approved by CIHR senior management.

While implementing the Citizen Engagement Framework will be the responsibility of all Institutes and Branches of CIHR, the Partnerships and Citizen Engagement Branch will be providing guidance to all areas of the organization.

A Handbook is currently being written as a companion guide to the framework and is intended to help with the planning and design of Citizen Engagement in key areas of CIHR's work. The Handbook incorporates both the concepts and vision for engaging citizens that is outlined in the framework and builds upon them to introduce best practices, approaches, and methods that can be applied for effective, meaningful engagement. The CE Framework and Handbook will be presented early the Fall at meetings with CIHR's Institutes and Branches, and also through a pilot learning session for any interested CIHR staff.

For more information about CIHR's Citizen Engagement Framework or Handbook, please contact Rosa Venuta at rosa.venuta@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.


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Community-Based Research in Canada

CIHR recently became an ex-officio member of the Steering Committee for a new network called Community-Based Research Canada (CBRC).This network connects people and organizations engaged in community-based research across the country.

For more information, please visit their newly-released website.

Modified: 2009-04-27

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