1) Effective June 2009, the Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) Program will be integrated within the Open Operating Grants Program (OOGP). Please refer to the Open Operating Grants 2009-2010 funding opportunity on the CIHR Website for program specific details when the new version is launched in late June.

For applications to the Open Operating Grants Program for randomized controlled trials there will be two possibilities: 1) if the budget requested is less than $250,000 in every project year researchers may apply to the most relevant content peer review committee or to the RCT peer review committee; and, 2) if the budget requested is greater than or equal to $250,000 in any project year researchers must apply to the RCT peer review committee.

2) Effective immediately, randomized controlled trials will be an available option within other funding opportunities, whenever appropriate for the objectives of those funding opportunities, as determined by CIHR.

CIHR staff will decide on the most appropriate review committee, whether ad hoc or an existing review committee, for the review of these applications.

These changes are the end result of the work of a Task Force convened to discuss key issues and provide recommendations to CIHR on the RCT Program. In the role of randomized controlled trials (RCT) champion, Dr. Michael Kramer, Scientific Director of CIHR's IHDCYH, assembled the members of the Task Force in January 2008. This RCT Task Force made several recommendations to CIHR for changes to the funding and management of RCTs within CIHR. CIHR's Scientific Council reviewed the recommendations, made some modifications and CIHR is now moving forward with the changes described above as well as those announced last December, i.e., discontinuing the Outline requirement for submission of RCTs and expanding the eligibility criteria for the RCT Mentoring program.

CIHR thanks Dr. Kramer and the Task Force for its review of the RCT Program and the resulting recommendations.

Task Force membership:

• Michael Kramer, Scientific Director, Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (Chair)
• Penny Brasher, University of British Columbia
• Gerald Devins, University of Toronto
• Ellen Hodnett, University of Toronto
• Susan Kahn, McGill University
• Terry Klassen, University of Alberta
• Andreas Laupacis, University of Toronto
• Peter Liu, Scientific Director, CIHR Institute of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Health
• Isabelle Schmid, Deputy Director, Targeted Initiatives Branch, and Head, Clinical Research Unit
• Salim Yusuf, McMaster University

If you have any questions, please contact:

• Iranga Chikuru at 613-957-6137 or irangaodette.chikuru@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
• Toni Gasparini at 613-941-4438 or toni.gasparini@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
• Irwin Schweitzer at 613-941-0718 or irwin.schweitzer@cihr-irsc.gc.ca