Canadian Institutes of Health Research Annual Report 2017–18
President’s Message
On behalf of the Governing Council, I am pleased to present the 2017-18 Annual Report of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
It has been my honour this year to serve as CIHR Acting President. We have made great headway in strengthening our relationship with Canada’s vibrant research community. We have also worked closely this year with our federal colleagues on advancing the government’s science agenda and implementing some of the recommendations from Canada’s Fundamental Science Review, such as the creation of the Canadian Research Coordinating Committee.
As the Government of Canada’s health research funding agency, CIHR plays a leading role in supporting new scientific knowledge and enabling its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system. Over the last year, we have worked closely with the health research community, seeking the advice of its members on how we can better achieve this vision. With the community’s support, we have made enhancements to the process by which research grant applications are funded and adjudicated. For example, face-to-face peer-review panels were restored, and the response from the research community has been enthusiastic. These improvements will ensure we are fostering the highest standards of excellence in health research for years to come.
This past year, CIHR has also made progress in implementing the Government of Canada’s commitment to using Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) to develop effective policies and programs. We have continued to implement our 2016-17 Sex- and Gender-Based Analysis (SGBA) in Research Action Plan by increasing awareness among the research community of the importance and use of SGBA in research design and by embedding SGBA requirements into our own programming. Equity and diversity in the research system has been shown to lead to more creativity, more innovation, and more meaningful research outcomes. Embedding SGBA in health research will ensure better science and research outcomes benefit all Canadians.
Similarly, CIHR has made great progress in building up the next generation of leaders. Health research trainees are critical contributors to spurring innovation into the health care system. This year, we unveiled a new vision for Canada’s health research trainees – that they would emerge from their training as scientific, professional, or organizational leaders within and beyond the health research enterprise. We released tools to better equip trainees for success in a rapidly evolving environment of advancing technologies and to access broader professional skill sets. For example, we launched the Early Career Researchers Observer program to help new researchers learn more about the importance of a strong peer review process. Additionally, we ramped up awareness and use of a new career development tool to best prepare trainees for leadership roles in the Canadian economy. These opportunities were greeted with great enthusiasm by early career and senior researchers alike. It is hoped that such initiatives will develop this diverse and dynamic cadre of highly-qualified personnel into the leaders of tomorrow.
This past year saw marked growth in how we develop capacity for Indigenous health research. CIHR has worked closely with Indigenous communities and the Advisory Board for its Institute of Indigenous Peoples Health to develop two new initiatives. CIHR announced the Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) – a 15-year initiative with a total investment of $89.4M. Providing a solid foundation for Indigenous health research driven by, and grounded in, Indigenous communities across Canada, the NEIHR initiative will ensure that CIHR’s research capacity-building and training efforts are based upon the priorities and values of Indigenous communities. We also announced the Indigenous Mentorship Network Program which aims to support the next generation of Indigenous health researchers by providing distinctive learning opportunities and specially tailored mentoring activities to Indigenous students at the undergraduate, master’s, doctoral and post-doctoral levels, as well as Indigenous researchers in the beginning phase of their careers. These two initiatives are moving the marker on our 2016 Action Plan: Building a healthier future for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
We have seen a renewal of our Governing Council and welcomed several new Scientific Directors to the organization. The upcoming implementation of the recommendations from an Internal Audit of Corporate Governance as well as an amendment to the CIHR Act to separate the role of President of CIHR and that of Chair of Governing Council will help modernize governance at CIHR in alignment with recommendations from Canada’s Fundamental Science Review. Ensuring responsible governance and stewardship is firmly rooted in our commitment to continuous improvement and accountability to Canadians.
The coming year will be pivotal for CIHR as it enters the final year in its strategic plan, Health Research Roadmap II: Capturing Innovation to Produce Better Health and Health Care, and begins to look towards the future. New leadership, both in its executive management and its governing board, will bring fresh ideas and a new lens to the organization. Many of its achievements and goals will be highlighted more fulsomely in the Departmental Results Report and Departmental Plan respectively.
I invite you to read the financial details of this report to learn more about CIHR’s investments in strengthening Canada’s health care system and improving the health of Canadians.
Allow me to close by expressing my gratitude to the vibrant community we serve and the entire CIHR staff whose dedication allows Canada’s health research enterprise to flourish.
Yours sincerely,
Roderick R. McInnes, C.M., O.Ont., MD, PhD, FRSC
Acting President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
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