Institute Advisory Boards (IAB) Terms of Reference

Authority:

Sections 20 and 22 of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Act CIHR By-Law Article 3, section 3.07 (e),(f), and (g).

Membership:

The Institute Advisory Board (IAB) consists of no more than 15* members including the Chair and the Vice-Chair. Members and the Chair are appointed by the Governing Council. The Vice-Chair is elected by the IAB. All IAB members shall serve in a personal capacity and not represent a particular constituency. Membership will reflect, to the greatest extent possible, the diversity of Canada’s health research community and society. Membership will include researchers reflective of the highest standards of excellence across the four CIHR research themes.1

The Scientific Director is a non-voting, ex-officio member of the IAB, and not eligible to serve as its Chair or Vice-Chair. Governing Council members, while not eligible to serve as IAB members, may attend any meeting of an IAB on an ad hoc basis.

Terms:

Members shall be invited to serve initial terms of up to three years and may be re-appointed for a second term of up to three years, for a maximum of six consecutive years of service on any one CIHR IAB. In order to maintain continuity, appointments will be staggered so that one-third of members will be considered for replacement or re-appointment each year.

Meetings:

To be held at least twice annually at the call of the Chair, following consultation with the Scientific Director. The IAB Chair will adhere to best practice as defined in the Role and Responsibilities of the IAB Chair.

Quorum:

Quorum is a majority of members (50% +1). IABs are expected to operate by consensus. When more formal conduct is desired, the suggested reference guide is Bourinot’s Rules of Order, 4th Edition.

Mandate:

The IAB acts in an advisory capacity to the Scientific Director and the Governing Council, with respect to the full range of Institute activity. The IAB will give specific attention to:

  • Development and implementation of the Institute’s Strategic Plan and the establishment of research priorities and knowledge translation strategies for the Institute;
  • Encouragement of interdisciplinary, integrative health research, including partnerships, community links, engagement of other relevant stakeholders, and development and implementation of knowledge translation strategies to accelerate beneficial applications of research findings;
  • Communication of the Institute’s activities to the research community and to the public;
  • Annual evaluation of Institute performance and report to Governing Council on success in meeting the objectives of CIHR, and in particular, its progress in the development of strength across the full breadth of the four CIHR research themes and in the creation of an integrated Canadian health research agenda in the areas of the Institute’s mandate;
  • Application of an ethical framework to all Institute activities and research;
  • Any other matter which may be referred to the IAB by the Governing Council.

Roles and Responsibilities:

The IAB will adhere to best practice as defined in the Roles and Responsibilities of IAB Members.

Powers:

The IAB has the authority to create subcommittees and working groups, hold meetings anywhere in Canada and invite resource people, experts and the general public to its meetings.

Compensation:

As in the case of Governing Council and peer review committees, service as an IAB member is voluntary. IAB members will be reimbursed for expenses incurred to attend meetings but will not receive honoraria or other financial compensation. If, with the approval of the Governing Council, a member of the IAB is asked to perform additional duties, a standard fee may be paid.

Conflict of Interest:

IAB members are required to abide by the CIHR Conflict of Interest Policy.

Evaluation:

IAB terms of reference and membership shall be reviewed annually by the Governing Council.

Appointments:

On an annual basis, the Governing Council appoints members to fill the approximately one-third of IAB seats that turn over each year.

Terms of Reference:

Approved by the CIHR Executive Committee at its meeting on May 23, 2003. Revised by the CIHR Executive Committee at its meeting on January 19, 2004.

Revised by Nominating and Governance Committee and approved by the CIHR Governing Council at its meeting on June 26-27, 2012.

1 Bio-medical research; clinical research; research respecting health systems and services; the health of populations, societal and cultural dimensions of health and environmental influences on health.

* membership reduction to 14 members in 2011, 13 members in 2012 and 12 members in 2013.