In 2007, CIHR put together a long-term plan to support a steady, robust and high impact Open Operating Grants program. The two key objectives of that plan were to support approximately 400-450 operating grants per competition, and to reduce the percentage of cutbacks to grants awarded.

In January, 2009 I reported to you that for the Fall 2008 competition we had been successful in keeping our pledge to maintain the number of grants awarded in the 400-450 range. In addition, we have also been able to address concerns raised by the research community regarding cutbacks to the grants awarded. Several years ago, the grant cutback percentage reached as high as 22% and, as a result of our plan, we have steadily reduced these cutbacks.

I'm very pleased to announce today that we have been able to further reduce the cutbacks to operating grants for both the Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 competitions. CIHR will be providing a one-time-only supplement to all the grants awarded in those competitions aimed at reducing the cutbacks already applied. This will have the effect of reducing the cutback from approximately 14% to 11% (on average) over the duration of the grant. Letters to grant holders are being finalized and will be sent out shortly.

We will continue to focus on ways to ensure that our OGP plan remains steadily on track and will inform you of new developments as they unfold.

Thank you

Alain Beaudet, MD PhD
President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research