INMD Newsletter - August 2009
Inside this Issue:
- Knowledge Translation at CIHR
- What gets measured, counts
- Call for Nominations: Inter-Agency Advisory Panel on Research Ethics (PRE)
- Other CIHR News
- Feedback on the INMD Newsletter
- Contact INMD
Back to Newsletter Main page
Back to INMD Main page
Knowledge Translation at CIHR
Knowledge translation is about informing potential knowledge users of research findings and facilitating their use. It is a fundamental part of CIHR's mandate:
The objective of the CIHR is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system." (Canadian Institutes of Health Research Act, 2000).
Increasingly, there is a need to demonstrate the benefits of investment of taxpayer dollars in health research, but these benefits will not materialize unless knowledge translation efforts facilitate and enable the uptake of research into policy, programs and practice.
CIHR defines Knowledge translation (KT) as a dynamic and iterative process that includes synthesis, dissemination, exchange and ethically-sound application of knowledge to improve the health of Canadians, provide more effective health services and products, and strengthen the health system.
CIHR categorizes KT into two categories: end-of-grant KT and integrated KT. End-of-grant KT covers the dissemination and application of knowledge that researchers undertake once the findings from a project are available. This is something that most researchers are already doing by publishing their research findings and presenting their work at conferences. Integrated KT is a way of doing research that includes knowledge users as members of the research team being involved in all stages of the research process, as well as defining the research questions.
CIHR encourages all research proposals to include end-of-grant KT plans to ensure that the research findings reach the appropriate audiences. Funding tools such as the CIHR MPD End of Grant Knowledge Translation Supplement supports implementing these plans. CIHR also encourages researchers and knowledge users to work together, when appropriate, on integrated KT proposals. Funding tools such as the CIHR Knowledge to Action and Knowledge Synthesis Grants are available to support such activities.
Commercialization is also a vital aspect of KT of potential interest to the INMD community. CIHR currently offers a suite of commercialization initiatives that encourage universities and teaching hospitals to interact with private sector partners responsible for delivering the benefits of health research. The Proof of Principles, Small/Medium Enterprises and RxD Research Collaborations offer seed funding for the development of projects deemed to possess a potential for commercial and/or social impact. The Science to Business (S2B) funding tool builds partnerships with Canadian business schools to encourage individuals with PhDs in a health related discipline to pursue a health and biotechnology stream MBA.
Currently, INMD is actively involved in KT through the support of the CIHR Partnerships for Heath Systems Improvement (PHSI) a research funding opportunity that supports teams of researchers and decision makers interested in conducting applied and policy-relevant health research in relation to INMD's mandate. INMD has also launched a suite of Meetings, Planning and Dissemination Grants (MPD) and Institute Community Support (ICS) Grants for the purpose of supporting activities such as workshops, conferences and opportunities for communication and dissemination of research in line with the INMD mandate.
Click here for more information about KT at CIHR or visit the CIHR Funding Opportunity Database for Knowledge Translation and Commercialization funding opportunities.
What gets measured, counts
The CIHR Act specifies that the Governing Council shall review the mandate and performance of each Health Research Institute at least every five years after it has been established, and determines whether its mandate or the policies respecting its role and functioning should be amended or whether it should be merged with another Health Research Institute or terminated.
In 2010-11, all the CIHR Institutes, including INMD, will be reviewed by an International Panel. To build a strong case for INMD related research, we would like to hear from you. Send us examples of how CIHR funding has led to your discoveries, breakthroughs, and health impacts for Canadians. If you have been funded by INMD in the last few years, we will be in touch with you directly. If you have not been funded by INMD, we still wish to hear from you: INMDComms@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
Everyone can help us make health research count by sending us your most recent publications. Let's make sure INMD gets measured, because your research counts!
Call for Nominations: Inter-Agency Advisory Panel on Research Ethics (PRE)
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) are pleased to announce a public call for nominations for membership on the Interagency Advisory Panel on Research Ethics. Deadline: 18 September 2009
For further details, see the Panel on Research Ethics Website.
Other CIHR News
Emerging Team Grants: The Canadian Microbiome Initiative
Feedback on the INMD Newsletter
Help us serve you better by emailing INMDComms@cihr-irsc.gc.ca and let us know what you would like to read about in the future.
To subscribe to this newsletter, please email INMDComms@cihr-irsc.gc.ca and type "subscribe" in the subject line.
To unsubscribe, please email INMDComms@cihr-irsc.gc.ca and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
