SPOR Networks – Expression of Interest – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is SPOR?
Canada's Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) is a collaboration of researchers, provinces and territories, partners, health care providers, patients and families – all working in partnership to improve the quality and effectiveness of care provided to Canadians.
2. What is patient-oriented research?
Patient-oriented research is about putting patients first. This research is informed by patients and focuses on what is important to patients. It produces information for decision makers and health care providers that will improve health care practices, therapies and policies. It ensures that new and innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are applied where they are needed.
3. Why is SPOR needed?
Canadian health researchers excel at finding innovative ways to improve the health of Canadians. However, too often these innovations do not find their way to the decision makers and health care providers who need them.
Through SPOR, these innovative practices, therapies and policies are taken out of the research environment and applied to the front lines of health care, where they can help Canadian patients. By sharing the best practices in health care, SPOR allows all provinces and territories to benefit.
4. How will SPOR be delivered?
The strategy identifies a number of critical elements that will help achieve the vision for SPOR. These include:
- Networks
- SUPPORT Units
- Capacity building
- Improving the environment for clinical research
- Engagement
5. What are SPOR Networks?
Patient-oriented research networks bridge the gap between research evidence and health care practice.
SPOR Networks are a formal collaboration of patients, health professionals, decision makers, health researchers and their partners from across Canada.
The primary objective of SPOR Networks is to generate evidence and innovations that advance practice and policy changes leading to transformative and measurable improvements in:
- patient health;
- health care; and
- efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.
It is expected that Network participants will work cooperatively to undertake a range of activities in order to achieve this objective, including:
- establishing priorities and developing a nation-wide agenda of outcomes-oriented research;
- developing and implementing evidence-informed practices, policies, services, products and programs to improve patient outcomes, access to care and quality, efficiency and effectiveness of health care.
- accelerating the translation of new knowledge into clinical applications, practice and policy; and
- strengthening the capacity to conduct patient-oriented research through training and mentoring initiatives.
Some networks will be identified through an "open," investigator-initiated funding opportunity. These networks will respond to priority needs identified through the engagement of Provincial/Territorial partners and patients.
Other networks may be identified through more targeted mechanisms. These networks will respond to Provincial/Territorial and patient priority needs that are not currently being addressed through existing capacity.
6. What SPOR networks have already been launched?
The first SPOR network was announced in October 2012, and is focused in the area of youth and adolescent mental health. The application process for this network will begin in early 2013. For more information, please visit:
- Government of Canada and Graham Boeckh Foundation jointly support mental health research network
- Transformational Research in Adolescent Mental Health website
A second SPOR network in the area of community-based primary health care (CBPHC) is currently under development.
7. What is an "Expression of Interest"?
This call for Expressions of Interest is a way for the SPOR National Steering Committee to gather information on existing network capacity in Canada, in research areas other than those identified above.
Note that this is not a formal letter of intent, and not a CIHR funding opportunity. It is an opportunity for Canada's researchers to provide information on the current landscape – the existing network capacity in Canada that could align with the SPOR network objectives.
8. What is the difference between an Expression of Interest and a Letter of Intent?
An Expression of Interest (EOI) is a request for information intended to support decision-making regarding the creation of future funding opportunities. It is not mandatory in order to be considered for future funding and is not part of the formal application process.
A letter of intent (LOI) is typically part of an application process within a funding opportunity and is formally reviewed by a peer review committee. When a letter of intent is required, further consideration for funding is contingent upon submission of an LOI.
9. Is submitting an Expression of Interest a prerequisite for applying to future funding opportunities related to SPOR Networks?
No. Eligibility for submitting an application for SPOR Network funding will be outlined in the funding opportunity to be launched later in 2013.
10. What does the SPOR National Steering Committee aim to achieve through this call for expressions of interest?
The submissions received through the expression of interest will be used to understand the landscape for existing and emerging network capacity that could align with SPOR Network objectives. This information will be used alongside other sources of knowledge, including scanning and consultations with provincial/territorial partners and Canadians to identify priority health areas that could benefit from a SPOR network.
This information will be presented to the SPOR National Steering Committee to inform decision-making on SPOR network funding opportunities. For those priority areas where it is clear that there is substantial existing network capacity, an open call for applications within these priority areas would be appropriate. Where there are gaps between priority areas and existing capacity, a more targeted funding approach may be recommended by the Committee.
A SPOR Network funding opportunity stemming from these decisions is anticipated for Summer 2013, with funding opportunities for more targeted SPOR Networks to follow.
11. When/how do I submit an expression of interest?
Expressions of interest will be accepted from January 18 to February 28, 2013. SPOR Networks Call for Expressions of Interest provides details on how to submit.
| Call for expressions of interest for SPOR networks issued | January 18, 2013 |
|---|---|
| Submission deadline for expressions of interest | February 28, 2013 |
| Consultation with provinces/territories and citizens to identify priority health areas | January-February, 2013 |
| SPOR National Steering Committee reviews results of consultations and expressions of interest to determine SPOR networks to be funded through an open call or a more targeted funding opportunity | Spring 2013 |
| Launch of an open funding opportunity for SPOR networks | Summer 2013 |
12. If my colleagues and I currently work within (or are in the process of creating) a research network but do not submit an expression of interest, what are the implications?
Submission to this Expression of Interest is not a requirement for future funding consideration. It is important, however, that the information gathered from the EOI process provides the National Steering Committee with a comprehensive view of existing and emerging network capacity. For this reason, we encourage the community to submit information that will help contribute to a fulsome understanding of the current landscape.
13. Why are submissions restricted to only 3 pages?
By restricting submissions to 3 pages, our expectation is that the information provided is kept concise and responsive to the details requested. An EOI submission is not intended to be an onerous process for community members given that it is not part of a funding opportunity application process.
14. Are appendices included in the 3 page limit?
The 3 page limit includes appendices. This is intended to encourage conciseness within submissions and to allow for an expedient synthesis of the information submitted.
15. In describing the key players and relevant stakeholders, what information is expected? Are CVs anticipated?
General descriptions of the key players/stakeholders are sufficient. CVs are not expected.
16. Why is the expression of interest submission timeframe such a short period of time?
The call for Expressions of Interest is part of a broader process to establish future SPOR Networks. To ensure that these networks are established in a timely way, thereby maintaining the vision and implementation of the overarching SPOR strategy, it is necessary to complete this information-gathering step early in 2013.
17. What is the expectation for network partnership support?
There is an expectation that partner investment for SPOR Networks will be based on a 1:1 funding requirement. At this time, the National Steering Committee would like to get an understanding through the submissions to the Expressions of Interest of the partnership interest and potential for existing and emerging networks.