SPOR Networks – Call for Expressions of Interest

Purpose

Canada's Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) aims to support transformative research that will demonstrably improve health outcomes and enhance the health care experience for patients.

The implementation of SPOR involves three main components: Networks, SUPPORT Units and Training. With respect to Networks, the SPOR National Steering Committee has initially identified two targeted networks:

• Patient-Oriented Network in Youth and Adolescent Mental Health
• Community-based Primary Health Care (CBPHC)

As part of an overall process for identifying future SPOR Networks in other areas, the SPOR National Steering Committee is now issuing a call for an Expression of Interest. This Expression of Interest is to assist the SPOR National Steering Committee in gauging interest and existing network capacity within the community. This is not a Letter of Intent. As such, responding to this Expression of Interest is not a prerequisite for application to future SPOR Network funding opportunities.

In parallel with this call for an Expression of Interest, Provincial/Territorial partners and Canadian citizens will be engaged to identify priority areas that would benefit from a SPOR network. The results of all these processes will be used to inform discussions of the National Steering Committee regarding areas where existing capacity may be mobilized through an open call for networks, and where gaps in capacity may exist which require a more targeted funding approach. Future funding opportunities will then be developed and launched based on these discussions.

What are SPOR Networks?

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 Research 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.
• Strengthening the capacity to conduct patient-oriented research through training and mentoring initiatives.

Expression of Interest Submission Process

1. Expressions of Interest will be expected to include:
   • The title of the proposed network research area.
   • A description of the proposed focus and scope for the network and the critical success factors.
   • A brief explanation of how the proposed network would align with SPOR Network objectives.
   • A brief description of the priority or need for a SPOR Network in the proposed research area, including the potential outcomes and impact on patient health and/or health care.
   • A description of key players and relevant stakeholders in the proposed research area with an emphasis on leveraging existing research and implementation capacity.
   • Evidence of the readiness of communities to mobilize a network.
   • Potential for partner investment, based on an expectation that CIHR will provide matching funds, and partnership growth opportunities that would indicate potential for sustainability.
2. Submissions to the Expression of Interest should not exceed three typewritten pages, including appendices.
3. Completed electronic submissions and any questions regarding the Expression of Interest process should be directed to:

   Mary Fraser Valiquette
   Strategic Programs Design and Analytics
   Canadian Institutes of Health Research
   Email: Mary.FraserValiquette@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
   Phone: 613-941-4394

4. Deadline for submissions is 5:00 p.m. (EST), February 28, 2013.

Timelines

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

Next Steps

The submissions CIHR receives through the Expression of Interest will be used along with other sources of evidence, including environmental scanning and consultations with Provincial/Territorial partners and Canadian citizens, to identify priority areas that are likely to benefit from a SPOR Network and where existing network capacity is positioned to potentially address these priority areas as a SPOR Network. This information will be presented to the SPOR National Steering Committee for decision on future SPOR Network funding opportunities.