DISCUSIONS WITH CIHR

Dr. Bruce H. Sells, FRS(C)
Executive Director

Posted:December 02, 05

In our conversation with Dr. Mark Bisby, CIHR Vice President, Research Portfolio, a number of issues raised by our members were discussed:

1. Capping and/or reducing the number of Individual Operating Grants

   This issue arose out of the concern that CIHR would support new team/group grants at the expense of individual operating grants program. Currently, there are 3200 individual operating grants or 800/year if capped.

   CIHR Governing Council (GC) has been wrestling with the question how to support team/group grants if there is not a significant budget increase. While there is an apparent demand for team grants the question is “how should CIHR respond? What is the best mix of individual operating grants and team/group grants? (As an additional note to these conversation we were made aware –at the CFBS' Strategic Planning Session, Nov. 19th, 05- that in considering team/group grants CIHR looks for evidence that the applicants have indeed worked as collaborators prior to the time of application). How should budgetary resources be reallocated? These are some of the ongoing questions being considered by the Governing Council. At present no final decisions have been made regarding budget reallocations.

   It should be noted that the CIHR budgetary situation is such that an increase of ~ $ 60 million would be required just to provide the level of support that was available last year to deal with the various grant competitions.

2. Aligning CIHR’s Peer Review System to CIHR Outcomes

   Currently, the Governing Council is discussing how the peer review system can be improved. CIHR is concerned that the most innovative grant proposals be funded and wishes to ensure that this goal is being achieved. At the same time the Governing Council is concerned about addressing the question of what impact the funded grants have.

3. Appointments to the CIHR Governing Council

   Appointments to the Governing Council take a significant period of time since they are made through the Office of the PM. Suggestions are made by CIHR in addition to others that are considered by the PMO. Currently, members representing the Biomedical Community are not at full strength. Two names are currently in the “pipeline” for approval.

Final Comment:
Given the recent suggested increased allocation of $ 35 million in the November Federal Financial Statement CIHR faces a challenging budgetary situation. We would hope that the next Federal budget will relieve some of the resulting pressures on CIHR.