Results of the September 2007 Operating Grants Competition

(2008-02-04) CIHR recently released the results of the September, 2007 Operating Grants Competition. This event always stands out as a significant moment for CIHR and for the research community. With CIHR's increased emphasis on partnerships, knowledge translation and collaboration with the end-users of research, we expect that more and more stakeholders will also begin to share the anticipation and excitement around the announcement. Each new competition marks the launch of promising health research projects that will generate new knowledge, new perspectives and, ultimately, improved health for Canadians.

In the September competition, we would like to report that the application pressure is stabilizing. This represents a positive sign as CIHR continues to work to maintain a stable Operating Grants Program. This was a commitment we made last year and we have not relented on that commitment. Moving forward, CIHR considers this to be a major priority and we are continuing to aim towards funding 400-450 grants per competition. Likewise, we are also aiming at gradually reducing cuts to grant budgets.

In conclusion, it is important to reiterate a point made in the message from the President. CIHR considers the research community to be our number-one partner; nothing would be possible without your efforts, your commitment to advancing the state of health research and your participation in the peer review process. We would like to continue to strengthen this partnership as we work to maintain a stable Operating Grants Program.

Kelly VanKoughnet, Ph.D.
Acting Vice President, Research Portfolio