SPOR Networks

What is a SPOR Network?

A SPOR Network is a collaboration of patients, health service providers, policy/decision makers, and health researchers across Canada. Together, they conduct research that produces information that responds to the needs of patients.

Objectives

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

Health Research Investment

Funding Opportunities will be launched to fund SPOR Networks. It is anticipated that each Network will be awarded up to $25 million in funding over 5 years. CIHR will provide up to 50% of funding. The remaining matching funding will come from eligible partners.

Network Focus

The National Steering Committee has identified two targeted networks to deliver on the SPOR objectives:

  1. Network in Youth and Adolescent Mental Health

    This research network aims to improve the care provided to young Canadians with mental illness by translating promising research findings into practice and policy. Please contact the Transformational Research in Adolescent Mental Health (TRAM) Partnership Team to find out how to get involved with the TRAM network development process, and make links with others who may share your interests.

    Jacques Hendlisz
    TRAM Partnership Lead
    C: 514-952-2739
    T: 613-954-2474
    j.hendlisz@icloud.com

  2. Community-Based Primary Health Care (CBPHC) Network

    The goals of the CBPHC initiative are to improve access to appropriate CBPHC, enhance patient experience, and contribute to better health outcomes. This Network is one of three components of the larger vision encompassed in the CIHR Community-Based Primary Health Care Signature Initiative which also includes support for Research Teams and Clinician Scientists / Health Professional Awards.

    Meghan McMahon
    Assistant Director
    Institute of Health Services and Policy Research
    Phone: 416-726-4313
    Email: mmcmahon.ihspr@mcgill.ca

    Erica Di Ruggiero
    Associate Director
    Institute of Population and Public Health
    Phone: 416-524-0111
    Email: e.diruggiero@utoronto.ca

The process to identify future investments in SPOR Networks is underway. As part of the overall process for identifying future SPOR Networks, the SPOR National Steering Committee issued a call for an Expression of Interest.

Identifying Future Networks

CIHR thanks all those who submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) in January and February, 2013. We received 106 EOI submissions in total. Through these submissions, CIHR has gained a better understanding of the existing health research capacity for the priority areas identified through a scan of our Provincial/Territorial partners and Canadian citizens.

The SPOR National Steering Committee will review the results of our consultations on health research priorities and Expressions of Interest at their meeting in June 2013 to determine next steps towards the launch of a funding opportunity(s) for SPOR networks, expected in the fall 2013.

Call for Expressions of Interest (completed)

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