ResearchNet - RechercheNet

Table of Contents

• Description
• Objectives
• Eligibility
• Guidelines
• Review Process and Evaluation
• How to Apply
• Contact Information
• Sponsor Description
• Additional Information

Description

Transforming Health with Integrated Care (THINC) Implementation Science Team (IST) Grants focus on improving our understanding of how to implement, evaluate, and spread/scale (share) transformative evidence-informed integrated care policies and interventions towards advancing the Quadruple Aim and health equity (sometimes known as the Quintuple Aim). Incorporating health equity as a fifth aim recognizes the critical importance of ensuring that health system transformation is pursued and realized equitably. The IST Grants are a major component of the THINC research initiative, which is led by CIHR's Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR) in collaboration with multiple institutes, initiatives, and partners.  

Overview of the Transforming Health with Integrated Care (THINC) Research Initiative

THINC is a multi-component strategic research initiative that focuses on the implementation, evaluation, adaptation, and/or spread/scale (share) of evidence-informed policies and interventions designed to improve the integration, continuity, and coordination of care across the life course; encompass intersectoral collaborations within and/or beyond the health care delivery system; reflect the complexities of people's health needs; and maximize population health and equity.

The THINC research initiative is grounded in implementation science, embedded research, and knowledge mobilization (KM) approaches as enablers of transformative integrated care. Its component parts include Implementation Science Team Grants, Early Career Embedded Scientist Awards (anticipated, pending internal approvals), Health System Impact Fellowships, Policy Research for Health System Transformation Grants) and a Knowledge Mobilization and Impact Hub (hereinafter referred to as 'Impact Hub' — anticipated, pending internal approvals) that will aim to develop and support an initiative-wide learning community, amplify KM activities, foster collaboration, build capacity, and advance collective impact across the THINC initiative components. This funding opportunity focuses on the THINC IST Grants. To learn more about the initiative components, visit the THINC research initiative webpage.

Defining Transformative Integrated Care

Integrated care brings together care and services within and beyond the health care sector to support coordinated, seamless, appropriate, high-quality care for individuals, families, communities, and/or populations based on their needs. Often, it involves primary health care and encompasses intersectoral collaborations within and beyond the formal health care delivery system, integrating health, community, and social services to emphasize upstream prevention and address the social determinants of health. There are many definitions of integrated care. This funding opportunity defines it simply as coordinating care and services around people's needs to improve quality care and health outcomes.

Integrated care has emerged as a response to longstanding concerns with care fragmentation, gaps in transitions of care, poor quality and inappropriate care, suboptimal experiences, disparities in access and outcomes based on social determinants of health, and a persistent emphasis on delivering care for acute episodic illnesses rather than overall population health and well-being. Given the promising value of integrated care systems in delivering higher quality and equitable care, and better outcomes and experiences at a reduced cost, it is not surprising that integrated care is a priority for many provinces and territories in Canada, as well as other countries.

Evidence indicates that integrated care is particularly impactful in certain population groups, including people with complex health conditions across the life course and those currently living with or at risk of poorer health outcomes based on social determinants (e.g., individuals marginalized by systemic racism, older adults with multimorbidity, individuals living with mental health needs and/or substance use, children living with complex needs, communities historically underrepresented or excluded from research such as Indigenous Peoples, recent immigrants, etc.). Although evidence suggests there is a core suite of elements that are essential to integrating care (e.g. meaningful engagement, interdisciplinary workforce, organizational support, continuous monitoring and feedback), significant gaps remain in our understanding of how to implement the elements, how to adapt promising integrated care interventions or policies from one setting or population to address the needs of another (including understanding unique socio-economic context and challenges with attention to reducing health disparities), and how to fully harness the benefits of integration for improved health and care outcomes and equity. This is because innovative integrated care interventions are often implemented with limited evidence, are not continuously monitored or rigorously evaluated, and – in the case where an intervention is successful – its spread/scale (share) is constrained due to limited resources (e.g., relevant, and trained capacity) or evidence for successful adaptation across different contexts.

The challenge, therefore, remains for health researchers, decision makers, health providers, and patients/families/caregivers to understand which types of integrated care interventions and policies hold the greatest potential in achieving the Quadruple Aim and health equity, for whom, how, and in which contexts the best outcomes can be achieved, and how promising practices can be leveraged for local adaptation and implementation across diverse contexts for successful spread and scale (share), and improved and equitable outcomes.

THINC Implementation Science Team Grants

THINC Implementation Science Team (IST) Grants will inform the implementation, evaluation, adaptation and/or spread/scale (share) of evidence-informed integrated care policies and interventions that encompass intersectoral collaborations within and/or beyond the formal health care delivery system in order to advance the Quadruple Aim and health equity for Canadians. For the purpose of this funding opportunity, evidence-informed integrated care policies and interventions are defined as policies, programs, services, and models of funding or care delivery that (a) are implemented with the primary goal of integrating care and (b) have been piloted or tested in a setting or population and show promise (i.e., published evidence) for spread and scale through local adaptation in a different context, population, or jurisdiction (Note: This funding opportunity does not support the development of new or pilot interventions).

THINC ISTs must address six (6) core elements in their design and approach:

1. Incorporate a Learning Health Systems, implementation science, and patient-oriented approach with knowledge mobilization* strategies and rapid learning cycles throughout the entirety of the research process to inform the implementation, evaluation, adaptation, and/or spread/scale (share) of the promising intervention(s). In addition to their substantive intervention(s) of focus, ISTs must also protect a portion of the team's time and capacity for rapid response research to meet urgent integrated care-related evidence needs of the team's knowledge user partners;
2. Focus on transformative evidence-informed integrated care policies and intervention(s) that:
   1. Have been developed, piloted, tested and/or evaluated elsewhere with published evidence of effectiveness (e.g., in relation to any/all of the Quadruple Aim goals and/or health equity) and/or promising results on improved integration of services and improved outcomes;
   2. Entail medium to large-scale implementation as defined by the involvement of the following partnerships and collaborations:
      1. Among multiple organizations (e.g., more than a single hospital, long-term care home or primary care practice);
      2. Involving primary, home and/or community care and, as appropriate, other relevant sectors within and beyond the health care delivery sector (e.g., long-term care, housing, social services, education);
      3. With at least two different jurisdictions (e.g., a jurisdiction can be a municipality, city, health region, reserve or province/territory); and
      4. Maintains the user (e.g., patient, community) needs, experiences, and equity as an integral component to the research and implementation approach.
   3. Targets a priority population, as identified within the Research Areas.
3. Comprise a quadripartite leadership model between:
   1. Researchers with appropriate expertise in integrated care and/or implementation science;
   2. Decision-makers with authority to make relevant decisions about implementing, evaluating and/or scaling evidence-informed integrated care policies and interventions;
   3. Providers with experience delivering integrated care and using research to inform clinical practice; and
   4. Patients, families, caregivers, and/or community members with lived/living experience (PWLE) with integrated and/or fragmented care.
4. Encompass and/or develop human capacity (e.g., trainees, early career researchers, embedded researchers, training and skills development) and organizational capacity (e.g., health system organizational capacity for the use of evidence, rapid learning and improvement) related to integrated care (e.g., implementation science, policy research, knowledge mobilization, integrated care, primary health care, patient-oriented research, health human resources, equity, population health management, behavioural and management science) that is interdisciplinary (i.e. includes a range of stakeholder types and involves a combination of at least two different disciplines [1], multisectoral (i.e., includes multiple sectors within health and, as appropriate, beyond health), and with a clear plan to strengthen the skills and knowledge of team members to identify and address any individual, interpersonal or systematic barriers to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI);
5. Have an effective and shared governance plan for strategic and operational IST activities, meaningful engagement with partners (e.g., with health care delivery organizations, organizations in relevant sectors, academic institutions, and other partner organization), and collaboration with the THINC Impact Hub (anticipated, pending internal approvals); and
6. Plan for impact where the impact goal(s) of the IST is co-developed by the quadripartite leadership and includes project-specific and Quadruple Aim and equity outcomes to be evaluated, metrics for measurement, and anticipated pathways to impact (i.e., what might change, for whom, to what extent and when, and what is the engagement plan and context in which to deliver impact).
   1. The impact plan must also include a feasibility assessment (e.g., what are the resources required from the health system to implement, spread/scale (share) and/or sustain the intervention; is there policy alignment and/or funding incentives to support the success of the intervention) and sustainability considerations for ensuring the intervention, if successful, can be incorporated into routine operation/practice during and after the grant's completion; and
   2. In addition to planning for the IST's own impact, the ISTs must commit to contributing to the ISTs' collective impact via the Impact Hub.

Additionally, where feasible and appropriate, THINC ISTs are encouraged to communicate with other relevant funded entities with complementary aims and expertise (e.g., SPOR SUPPORT units, integrated care-related Health Research Training Platforms, Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research) to incorporate the six core IST design elements (see above) and to strengthen collaborations, maximize usage of available resources, and optimize reach and impact.

* In the context of this funding opportunity, references to knowledge mobilization are interchangeable with integrated knowledge translation (iKT), an approach to doing research that applies the principles of knowledge translation to the entire research process. The central premise of iKT is that involving knowledge users as equal partners alongside researchers will lead to research that is more relevant to, and more likely to be useful to, the knowledge users. Each stage in the research process is an opportunity for significant collaboration with knowledge users, including the development of refinement of the research questions, selection of the methodology, data collection and tools development, selection of outcome measures, interpretation of the findings and crafting of the message and dissemination of the results.

Role and Contributions of Applicant Partners: CIHR recognizes that a broad range of partners may be relevant to this opportunity and it is expected that applicant(s) describe the role of all applicant partners and how/if they will contribute to the research and research related activities. Any consideration of risk, including conflict of interest, should also be explained, as appropriate.

Research Areas

This funding opportunity will support research projects aimed to improve the implementation, evaluation, adaptation and/or spread/scale (share) of evidence-informed integrated care policies and interventions that advance any/all of the Quadruple Aim goals and health equity for one or more priority populations.

Priority populations include people with complex health needs (e.g., individuals with multimorbidity, individuals with mental health needs and/or substance use); those currently or at risk of experiencing poor health outcomes based on social economic factors (e.g., ethnic background, gender, disability, age, rural and remote location, homelessness, immigration status, socioeconomic status) and/or those identifying with historically underrepresented populations (e.g., women, children and youth, racialized communities, people living with disabilities, members of LGBTQIA/2S communities, Indigenous Peoples).

This funding opportunity will support projects relevant to the following research areas:

• Health Services and Policy: Improving the implementation, evaluation, adaptation and/or spread/scale (share) of evidence-informed integrated care policies and interventions that substantively involve primary health care and that advance any/all of the Quadruple Aims and health equity for one or more priority population;
• Rural, Remote and Northern Communities: Integration of primary health care and other sectors within and/or beyond health care that addresses the unique needs and contexts of rural, remote and/or northern communities;
• Indigenous Integrated Care: Indigenous-led models of meaningful and culturally safe integrated care that reflect traditional and/or community models of Indigenous health and health care, strengthen individual and collective trust and relationships (e.g., patient, provider, community), and emphasize wellness, strength, and resilience of Indigenous Peoples;
• Aging in the Right Place: Integration of health care, social services and policies to support older adults to remain and live independently in their residence of choice as long as is desired, and seamlessly transition to needed levels of care (including long-term care), as dependence and care needs evolve;
• Gender-Affirming Health: Integration of safe, inclusive, respectful, and culturally competent gender-affirming health care for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA/2S) communities across all healthcare settings to ensure LGBTQIA/2S populations achieve the highest possible level of health;
• Transforming Health and Well-Being for Children and Youth: Integrated health, education, and/or social services and policies to create a healthier, stronger and more equitable future for children and youth in all their diversity;
• Genomics in Routine Care: Integrated care that transforms the diagnostic, treatment and management paradigm for rare/inherited disease patients by incorporating genetic testing (including genomics, such as whole-genome sequencing [WGS], whole-exome sequencing [WES], panels) earlier in the care pathway and optimizing post-diagnostic treatment and support care pathways;
• Care of Patients Covered within the IMHA mandate: Integrated care models that improve outcomes of people who have diagnoses related to any elements of the broad IMHA mandate: the musculoskeletal system (including myalgic encephalomyelitis), arthritis, skin and dental conditions;
• Multimorbidity: Integrated care that improves the experience, prevention, treatment, management and outcomes for people with multimorbidity (where multimorbidity must include at least one of the following six disease/disorder areas relevant to the ICRH mandate [circulatory, respiratory, critical care, stroke, blood and blood vessels and sleep], along with at least one other chronic condition within or related to the mandate of ICRH or beyond (e.g., diabetes, dementia, obesity). Applications that include an EDI and/or Indigenous health and wellness focus are encouraged; and
• Interdisciplinary Approaches to Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive Integrated Care: Incorporating social science and humanities methodologies to improve our understanding of the living environment/conditions and socio-economic and psycho-social context of underrepresented or historically excluded groups and/or Indigenous Peoples, and how to implement equitable, diverse and inclusive integrated care systems/models of care that address their unique health needs and improves outcomes. Applications must include social science and humanities researchers on the team.
• HIV/AIDS and STBBI: Integration of primary health care and other sectors within and/or beyond health care that addresses the needs of people living with and at risk of HIV/AIDS and/or other Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections (STBBI) and aligns with the HIV/AIDS and STBBI Research Initiative (RI) Strategic Plan 2022-2027. (Updated: 2022-08-29)

All projects must explicitly incorporate implementation science, patient-oriented research, and learning health system approaches.

Funds Available

CIHR and partner(s) financial contributions for this initiative are subject to availability of funds. Should CIHR or partner(s) funding levels not be available or are decreased due to unforeseen circumstances, CIHR and partner(s) reserve the right to reduce, defer or suspend financial contributions to grants received as a result of this funding opportunity.

• The total CIHR, SSHRC and SPOR amount available for this funding opportunity is $26,000,000, enough to fund approximately thirteen (13) grants. The maximum amount per grant is $400,000 per year for up to five (5) years, for a total of $2,000,000 per grant. (Updated: 2022-08-29)
• Of this $ 26,000,000: (Updated: 2022-08-29)
  • $2,000,000 is available to fund one (1) application relevant to the Health Services and Policy pool from IHSPR, IMHA, and SPOR;
  • $2,000,000 is available to fund one (1) application relevant to the Rural, Remote and Northern Communities pool from IHSPR and SPOR;
  • $2,000,000 is available to fund one (1) application relevant to the Indigenous Integrated Care pool from IHSPR and SPOR;
  • $2,000,000 is available to fund one (1) application relevant to the Aging in the Right Place pool from IHSPR, SPOR and IA;
  • $2,000,000 is available to fund one (1) application relevant to the Gender-Affirming Health pool from IHSPR, SPOR, and IGH;
  • $2,000,000 is available to fund one (1) application relevant the Transforming Health and Well-Being for Children and Youth pool from IHSPR, SPOR, and IHDCYH;
  • $2,000,000 is available to fund one (1) application relevant to the Genomics in Routine Care pool from IHSPR, SPOR, and IG;
  • $6,000,000 is available to fund three (3) applications relevant to the Care of Patients Covered within the IMHA mandate pool from IMHA and SPOR;
  • $2,000,000 is available to fund one (1) application relevant to the Multimorbidity pool from IHSPR, SPOR, and ICRH;
  • $2,000,000 is available to fund one (1) application relevant to the Interdisciplinary Approaches to Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive Integrated Carepool from SSHRC and SPOR; and (Updated: 2022-08-29)
  • $2,000,000 is available to fund one (1) application relevant to the HIV/AIDS and STBBI pool from HIV/AIDS and STBBI Research Initiative and SPOR. (Updated: 2022-08-29)
• Additionally, $1,750,000 is available from provincial partner organizations to fund or co-fund applications with substantive involvement in the respective province, defined as having, at minimum (i) a researcher in the Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) or a Principal Applicant (PA) role from a research institution in the respective partner organization’s province, and (ii) at least one decision-maker in the Principal Knowledge User (PKU) or Knowledge User (KU) role from a health system organization in the respective partner organization’s province. Funding from the provincial health funding organization must remain in the province to support the pursuit of the objectives of the funding opportunity.
• Of this $1,750,000:
  • $500,000 is available from FRQS to co-fund relevant applications within the Health Services and Policy; Rural, Remote and Northern Communities; Multimorbidity; and/or Gender-Affirming Health pools (see Additional Information for more information on relevance criteria);
  • $150,000 is available from the NBHRF to co-fund relevant applications in any pool (see Additional Information for more information on relevance criteria); (Updated: 2022-10-27)
  • $1,000,000 is available from the Ontario MOH to co-fund relevant applications in any pool (see Additional Information for more information on relevance criteria); and
  • $100,000 is available from SHRF to co-fund relevant applications in any pool (see Additional Information for more information on relevance criteria).

For more information on the appropriate use of funds, refer to Allowable Costs.

Objectives

The specific objective(s) of this funding opportunity are to:

• Identify evidence-informed, actionable solutions: Generate actionable evidence on promising integrated care policies and/or delivery system interventions that can advance any/all of the Quadruple Aim goals and health equity;
• Advance the field of implementation science: Advance the evidence base on how to implement, evaluate, adapt, and spread (share) evidence-informed, equitable integrated care policies and interventions across different health system and population contexts;
• Build capacity: Develop human and organizational capacity for actionable evidence on implementation, evaluation, and/or spread and scale (share) of integrated care policies and interventions;
• Spark collaborations: Build strong interdisciplinary, multi-sectoral collaborations and partnerships among researchers, policy makers, decision makers, healthcare providers, patients and public communities interested in advancing transformative integrated care; and
• Foster knowledge mobilization and impact: Foster knowledge mobilization activities throughout the research process to inform the local adaptation, implementation and adoption of integrated care policies and interventions at the community and/or population level.

Eligibility

Eligibility to Apply

For an application to be eligible, all the requirements stated below must be met:

1. The Nominated Principal Applicant (NPA) must be:
   1. An independent researcher affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution and/or its affiliated institutions (including hospitals, research institutes and other non-profit organizations with a mandate for health research and/or knowledge translation);
      OR
   2. An individual affiliated with an Indigenous non-governmental organization in Canada with a research and/or knowledge translation mandate;
      OR
   3. An Indigenous non-governmental organization in Canada with a research and/or knowledge translation mandate;
2. The NPA (individual) must have their substantive role in Canada for the duration of the requested grant term.
3. The Institution Paid must be authorized to administer CIHR funds at the time of funding (see Administration of Funds).
4. The core leadership team must include each of the following among its NPA, PKU(s), Principal Applicant(s) (PA), and Knowledge User(s) (KU), who together will comprise the team’s quadripartite leadership responsible for co-leading the team and funded activities.
   Note: An individual can represent no more than one (1) role:
   1. Researcher: A scientific lead with expertise in integrated care and/or implementation science (must be an independent researcher). The NPA is the scientific lead when they are an independent researcher (1a.);
      • Teams with a senior researcher as the scientific lead must also include an early or mid career researcher within its core leadership team.
   2. Decision-maker: A health system decision maker or policy maker holding an active leadership position at a health system organization that will be involved in the implementation of the intervention and have the authority to make decisions about implementing, evaluating and/or scaling the intervention. If this individual is not the NPA, they must be listed as a PKU;
      • The decision maker must have expertise in the relevant research area and knowledge of the intervention being investigated.
   3. Provider: A currently practicing health care provider with experience in integrated care and using research to inform practice; or
   4. PWLE: A patient/family/caregiver/person/community representative with lived or living experience of integrated and/or fragmented care.
5. The team must have a Sex and Gender Champion and an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Champion:
   1. Combined, the champions must have experience in (i) sex- and gender-based analysis (SGBA) or with gender diversity in the community; (ii) fostering EDI in research and/or applied settings (e.g., promoting equitable access to research participation or inclusion of typically underrepresented population groups in decision making), and (iii) creating Sex and Gender and EDI plans for diversity of team composition;
   2. These individuals may hold other roles within the team in addition to standing as the team’s Sex and Gender and EDI champions;
   3. The Sex and Gender and EDI champion roles may be served by the same individual or different individuals.
6. The NPA* and the quadripartite leaders and the Sex and Gender and EDI champions must have each successfully completed at least one of the sex and gender-based analysis training modules available online through the CIHR Institute of Gender and Health and have submitted a Certificate of Completion. See How to Apply for more details. For additional information on sex, gender and health research, applicants are encouraged to review the How to integrate sex and gender in research section on the CIHR website.
   *Organizations as NPAs: For organizations applying as the NPA, a representative of the organization must complete the training module on the organization’s behalf.
7. At least one participant must be identified as the Knowledge Mobilization (KM) and Impact Champion acting as the key liaison with the members of the Impact Hub [4]. As an intermediary between the IST and Impact Hub, the KM and Impact Champion will participate in relevant meetings and activities on behalf of the IST to advance KM and liaise with the Impact Hub:
   1. The KM and Impact Champion must have experience in KM, collaboration, and evaluation (e.g., impact assessment, outcome measurement);
   2. This individual may hold other roles within the team in addition to standing as the team’s KM and Impact Champion.
8. At a minimum, the organization affiliated with the decision maker or policy maker from the core leadership team must be identified as an application partner.
9. For applications involving research with Indigenous Peoples the research team must include:
   1. The NPA, a PA or a PKU who self-identifies as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) or provide evidence of having meaningful and culturally safe involvement with Indigenous Peoples (see How to Apply for more details);
   2. A PWLE with lived or living experience who self-identifies as Indigenous; and
   3. For applications focused on Indigenous Health Research, one team member who is an Indigenous Elder or Knowledge Keeper.
10. For applications to the Interdisciplinary Approaches to Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive Integrated Care funding pool:
    1. The team must include social science and humanities researchers.

Guidelines

General CIHR Policies

Before submitting an application to this funding opportunity, applicants should review the relevant policies and guidelines on the CIHR Funding Policies page to ensure understanding of their responsibilities and expectations.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

CIHR is committed to supporting a research environment that reflects the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and honors its commitment to reconciliation by strengthening the health and well-being of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. Achieving a more equitable, diverse and inclusive Canadian research enterprise is essential to creating the excellent, innovative and impactful research necessary to advance knowledge and understanding, and to responding to local, national and global challenges. Beyond efforts to bolster EDI, CIHR recognizes that First Nations, Métis and Inuit are rights-holding as First Peoples of Canada, and initiatives should be developed through distinctions-based approaches, as found in the strategic plan. Additional guidance and links can be found under the EDI definition.

CIHR will require the applicant to consider diverse biological and/or socio-cultural identity factors in research design (e.g., sex, gender, ethnicity, disability), including diverse research methods such as those based in Indigenous ways of knowing, to strengthen research excellence and ensure maximum research impact. Please see CIHR’s position on:

• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Research System;
• Indigenous Rights as recognized by the Tri-Agency EDI Action Plan, the Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy, and the Strengthening Indigenous Research Capacity Strategic Plan; and
• Sex and Gender based analysis (SGBA+) available on the Sex and Gender in Health Research webpage

Allowable Costs

Applicants are advised to consult the Use of Grant Funds section of the Tri-Agency (CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC) Guide on Financial Administration (TAGFA) to determine if an expenditure is an appropriate use of grant funds.

To further clarify, the following expenses are examples of appropriate uses of grant funds, provided they satisfy the principles and pertinent directives of the TAGFA:

• Expenditures that respect the culture and traditions of Indigenous Peoples, where needed for the meaningful conduct of research. See TCPS 2 - Chapter 9 Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada and TAGFA Directive on Gifts, Honoraria and Incentives. These include:
  • Costs related to community mobilization and engagement, including culturally relevant promotional items such as, tobacco, cloth, feasting and gift giving for honoring ceremonies, and cash reimbursements (in a method acceptable to the individual or community being reimbursed) to compensate community participation; and
  • Contracts and/or consultant fees for knowledge translation and communication activities for Indigenous Elders, community members, and Indigenous Knowledge Keepers involved in activities related to the Indigenous community.

The following expenses are not eligible for support through this funding opportunity, as per TAGFA requirements:

• The cost associated with the intervention(s); and
• The cost associated with implementation of intervention(s) except if they form part of the partner’s in-kind contribution.

For this funding opportunity only, the following statement(s) will apply:

• Release Time Allowance is eligible to be paid from grant funds, up to a maximum of $50,000 per knowledge user, per grant.

Conditions of Funding

• The applicant must consent to the use and disclosure of full application and nominative information at the time of application, for purposes of relevance review and/or funding decisions by the relevant sponsors;
• Data related to research by and with First Nations, Métis, or Inuit communities whose traditional and ancestral territories are in Canada must be managed in accordance with data management principles developed and approved by those communities, and on the basis of free, prior and informed consent. This includes, but is not limited to, considerations of Indigenous data sovereignty, as well as data collection, ownership, protection, use, and sharing;
• Funded projects must link to and amplify the impact of the THINC initiative by complying with the following:
  • The IST must set aside funds to attend each meeting of the wider THINC initiative.
    • It is anticipated that there will be approximately three (3) meetings (e.g., virtual/in-person, pending the pandemic context and public health guidelines, including a strengthening workshop at the start, a sharing workshop at the mid-point, and a learning and dissemination workshop at the end-of-grant); and
    • The quadripartite leadership is expected to attend on behalf of the team along with one or more other team members funded through the team grant (e.g., trainee, ECR, decision maker, PWLE), or who are working on the team grant projects as part of their training.
  • The IST must plan to set aside funds, have representation on, and actively participate in the THINC Impact Hub (anticipated, pending internal approvals), which will facilitate collaboration, KM, capacity development and impact assessment across the THINC ISTs and initiative components. Additional information about the THINC Impact Hub will be shared with successful recipients at the beginning of the grant funding period.
• The NPAs of the successful grants will be required to submit a progress report in year three (3) of the five-year grant summarizing their outcomes to date and describing how the grant funds were used, including how Patient-oriented research (POR) is being advanced. The template for the progress report will be provided alongside instructions no later than six (6) months after the grant is awarded;
• The NPA will be required to submit an electronic Final Report and an Impact Narrative to CIHR. This online report and Impact Narrative template will be made available to the NPA at the beginning of the grant funding period and can be filled in as the research progresses;
• All reports may be shared with Institutes and other partners supporting the grant; and
• The Principal Applicants who are successful in this competition are strongly encouraged to actively participate in peer review, and as members of the CIHR College of Reviewers, when invited.

Review Process and Evaluation

Relevance Review Process

• CIHR and partners will perform a relevance review to identify applications that are in alignment with the objectives and research areas of this funding opportunity; and
  Note: For provincial partners, additional relevance criteria are specified in the Additional Information section, which their relevance assessments will reflect.
• Applications deemed not relevant will be withdrawn from the competition and/or specific funding pool(s).
  

Review Process

For information on CIHR’s peer review principles, see the Peer Review: Overview section of CIHR’s website.

Evaluation Criteria

To support the strategic objectives of this funding opportunity, the following approach and evaluation criteria will be used:

1. Research Approach
   1. Extent to which the proposal responds to the objectives, core design elements, and research area(s) of the funding opportunity;
   2. Clarity of the research question(s);
   3. Appropriateness for the research approach, design and methodology;
   4. Quality and appropriateness of the applicants’ proposed plan for the consideration of EDI at all stages of the research process. This includes the incorporation of biological variables (e.g., sex, age) and/or sociocultural identity factors (e.g., gender, race, ethnicity, language) into the research proposed, where applicable;
   5. Anticipation of difficulties that may be encountered in the research and plans for management;
   6. Feasibility of the research approach in relation to the proposed timeline and budget; and
   7. For applications involving Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis) the following criteria will also be considered:
      • Description of how the research project will address the rights of Indigenous Peoples and the self-determination and self-governance of Indigenous Peoples, such as following the First Nations Principles of OCAP® [5] (Ownership, Control, Access and Possession) , or other principles of Indigenous self-determination, as appropriate; and
      • Demonstration of the extent to which the Nominated Principal Applicant will ensure that the research is conducted by, grounded in, or engaged with First Nations, Inuit or Métis communities, societies or individuals and their wisdom, cultures, experiences or knowledge systems, as expressed in their dynamic forms, past and present.
2. Research Team
   1. Experience of the applicants in the proposed areas of research, the core design elements, and within the fields of integrated care, implementation science and POR;
   2. Extent to which knowledge users are meaningfully engaged throughout the project;
   3. Extent of the role(s) and contribution(s) of all applicant partner(s) in advancing research objectives (if applicable);
   4. Appropriateness of the proposed team governance structure and delivery plan;
   5. Extent to which diversity is promoted in the team composition and/or recruitment of trainees (students, emerging scholars, highly qualified personnel), e.g., concrete practices identified to ensure EDI is intentionally and proactively considered in recruitment of team members; and
   6. For research projects involving First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis Peoples:
      • Appropriateness of the team based on their overall scientific experience (non-Indigenous, Indigenous, or both) and skills, as well as their Indigenous community-based research experience, track record, relevance of past experience, including expertise related to Indigenous living experience(s);
      • Appropriateness of the team’s ability to work in a meaningful and culturally safe manner with Indigenous communities; and
      • The extent to which appropriate consideration of TCPS 2 – Chapter 9: Research Involving the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples of Canada, and meaningful and culturally safe practices, plans and activities throughout the research project.
3. Capacity Building and Research Environment
   1. Extent to which the team’s research proposal incorporates plans for engaging trainees and/or Early Career Researchers and/or researchers new to the field);
   2. Availability and accessibility of intervention personnel, facilities and infrastructure required to conduct the research;
   3. Suitability of the environment to conduct the proposed research, including the degree to which the environment is equitable, diverse and inclusive;
   4. Suitability of the environment (milieu, project and mentors) for training, mentoring and capacity development, and extent to which EDI is considered in mentoring, training and access to development opportunities; and
   5. Extent to which the capacity building plan strengthens the skills and knowledge of key stakeholders in integrated care and to addresses EDI considerations related to integrated care.
4. Impact of the Research
   1. Quality and feasibility of the impact plan, potential for the project to have impact within and beyond the term of the funding opportunity, and potential for the sustainability of the intervention beyond the funding opportunity (e.g., wide-scale adoption, feasibility);
   2. Potential impact on generating actionable evidence that informs local adaptation, implementation and adoption of integrated care policies/interventions and that advances any/all of the Quadruple Aim goals and health equity;
   3. Potential for building interdisciplinary, multisectoral collaborations and partnerships within health care sector (and beyond, as appropriate);
   4. Potential to advance the field of implementation science, KM and POR, including creating new knowledge to improve the implementation, adaptation, and/or spread/scale (share) of evidence-informed integrated care interventions;
   5. Proactive and meaningful consideration of partnership risks, including the extent of real and/or perceived conflict of interest, and appropriateness of its management and mitigation (if applicable); and
   6. For research projects involving First Nations, Inuit, and/or Métis Peoples:
      • The proposed research must be relevant to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis priorities and have the potential to produce valued outcomes from the perspective of First Nations, Inuit and Métis participants and Indigenous Peoples more broadly.

Funding Decision

Applications relevant to each pool will be funded from the top down in order of ranking.

The names of successfully funded applicants will be published on the CIHR website.

Partner and Internal Collaborator Participation

The opportunity to add new partners and internal collaborators to this funding opportunity may arise after publication. These partners and internal collaborators may not be listed; however, the principles that govern relevance review, including consent to share information and funding decisions, will still apply.

How to Apply

• The application process for this funding opportunity is comprised of one step: Full Application.
• To complete your Full Application, follow the instructions in the Team Grants / Emerging Team Grants – ResearchNet "Application" Phase Instructions  along with any additional instructions found below under "Specific Instructions".
• All application participants listed, with the exception of Collaborators, will:
  • Require a CIHR PIN;
  • To complete the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Self-identification Questionnaire.
• Organizations applying as Nominated Principal Applicants for the first time must contact CIHR’s Contact Centre for guidance in creating a ResearchNet account and registering for a CIHR PIN.

Specific instructions to complete your ResearchNet application

Task: Identify Participants

• List all project participants in the "Identify Participants" task. Consult the Eligibility section and ensure that all requirements are met. All participants, including partners, must also be listed in the Participant Table under the task "Attach Other Application Materials" below.
• All participants are required to submit a CV (excluding Collaborators).
  • All Canadian academic applicants are required to submit a CIHR Biosketch CV;
  • Knowledge users, non-academics, Indigenous organizations, and international applicants are required to submit a CIHR Biosketch CV or an Applicant Profile CV (maximum three pages per applicant);
  • NPA categories with an Indigenous-led non-governmental organization as an eligibility requirement must include in their Applicant Profile CV, a description of the organization and how it meets the eligibility requirement of being an Indigenous non-governmental organization with a research or knowledge translation mandate; and
  • Knowledge user(s) with relevant lived experience or expertise: Key participants that fall into this stakeholder group must include in their Applicant Profile CV a description of their relevant lived experiences in the context of the application.
• Submit Biosketch CVs using the Canadian Common CV (CCV) interface. Submit Applicant Profile CVs by uploading in the "Attachment" tab.

Task: Enter Proposal Information

• The Research Proposal must clearly outline each of the elements presented in the evaluation criteria and ensure relevance (see Additional Information) to the selected research area(s). Applicants are encouraged to use the evaluation criteria headings (e.g., Research Approach, Research Team) in their proposal. Note: the proposal must clearly describe the evidence-informed policy or intervention of focus for implementation and the existing evidence base supporting its effectiveness (i.e., this funding opportunity does not support the development of new or pilot interventions).
  • Research proposals written in French will be allowed to submit additional pages, in support of evidence demonstrating that French documents require approximately 20% more space than similar English documents. Therefore, to ensure equivalent space is given to Research proposals submitted in either official language, the following page limits will apply:
    • 12 pages when the Research proposal is written in English; or
    • 14.5 pages when the Research proposal is written in French
      Note: Any content in excess of the page limit set for the language in which the application is written will be removed without further notice to the Nominated Principal Applicant.
• References, charts, tables, figures and photographs can be uploaded under "Attachments – Research Proposal Appendix".

Task: Complete Summary of Research Proposal

• The summary must include a description of how your proposal aligns with the objectives of this funding opportunity and up to three (3) research areas. Note that your summary cannot exceed one (1) page.

Task: Enter Budget Information

• Provide a detailed budget justification in relation to planned activities and clearly justify all budget items (including cash and cash equivalent contributions, if relevant).
• The budget must include funds to attend three (3) THINC meetings (see Conditions of Funding).
• The budget must clearly outline the cost of the intervention and how/by whom that cost is covered (i.e., the intervention cost is an ineligible grant expense).
• For release time allowance requests, you must include a letter (upload as "Other Supporting Documents" and label each as "Release Time Allowance – Recipient’s Name") from the recipient’s organization certifying that the individual for whom the release time allowance is requested:
  • Is a knowledge user on the grant whose primary responsibilities do not include an expectation to engage in research (i.e., as part of their regular employment);
  • Has their organization’s approval for the research time on the project that would justify the allowance; and
  • Is engaged in the activities for which funds are being disbursed.

Task: Attach Other Application Materials

• Other – attach the following under "Other":
  • Label as "SGBA Certificate – Name/Organization" (mandatory):
    • The NPA and each member of the quadripartite leadership team and the SGBA and EDI Champion(s) must provide a Certificate of Completion for one of the sex- and gender- based analysis training modules; and
    • Download the PDF Certificate and upload the PDF (or Print Screen jpg) here for each team member and upload individually.
  • Label as "Indigenous Experience – Name/Organization" (mandatory if applicable):
    • For any research applications involving Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), this funding opportunity seeks applicants who self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) or demonstrates a track record of meaningful and culturally safe involvement with Indigenous Peoples. A one (1) page "Other" attachment describing how they meet this requirement.
  • Label as "Conflict of Interest Considerations" (mandatory):
    • To support the proposal, upload a one (1) page document outlining applicant and participant conflict of interest considerations (both real and perceived) with the proposed THINC Implementation Science Team Grant for peer review consideration. This should include current or previous relationships with private or public organization(s) that have the potential to impact the team and proposed mitigation approaches as appropriate.
• Participant Table (mandatory):
  • This table will be used for eligibility assessment. In a table format with column headers matching the bolded titles below, provide the following information about all applicant team members:
    • Participant first and last name or name of the organization (as applicable);
    • Role of participant on the application (e.g., NPA, Principal Applicant, Principal Knowledge User, Co-Applicant, Knowledge User, Collaborator);
    • Participant type(s) (e.g., researcher [Early-, Mid-, or Senior Career Researcher, trainee], decision maker, provider, PWLE, knowledge user, participant who self-identifies as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) or provides evidence of having meaningful and culturally safe involvement with Indigenous communities, participant affiliated with a First Nations, Inuit or Métis and/or Urban Indigenous communities or organization, Indigenous organization, Indigenous Elder or Knowledge Keeper);
      • Clearly identify the quadripartite leadership team:
        • Researcher:
          • Identify the early or mid-career researcher for the team if the scientific lead is a senior researcher.
        • Decision maker or Policy maker;
        • Health care provider; and
        • PWLE.
      • Clearly identify the Sex and Gender, EDI, and KM and Impact champions.
    • Primary affiliation, host institution/organization, where appropriate; and
    • Expertise and credentials each brings to the project, particularly in relation to the funding opportunity objectives and core IST design elements;
• Letters of support – label each as "Letter of Support – Name" and upload individually (mandatory):
  • Provide signed letters from the quadripartite leadership team decision-maker, provider, and PWLE, and all knowledge users;
  • Please refer to the CIHR examples of details to be provided in letters of support.
• Letters of collaboration – label each as "Letter of Collaboration – Name" and upload individually (optional):
  • Provide any letters from all Collaborators who are expected to make a significant contribution, confirming their commitment to participate in the manner indicated.

Reminder: reviewers are under no obligation to read the attached materials that are not mandatory attachments. Should reviewers decide to consult the attachments, they must declare it in their reviews and at the committee meeting. This allows both the applicant and other peer reviewers to be aware that the information contained in the optional attachments contributed to the evaluation of the application.

Task: Identify Application Partners — Upload Partner Information (mandatory)

• At a minimum, the organization affiliated with the decision maker or policy maker from the core leadership team must be identified as an application partner.
• A "Partnership Details" form must be submitted for each partner providing cash and/or cash equivalent contributions.
• For each partner, upload a signed "Partner Letter" describing their role, activities, authorities, accountabilities and contributions (including intellectual, financial [cash or cash equivalent] and other resources). The letter should clearly describe their commitment to the proposed research, how the proposed research will help to advance their integrated care priorities, and stating the commitment with the partner(s) (i.e., health system organization, etc.) who will cover the cost of the intervention should their team grant application be successful.

Task: Peer Review Administration Information (optional)

• Applicants are encouraged to provide a list of potential reviewers.

Task: Apply to Priority Announcements/Funding Pools

• Identify Research Area(s) (mandatory):
  • Select the funding opportunity title under the "Priority Announcement/Funding Pool Title" drop-down list, then select the Research Area under the "List of Relevant Research Areas" drop-down list.
  • Select up to three (3) Research Areas for your application.
• Complete the Relevancy:
  • For each selection, describe (in a half-page) how the research proposed will address the relevant research area.

Task: Print/Upload Signature Pages

• Required signatures:
  • Signatures must be included for all applicants (except Collaborators), and individual(s) with signing authority from the Institution Paid.
  • The decision-maker’s signature is mandatory. The Consent to Disclosure of Personal Information form must be signed by the decision-maker and uploaded by the NPA.
  • Original signatures are not required. The scanned signed signature pages and the Routing Slip must be uploaded in the Print/Upload Signature Pages task in ResearchNet prior to submitting your application.

Contact Information

For all inquiries, please contact:

CIHR Contact Centre
Telephone: 613-954-1968
Toll Free: 1-888-603-4178
Email: support-soutien@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

For service hours, please consult our Contact us page.

Sponsor Description

Note: Additional partners/internal collaborators, including from industry and the private sector, may join this funding initiative over the coming year.

Partners

Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS)
The mission of the FRQS, which reports to the Minister of Economy and Innovation, is to support health research to foster the wellness of Québec’s population. Its mandate is to promote and financially support such research, to disseminate knowledge and train researchers, to forge the partnerships necessary for the development of Quebec’s research and innovation system, and, lastly, to advance research internationally

New Brunswick Health Research Foundation (NBHRF)
NBHRF has a mandate to coordinate, support and promote all aspects of health research and innovation in New Brunswick.

Ontario Ministry of Health (MOH)
The mission of the Ministry of Health is helping people stay healthy, delivering high-quality care when they need it and protecting the health system for future generations.

Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF)
SHRF is the provincial funding agency that funds, supports and promotes the impact of health research that matters to Saskatchewan. SHRF collaborates with stakeholders to contribute to the growth of a high-performing health system, culture of innovation and the improved health of citizens by strengthening research capacity and competitiveness, increasing the investment in health research in Saskatchewan and aligning research with the needs of our stakeholders.

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) is the federal research funding agency that promotes and supports research and training in the humanities and social sciences.

Internal Collaborators

Canadian Institutes of Health Research
At the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), we know that research has the power to change lives. As Canada’s health research investment agency, we collaborate with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen our health care system.

(Updated: 2022-08-29)

CIHR – Institute of Aging (IA)
The Institute of Aging’s mandate is the aging person in an aging society, and the effects of different diseases and conditions on aging. Its goal is to improve the quality of life and health of older Canadians by understanding and addressing or preventing the consequences of a wide range of factors associated with aging.

CIHR – Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH)
The Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health (ICRH) supports research into the causes, mechanisms, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions associated with the heart, lung, brain (stroke), blood, blood vessels, critical and intensive care, and sleep. The ICRH vision is to achieve international leadership by fostering an environment of openness, excitement, energy, commitment and excellence in highly ethical, partnered initiatives focused on research, research training, and research translation for the circulatory and respiratory sciences and for the betterment of the health of Canadians.

CIHR– Institute of Gender and Health (IGH)
The Institute of Gender and Health (IGH)’s mission is to foster research excellence regarding the influence of sex and gender on health and to apply these findings to identify and address pressing health challenges facing men, women, girls, boys and gender-diverse people.

CIHR – Institute of Genetics (IG)
The Institute of Genetics (IG) supports research on the human and model genomes and on all aspects of genetics, basic biochemistry and cell biology related to health and disease, including the translation of knowledge into health policy and practice, and the societal implications of genetic discoveries.

CIHR – Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH)
The Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH) supports research that ensures the best start in life for all Canadians and the achievement of their potential for optimal growth and development.

CIHR – Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR)
The Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR) is dedicated to supporting innovative research, capacity-building and knowledge translation initiatives designed to improve the way health care services are organized, regulated, managed, financed, paid for, used and delivered, in the interest of improving the health and quality of life of all Canadians.

CIHR – Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA)
The Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis (IMHA) supports research to enhance active living, mobility and movement, and oral health; and addresses causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions related to bones, joints, muscles, connective tissue, skin and teeth.

Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR)
CIHR is a partner in Canada’s Strategy for Patient Oriented Research (SPOR). SPOR is a national coalition of federal, provincial and territorial partners (patient advocates, provincial health authorities, academic health centres, charities, philanthropic organizations, pharmaceutical sector, etc.) dedicated to the integration of research into care – the right patient receives the right treatment at the right time.

Patient-oriented research focuses on patient-identified priorities. It produces information for decision makers and health care providers that will improve health care practices, therapies, and policies. And it ensures that new and innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are applied when and where needed.

Additional Information

Alignment with CIHR and Institute Strategic Plans

The THINC IST Grants funding opportunity aligns with IHSPR's 2021-2026 strategic plan priority to "Accelerate the discovery of innovations that transform health care delivery systems to achieve the Quadruple Aim and improve health equity for all." This funding opportunity and its implementation science and team approach also align with CIHR's strategic plan priority E to "integrate evidence in health decisions" and its strategy to "Strengthen Canada's health systems through innovation" and priority A to "advance research excellence in all its diversity" and its strategy to "Support stronger research teams." 

Provincial Partners — Funds Available and Relevancy

Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQS)

Co-funding with CIHR for up to $500,000 is available from FRQS, where the IST:

• Is relevant to the Health Services and Policy; Rural, Remote and Northern Communities; Multimorbidity; and/or Gender-Affirming Health pools;
• The NPA (lead researcher) is based in a Québec eligible institution/entity with the status 1 or 2 of the Common General Rules;
• Has Québec Knowledge User (decision maker, provider, or person with lived/living experience) based in Québec. The Québec-based Knowledge User participates as a co-candidate and cannot receive funding from FRQS. Refer to CGR status 4;
• All FRQS funds must remain in the province of Quebec to support the research.

Ontario Ministry of Health (MOH)

Co-funding with CIHR for up to $1,000,000 is available from MOH, where the IST:

• Has, at minimum, a Nominated Principal Applicant (lead researcher) and Primary Knowledge User (decision maker) at an Ontario-based institution;
• Applications are directed towards improving the evaluation and spread/scale (share) of evidence-informed integrated care policies and interventions that align with provincial or local Ontario Health Team priorities and encompass population health management approaches;
• All MOH funds must remain in the province of Ontario to support the research.

Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF)

Co-funding with CIHR for up to $100,000 is available from SHRF, where the IST:

• Has at least one researcher principal applicant or co-applicant with a primary appointment at a Saskatchewan-based institution that has an MOU with SHRF [ PDF (439 KB) - external link ];
• Has at least one knowledge user from Saskatchewan (e.g., decision maker, provider or PWLE);
• Uses SHRF's contribution to support project-related work completed in the Saskatchewan;
• All SHRF funds must remain in the province of Saskatchewan to support the research.

New Brunswick Health Research Foundation (NBHRF)

Co-funding with CIHR for up to $150,000 is available from NBHRF, where the IST: (Updated: 2022-11-25)

• Has at least one researcher (Nominated Principal Applicant or Principal Applicant) and knowledge user at a New Brunswick (NB) based institution or entity;
• Should the NPI be from an institution outside of NB, the CIHR funds in the application budget for research activities in NB must be transferred to the NB-based institution in order for NBHRF to provide this contribution which must also be paid to the NB institution.

Administration of Funds

CIHR grants are generally administered by the business office of an institution or organization declared eligible to administer CIHR funds after a financial and eligibility review.

Organizations identified as the Institution Paid may be required to undergo a financial and eligibility review, if they have not already done so, in order to administer the grant funds. They may be required to sign a funding agreement with CIHR. If necessary, a successful applicant may choose to have their funds administered by a CIHR eligible institution.

Funds will not be released to the Institution Paid of a successful applicant unless they have been approved to administer funding.

If your Institution Paid is not currently eligible to receive funding from CIHR, please contact the Contact Centre to enquire about the process.

Definitions

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Principles and Guidelines

Best Practices in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Research
Tri-Agency Dimensions Program – Charter and Principles
Canada Research Chairs – Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Requirements and Practices

Wise Practices for Including an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Champion

The champion can take on roles as an educator, mentor, consultant, facilitator, advocate, co-investigator or principal applicant. In each role, champions are responsible for promoting and integrating EDI considerations throughout the platform.

The list below provides examples of the types of activities champions may engage in. This list is not exhaustive or prescriptive; rather, it is intended to provide guidance for the inclusion of champions.

• Promote the value of EDI, especially as it relates to foster and strengthen training environments;
• Provide advice and guidance to the team on how best to take EDI into account in planning and procedures;
• Help develop, evaluate and reflect on advancement of EDI in training, mentorship and funding of current and future scientists;
• Facilitate discussion of EDI, including providing resources on historical EDI issues and sharing new findings and innovations;
• Ensure there is education and outreach to promote and sustain an inclusive and diverse research environment within the team;
• Provide EDI resources (such as a toolbox of strategies for advancing EDI and for responding to resistance to EDI considerations);
• Identify resources and EDI training opportunities for the team to better understand the needs and realities of members of underrepresented groups; and
• Lead/support the development of an approach for considerations of EDI in training activities.

Implementation Science

Implementation Science (IS) is defined as the scientific study of the methods and strategies used to implement evidence-informed policies and interventions into routine health care in clinical, organizational, or policy contexts. One of the biggest challenges in applied health services and policy research is implementing evidence-informed interventions into policy and practice, particularly when the contexts and settings for implementation differ. IS learns from real-world experience and generates insight on how best to adapt an intervention for successful implementation in different regions, conditions, populations and/or contexts. Essentially, IS seeks to answer the question using rigorous and pragmatic scientific methods: 'what works for whom, under which circumstances, and why does it succeed or fail [2]?'

Knowledge Keeper

A Knowledge Keeper (also known as a Knowledge Holder or Knowledge Guardian) is an Indigenous person, regardless of age, who possesses the Indigenous cultural knowledge necessary for the proposed research project or activities, as recognized, validated, and authenticated by the Indigenous community.

Learning Health Systems

Often used as a key strategy to improve value-based health care, learning health systems aim to leverage advancements in science, technology and practice to improve health system performance at a reduced cost [3].

Patient-Oriented Research

Patient-oriented research (POR) is foundational to evidence-informed health care, refers to a continuum of research that engages patients as partners, focusses on patient-identified priorities and improves patient outcomes. This research, conducted by multidisciplinary teams in partnership with relevant stakeholders, aims to apply the knowledge generated to improve healthcare systems and practices.

Quadruple Aim

The Quadruple Aim is a framework to guide the redesign of health care systems and the transition to population health that is centered on four overarching goals: improved population health outcomes, improved care and patient experience, improved provider satisfaction, and lower costs / better value.

References

[1] S. A. Nancarrow, A. Booth, S. Ariss, T. Smith, P. Enderby and A. Roots, "Ten principles of good interdisciplinary team work," Human Resources for Health, vol. 11, no. 19, 2013. Accessed May 12, 2022.
[2] M. S. Bauer, L. Damschroder, H. Hagedorn, J. Smith and A. M. Kilbourne, "An introduction to implementation science for the non-specialist," BMC Psychology, vol. 3, no. 1, 2015. Accessed May 12, 2022.
[3] M. Menear, M.-A. Blanchette, O. Demers-Payette and D. Roy, "A framework for value-creating learning health systems," BMC Health Research Policy and Systems, vol. 17, no. 79, 2019.
[4] M. Dobbins, P. Robeson, D. Ciliska, S. Hanna, R. Cameron, L. O'Mara, K. DeCorby and S. Mercer, "A description of a knowledge broker role implemented as part of a randomized controlled trial evaluating three knowledge translation strategies," Implementation Science, vol. 4, no. 23, 2009.
[5] OCAP® is a registered trademark of the First Nations Information Governance Centre (FNIGC).