Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes (INMD)
Strategic Plan - The Way Forward 2004 - 2006
Message from the Scientific Director
In 2001, following an extensive environmental scan and stakeholder input [ PDF (510 KB) | Help ], the Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes (INMD) identified 'Obesity and Healthy Body Weight' as its focus for strategic research funding. Since this timely declaration, both national and international attention has turned increasingly towards the pandemic of overweight and obesity. The physical, psychological and economic costs of obesity are now well-known to both health practitioners and the lay public. While the solution for the individual may seem as simple as decreasing energy intake and increasing energy output, the human condition is clearly far more complex. To effectively reverse this epidemic it is imperative that research generate new knowledge on the multiple and interacting causes of obesity, on best practices for its prevention in both individuals and populations, and on cost-effective and ethical measures for treatment.
As part of its 2002 Strategic Plan [ PDF (207 KB) | Help ], the Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes pledged to revisit and update its focus and strategies after two years of its implementation. The Institute Advisory Board undertook a series of exercises over the course of 2003 to assess the original plan and refine its vision for the next 3 years of INMD strategic activity. Through this work, obesity was confirmed as a continuing priority within the strategic outcomes identified in the CIHR Blueprint including outstanding research, outstanding researchers in innovative environments, and transforming health research into action. In addition, the Board determined that INMD should explore new avenues for support of other research areas within its mandate and engage stakeholders in a dialogue to discuss needs and future opportunities.
The following strategic outcomes, objectives and actions represent the collective wisdom of INMD's dynamic and hard-working Advisory Board, building upon the solid foundation of the inaugural strategic plan. With this guide in hand, we look forward to a continuation of our innovative strategic opportunities for research funding, to enhancing the vital partnerships developed over the past three years, and to embarking on new relationships that will foster the achievement of mutual goals.
As Scientific Director of the Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes, I am pleased to invite you to examine the INMD Strategic Plan 2004-2006: The Way Forward.
Our Mandate
The Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes supports research to enhance health in relation to diet, digestion, excretion, and metabolism; and to address causes, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, support systems, and palliation for a wide range of conditions and problems associated with hormone, digestive system, kidney, and liver function.
Our Partners
Throughout the first three years of its mandate, INMD has engaged with many exceptional partners in the achievement of mutual goals in health research funding and research capacity enhancement. Through the coming three years, INMD is looking forward to a continuation of these successful relationships and a building of new co-operative endeavors in the name of innovation and excellence in Canadian health research.
The INMD Strategic Plan 2004-2006:
For the years 2004 through 2006 the Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes will strive to carry-out its mandate through strategic actions designed to meet the following objectives and broad outcomes. Each action will, in turn be supported by a range of initiatives recommended by stakeholders, INMD staff and the Institute Advisory Board as important to achieving our goals and ultimately improving the health of Canadians.
Strategic Outcome: Outstanding Research
To advance health knowledge, through excellent and ethical research, across disciplines, sectors, and geography.
Strategic Objectives:
- Support excellent and innovative research to increase our understanding of obesity and healthy body weight.
Actions:
- Develop new request for applications (RFAs) and research development strategies to address priority knowledge gaps and emergent opportunities.
- Support interdisciplinary team research.
- Fund innovative, high-risk pilot projects.
- Support highly ranked research deemed fundable but not funded in the open grants competition.
- Support excellent health research in other priority areas within the INMD mandate.
Actions:
- Identify additional research priorities and opportunities within the INMD mandate.
- Develop programs in support of additional research priorities.
Strategic Outcome: Outstanding Researchers in Innovative Environments
To develop and sustain Canada's health researchers in vibrant, innovative and stable research environments.
Strategic Objectives:
- Build capacity in the Canadian health research community to enhance our understanding obesity and healthy body weight.
Actions:
- Support academic and health professional research training programs and individual trainees.
- Support recruitment of outstanding health researchers from outside Canada.
- Support early and mid-career training opportunities.
- Identify and develop new strategic programs in support of research communities within the INMD mandate.
Actions:
- Identify additional priority opportunities to build health research capacity within the INMD mandate.
- Develop programs in support of these priorities.
Strategic Outcome: Transforming Health Research Into Action
To catalyze health innovation in order to strengthen health promotion and the health system, and contribute to the growth of Canada's economy.
Strategic Objectives:
- Advance research in the use of health knowledge towards healthy eating, active living and healthy body weights.
Actions:
- Support research on the effectiveness of current and proposed policies, programs, and practices.
- Support research that identifies effective knowledge translation strategies.
- Improve researchers' access to health and health services data.
- Support the development of effective new products.
- Foster innovative environments that enable the effective use of health knowledge relevant to preventing and treating obesity, and promoting healthy body weights.
Actions:
- Develop and support programs and projects that bridge gaps between research, practice, programs and policy.
Strategic Outcome: Effective Partnerships and Public Engagements
To engage with the public through meaningful dialogue and establish effective partnerships with key stakeholders.
Strategic Objectives:
- Develop mutually beneficial partnerships with organizations having the common goal of reducing the burden associated with obesity and obesity-related diseases through excellence in health research.
Actions:
- Develop partnerships in support of grants and awards programs.
- Support efforts that foster communications between stakeholders, including the Canadian public.
- Establish partnerships that support obesity/healthy body weight knowledge creation based on Canadian survey and surveillance systems.
Actions:
- Support relevant survey and surveillance initiatives of other government and non-government agencies.
- Increase researcher access to/use of existing and emerging Canadian survey and surveillance data.
- Engage in strategic partnerships with organizations across the INMD mandate.
Actions:
- Identify a basis for prioritizing partnership opportunities with organizations across the INMD mandate.
- Support priority partnership opportunities.
- Develop partnerships that increase awareness of health research and its role in improving health, the health system and the effectiveness of products and services.
Strategic Outcome: Organizational Excellence
To achieve our mandate through excellence in staff, service delivery, systems, and management.
Strategic Objectives:
- Provide leadership and coordination in setting direction on important health research issues relevant to INMD's strategic priorities.
Actions:
- Conduct periodic consultations and environmental scans of researchers, policy makers and the public to ensure that INMD's research agenda and activities remain current.
- Promote INMD research priorities at all levels of research, policy and practice in Canada.
- Enhance visibility of INMD with researchers, policy makers and the Canadian public.
- Develop linkages with international research bodies whose mandates align with that of INMD.
- Build a committed, motivated, stable and productive workforce across INMD and CIHR.
Actions:
- Ensure clear job classification, role expectations, and ongoing evaluation of INMD staff performance.
- Promote a continuous learning environment.
- Ensure that CIHR and INMD establish processes to support an orderly transition when a new Scientific Director is appointed.
- Improve overall organizational effectiveness through ongoing improvements in structures, processes, communication and service delivery.
Actions:
- Develop and implement a performance management framework that enables the evaluation of the organization's performance and the value of its programs.
- Ensure alignment of programs, structures and processes within INMD and between INMD and CIHR.
- Develop, implement and evaluate a communications plan to facilitate regular ongoing communication between INMD and researchers, partners, policymakers, and the public.
- Ensure fiscal accountability and demonstrate transparency of decisions and financial expenditures through periodic financial reporting to the INMD advisory board and stakeholders.
Contact Information
CIHR - Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive, Room TC 2805
Burnaby, BC
V5A 1S6
Tel: (604) 268-6707
Fax: (604 291-3055
CIHR - Corporate Headquarters
Room 97, 160 Elgin Street
Address locator: 4809A
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0W9
