At Governing Council's meeting last week, we received the Report of the Task Force on Career Support, chaired by Dr. Brenda Andrews (the 'Andrews Report'). In my view, the Report is outstanding and I would like to acknowledge publicly and thank Brenda, the other members of the Task Force, and the supporting staff at CIHR, for a comprehensive and thoughtful Report, produced in a remarkably short period of time.
Following an extensive dialogue with Dr. Andrews, Governing Council had a very thorough discussion about what actions to take in response to the Report. I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you the highlights of that discussion, and the intended follow-through.
First, Governing Council agreed with the Task Force that there is an important role for CIHR, as Canada's major national funder of health research, to maintain a strong presence in the support of the careers of outstanding health researchers.
To support this role, the Task Force recommended the immediate reinstatement of the mid-career and senior career awards while plans to construct a more stable career support mechanism are pursued with other stakeholders.
While Governing Council appreciates the concerns of the Task Force, and many in the research community, that there not be an ongoing lapse in CIHR's support of career awards, it decided to continue the suspension of the awards pending both clarification of CIHR's future budget scenario and the design of a new program following consultation (see below).
Second, Council agreed with the Task Force that CIHR should actively and immediately engage in a national discussion with other organizations that currently support the careers of health researchers - the health charities, the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) program, provincial health research funding agencies, universities and research hospitals - with the objective of emerging with a more coherent, comprehensive and sustainable suite of career awards.
Third, Governing Council agreed with the recommendations of the Task Force that CIHR develop a new Career Awards Program following broad consultation with stakeholders.
Unfortunately, because of the very short time lines, the Task Force did not have the time to carry out that important task. Accordingly, I will immediately be striking an Implementation Group to develop, for Governing Council's consideration, a new Career Awards Program that addresses, in a consistent and comprehensive manner, the issues raised by the Task Force. I hope this Group will report to Governing Council early in 2005 in order that a new program be in place for 2006-07.
By March 2005, CIHR should also have a much clearer picture of our financial situation for 2005-2006 and hopefully for 2006-2007. Ultimately, this information is crucial if Governing Council is to make priority decisions that are informed by an accurate financial outlook.
In closing, I want again to thank all the members of the Task Force for their advice and will keep everyone posted on future developments.
Dr. Alan Bernstein, O.C. FRSC
President
