Recently, CIHR announced the latest round of funding opportunities, RFAs that continue to support world-class research. Funding will be provided in numerous areas: open grants competitions; strategic research priorities; salary support; and training for the next generation of health researchers. These decisions reaffirm CIHR's ongoing commitment to supporting the very best health research.
Despite the budget increase, our uncommitted funds for 2006-07 are still lower than in recent years. As a result, CIHR has had to make some minor changes in its 2006-07 budget. These changes were made after extensive consultations with our Scientific Directors and members of Governing Council. As CIHR recognizes that one of the biggest challenges facing researchers is the need for stable funding, the budget decisions will not disrupt existing funding commitments, nor will they affect projects that are already in progress or funding allocated for projects that will result from the June RFAs. I would like to stress that, in making decisions about budget changes, there was unanimous agreement to protect the integrity of the operating grants program. This program is central to CIHR's commitment to health research and, as such, no cuts or revisions were made to the budget for this program.
CIHR's budget decisions will have an impact on a number of planned research opportunities. Specifically: there will be limited funding available to support priority funding announcements and development grants; the funding start dates for a select number of funding opportunities will be delayed; there will be reduced funding available to support the International Opportunities program; and, in the short term, there will be restricted funding for research infrastructure.
The 2006-2007 RRG competition will not entertain proposals for new grants and will focus on the renewal of currently-funded maintenance grants only. However, in June 2007 CIHR anticipates that it will launch a full scale Research Resource Grant competition to address infrastructure needs. CIHR will also continue to revisit funding of equipment requested through the open operating grant competition with a decision for each competition being made in light of available funds to support new grants.
CIHR remains committed to supporting excellence in health research through our open operating grants competitions and the strategic initiatives of our 13 Institutes. CIHR is also committed to working with Parliamentarians and decision makers to ensure that they recognize the exciting scientific opportunities that lie ahead and the dedication of Canada's health research community to exploit these opportunities for the benefit of all Canadians.
In the 21st century, health research is an essential element in the strategy to meet Canada's social, health and economic agendas.
Dr. Alan Bernstein, O.C., FRSC
President
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
