The first day's session started with a visit from Carol Richards, member of CIHR Governing Council (GC) and Professor at l'Université de Laval's Rehabilitation Centre, who joined the IAB for breakfast in order to discuss matters of common interest to GC and INMHA. She invited everyone to frankly present their concerns and opinions.
The ensuing discussion covered various points, including the perceived decrease in operating grants and the equal-share principle that guides the CIHR's funding of each institute. Carol Richards took an active part in the discussions, took note of all she heard, and promised to report INMHA's concerns back to GC.
Eric Marcotte gave an update on the Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine RFA, to be launched on June 2nd 2004, reporting that support has now been extended to gene therapy, and rehabilitation sciences. New partners are the Institute of Aging, the Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health, and the Canadian Space Agency. Expanded funds are available for Team grants, and for New Discoveries: High Risk Seed grants. Team grant LOIs are due by November 2004, and a responsive review of them is set for January 2005. New Discoveries registration is due by April 2005. Full applications for both the foregoing will be due by May 1, 2005. Peer Review is scheduled for September 2005, with results and funding to be announced in October 2005.
Anthony Phillips reported on the visit that he and Rémi Quirion had made to Japan and of the status of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science-CIHR Joint Health Research Program (to be relaunched in September 2004). Alain Lesage reported on the Mental Health in the Workplace workshop recently held in Toronto on April 28-29. A wide range and number of people from across the stakeholder-spectrum had attended and he had been encouraged by the obvious determination that the workshop be followed up with concrete action plans.
Miriam Stewart, Scientific Director of the Institute of Gender and Health, talked about IGH's partnerships with INMHA. After giving an account of IGH's research priorities, Miriam focused on IGH's funding of mental health and addictions research. She described 50 such projects, some dating from 2001, as well as RFAs yielding mental health projects. Miriam was enthusiastic about INMHA's contributions and profoundly pleased with the partnership between the two institutes. During 2003, IGH held two international Think Tanks, one on Gender, Sex and Health, the second on Reducing Health Disparities. The Institute is also engaged in global health research and Miriam described these as well as current plans for Strategic Research and Research Training Initiatives with national and international partners.
During lunch, two presentations were made by Laval University researchers. The first, by George Levesque, was on the effect of Presenilin and Amyloid on the progression of Alzheimer's Disease.
Paul DeKoninck's presentation, Imaging Synaptic Signalling and Remodelling in Living Neurons, showed vivid images of his research into the mechanisms of synaptic remodeling at the structural, biological and physiological levels. He combines molecular, cellular, imaging and electrophysiological approaches.
The IAB was next addressed by two guests. Dr. Benedetto Saraceno, the World Health Organization's Director of Mental Health and Substances Dependence Department, spoke of the various challenges facing the WHO's on-the-ground implementation of its Mental Health initiatives. His colleague Dr. José-Miguel Caldas de Almeida, the Pan-American Health Organization's Mental Health Program Coordinator, based in Washington D.C., described the challenges confronting PAHO, particularly in South America and the Caribbean where national health budget allocations for mental health issues can be very low.
The two guests were invited to tell the Board what assistance Canada could offer them. Both said that they needed collaboration at national and global levels. They asked that Canadian expertise be made available; that Canadian consultants be made available; and that Canada partner in funding operations at regional, national and global levels.
Summing up, Stan Kutcher said, "This is an opportunity to establish a structural framework for working with WHO and PAHO." INMHA is already an active partner with WHO and PAHO (e.g. mhGAP).
This was followed by Focus Groups Updates from Lisa McKerracher and Patrice Roy (Industry); Marlene Reimer (Training and Education); and Phil Upshall (Government Affairs).
Lisa McKerracher and Patrice Roy triggered a lively discussion with their proposal that some training element be introduced into university curricula that would effectively prepare students for a career in management and industry, given that only a small percentage continue on an academic path. Skills such as laboratory management, the conducting of clinical reviews and preparation of documents for government were mentioned as significant. The principle was widely accepted by those present. However, the nature of such a program and the mechanisms for introducing it were not so readily agreed during the time allotted for the discussion.
On the second day, May 8, the forthcoming Annual Meeting in Ottawa on November 26 and 27 was discussed. The topics of the AGM will be: Vision Health, Schizophrenia, and Epilepsy.
An update on the Strategic Plan Report Card followed. This was broken down into five priority areas.
Priority One: To foster and develop a capacity for innovation in research in neurosciences, mental health and addiction
Under the first heading, Priority One (A) Training, the following was reported: CIHR Training Grant Program (up to $300K per year for 6 years) showed 7 training awards given in the first competition and 10 awards in the second (which was INMHA-based). Next steps include: putting in place an evaluation of this program with CIHR. Promotion of the strategic transdisciplinary training programs will be done through Brain Brief. BrainStar Program has been awarded every two weeks (75 in total as of April 2004). Other institutes will be implementing similar programs using the INMHA model. Also, a BrainStar Alumni Program is envisaged for the future. Under the Additional Salary Awards program, 15 additional awards were picked up by INMHA, ranging from studentships to Senior Investigator. An INMHA committee will be created, assisted by a consultant, to work on the evaluation of the above programs. The High School Program promoted participation in Brain Awareness Week 2004 in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Calgary. The Focus Group on Training and Education is to be discussed in 2005.
Under Priority One (B) Strategic Initiatives, the progress of Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine was reported. As of 2004, it is now a CIHR-wide Large Initiative. Next steps include: a relaunch of the RFA in June 2004 with multiple partners, of whom the Institute of Genetics will be co-leaders; the Third Annual Nanomedicine Workshop (with NRC and NSERC) in Alberta in Spring 2005. Nicotine Addiction and Tobacco Abuse 2003 activities were discussed and the next steps include an RFA re-launch in December 2004 for funding in 2005-2006 with co-leaders the Institute of Cancer Research. Multiple partners will be coordinated by the CTCRI. First Episodes & Early Life Events intends to launch an RFA in December 2004 if enough partners can be recruited. Co-occurrence of Brain Disorders was originally scheduled to be funded in the current financial year but no application was accepted. The next steps call for a national research strategy with the possibility of including additional topics such as, Depression and Obesity, Borderline Personality and Suicide. A workshop is to be planned in 2005-2006, and there is already a high level interest in the initiative from many partners. The Open Competition Strategic Initiative currently has seen 20 researchers receive grants since 2002, nine of which have become multi-year CIHR grants. This is a continuing program. An INMHA committee, along with a consultant, will work on evaluations of the above programs. A report will be issued at the end of each evaluation.
Under Priority One (C) Emerging Areas, Discrimination and Stigma has seen two NET competitions, a partnership with the National Institutes of Health's Fogarty Centre, and a single grant supported by INMHA with the NIH. There has also been a discussion with the Canadian Psychiatric Association. The program could be repeated in 2005, perhaps as part of an RFA on First Episodes and Early Life Events. The initiative will be promoted in INMHA's newsletter, Brain Brief. The Placebo Effect has had two NET competitions with one grant offered on the subject of Placebo and Pain. The initiative will be promoted in INMHA's newsletter, Brain Brief. An INMHA committee, along with a consultant, will work on an evaluation of the program. First Episodes and Early Life Events. As a result of the one NET Competition in 2002, four NET Teams were financed (FAS, Psychosis, Exposure to Maternal Smoking, Inattention, Impulsiveness in Childhood). The next steps will see the integration of the program with First Episodes and Early Life Events Large Strategic Initiative.. Computational Neurosciences: as a result of the 2002 NET Competition, two NET teams were financed. Next steps will involve promoting the the initiative in Brain Brief. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: there were six applicants for the 2002 NET Competiton and two teams were funded, one in Alberta, the other in Saskatchewan. Next steps will involve promoting the initiative in Brain Brief. An INMHA committee, along with a consultant, will work on an evaluation of the above programs. A report will be issued at the end of each evaluation. Others and future topics to be considered include partnerships with other institutes; Violence & Gender; Cognitive Impairments; Addiction & Gambling (workshops were held in 2003); Mental Health at the Workplace (workshop held in April 2004); Co-morbidity-Obesity -Depression. Next steps involve considering the following proposed topics: Suicide; Neurogenetics; Orphan Diseases; Consciousness & Spirituality; Borderline Personality; Autism.
Priority Two: To pursue and sustain collaborative partnerships
Under Priority Two Partnerships (A) CIHR Central INMHA has partnered with CIHR in 13 activities with another seven scheduled for 2004. Next steps include Alcohol & Illicit Drugs (a working group will be set up with the CCSA for the development of an RFA scheduled for December 2004); the renewal of the agreement, for the Neurobiology of Psychiatric Addictions program (with CIHR/Rx&D, and AstraZeneca); and the evaluation of JSPS-CIHR Joint Grants Program (with CIHR Programs Branch).
Under Priority Two Partnerships (B) CIHR Institutes INMHA has partnered with other CIHR Institutes in seven activities with another seven scheduled for 2004. Next steps will involve: confirming the partners for the Tobacco Abuse & Nicotene Addiction RFA of December 2004; confirming the partners for the Regenerative Medicine & Nanomedicine RFA of June 2004; securing partners for the Alcohol & Illicit Drugs RFA of December 2004; securing partners for Early Life Events & First Episodes RFA of December 2004; finalizing an extension for the Gene Therapy IHRT (with ICR, IMHA and IHDCYH); finalizing partners for JSPS-CIHR Joint Grants Program (with IHDCYH, IA, and other possible partners); NIH-CIHR Workshop on Biology of Manual Therapies (Steering Committee with IMHA).
Under Priority Two Partnerships (C) Other Government Agencies INMHA has partnered in nine activities. Next steps include: organizing the many partners interested in the June 2004 RFA on Regenerative Medicine & Nanomedicine; organizing a working group with Health Canada for the development of a December 2004 RFA for Alcohol & Illicit Drugs; an RFA for First Episodes & Early Life events is intended for December 2004, subject to partners.
Under Priority Two Partnerships (D) there have been nine activities to date with a further 16 covering the period from late 2003 through 2004. Next steps include: a shared Communications Plan; support knowledge translation with NGOs; partnership with NGOs on NET and training grants; NGO Communications competition (Fall 2004); Alcohol & Illicit Drugs (wirking group with Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse for the development of a December 2004 RFA; finalize extension for Gene Therapy IHRT (there is a possibility of funding from NeuroScience Canada and the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada); evaluation of Barbara Turnbull Award (with Barbara Turnbull Foundation and NeuroScience Canada); renewal of the agreement for the Neurobiology of Psychiatric Addictions Program (with Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation); NGO involvement on 2004 Annual Meeting in Ottawa on November 26-27; US-Canada meeting with NARSAD, the Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation, and the Schizophrenia Society of Canada.
Under Priority Two Partnerships (E) International there have been 13 activities including partnerships and proposed collaborations with overseas bodies and international organizations. Next steps include: an Action Plan and the finalizing of other discussions currently in progress (WHO, IBRO etc.); see Priority 5; US-Canada meeting with NARSAD, the Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation, and the Schizophrenia Society of Canada; the evaluation Joint Grants Program of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science-CIHR, and the management of the2004 competition to be held jointly with the JSPS.
Priority Three: To promote linkage and exchange through Structured efforts aimed at knowledge translation
Under Priority Three there have been four activities, including the inclusion of KT as an integral part of all INMHA's RFAs. Next steps include: a partnership in Network for Health Innovation that will be lead by the VP, Knowledge Translation and Partnerships at CIHR; a stakeholder KT strategy to be developed in collaboration with NGOs/VHOs and in which Health Canada and FPT should be involved; critical role for Head of Communications; 2nd Open Competition on Best Practices in Communication with our NGOs/VHOs scheduled for September-November 2004.
Priority Four: to ensure INMHA's presence on the international stage
Under Priority Four there have been 11 activities covering partnerships, meetings, conferences, visits to embassies and the US Senate, linkages created by IAB members, and more besides. Next steps are to: continue partnership discussions with international organizations (WHO, PAHA, IBRO, JSPS, Academy of Finland, China NSF, SFN, and others); to have exhibits at international meetings and conferences (2004 SFN in San Diego, and others); IBRO Neuroscience Schools in Morocco and Argentina (September-October 2004); to participate in the NIDA International Forum in San Juan; Stan Kutcher will arrange to be present at PAHO, WHO events; and Astrid Eberhart will represent INMHA in Europe.
Priority Five: Establish an effective organizational and operational structure
Under Priority Five: Effective Governance, Accountability there have been six main activities, some of which break down into various items. Next steps include: Performance and Evaluation at CIHR (to be completed in June 2005); with an eye to the future, a revision of the Strategic Plan is to be planned over the coming 12-18 months; Best Practices in Partnership - CIHR; Commercialization Agenda - CIHR. In Communications, a new Head has been hired, the Communications Plan has been approved by IAB and CIHR, and multiple meetings have been held with our NGOs. Next steps include the sharing of the Communication Plan with NGOs-VHOs for inputs and action plan in June 2004; Competition aimed at supporting Communication Plan Development by NGOs (September-November 2004); the quarterly distribution of Brain Brief to all our stakeholders; redesign of the INMHA website (with CIHR); the www.thebrain.mcgill.ca web site to be launched by and completed by 2005. The Database on Health project is being conducted in partnership with CAMH. There has been limited progress at the level of INMHA and CIHR to obtain reliable information. Senators Kirby and Morin have requested more information on CIHR's financing of projects on Mental Health and Addiction. Rémi Quirion, Richard Brière, Phil Upshall and others have appeared before the Senate. There is a partnership with Statistics Canada whose nationwide Mental Health Survey's results are being analyzed by 17 teams of researchers. Next steps involves an Action Plan on obtaining a database regarding funding in INMHA.
Ms. Rita Cavalière, a consultant from management consultants Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, presented the results of a survey conducted into stakeholders' perceptions of INMHA. The survey was commissioned by the Institute to help it determine future directions and strategies. The underlying questions that INMHA wanted answered were, 'What have we achieved?' 'What do we still need to do?' and 'Where should we go from here?' Of the 60 questionnaires sent out, 18 responses were received.
Ms. Cavalière warned that the results should be used to give one more of "a feeling" rather than treated as scientifically thorough because the numbers of questionnaires returned were unevenly representative of the different stakeholder groups that were canvassed. NGOs had responded in number whereas academics had not. (A possible symptom of "survey fatigue", one member suggested.)
However, the feedback that emerged was very favourable to INMHA. It was recognized for its success in showing interconnectedness among the three domains; for its strong presence and credibility in the NGO/VHO sector; for its effectiveness at establishing partnerships with a range of stakeholders; for its pertinent strategic initiatives; and for having been solidly strategic in its approach with stakeholders, in defining its priorities and in its application of funding programs. However, there were indications that the research community has difficulty distinguishing between INMHA and CIHR and that CIHR's "70%-30% split" is little understood, something that was anecdotally supported by some IAB members.
The future directions of the Strategic Plan were examined and discussed.
Richard Brière presented the INMHA's Budget Report. It showed few changes since his March 2004 report. However, the Federal Budget's impact showed in the increase of INMHA's budget from $6.8 million to $7.2 million. This allowed INMHA to adjust its predictions and increase the funding of Neuroethics, Advancing the Science to Reduce Nicotine Addiction and Tobacco Abuse, and Regenerative Medicine & Nanomedicine. The new monies have allowed Neuroethics to expand from one team to two.
The next meetings were called. A conference call will be held in the summer. A meeting of the IAB will be held on November 25 in Ottawa, prior to the Annual Meeting scheduled for November 26-27, also in Ottawa.
