The first day of the meeting was held at the University Centre of the University of Victoria. We thank Connie Carter, Administrator, Centre for Addictions Research of BC, for assisting us with the arrangements.
The agenda for the meeting had been revised to allow for a discussion on the low success rate of the September 2004 operating grants competition. Due to an unprecedented number of applications and the rising average value of the grants, many excellent proposals could not be funded. Not surprisingly a large percentage of them were related to INMHA. Scientific Director Rémi Quirion reported that he made personal phone calls to all investigators who rated above 4.0 but were not successful in obtaining a grant. The intent of the calls was to explain the challenges faced by CIHR and to solicit feedback. Many applicants took the opportunity to express their disappointment with CIHR but the calls seemed to be appreciated by everyone. IAB members shared their own concerns and discussed a number of ways to address the funding situation. It was agreed that INMHA should fund as many grants as possible through the Priority Announcement Process and that these should not be restricted to young investigators only. The IAB will also write a collective letter to President Alan Bernstein and the Government Council in support of the open competition. In addition, individual IAB members were encouraged to meet with their Members of Parliament to talk about the importance of health research and the need for an increased budget for CIHR. It was also felt that the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should be encouraged to communicate the same message as they were instrumental in the establishment of CIHR.
NOTE: Following the IAB meeting, in the context of more up-to-date financial data, CIHR was able to support an additional 73 operating grants. 22 of these were associated with INMHA. In addition, INMHA awarded 5 one-year bridging grants as a demonstration of its commitment to the Open Competition. As a result, all applications but one that ranked 4.0 and above and that listed INMHA as their primary affiliation were funded.
Assistant Director Richard Briere presented a brief update on the current fiscal year and budget projections for the year 2005-06. Final allocations for next year will depend on the federal budget allocation to CIHR to be announced in late February.
Richard Briere has been leading the important responsibility of the performance evaluation for INMHA, together with recently retired IAB member Peter Scholefield and several other members of the IAB. The task is challenging since the group has been working ahead of CIHR's schedule for the evaluation of the Institutes and it is not exactly know what is required. There will be several case studies and discussion centered on whether it should be theme or project based. It was felt important to integrate INMHA's three areas and to demonstrate the leverage that has been achieved through partnerships. Other important areas for INMHA are international collaborations, training and the Annual Meeting. Much of the next meeting will be devoted to this topic.
The highlight of the first day of the meeting was a lunch at the University's Faculty Club with members of the scientific community and two excellent presentations. Dr. Timothy Stockwell, new Director of the Centre for Addictions Research of BC, presented his vision for the Centre and addictions research in the province. Dr. Cecilia Benoit of the Department of Sociology, talked about her CIHR and INMHA funded research on service workers occupational health and access to health services. Dr. Benoit's INMHA grant was funded through a partnership program with NIH on Stigma and Global Health.
The second day lunch presentations were given by two young University of Victoria scientists. Dr. Jim Tanaka talked about his intervention research in Autism on measuring behavioural and neural plasticity in face processing. Ms. Rachel Phillips who works with Dr. Cecilia Benoit, talked about courtesy stigma, health and vulnerable populations.
At the last meeting, IAB members were asked to confirm their participation in one or more Focus Groups and the new membership list was circulated. Focus Group leaders presented their reports over the course of the two-day meeting.
As part of the discussion on INMHA's next Strategic Plan, the IAB explored the recently released interim report on Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addiction (Kirby Report) and invited a presentation on a major new CIHR initiative.
Dr. John Cairns of the University of British Columbia gave a presentation on the proposed CIHR Clinical Research Initiative. The initiative is CIHR's response to a need and opportunity to strengthen Canadian clinical research and to enhance its uptake into practice and policy. It was initiated by Dr. Bruce McManus, Scientific Director of the Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health, and has evolved into a Multi-Stakeholder (MUST) Taskforce on Clinical Research. IAB members had many suggestions for Dr. Cairns and the Taskforce. There are opportunities within the initiative with regard to neuroscience and mental health. The Institute will have to develop an appropriate strategy and it was decided to set up a new Focus Group to undertake this task.
There may also be opportunities to link the Clinical Research Initiative to the Kirby report. The report should definitely influence INMHA's Strategic Plan and the Strategic Plan should in turn inform the final report of Senator Kirby and the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. INMHA will have to work closely with CIHR government affairs staff on CIHR's formal response to the report. The report will be an important consideration for the strategic planning discussions and Senator Kirby or another Committee representative should be invited to the next IAB meeting.
The next meeting of the IAB will take place in Hamilton on May 13-14 and will be hosted by IAB member Kathy Bennett. The following meeting will take place in Vancouver on October 13, in conjunction with the Fourth INMHA Annual Meeting on October 14-15.
