CIHR conducts ongoing performance measurement of the HIV research programs to assist with analysis, planning and reporting. An important component of this performance measurement is a survey of CIHR-funded HIV researchers.
Profile of Researchers
CIHR-funded HIV researchers are affiliated with universities and research institutes from across Canada with the majority residing in Quebec and Ontario. The primary research focus of 74% of researchers was biomedical, 16% focused on population health, 5% on clinical and 5% on sociobehavioural research.
Collaborations
HIV researchers collaborated extensively with scientists as well as other stakeholder groups in 2001-2002 (Figure 1). 29% of researchers indicated that they collaborated more, and with a wider range of disciplines, than they had in previous years.
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| Figure 1: Percentage of researchers that collaborated with the various stakeholder groups indicated, in the formulation and design of their research in 2001-2002. |
Knowledge dissemination
Researchers were successful at disseminating their results through traditional means such as peerreviewed publications and scientific presentations but also extended the reach of their work by publishing and presenting in other forums (Figure 2).
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| Figure 2: Knowledge dissemination activities in 2001-2002. |
Capacity development
The majority of HIV independent investigators were involved in training the next generation of scientists. It is estimated that in 2001-2002 there were 217 graduate students and 59 postdoctoral fellows under the supervision of CIHR-funded HIV researchers. Research grants also supported more than 250 technical assistants. Salary awards from various funding sources supported approximately 27 researchers in 2001-2002, which allowed them to dedicate more of their time to HIV research.
Discussion
The survey results suggest that there are positive outcomes from the HIV research programs. Conducting the survey provided CIHR with important data for performance measurement and allowed CIHR to have accurate and thorough input into the Canadian Strategy on HIV (CSHA) annual report. The survey will be conducted again in future years, which will allow CIHR to track the progress of the programs. This input will guide program development in the years ahead.
