Year-End Message 2023
Message from the President

December 18, 2023

As 2023 draws to a close and we look forward to the year ahead, I would like to express thanks and appreciation to all of those who work to ensure that the Canadian health research ecosystem is thriving, responsive, and equipped to tackle the pressing health challenges that we face – both as a country and a global community.

This includes health charities, other health research funders, peer reviewers, Institute Advisory Board members, patients and research participants, and the many investigators and trainees who lead these research efforts. Together, you embody the spirit of the CIHR Strategic Plan: The best health for all, powered by outstanding research. Thank you!

As we await the Government of Canada’s announcement of a new CIHR President, we continue to work at full speed to advance Canadian health research priorities and support our health research community.

I am especially pleased to note the progress made in enhancing CIHR’s rapid response capacity through the Centre for Research on Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies. Of particular note, CIHR delivered a $20M federal investment to establish an integrated, interdisciplinary, Canadian Post COVID-19 Condition Research Network. This network is accelerating the mobilization of research into policy and practice, and supporting Canada’s ability to quickly identify and address long-term adverse features of the COVID-19 infection as they emerge. CIHR was also proud to co-lead the development and delivery of a $10M interdisciplinary funding opportunity to build capacity in Canada to respond to Mpox and other zoonotic threats.

CIHR also made important progress on advancing the health and well-being of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples. These efforts were conducted with the engagement of Indigenous stakeholders and included Tri-Agency work to remove administrative barriers to Indigenous community-led research. This included implementing a streamlined application and approval tool for organizations to administer agency funding, as well as mechanisms to provide indirect cost support to Indigenous not-for-profit organizations that administer agency funds.

We all depend on Canada’s health research community to keep us safe from health threats, to strengthen our health systems, and to improve our overall health and well-being. On behalf of all of us at CIHR, thank you for your dedication to research and your commitment to improving the health of Canadians. We hope that this holiday season is filled with warmth and cheer, and we offer our best wishes for your continued success in 2024!

Tammy Clifford, PhD
Acting President, CIHR

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