Mandate

As defined in The Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation Act (2002):

  1. Seek and receive funding from government and non-government sources for the advancement of research.
  2. Encourage and facilitate research in health sciences; the health-related social sciences and other health-related fields of study.
  3. Assist the Minister of Health to develop a provincial strategy for research into matters associated with the health sciences, the health-related social sciences and other health-related fields of study.
  4. Provide funding to persons and agencies who are conducting or proposing to conduct research projects that are consistent with the provincial strategy.
  5. Disseminate information to members of health-related professions and to the public respecting the objects of the Foundation, the research that the Foundation supports, the results of that research and conclusions drawn from that research.

Managing Saskatchewan's Health Research Investment

Most of SHRF's revenue (about $6M annually) is invested directly in health research through its competitive grants programs and other funding programs where SHRF is a partner. The remainder is used to manage and operate the Foundation, to promote research and share research knowledge, and to conduct research and analysis to ensure SHRF programs remain effective, relevant, and accountable.

Health Research Strategy

In 2004, the Saskatchewan Minister of Health announced a provincial Health Research Strategy for Saskatchewan. While SHRF is mandated to play a strong leadership and catalytic role in moving the Strategy forward, its ultimate success depends on the determination of and collaboration among numerous individuals and organizations.

The Strategy reflected the input that SHRF heard during consultations: as a small province, Saskatchewan needs to focus its research resources and energies in areas critical to the health and well-being of its population and also to build on current strengths and unique advantages. The Strategy has four major themes:

  1. establishing health research priority areas;
  2. applying what we learn;
  3. building health research capacity; and
  4. tracking progress and impact.

Progress on the Strategy

Strategic Themes Action Highlights: Looking Back at 2010-11 Planned Actions: Looking Ahead to 2011-12
1 Advancing Saskatchewan's health research priority areas With partners, moved ahead on recruiting research chairs in MS Clinical Research and Health Quality Improvement Continue to define SK Research Chairs in priority areas, as resources permit and in partnership with others
Allocated funding for priority areas - minimum 50% in fellowships and establishment grants and 100% in groups and chairs Lead and manage two special initiatives: Clinical trials for the MS liberation procedure; and translational research related to spinal cord injury treatment and rehab
Developed an action plan to advance research in the priority area of Aboriginal peoples' health, resources permitting Establish an advisory panel for identifying additional ways to support and grow research in the area of Aboriginal peoples' health
2 Fostering the exchange and application of health research knowledge Continued having researchers address knowledge translation in funding applications and reports, as relevant to their field Continue emphasizing knowledge translation in all programs, activities, reporting and partnerships
Supported conferences and workshops that focus on sharing and using research knowledge (Research Connections Program) Continue Research Connections Program and explore other mechanisms for strengthening knowledge translation capacity Implement recommendations from the mid-term evaluation of the Strategy, focusing on renewal, investment, performance, linkages and engagement
Continued to showcase SK health research success and achievement at our Sante Evening and other forums Write more stories about health research being done in SK and share them with the public and other stakeholders
3 Strengthening Saskatchewan's health research capacity With partners, held a Health Data Forum on improving access to health information for research, evaluation and quality improvement With partners, explore developing key areas such as data access, ethics harmonization and clinical research
Supported the Sask-CIHR Regional Partnership Program to build capacity and advance priority areas As resources permit, support matching programs to increase federally funded research activity in SK
Completed linking of the Saskatchewan Directory of Health Researchers to the Interprovincial Directory of Researchers (a CIHR-led partnership) Work with partners across Canada to standardize data definitions for use in various research applications and administration processes
Produced "Health Research Capacity in Saskatchewan: A Descriptive Report," to be updated every two years Expand SHRF's fund development role, in consultation with stakeholders, as part of our mandate to seek additional funds to support health research in SK
4 Implementing the Health Research Strategy and tracking progress Completed mid-term (five-year) evaluation of the Strategy, on behalf of the Ministry of Health, enlisting an external contractor and an expert panel Implement recommendations from the mid-term evaluations of the Strategy, focusing on renewal, investment, performance, linkages and engagement.
With national partners, advanced work to develop common indicators for return on investment in health research Continue tracking and reporting on outcomes and impact of health research funding in SK
Implemented the Balanced Scorecard approach to strategic planning and assessing outcomes Pursue additional partnerships to fulfill the Strategy's vision of a vibrant research sector that contributes to better health and health care