BC Mental Health and Addictions Research Network

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BC Mental Health and Addictions Research Network
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Background

• The Michael Smith Foundation for Health
  Research (MSFHR) identified infrastructure as a
  key building block for BC
• An initial investment of 25 million was
  allocated to three components of infrastructure
  funding
• Institutional awards
• Research Unit awards
• Research Networking Program
• Eight Health of Population Research Networks
  were funded in January, 2005

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Health of Population Research Networks
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Network Funding
 
Jan '05
Jan '06
Jan '07
Jan '08
Jan '09
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
250 K
Up to 500 K
Up to 500 K
Potential increase up to 500 K in years 3 and 4
based on performance review
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Networking Program Why?

• Support collaboration of researchers across
  disciplines, institutions, organizations and
  regions
• Build research capacity and increase BC's ability
  to address health issues
• Align research with national and international
  funding priorities
• Enhance investigators' productivity and
  competitiveness for external funding

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Key Outcomes

• New research collaborations
• Shared infrastructure
• Increased output of research proposals
• Increased number and value of funded projects
• Satisfaction of research community with Network
  activities and direction

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BC Mental Health and Addictions Research Network

• Mission
• To contribute to the excellence of mental health
  and addictions research in BC by strengthening
  relationships among researchers across
  disciplines, institutions and health services
  organizations.
• Aim
• To build research capacity and foster
  collaborative research that will inform policy
  and practice in the field of mental health and
  addictions.

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Leadership and Accountability
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Network Leadership

• Co-Leaders
• William Honer, MD, FRCPC
• Professor, Medicine/Psychiatry, UBC
• Tim Stockwell, PhD
• Director, Centre for Addictions Research of BC,
  UVic
• Network Coordinator
• Jane Hood, PhD
• PHSA Research and Networks

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Network Planning and Advisory Committee (NetPAC)

• Includes Network Co-Leaders and Reps from
• SFU, UBC, UNBC and UVic
• Regional health authorities and PHSA
• Ministries of Health and Child and Family
  Development
• Health Services and Policy Research Support
  Network (HSPRSN)
• BC Partners (Voluntary Agencies)
• Responsible for advising on key initiatives and
  budget, promoting the Network, monitoring
  progress of initiatives, and supporting ongoing
  planning and plan implementation

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What the Network Offers

• Building Research Capacity
• Travel bursaries for trainees and new researchers
  to present their research
• Strategic partnerships to support doctoral
  training awards
• Investment in shared, accessible research
  platforms
• Fostering Collaborative Research
• Development funds to support team-building and
  the preparation of grant applications
• Seed grants to fund exploratory research and
  pilot studies
• Grants facilitation and letters of support for
  funding proposals

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What the Network Offers (cont)

• Supporting Knowledge Transfer
• Access to our listerv of BC researchers and
  stakeholders in mental health and addictions
• Research dissemination and knowledge transfer
• Regional workshops and an annual research
  colloquium
• Links to community partners and health
  authorities

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Topics for Discussion

• What research platforms should the Network invest
  in ?
• How can the Network best support the development
  of clinician investigators?
• How can the Network most effectively collaborate
  with the provincial health authorities?

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Join Us / Contact

• To become a participant in the Network, join us
  at www.mhanet.ca
• For further information, contact
• Jane Hood, PhD
• Network Coordinator
• jhood_at_phsa.ca [phone]