- Who decides what research is funded?
This is determined by a system called peer review. AHFMR receives
applications
from the individual and the host university or other host institution where
the research will be carried out. The applications are sent to outside
reviewers with expertise in relevant fields and these reviewers assess
the qualifications of the applicant and the feasibility, importance, and
originality of the proposed projects. Then the application is assessed
by an AHFMR committee of reviewers, who rank applicants in order of
excellence,
and forward recommendations to the Trustees.
Applications for the most senior award, Heritage Medical Scientist,
and for major research thrusts, are reviewed by the international
Scientific
Advisory Council to ensure activities supported meet world
standards.
- Is AHFMR part of the Alberta Heritage Trust Fund?
No, it is classified as a deemed asset outside the Fund. With its own
endowment--created in 1980 from the Heritage Trust Fund--and its
independent governance by trustees, AHFMR operates at arms-length from the
Government of Alberta. AHFMR determines its own expenditures from a portion of the
interest revenue of the endowment, which is managed by Alberta Revenue. The
Auditor General of Alberta audits the financial statements. AHFMR reports to the
people of Alberta through an Annual Report tabled in the Legislature, and
an International Board of Review Report every six years.
- Does AHFMR duplicate funding from other provincial sources, voluntary agencies such as the Canadian Cancer Society, or national agencies such as the Canadian Institutes
of Health Research (CIHR)?
No. AHFMR works in partnership with other funding sources. Through
the host institution, AHFMR typically provides researchers with start-up
laboratory costs, salary, and support for students and fellows. Then researchers
go to other agencies for operating grants to pursue specific projects.
Sometimes AHFMR and CIHR, will split salary costs.
Because AHFMR has attracted so many excellent people, Alberta
scientists are very successful in competing for shares of available research funds
from national sources.
- Does Alberta benefit economically from new drugs and other medical discoveries?
Yes. When there are profits from an innovation, they are shared by
the researcher, the company which commercializes the innovation, and the
host university, under individual agreements. Increasingly, the company is
located in Alberta. AHFMR has a ForeFront program to
encourage such commercialization.
- Where is the research carried out?
AHFMR does not have its own research facility, but only a small
administrative office located in Edmonton. Apart from a few exceptions, activity is carried out in Alberta universities, hospitals, and affiliated institutions, or
the community, in the case of some health research. Researchers are
employees of host institutions, and funding for salaries comes from AHFMR.
- How are researchers evaluated?
Researchers submit an annual report of progress. They are funded
for a three or five year period, and when their funding comes up for
renewal, the peer review process described in question #1 is repeated. If they do
not meet standards of excellence, in competition with their peers, funding
is not renewed.
- Is AHFMR doing anything no other research organization is doing?
Yes. AHFMR pioneered several initiatives, in response to changing
needs.
AHFMR established one of the first programs to train physicians in
research
so that they could help translate new findings into better patient care.
AHFMR is co-funder of a provincial research unit which links family
physicians throughout Alberta, and allows them to conduct research on
problems
arising from their medical practises.
AHFMR initiated a research program on the law and ethics of the new
genetics in medicine.
AHFMR launched a community health research program, Swift Efficient Access to Research in Community Health, to help the Regional Health Authorities in Alberta conduct their own research on local needs and services. And, on April 1, 2005, SEARCH Canada began operating independently, governed and funded by outside member organizations, which include AHFMR.
- How does a person apply?
AHFMR Funding Opportunities covers the details.
