Alberta Innovates- Health Solutions

The Terms of Reference of the Third IBR, approved by the Trustees of the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR), are as follows:

1. Review the Foundation's programs according to the objects (Mission) of the Foundation "to establish and support a balanced long-term program of medical research in Alberta directed to the discovery of new knowledge, and the application of that knowledge to improve health and the quality of health services in Alberta". In doing so, the Board shall pay particular attention to the goals of the Strategic Plan of the Foundation, which are outlined in Section (C), page 3.

   
   

2. The Board should also consider during its review, and provide advice on:
   • the development and maintenance of a balanced, responsive spectrum of support for research from the basic biological through to community and population health research,

   • a perspective on the relative roles of the Foundation, the universities, the regional health authorities, the Alberta government, national and international agencies, and the private sector in the promotion and maintenance of health-related research,

   • the challenges and opportunities afforded through the Health Research Collaboration, and the Medical Innovation program (technology commercialization), and the nature and extent of their realization,

   • the development and implementation of meaningful performance measures for health related research.

   
   

3. Provide a report to the Trustees of the Foundation,
   • commenting on the impact and effectiveness of the present programs in achieving the main objectives of the Foundation,

   • recommending, if required, modification of the present programs, and recommending consideration of new programs to achieve the main objectives of the Foundation in the most efficient way.

• Act
• Mission
• Goals
• Governance

1. Act

   The Foundation was established by the Government of the Province of Alberta through the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Act (Chapter A-26), revised statutes of Alberta, 1980. The Act establishes a Corporation called the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research consisting of nine individuals appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council as Trustees, each for a term of not more than five years.

   The Act states that the objects of the Foundation are to establish and support a balanced long-term program of medical research based in Alberta directed to the discovery of new knowledge and the application of that knowledge to improve health and the quality of health services in Alberta and, without limiting the generality of these objects, to

   1. stimulate research in medical sciences,

   2. implement effective means of using the scientific resources available in the medical sciences in Alberta,

   3. support medical research laboratories in related facilities in Alberta,

   4. promote cooperation in research in medical sciences in order to minimize duplication in and promote concentration of effort in that research, and

   5. encourage Albertans to pursue careers in research in the medical sciences.

   Other factors of note in the Act are:

   • The Foundation is not an agent of the Crown in the right of Alberta.

   • The Provincial Treasurer shall hold and administer the Endowment Fund and has the same powers of investment with respect to the Endowment fund that he has with respect to the general revenue fund under the Financial Administration Act.

   • The Provincial Treasurer shall, at the request of the Foundation made on reasonable notice, pay from the Endowment Fund to the Foundation money, that in the opinion of the Trustees, is required by the Foundation for the furtherance of its objects.

   • The Provincial Treasurer shall not pay money out of the Endowment Fund if the payment would result in the value of the assets of the Endowment Fund being less than $300 million, valued at cost.

   • The Foundation shall also establish a Scientific Advisory Council and may establish any committee they consider as appropriate to act in any advisory, administrative or technical capacity in connection with any matter pertaining to the objects of the Foundation.

   
   

2. Mission

   In 1991-92, after 12 years of operation, the Trustees and management of the Foundation executed a strategic planning process, following wide consultation with a broad group of stakeholders in medical and health research in the Province of Alberta. As a result of this process, the Trustees of the Foundation adopted the following Mission Statement.

   “ We support a community of researchers who generate knowledge, the application of which improves the health and quality of life of Albertans and people throughout the world. Our long-term commitment is to fund health research based on international standards of excellence and carried out by new and established investigators and researchers in training.”

   The Trustees confirmed the following principles for AHFMR:

   • Medical research based on international standards of excellence leads to improved health.

   • Responsible stewardship of financial resources is necessary to ensure the continuance of the AHFMR for future generations.

   • AHFMR holds a public trust and is accountable to the people of Alberta.

   • Effective support of medical research requires collaboration among research institutions, granting agencies, governments and the private sector.

   • Researchers require a supportive environment to achieve excellence in a highly competitive world of research.

   • AHFMR requires autonomy and independence to be effective.

   
   

3. Goals

   The Trustees of the Foundation articulated nine goals for the Foundation as part of the Strategic Plan.

   • To maintain international standards of excellence through an appropriate and effective peer review system.

   • To manage expenditures to ensure the continuance of AHFMR for future generations while avoiding significant fluctuations in annual spending.

   • To maintain and strengthen basic research in order to discover the underlying causes of disease and provide a foundation for patient and health research, the practice of medicine and prevention of disease.

   • To expand AHFMR support of patient-based and health research in Alberta and lead new initiatives in these areas.

   • To maintain research education and training programs and encourage young Albertans to pursue research careers.

   • To encourage increased collaboration in Alberta, Canada, and elsewhere among investigators, research institutions, governments, other granting agencies and the private sector.

   • To continue to promote the development of medical research-related economic activities in Alberta, including the commercialization of innovations.

   • To maintain and improve communication with the public, government, the research community, universities, and health-related institutions.

   • To develop a mechanism for the continuing review and updating of the AHFMR Strategic Plan and for setting priorities.

   
   

4. Governance

   The Foundation is governed by a nine member Board of Trustees, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council for terms up to five years. The term may be renewed once for up to five years (for a total of up to ten years). Four Trustees are nominated by specific constituencies - the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta, and the Medical Services Incorporated (M.S.I.) Foundation (when Alberta's former health care plan was abolished in the early 60's, residual funds were put into a charitable foundation to foster and support research into any aspect of providing medical and allied health). Four members are public Trustees, and one is a nominee of the Trustees.

The IBR is strongly supportive of the accomplishments of the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research and the activities supported under its major programs. Even in those areas where the IBR recommends changes, the record is commendable.

IV. Summary of Recommendations

1. The IBR endorses the fiscal plan of the Trustees to maintain the real value of the endowment of the Foundation over time to preserve its purchasing power and serve as a permanent on-going source of support dedicated to the Foundation's mission.

2. 1. The IBR recommends that increased funding be allocated for the trainee programs to facilitate recruitment of increased numbers of suitably qualified graduate students and postdoctoral (post PhD, post MD and post DDS) fellows as judged by the competitive peer-review process. Stipends should be reviewed and adjusted to conform to internationally competitive standards. The "fast track" program for students and postdoctoral fellows should be maintained and better communicated.

   2. The IBR recommends that the clinical income assistance supplement be incorporated into the base stipend for the clinician investigator awardee and be maintained at its initial level throughout the duration of the award.

      The IBR recommends that the assessment of renewal of the Clinical Investigator (CI) and Population Health Investigator (PHI) awards after the initial three year term be streamlined. An abbreviated application should be submitted which contains all pertinent information required to make an informed peer-review judgement on renewal.

   3. The IBR recommends that the peer reviewed competitions for new recruits in the Clinical Investigator, Population Health Investigator, Scholars and Scientist categories be increased from once a year to twice a year.

   4. The IBR reaffirms the AHFMR policy of providing Establishment Grants for new recruits in its CI, PHI, Scholar or Scientist category on the basis of their needs and seniority in order to facilitate competitive recruiting.

   5. To reduce the administrative burden on AHFMR, the IBR recommends that for assessment of renewal of Heritage Medical Scientist Awards, an abbreviated application be submitted which contains all pertinent information required to make an informed judgement on renewal. This application should then be assessed by a more streamlined review process.

      The IBR reaffirms the commitment of AHFMR to funding highly productive scientists, on a five-year renewable basis, to age 69. Renewals should continue to be evaluated by peer review adhering to internationally recognized standards of excellence in research.

      AHFMR should ensure that when the financial implications of the IBR recommendations are analyzed, the increases required for one program are balanced against others in order to ensure the high priority of Senior Personnel support programs.

3. The IBR recommends that, in the year 2002, the Foundation terminate the Technology Commercialization Program. During the phasing out period all efforts should be made to assure that the Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) of the universities have the appropriate administrative structures to assume the program. AHFMR should not be expected to assume the cost of the TTOs at the universities.

   The Foundation should examine other ways in which it may continue to facilitate the commercialization of biomedical research discoveries. These might include continuation of a training program along the lines of the existing internships and encouragement and possible participation in the provision of incubator units at suitable university locations. The Foundation also has an important role to play in advocating more government support for the nascent biomedical industry in Alberta.

4. The IBR recommends an ongoing commitment to health research and steady growth in health research funding and personnel awards as more qualified candidates apply and Foundation spending levels rise. It endorses the thrust of the Health Research Agenda for Alberta report issued by the Foundation and the accompanying Plan for Health Research in Alberta Implementation Strategy. Specifically,

   • Population Health Investigator awards should be continued and expanded, as well as Scholar, Senior Scholar and Scientist awards in health research.

   • The Health Advisory Committee (HAC) should constitute the review committee for health research awards. As application volume increases, other appropriately constituted advisory committees should be formed to conduct appropriate and informed peer-review.

   • Health researchers should be based in health research groups with appropriate cross-appointment in disciplinary departments and departments of community health sciences/public health sciences.

   • Health research groups should include personnel from such fields as population health, health services research, health economics, epidemiology, biostatistics, survey research, health outcomes research, evidence-based medicine, health promotion, behavioural sciences, medical sociology, ethics, law, and health policy and management research.

   • The Foundation should foster national and international collaboration and exchange in health research.

   • Funding support should be provided as appropriate for "tools" required for conducting health research, including data collection and purchase of secondary data sets, data analysts, programming support, and computer hardware and software.

5. The IBR recommends that the AHFMR negotiate with Alberta Health for the transfer of the Health Technology Assessment unit and its activities to an appropriate independent entity.

6. The IBR recommends continuing a SEARCH community-based initiative in health research, but ensuring that it:

   • Obtains partnered funding from Alberta Health/Regional Health Authorities for carrying out this community-based health services-related initiative.

   • Develops a cadre of established and experienced health care researchers able and willing to serve as mentors for SEARCH participants. Appropriately qualified personnel should be involved in developing this cadre of investigators.

   • Engages Alberta Health and RHA leadership early in the process of framing relevant research questions and issues and obtains their input in this process.

   • Follows a clear policy and procedures for obtaining ethical approval of clinical studies.

   • Ascertains that results of research studies intended for developing health care policy are critically appraised.

   • Ensures that the recommendations for health policy decisions are communicated by the RHA employee and the mentor to upper level RHA management and are disseminated to all provincial RHAs and, if appropriate, submitted for publication.

7. We recommend that the important major equipment program be continued and expanded to meet the urgent need to replace or upgrade old equipment. Consideration should also be given to providing funds to cover at least some part of the essential but expensive maintenance contracts needed for complex items of equipment.

8. The IBR notes with approval the establishment of the AHFMR Opportunity Fund and recommends that the AHFMR maintain a clearly defined policy for its partnership in infrastructure funding that reflects the changing pattern of availability of such funding from other sources.

9. The IBR recommends that the AHFMR, due to its unique structure and involvement in health research, take the leadership in Alberta and actively collaborate with provincial, national and international agencies to facilitate the development of a comprehensive structure and national policies that would be enabling to Research Ethics Boards (REB) in order to best fulfill their mission.

10. The IBR recommends that a Senior Administrative Officer be appointed to whom many current Presidential activities of the President would be delegated, freeing the President to enhance external communication, collaboration, and new initiatives.

11. 1. In view of the increased and changing responsibilities of the President of AHFMR, which includes increased emphasis on strategic planning, policy development and communications, the IBR recommends that the President appoint external scientists with distinguished reputations to chair the Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) and Health Advisory Committee (HAC). The President would continue to serve as an ex officio member of SAC and HAC. SAC and HAC would continue to report through the President to the Trustees.

    2. To enhance communication with the scientific and other communities in Alberta, the IBR recommends that the Programs Advisory Committee (PAC) meet regularly with the President of AHFMR. The IBR also recommends that PAC meet at least once a year with SAC to provide input on the issues of AHFMR programs and policies.

12. The IBR recommends that the AHFMR review its communications to ensure that all user groups and other interested parties are fully informed on fiscal matters and granting policies. We also recommend that the President take the leadership in establishing a formal program of personal meetings with representatives of universities and other leaders in the health sector arena of the Province.