The Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Partnerships represent a major focus for the Foundation. MSFHR endeavours to collaborate with leading health and research organizations throughout the world to expand on existing capacity and create further opportunity for health research.

MSFHR takes a broad perspective with regard to partnership agreements, encouraging unique collaborations to serve an agreed purpose. Potential partnership opportunities include co-funding awardees in an MSFHR competition or coordinating peer review and/or award management for the partner.

If your organization has an interest in partnering with the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, please contact Gracen Chungath, Senior Director, Corporate Development & Partnerships.

The MSFHR shares a partnership with the following organizations:

• BC Cancer Foundation
• BC Epilepsy Society
• BC Medical Services Foundation
• BC Sports Medicine Research Foundation
• Canadian Cancer Society - BC & Yukon Division
• Canadian Foundation for Women's Health
• Child & Family Research Institute
• Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada
• Down Syndrome Research Foundation
• Genome BC
• Lotte & John Hecht Memorial Foundation
• Pacific Parkinson's Research Institute
• Provincial Health Services Authority
• Rick Hansen Foundation
• St. Paul's Hospital Foundation
• VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
• Women's Health Research Institute
• WorkSafeBC

Read more about our partner organizations

Partnership Criteria

These criteria have been developed to ensure MSFHR’s relationships with partners are mutually beneficial.

Prospective partners will be evaluated for selection based on the following:

• The purpose of the partnership should align with MSFHR’s mission and its commitment to the  advancement of health research.
• The partnership will advance the missions of both MSFHR and the partner, maximizing each organization’s strengths and assets, ultimately strengthening each organization.
• The partnership is based on mutual trust, respect, and commitment to improving health.
• Partnerships are not defined solely on financial grounds, but can include collaborations sharing intellectual or in-kind resources.
• The partnership provides potential for a sustainable relationship.
• The partner demonstrates commitment to health, healthcare and support of research in their area of interest.
• The partnership provides tangible and measurable benefits.
• The partnership should  not present a conflict of interest with MSFHR’s existing partners and our Board of Directors.
• The partner has demonstrated high corporate social responsibility standards and does not engage in business practices that may harm the MSFHR brand or not- for-profit status, or are deemed controversial in the health research community.
• Geographical interest - MSFHR currently seek partnerships with local, national and international organizations.

Each collaboration the Foundation embarks upon will be guided by MSFHR’s mission, based on the above guidelines. In addition to the contributions each partnership will provide to this goal, MSFHR offers the following benefits to our partners:

• Specialized competition and award management.
• Experience and knowledge of MSFHR’s senior management team and Board of Directors, and its expertise in evaluation, analysis and project management.
• MSFHR’s unique ability to bring together health system and health research leaders for further  collaborative opportunities and knowledge exchange.
• Knowledge exchange strategy to support partnership objectives and accomplishments.
• Invitation to attend MSFHR award ceremonies, where partners can meet co-funded (supported) researchers and trainees.
• Publicity – e.g. President’s Quarterly Report, website exposure, feature stories, media releases, etc.

  

Last updated March 25, 2010