MSFHR/CIHR fellowship bridges gap between research and policy; applications close Dec. 5

Applications are still being accepted for an exciting knowledge translation funding opportunity offered by MSFHR in partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

The recently launched MSFHR/CIHR Science Policy Fellowship aims to bridge the gap between the worlds of science and policy by funding an independent researcher or trainee to be embedded for six months in the British Columbia Ministry of Health. In this position, the successful applicant will be tasked with developing evidence-based provincial policy and funding options for emergency department services in BC.

Despite a wide range of provincial initiatives to increase quality and efficiency in emergency departments throughout the province, there are still a number of outstanding issues relating to emergency department services. The BC Ministry of Health is currently undertaking a cross-divisional operational review of emergency care, with phase one completion planned for March 2012.

The first phase will be focused on qualitatively and quantitatively describing services in BC using a variety of information sources. The MSFHR/CIHR fellow will co-lead the second phase of work that focuses on analyzing current services in the context of evidence-based best practices in service configuration and funding and proposing options appropriate for BC.

The program was designed with the goal of establishing and nurturing critical links between policy-makers and external researchers in support of evidence-based public policy.

Applications are welcome from candidates at the doctoral, post-doctoral, and new investigator stages. Interested individuals can access the BC Ministry of Health policy assignment and application information here.

Policy assignments are also available with Health Canada. For more information on Health Canada opportunities, please see CIHR’s website (Français)

Application deadline: December 5, 2011 
Funding start date: April 1, 2012

Contact

For questions about the MSFHR/CIHR Science Policy Fellowship Award, please contact:
Gayle Scarrow
Knowledge Translation Manager
Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research
604.714.6603
gscarrow@msfhr.org

For questions about the initiative, CIHR funding guidelines, application and/or review process, please contact:
Jasmine Lefebvre
A/Senior Knowledge Translation Specialist
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
613.952.8965
jasmine.lefebvre@cihr-irsc.gc.ca