Investing over $4.7M in health researchers to tackle challenges in health systems

Ottawa – The Government of Canada continues to invest in our country’s brightest minds to enable the next generation of health researchers to apply their talents, working directly with health organizations, to tackle real-world health system challenges. Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced an investment of more than $4.7M in the Health System Impact Fellowship program. This program aims to help researchers’ career development by having them work in partnership with health system organizations to tackle complex, high-priority challenges, and ultimately strengthen health systems in Canada.

The program blends research and professional development with practical, hands-on experience that is complemented by unique mentorship opportunities, designed to accelerate researchers’ professional growth and potential to achieve evidence-informed health system impact. This funding will support 11 PhD students and 27 postdoctoral fellows who are embedded in 31 health organizations and connected to 14 universities across Canada. Their research spans a wide range of health system priorities, from improving transitions in care and supporting the wellbeing of our health workforce, to advancing access to health care in rural areas and innovating long-term care. Ultimately, their research will help Canada advance its progress toward improving people’s health and experiences with the health care system, health care workers’ well-being and satisfaction in their work, value, and equity. Funding is provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Health Research BC, Fonds de Recherche du Québec – Santé, and the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation.