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Table 11: Details on Transfer Payment Programs (TPPs)

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Grants for research projects and personnel support
Start Date: October 2000 End Date: N/A
Description: CIHR administers a large suite of grant programs all of which are listed in its Grants and Awards Guide and/or made available publicly on the web http://www.cihr.gc.ca/. For each program, the website provides a description of the program, eligibility criteria, application guidelines and forms, and policies and procedures governing the use of funds.
Strategic Outcomes: 1.0 - Fund Health Research, 2.0 - Fund Health Researchers and Trainees, 3.0 - Support Activities on Knowledge Translation, Exchange and Use
Results Achieved: Please refer to section II of this DPR (Analysis by Strategic Outcome) for detailed information on the achieved results.
($ millions) Actual Spending
2005-2006
Actual Spending 2006-2007 Planned Spending 2007-2008 Total Authorities 2007-2008 Actual Spending
2007-2008
Variance(s)
[Actual / Planned]
Program Activity 1.1 - Fund Health Research            
Total Grants $ 443.9  $ 476.4 $ 468.7 $ 509.5 $ 514.4  ($ 45.7)
Total Contributions
Total Other Types of TPs
Total Program Activity $ 443.9 $ 476.4 $ 468.7 $ 509.5 $ 514.4 ($ 45.7)
Program Activity 2.1 - Fund Health Researchers            
Total Grants $ 158.5  $ 168.6 $ 185.0 $ 185.3 $ 175.6  $ 9.4
Total Contributions
Total Other Types of TPs
Total Program Activity $ 158.5 $ 168.6 $ 185.0 $ 185.3  $ 175.6 $ 9.4 
Program Activity 2.2 - Fund Research Resources, Collaboration and Other Grants to Strengthen the Health Research Community            
Total Grants $ 66.6  $ 62.7 $ 67.3  $ 66.9 $ 64.2  $ 3.1
Total Contributions
Total Other Types of TPs
Total Program Activity $ 66.6 $ 62.7 $ 67.3 $ 66.9  $64.2 $ 3.1 
Program Activity 2.3 - Develop and Support Strong Health Research Community through National and International Alliances and Priority-Setting            
Total Grants $ 9.1  $ 9.0 $ 10.8  $ 10.8 $ 9.5  $ 1.3
Total Contributions
Total Other Types of TPs
Total Program Activity $ 9.1 $ 9.0 $ 10.8 $ 10.8  $ 9.5 $ 1.3 
Program Activity 2.4 - Inform Research, Clinical Practice and Public Policy on Ethical, Legal and Social Issues (ELSI) Related to Health and Health Research            
Total Grants $ 1.4  $ 1.7 $ 3.8  $ 3.8 $ 1.8  $ 2.0
Total Contributions
Total Other Types of TPs
Total Program Activity $ 1.4 $ 1.7 $ 3.8 $ 3.8  $ 1.8 $ 2.0 
Program Activity 3.1 - Support Activities on Knowledge Translation, Exchange, Use and Strategies to Strengthen the Health System            
Total Grants $ 33.3  $ 32.8 $ 37.7  $ 38.7 $ 37.4  $ 0.3
Total Contributions
Total Other Types of TPs
Total Program Activity $ 33.3 $ 32.8 $ 37.7 $ 38.7  $ 37.4 $ 0.3 
Program Activity 3.2 - Support National Efforts to Capture the Economic Value for Canada of Health Research            
Total Grants $ 24.2  $ 25.4 $ 25.6  $ 28.1 $ 23.4  $ 2.2
Total Contributions
Total Other Types of TPs
Total Program Activity $ 24.2 $ 25.4 $ 25.6 $ 28.1  $ 23.4 $ 2.2 
Comment(s) on Variance(s): The lapsed funding in the Grants and Awards was the result of difficulties experienced by universities in filling Canada Research Chairs at the rate that had been hoped for.

Activities completed in 2007-2008:

Results Based Management Accountability Frameworks (RMAF) Completed:

  1. Draft CIHR/Rx&D RMAF
  2. Draft Clinical Research Initiative RMAF
  3. Update of the Common Evaluation Framework for the 13 Institutes
  4. Institute Support Grant Integrated RMAF/RBAF

Evaluation Reports Completed and Approved in 2007-2008:

STIHR Evaluation:
The evaluation found the STIHR to be important and relevant to the CIHR mandate, the health research community, the federal government and other external stakeholders and that it provided good value added.

Key stakeholders considered the STIHR to be comparable with programs like the Canada Graduate Scholarships, the Doctoral Research Awards, and CIHR Fellowship awards in terms of trainees' disciplinary background; early scholarly productivity; and perceptions of the training environment and trainee experience.

Integrated Report of the Evaluation of CIHR's 13 Institutes:
The issues addressed in the evaluation met the needs of CIHR and Treasury Board requirements for formative evaluations. In brief summation, the issues and the overall conclusions in each area are as follows:

Relevance: To what extent is there still a need for this Institute to support the development of Canadian capacity and research excellence in this field of health research?

CIHR as a whole and each of the 13 Institutes remain a relevant and needed component of support to health research in Canada. Their mandates and strategic priorities are regarded as appropriate and relevant. However, views were expressed for most Institutes that their mandates are very broad given their available resources.

Delivery: What has been the influence of other factors on the overall effectiveness of Institutes?

All 13 Institutes have been successful in establishing effective organizations and program delivery. The evaluation results showed that all 13 Institutes have used strategic and operational planning mechanisms effectively, and that the consultative processes used in these mechanisms have strengthened linkages and engagement of stakeholder communities.

Effectiveness: How effectively has this Institute achieved its objectives, fulfilled its mandate and mission, and achieved its vision? How effectively and uniquely has this Institute contributed to the overall objective of the CIHR?

Overall, the evaluations showed that the Institutes have performed well, making substantial progress in fulfilling their mandates and strategic priorities. The greatest effectiveness was noted in the areas of creating new knowledge, developing health research capacity, and developing partnerships and collaborations through a broad range of innovative initiatives.

Although a priority, knowledge translation has been a significant challenge for the majority of Institutes. Institute evaluations suggested that they have struggled with a lack of clarity on the vision and definition of knowledge translation within CIHR.

Alternatives: Are there alternative ways to achieve the same or better results in terms of research capacity, excellence and impacts in this research domain with greater efficiency?

While the issue was explored through the evaluations, the determination was that no-viable alternative to the Institute model was presented.

Networks of Centers of Excellence (NCE) (Tri-Agency - NSERC lead agency):
Results of the evaluation can be found here: http://www.nce.gc.ca/pubs/reports/2007/evaluation/NCEEvaluationReport2007-eng.pdf

Performance Measurement Studies:
- 13 Institute Performance Reports

Evaluability Assessment:
- Obesity Strategic Initiative

Other Substantive Studies/Reviews:

  1. Development of RRS System
  2. Blue Sky II - CIHR Impact Framework
  3. IHRT/CAHR Evaluation Framework

Activities planned for in 2008-2009:

A Corporate 5-Year Evaluation Plan is being finalized based upon a risk-based 5-year evaluation prioritization exercise and approved schedule. The work for 2008-2009 includes: (1) completion of the Tri-agency Canada Graduate Scholarship evaluation; (2) completion of the Doctoral Research Award Evaluation; (3) completion of STIHR case (4) initiation of an evaluation of Team-Type Programs (5) initiation of studies as part of an Operating Grant Program evaluation (6) initiation of an evaluation study of Randomized Controlled Trials program (7) participation in Tri-Council evaluations of the Indirect Costs Program and of the Tri-Council Panel and Secretariat on Research Ethics

The approved Risk-Based Annual Internal Audit Plan for 2008-2009 includes audits of (1) the Non-Financial Administration of Open Operating Grants and (2) the Financial Administration of Open Operating Grants. These audits are expected to be completed by December 31, 2008.

In addition, the approved Risk Assessment and Risk-Based 5-Year Internal Audit Plan includes audits of the Non-Financial Administration of (1) the Salary Program - in 2009-2010 (2) Training Program - in 2010-2011 and (3) Research Related Activity - in 2011-2012. The timing and scope of these future audits may change as a result of the 2008-2009 audits of Open Operating Grants, the results of audits by the Office of the Auditor General and the Office of the Comptroller General, and TBS priorities.

 

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Institute Support Grants (ISG)
Start Date: October 2000 3) End Date: N/A
Description: Health Research Institutes will assess research priorities in their area, determine gaps and opportunities that present research is not addressing, and will devote resources toward answering these questions and addressing these gaps. Payment of Institute Support Grants will be integrated into CIHR's payment systems currently in place for Research Funding Programs. These Programs are paid in bi-monthly installments and are in compliance with TBS's policy on transfer payments.
Strategic Outcomes: 2.0 - Fund Health Researchers and Trainees
Results Achieved: Please refer to section II of this DPR (Analysis by Strategic Outcome) for detailed information on the achieved results.
($ millions) Actual Spending 2005-2006
Actual Spending 2006-2007 Planned Spending 2007-2008 Total Authorities 2007-2008 Actual Spending
2007-2008
Variance(s)
[Actual / Planned]
Program Activity 2.3 - Develop and Support Strong Health Research Community through National and International Alliances and Priority-Setting            
Total Grants $ 13.0 $ 13.0  $ 13.0  $ 13.0  $ 13.0
Total Contributions
Total Other Types of TPs
Total Program Activity $ 13.0 $ 13.0  $ 13.0  $ 13.0  $ 13.0
Comment(s) on Variance(s): N/A
 
The approved Risk Assessment and Risk-Based 5-Year Internal Audit Plan does not include an audit of ISGs.

 

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Canada Graduate Scholarships
Start Date: Fiscal Year 2003-2004 End Date: N/A
Description: The Canada Graduate Scholarships Program administered by CIHR is intended to provide special recognition and support to students who are pursuing a Master's or Doctoral degree in a health related field in Canada. These candidates are expected to have an exceptionally high potential for future research achievement and productivity. This program awards scholarships through national competitions by the granting agencies; NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHR. These awards are intended to sustain recipients while they pursue graduate studies.
Strategic Outcomes: 2.0 - Fund Health Researchers and Trainees
Results Achieved: Please refer to section II of this DPR (Analysis by Strategic Outcome) for detailed information on the achieved results.
($ millions) Actual Spending 2005-2006
Actual Spending 2006-2007 Planned Spending 2007-2008 Total Authorities 2007-2008 Actual Spending
2007-2008
Variance(s)
[Actual / Planned]
Program Activity 2.1 - Fund Health Researchers and Trainees            
Total Grants $ 8.1  $ 10.1 $ 10.5 $ 14.4 $ 13.9 ($ 3.4)
Total Contributions
Total Other Types of TPs
Total Program Activity $ 8.1 $ 10.1  $ 10.5 $ 14.4 $ 13.9 ($ 3.4)
Comment(s) on Variance(s): N/A
A "Tri-Agency" evaluation of the CGS program, led by CIHR, was initiated in Fall 2007-2008 and is expected to be completed in late 2008-2009.
The approved Risk Assessment and Risk-Based 5-Year Internal Audit Plan does not include an audit of CGS.

 

Name of Transfer Payment Program: Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research
Start Date: Fiscal Year 2007-2008 End Date: 2011-12
Description: The Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) Program supports research and commercialization centres capable of achieving global leadership for Canada and translating knowledge into significant commercial advantage. CECR is a joint program of the Tri-council, in partnership with Industry Canada. Through this program, the Federal Government will identify the best initiatives based on international peer review and advice from a Private Sector Advisory Board, and make investments in partnership with others, such as the provinces and businesses.
Strategic Outcomes: 3.0 - Support Activities on Knowledge Translation, Exchange and Use
Results Achieved: Please refer to section II of this DPR (Analysis by Strategic Outcome) for detailed information on the achieved results.
($ millions) Actual Spending 2005-2006
Actual Spending 2006-2007 Planned Spending 2007-2008 Total Authorities 2007-2008 Actual Spending
2007-2008
Variance(s)
[Actual / Planned]
Program Activity 2.1 - Fund Health Researchers and Trainees            
Total Grants $ 73.5 $ 73.5 ($ 73.5) 
Total Contributions
Total Other Types of TPs
Total Program Activity   -   -   - $ 73.5 $ 73.5 ($ 73.5)
Comment(s) on Variance(s): N/A
A "Tri-Agency evaluation was recently completed of the Networks of Centres of Excellence which subsumes the Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research as part of its portfolio. The Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research is a new program that was launched in Summer of 2007-2008, therefore no evaluation was completed for this program in 2007-2008.
The approved Risk Assessment and Risk-Based 5-Year Internal Audit Plan does not include an audit of CECR.