Canadian Institutes of Health Research Act — C-18.1 4
Objective 4 The objective of the CIHR is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products and a strengthened Canadian health care system, by (a) exercising leadership within the Canadian research community and fostering collaboration with the provinces and with individuals and organizations in or outside Canada that have an interest in health or health research; (b) creating a robust health research environment in Canada, based on internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence and a peer review process, that will attract, develop and keep excellent researchers and provide them with the opportunity to contribute to the improvement of people’s health in Canada and the world; (c) forging an integrated health research agenda across disciplines, sectors and regions that reflects the emerging health needs of Canadians and the evolution of the health system and supports health policy decision-making; (d) encouraging interdisciplinary, integrative health research through the creation of Health Research Institutes that (i) together pertain to all aspects of health, (ii) include bio-medical research, clinical research, research respecting health systems, health services, the health of populations, societal and cultural dimensions of health and environmental influences on health, and other research as required, (iii) work in collaboration with the provinces to advance health research and to promote the dissemination and application of new research knowledge to improve health and health services, and (iv) engage voluntary organizations, the private sector and others, in or outside Canada, with complementary research interests; (e) promoting, assisting and undertaking research that meets the highest international scientific standards of excellence and ethics and that pertains to all aspects of health, including bio-medical research, clinical research and research respecting health systems, health services, the health of populations, societal and cultural dimensions of health and environmental influences on health; (f) addressing emerging health opportunities, threats and challenges and accelerating the discovery of cures and treatments and improvements to health care, prevention and wellness strategies; (g) fostering the discussion of ethical issues and the application of ethical principles to health research; (h) promoting the dissemination of knowledge and the application of health research to improve the health of Canadians; (i) encouraging innovation, facilitating the commercialization of health research in Canada and promoting economic development through health research in Canada; (j) building the capacity of the Canadian health research community through the development of researchers and the provision of sustained support for scientific careers in health research; (k) pursuing opportunities and providing support for the participation of Canadian scientists in international collaboration and partnerships in health research; and (l) ensuring transparency and accountability to Canadians for the investment of the Government of Canada in health research.