2014-15 Departmental Performance Reports – Supplementary Information (Tables)
- Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
- Details on Transfer Payment Programs of $5 Million or More
- Internal Audits and Evaluations
Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is considered a small department and is not subject to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS). However, CIHR is subject to comply with the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, and is bound to the Policy on Green Procurement.
Greening Government Operations (GGO)
Departmental green procurement target
| Performance Indicator | Performance level achieved |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Acquisition Card Holders Trained | Target of 100% has been achieved. |
| Performance Indicator | Performance level achieved |
|---|---|
| Percentage of paper used that is made of recycled paper | Target of 100% has been achieved. |
| Percentage of applications and reviews submitted and distributed online | Target of 100% has been achieved. |
| Implementation percentage of duplex default printing settings | Target of 100% has been achieved. |
| Estimated number of training sessions where Green procurement will form an integral part of the procurement training program | Target of 5 training sessions has been achieved. |
| Performance Indicator | Performance level achieved |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Procurement Staff Trained | Target of 100% has been achieved. |
Strategic Environmental Assessment
During 2014–15 reporting cycle, CIHR considered the environmental effects of initiatives subject to the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, as part of its decision-making processes. As CIHR did not develop any initiatives that required a strategic environmental assessment, no related public statements were produced.
Details on Transfer Payment Programs of $5 Million or More
- Grants for Research Projects and Personnel Support
- Canada Graduate Scholarships
- Networks of Centres of Excellence
- Institute Support Grants
- Canada Excellence Research Chairs
- Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
1. Name of Transfer Payment Program: Grants for Research Projects and Personnel Support
Start Date: October 2000
End Date: Ongoing
Description: The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) provides a wide array of funding programs under this transfer payment program. This includes grants that provide support for the direct costs of research projects, for the training of researchers, or for activities that support the translation of research findings. Other funding includes direct salary and stipend support to individual researchers/scientists and research trainees.
Strategic Outcome: A world-class health research enterprise that creates, disseminates and applies new knowledge across all areas of health research.
Results Achieved: CIHR invested a significant portion of its grants budget to fund all areas of health research. CIHR grants and awards helped maintain a strong and diverse health research base, programs continue to demonstrate strong application pressure and an increase in the average cost of research proposals resulted in a higher average grant payment per year.
In total, CIHR supported 10,710 researchers and trainees by funding 7,335 grants and awards, which represents a total of $782.8M in expenditures through the Grants for Research Projects and Personnel Support transfer payment program.
Link to department’s Program Alignment Architecture: Sub-Program 1.1.1: Operating Support, Sub-Program 1.1.2: Training and Career Support.
| Type of Transfer Payment | 2012–13 Actual spending |
2013–14 Actual spending |
2014–15 Planned spending |
2014–15 Total authorities available for use |
2014–15 Actual spending (authorities used) |
Variance (2014–15 actual minus 2014–15 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 852,842,283 | 854,080,958 | 853,303,075 | 870,567,615 | 870,277,008 | -16,973,933 |
| Total program | 852,842,283 | 854,080,958 | 853,303,075 | 870,567,615 | 870,277,008 | -16,973,933 |
Comments on Variances: N/A
Audits Completed or Planned:
- Audit of learning and training (to be completed 2015-08);
- Reforms ongoing assurance project (ongoing);
- Audit of the research reporting system (completed 2014-07);
- Audit of applicant feedback (completed 2014-03);
- Office of the Comptroller General (OCG) horizontal audit of financial forecasting (completed 2014-03);
- OCG horizontal audit of information management (to be completed 2016-03);
- Audit of compliance with the Treasury Board Policy on Transfer Payments (to be completed 2016-03);
- Audit of internal change management (to be completed 2017-03);
- Audit of corporate governance (to be completed 2017-03);
- Fraud risk assessment (to be completed 2016-09);
- Audit of strategic investment planning (to be completed 2017-09);
- Audit of interoperability of key systems (to be completed 2017-12);
- Audit of internal controls of competition management including Microsoft Dynamics (to be completed 2018-03); and
- Audit of the matching and assignment solution (to be completed 2018-03).
Evaluations Completed or Planned:
- Evaluation of the Drug Safety and Effectiveness Network (completed 2015-03);
- Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships Program Evaluation (to be completed 2015-06);
- Evaluation of Canada-China Joint Health Research Initiative (to be completed 2015-10);
- Evaluation of Canada-HOPE Scholarship Program Initiative (to be completed 2015-10);
- Evaluation of Institute Sponsored Initiatives and Institute Support Grants Initiative (to be completed 2015-10);
- Evaluation of the Strategic Training Initiative in Health Research (to be completed 2016-03);
- Evaluation of the Strategy for Patient Oriented Research Initiative (to be completed 2015-10);
- Evaluation of CIHR Fellowships (to be completed 2016-03);
- Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging Evaluation (to be completed 2016-03);
- Evaluation of the Global Health Research Initiative (to be completed 2016-03);
- Evaluation of Doctoral Research Awards Program (to be completed 2016-03);
- Evaluation of the Evidence Informed Healthcare Renewal Initiative (to be completed 2016-03);
- Evaluation of the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (to be completed 2016-10);
- Evaluation of the Directed Grants Program (to be completed 2016-10);
- Salary and Career Award Program Evaluation (to be completed 2017-03);
- Evaluation of the National Anti-Drug Strategy (to be completed 2017-03);
- Open Operating Grant Program Evaluation (to be completed 2017-05);
- Evaluation of the Epigenetics Initiative (to be completed 2017-10);
- Evaluation of the Community-based Primary Healthcare Initiative (to be completed 2017-10);
- Evaluation of the Personalized Medicine Initiative (to be completed 2018-10);
- Evaluation of the Inflammation in Chronic Disease Initiative (to be completed 2018-10);
Engagement of applicants and recipients: CIHR engages applicants and recipients on an ongoing basis through various forms of social media, electronic newsletters, presentations, discussion forums and consultation processes.
2. Name of Transfer Payment Program: Canada Graduate Scholarships
Start Date: 2003
End Date: Ongoing
Description: This program is administered by CIHR, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). CIHR's portion of the Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) program provides financial support to develop future health researchers at both the masters and doctoral levels in all health related fields in Canada, providing them with an opportunity to gain research experience.
Strategic Outcome: A world-class health-research enterprise that creates, disseminates and applies new knowledge across all areas of health research.
Results Achieved: CIHR's ability to train, retain and sustain outstanding health researchers remains a key priority in its five-year strategic plan. In 2014–15, CIHR supported the learning and development of its health research trainees by awarding 131 new doctoral awards and 397 new master’s awards through the CGS program. Overall, CIHR supported 392 doctoral awards and 400 master’s awards through the CGS program in 2014–15.
Link to department’s Program Alignment Architecture: Sub-Program 1.1.2: Training and Career Support
| Type of Transfer Payment | 2012–13 Actual spending |
2013–14 Actual spending |
2014–15 Planned spending |
2014–15 Total authorities available for use |
2014–15 Actual spending (authorities used) |
Variance (2014–15 actual minus 2014–15 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 21,029,999 | 21,089,368 | 21,250,000 | 21,250,000 | 21,222,556 | 27,444 |
| Total program | 21,029,999 | 21,089,368 | 21,250,000 | 21,250,000 | 21,222,556 | 27,444 |
Comments on Variances: N/A
Audit Completed or Planned:
- Audit of the research reporting system (completed 2014-07);
- Audit of learning and training (to be completed 2015-08).
- Audit of internal controls of competition management including Microsoft Dynamics (to be completed 2018-03); and
- Audit of the matching and assignment solution (to be completed 2018-03).
Evaluation Completed or Planned:
- Canada Graduate Scholarships Program Evaluation (to be completed 2015-09).
Engagement of applicants and recipients: Applicants and recipients are engaged through communication with academic institutions and Tri-Agency or agency-specific electronic communication.
3. Name of Transfer Payment Program: Networks of Centres of Excellence
Start Date: 1997
End Date: Ongoing
Description: The Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program is a federal class grants program administered jointly by CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC, in partnership with Industry Canada. Networks are not-for-profit corporations with an established Board of Directors and are unique partnerships among the academic, private, public and not-for-profit sectors. These nation-wide, multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral partnerships connect excellent research with industrial know-how and strategic investment. Networks put in place well-defined strategies to transfer knowledge to users – ensuring that discoveries and technological advances are turned into social and economic benefits for all Canadians.
Strategic Outcome: A world-class health research enterprise that creates, disseminates and applies new knowledge across all areas of health research.
Results Achieved: In 2014–15, recipients of ongoing, multi-year NCE awards received 22.6M in funds which helped them build structured networks, establish multi-sector partnerships, and commercialize health research findings. Through the NCE program, CIHR was able to help mobilize Canada's health research talent in the academic, private and public sectors and apply it to the task of developing the economy and improving the quality of life of Canadians.
Link to department’s Program Alignment Architecture: Sub-Program 1.2.2: Horizontal Health Research Initiatives
| Type of Transfer Payment | 2012–13 Actual spending |
2013–14 Actual spending |
2014–15 Planned spending |
2014–15 Total authorities available for use |
2014–15 Actual spending (authorities used) |
Variance (2014–15 actual minus 2014–15 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 24,113,000 | 22,589,000 | 22,589,400 | 22,589,400 | 22,589,000 | 400 |
| Total program | 24,113,000 | 22,589,000 | 22,589,400 | 22,589,400 | 22,589,000 | 400 |
Comments on Variances: N/A
Audits Completed or Planned:
- Audit of research commercialization (completed 2014-06);
- Audit of the research reporting system (completed 2014-07).
Evaluation Completed or Planned:
- Joint Evaluation of the Networks of Centers of Excellence and Business-led Networks of Centers of Excellence Programs Initiative (to be completed 2015-10).
Engagement of applicants and recipients: Applicants and recipients are engaged through various meetings and events, as well as through the NCE website.
4. Name of Transfer Payment Program: Institute Supports Grants
Start Date: October 2000
End Date: Ongoing
Description: The Institute Support Grant program provides funding to select Canadian academic institutions, including universities and teaching hospitals, to assist them in hosting the 13 Institutes of CIHR. The Institutes help CIHR maintain strong ties to Canada's research communities and to understand their needs. Each CIHR-appointed Scientific Director is among the top scientists in his/her field. Institutes help CIHR define its strategic health research priorities and develop research partnerships with other interested parties in health research. Institutes also organize conferences, seminars and workshops, all with the goal of developing and disseminating health-related knowledge and best practices.
Strategic Outcome: A world-class health research enterprise that creates, disseminates and applies new knowledge across all areas of health research.
Results Achieved: In 2014–15, CIHR provided each of its 13 Institutes with a $1.0M grant to support institute operations, including the salaries of Scientific Directors, Institute Staff and other administrative expenses. Institute Support Grants also support activities that facilitate and develop national research networks linking the Institutes' respective research communities. For more information please visit their websites.
Link to department’s Program Alignment Architecture: Sub-Program 1.2.1: Institute-Driven Initiatives
| Type of Transfer Payment | 2012–13 Actual spending |
2013–14 Actual spending |
2014–15 Planned spending |
2014–15 Total authorities available for use |
2014–15 Actual spending (authorities used) |
Variance (2014–15 actual minus 2014–15 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 13,000,000 | 13,000,000 | 13,000,000 | 13,000,000 | 13,000,000 | 0 |
| Total program | 13,000,000 | 13,000,000 | 13,000,000 | 13,000,000 | 13,000,000 | 0 |
Comments on Variances: N/A
Audit Completed or Planned:
- Audit of the research reporting system (completed 2014-07);
- Audit of institute support grants (to be completed 2015-06);
- Audit of internal controls of competition management including Microsoft Dynamics (to be completed 2018-03); and
- Audit of the matching and assignment solution (to be completed 2018-03).
Evaluation Completed or Planned:
- Evaluation of Institute Sponsored Initiatives and Institute Support Grants Initiative (to be completed 2015-10).
Engagement of applicants and recipients: CIHR engages applicants and recipients on an ongoing basis through various forms of social media, electronic newsletters, presentations, discussion forums and consultation processes. Scientific Directors are among the top scientists in their fields and maintain strong ties to Canada's research communities.
5. Name of Transfer Payment Program: Canada Excellence Research Chairs
Start Date: 2008
End Date: Ongoing
Description: The Canada Excellence Research Chairs program is administered by CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC and aims to support the development of a world-class workforce crucial to the innovation process, positioning Canada as a magnet for the world's top researchers and graduate students, and promoting the development and application of leading-edge knowledge.
Strategic Outcome: A world-class health research enterprise that creates, disseminates and applies new knowledge across all areas of health research.
Results Achieved: Through the Canada Excellence Research Chair program, CIHR contributed to building and maintaining world-class research by supporting Canadian universities in their efforts to build on Canada's growing reputation as a global leader in research and innovation. The CERC program supports research within the four priority areas identified in the federal Science and Technology Strategy; focusing on sub-priority areas such as regenerative medicine; neuroscience; health in an aging population; biomedical engineering and medical technologies that address issues of global importance and build on research areas where Canada has or should build a competitive advantage. In 2014–15, CIHR supported six chairs totalling $8.9M through the CERC program.
Link to department’s Program Alignment Architecture: Sub-Program 1.1.2: Training and Career Support
| Type of Transfer Payment | 2012–13 Actual spending |
2013–14 Actual spending |
2014–15 Planned spending |
2014–15 Total authorities available for use |
2014–15 Actual spending (authorities used) |
Variance (2014–15 actual minus 2014–15 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 7,000,000 | 8,249,999 | 8,400,000 | 8,950,000 | 8,950,000 | -550,000 |
| Total program | 7,000,000 | 8,249,999 | 8,400,000 | 8,950,000 | 8,950,000 | -550,000 |
Comments on Variances: N/A
Audit Completed or Planned:
- Audit of the research reporting system (completed 2014-07)
Evaluation Completed or Planned:
- Canada Excellence Research Chairs Evaluation (completed 2014-09);
Engagement of applicants and recipients: Applicants and recipients are engaged through regular communication and the CERC website.
6. Name of Transfer Payment Program: Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research
Start Date: 2007
End Date: Ongoing
Description: The Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research is administered by CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC. CIHR's portion of Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research Tri-Agency class grant program supports the operation of commercialization and/or research centres that bring together people, services and infrastructure to position Canada at the forefront of breakthrough innovation in health and related life sciences and technologies.
Strategic Outcome: A world-class health research enterprise that creates, disseminates and applies new knowledge across all areas of health research.
Results Achieved: In 2014–15, CIHR supported Canadian universities in their efforts to build on Canada's growing reputation as a global leader in research and innovation by awarding two Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research awards to advance research and facilitate commercialization of technologies, products and services within the four priority areas identified in the federal Science and Technology Strategy. In 2014–15, CIHR invested $12.1M in six centres through the Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research.
Link to department’s Program Alignment Architecture: Sub-Program 1.2.2: Horizontal Health Research Initiatives
| Type of Transfer Payment | 2012–13 Actual spending |
2013–14 Actual spending |
2014–15 Planned spending |
2014–15 Total authorities available for use |
2014–15 Actual spending (authorities used) |
Variance (2014–15 actual minus 2014–15 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 10,040,000 | 12,054,160 | 1,880,000 | 12,073,000 | 12,073,000 | -10,193,000 |
| Total program | 10,040,000 | 12,054,160 | 1,880,000 | 12,073,000 | 12,073,000 | -10,193,000 |
Comments on Variances: N/A
Audits Completed or Planned:
- Audit of research commercialization (completed 2014-06); and
- Audit of the research reporting system (completed 2014-07).
Evaluation Completed or Planned:
- Centers of Excellence for Commercialization and Research Evaluation (to be completed 2017-03);
Engagement of applicants and recipients: Applicants and recipients are engaged through various meetings, events and the CECR website.
7. Name of Transfer Payment Program: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
Start Date: 2008
End Date: Ongoing
Description: The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program is administered by CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC and is designed to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by offering them a significant financial award. This financial award assists students during their studies at Canadian universities. Vanier Scholars demonstrate leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health-related fields.
Strategic Outcome: A world-class health research enterprise that creates, disseminates and applies new knowledge across all areas of health research.
Results Achieved: Through the Vanier CGS Program, CIHR contributed to building world-class research capacity by attracting and retaining the best doctoral students, both nationally and internationally. CIHR funded 55 new Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship awards. Overall, in 2014–15 CIHR supported 167 Vanier researchers.
Link to department’s Program Alignment Architecture: Sub-Program 1.1.2: Training and Career Support
| Type of Transfer Payment | 2012–13 Actual spending |
2013–14 Actual spending |
2014–15 Planned spending |
2014–15 Total authorities available for use |
2014–15 Actual spending (authorities used) |
Variance (2014–15 actual minus 2014–15 planned) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 8,286,264 | 8,245,833 | 8,350,000 | 8,350,000 | 8,312,500 | 37,500 |
| Total program | 8,286,264 | 8,245,833 | 8,350,000 | 8,350,000 | 8,312,500 | 37,500 |
Comments on Variances: N/A
Audit Completed or Planned:
- Audit of the research reporting system (completed 2014-07); and
- Audit of learning and training (to be completed 2015-08);
- Audit of internal controls of competition management including Microsoft Dynamics (to be completed 2018-03); and
- Audit of the matching and assignment solution (to be completed 2018-03).
Evaluation Completed or Planned:
- Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program (to be completed 2014–15).
Engagement of applicants and recipients: Applicants and recipients are engaged through communication with academic institutions and directed Tri-Agency or agency-specific electronic communication, as well as through the Vanier CGS website.
Internal Audits and Evaluations
A. Internal Audits Completed in 2014–15
| Name of Internal Audit | Internal Audit Type | Status | Completion Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audit of research commercialization | Assurance - research commercialization activities | Complete | June 2014 |
| Audit of the research reporting system | Consulting - grant activities reporting system | Complete | September 2014 |
B. Evaluations in Progress or Completed in 2014–15
| Link to Department's Program Alignment ArchitectureProgram | Title of the evaluation | Status | Deputy Head Approval Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1.2: Training and Career Support | Vanier Program Evaluation | Completed | June 2014 |
| 1.1.2: Training and Career Support | Canada Excellence Research Chairs Evaluation | Completed | October 2014 |
| 1.2.2: Horizontal Health Research Initiatives | Evaluation of the Drug Safety and Effectiveness Network | Completed | March 2015 |
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