2015–16 Departmental Performance Report
Supplementary Information Tables

Departmental approach to further the implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement in place as of April 1, 2014.

Approach: Increase awareness of the Policy on Green Procurement through training sessions where Green Procurement is highlighted. (on-going as of April 1, 2014)
Target has been achieved at 100%.

Number and percentage of procurement and/or materiel management specialists who completed the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course (C215) or equivalent, in fiscal year 2015–16.

Two specialists completed the course in previous fiscal years and were with the department at the end of fiscal year 2015–16.
Target has been achieved at 100%.

Number and percentage of managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel whose performance evaluation includes support and contribution toward green procurement, in fiscal year 2015–16.

N/A
There are 2 managers and functional heads of procurement. To date, green procurement has not been included in their performance plans.

Percentage of photocopy paper containing recycled content

Target of 100% has been achieved.

Percentage of duplex default printing setting

75% of the users in 2015–16

Percentage of grant applications and peer review submitted and distributed electronically

Target of 100% has been achieved.

Best Practice
7.2.3. Train acquisition cardholders on green procurement.

Achieved

Best Practice
7.2.4. Increase awareness of the Policy on Green Procurement among managers.

Achieved

Grants for Research Projects and Personnel Support (voted)

2000–01

Ongoing

2011–12

Canada is a world leader in the creation, dissemination and application of health research knowledge.

1.1: Investigator-Initiated Health Research; 1.2: Priority-Driven Health Research

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.

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 11,766 researchers and trainees by funding 7128 grants and awards, which represents a total of $867.7M in expenditures through the Grants for Research Projects and Personnel Support transfer payment program.

The variance of $1.1M between actual and planned spending is a result of partnership activities with other federal departments and agencies resulting in funding being transferred to CIHR to address a common theme or research priority.

1. Internal audit of Learning and Training (Completed, November 2015);
2. Reforms ongoing assurance project: Reforms Pilots (Completed, January 2016);
3. Reforms ongoing assurance project: Procurement (Completed, May 2016);
4. Internal Controls over Financial Reporting: Canadian Research Chairs (Completed, May 2016);
5. OCG Horizontal Audit of Information Management (Completion, September 2016);
6. Fraud risk assessment (Planned, July 2016);
7. Audit of Corporate Governance (Planned, January 2017);
8. Internal Audit of the Common CV System (Planned, January 2017);
9. OCG Horizontal Audit of Physical Security (Planned, January 2017);
10. Internal Audit of IT Infrastructure and Security (Planned, January 2017);
11. Internal Audit of Strategic Investment Planning (Planned, January 2018);
12. Internal Audit of Interoperability of Key Systems (Planned, January 2018);
13. Internal Audit of Controls over Competition Management (Planned, July 2018); and
14. Internal Audit of the Matching and Assignment Solution (Planned, January 2019).

• Evaluation of CIHR's Commercialization Programs (Completed, June 2015);
• Evaluation of the Strategy for Patient Oriented Research Initiative (Completed, June 2016);
• Canada Research Chairs Evaluation (Completed, July 2016); and
• Operating Support Evaluation (Planned, June 2017).

CIHR engages applicants and recipients on an ongoing basis through various forms of social media, electronic newsletters, presentations, discussion forums and consultation processes.

Canada Graduate Scholarships (voted)

2003–04

Ongoing

2009–10

Canada is a world leader in the creation, dissemination and application of health research knowledge.

1.1.2: Training and Career Support

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.

CIHR's ability to train, retain and sustain outstanding health researchers remains a key priority in its five-year strategic plan. In 2015–16, CIHR supported the learning and development of its health research trainees by awarding 129 new doctoral awards and 394 new master’s awards through the CGS program. Overall, CIHR supported 373 doctoral awards and 400 master’s awards through the CGS program in 2015–16.

The variance is immaterial.

No audits were planned or completed.

Canada Graduate Scholarship Program Evaluation (In-progress, August 2016).

Applicants and recipients are engaged through communication with academic institutions and Tri-Agency or agency-specific electronic communication.

Canada Excellence Research Chairs (voted)

2010–11

Ongoing

2014–15

Canada is a world leader in the creation, dissemination and application of health research knowledge.

1.1.2: Training and Career Support

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.

Through the Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) 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 attracts world-leading researchers in fields such as human pain genetics, neuroscience, and virology, to Canadian universities. In 2015–16, CIHR supported seven chairs totalling $9.8M through the CERC program.

No variance.

Canada Excellence Research Chairs Audit (Completed, May 2016).

Canada Excellence Research Chairs Audit (Planned, May 2019).

Applicants and recipients are engaged through regular communication and the CERC website.

Canada First Research Excellence Fund (voted)

2014–15

Ongoing

2014–15

Canada is a world leader in the creation, dissemination and application of health research knowledge.

1.2.2: Horizontal Health Research Initiatives

The Canada First Research Excellence Fund (the Fund) supports Canada’s postsecondary institutions in their efforts to become global research leaders. It helps Canadian universities, colleges and polytechnics compete with the best in the world for talent and partnership opportunities, to make breakthrough discoveries, and to excel globally in research areas that will create long-term economic advantages for Canada. The Fund helps institutions: (i) compete with the best in the world for talent, for partnership opportunities and to make breakthrough discoveries; (ii) seize emerging opportunities and strategically advance their greatest strengths on the global stage; and (iii) implement large-scale, transformational and forward-thinking institutional strategies. This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.

In 2015–16, CFREF through the Tri-Agencies invested in five awards with a total value of $349.3M over seven years, of which $114.9M will be distributed by CIHR.

CIHR’s actual spending of $16.2M in 2015–16 reflects the inaugural competition of the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF), for which CIHR received and allocated $16.2M in 2015–16, and a total of $114.9M over 7 fiscal years.

No audits were planned or completed

Canada First Research Excellence Fund Evaluation (Planned, March 2020)

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) are used as part of the regular competition cycle in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery. As well as, through the Canada First Research Excellence Fund website.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (voted)

2008–09

Ongoing

2014–15

Canada is a world leader in the creation, dissemination and application of health research knowledge.

1.1.2: Training and Career Support

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) 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.

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 2015–16 CIHR supported 166 Vanier researchers.

The variance is immaterial.

No audits were planned or completed

Vanier CGS Program Evaluation (Planned, June 2019).

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.

Institute Support Grants (voted)

2000–01

Ongoing

2008–09

Canada is a world leader in the creation, dissemination and application of health research knowledge.

1.2.1: Institute-Driven Initiatives

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.

In 2015–16, 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.

The variance is immaterial.

Internal Audit of Institute Support Grants (completed, June 2015).

Evaluation of the Institute Sponsored Initiatives and Institute Support Grants (In-progress, September 2016).

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.

Networks of Centres of Excellence (voted)

1997–98

Ongoing

2014–15

Canada is a world leader in the creation, dissemination and application of health research knowledge.

1.2.2: Horizontal Health Research Initiatives

The Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) program is a federal class grants program administered jointly by CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC, in partnership with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and Health 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.

In 2015–16, CIHR invested $22.6M in a total of 16 recipients of ongoing, multi-year NCE awards [including Knowledge Mobilization Initiative Networks (NCE-KM) and Canadian-India Research Centre of Excellence (CIRCE)] 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.

The variance is immaterial.

Networks of Centres of Excellence Audit (Planned, March 2017).

Joint Evaluation of the Networks of Centers of Excellence and Business-led Networks of Centers of Excellence Programs (Completed, November 2015).

Applicants and recipients are engaged through various meetings and events, as well as through the NCE website.

Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (voted)

2007–08

Ongoing

2011–12

Canada is a world leader in the creation, dissemination and application of health research knowledge.

1.2.2: Horizontal Health Research Initiatives

The Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) program is administered jointly by CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC in partnership with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and Health Canada. CIHR's portion of CECR 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.

In 2015–16, CIHR invested $11.1M in a total of 18 recipients of ongoing, multi-year CECR awards which helped them build on Canada’s R&D landscape by matching clusters of academic research expertise with the needs of business, health practitioners and other end users. Through the CECR program, CIHR was able to help create internationally recognized centres to advance research and facilitate commercialization in areas of priority for the Government of Canada, delivering economic, social, health and other benefits to Canadians.

CIHR’s actual spending of $287,000 more than planned spending reflects the 2016 competition for the Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) program, an investment of $287,000 in 2015–16 and a total of $14.1M over 5 fiscal years.

No audits were planned or completed.

Centers of Excellence for Commercialization and Research Evaluation (In-progress, March 2017).

Applicants and recipients are engaged through various meetings, events and the CECR website.

Internal Audit of Learning and Training

Assurance

November 2015

Internal Audit of Institute Support Grants

Assurance

June 2015

Reforms – Ongoing assurance

Consulting – ongoing

January 2016

Evaluation of CIHR's Commercialization Programs

Completed

June 2015

1.1.1: Operating Support

Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships Program Evaluation§

Completed

October 2015

1.1.2: Training and Career Support

Joint Evaluation of the Networks of Centers of Excellence and Business-led Networks of Centers of Excellence Programs

Completed

October 2015

1.2.2: Horizontal Health Research Initiatives

Evaluation of the Strategy for Patient Oriented Research Initiative

Completed

June 2016

1.2.1: Institute-Driven Initiatives

Canada Research Chairs Evaluation

Completed

July 2016

1.1.2: Training and Career Support

Canada Graduate Scholarship Program Evaluation

In progress

August 2016

1.1.2: Training and Career Support

Evaluation of the Institute Sponsored Initiatives and Institute Support Grants

In progress

September 2016

1.2.1: Institute-Driven Initiatives

Evaluation of the Strategic Training Initiative in Health Research

In progress

August 2016

1.1.2: Training and Career Support

Centers of Excellence for Commercialization and Research Evaluation

In progress

March 2017

1.2.2: Horizontal Health Research Initiatives

Evaluation of the National Anti-Drug Strategy

In progress

March 2017

1.2.2: Horizontal Health Research Initiatives