CIHR Dementia Research Strategy – Evaluation Summary

About CIHR's Dementia Research Strategy

CIHR's Dementia Research Strategy (DRS) supports research on the latest preventive, diagnostic, and treatment approaches to Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases causing dementia. Its goal is to contribute to the global pursuit of finding a cure or disease-modifying treatment for dementia.

Results: What We Found

• DRS addresses a demonstrated need to support dementia research. The current DRS funding is insufficient to meet all of its objectives and priority commitments.
• The national and international components of DRS share common elements; but key differences, such as the oversight structures, point to a need to better integrate components.
• The international component facilitated Canada's participation in international research partnerships that support increased investment, coordination and collaboration in dementia research.
• The CCNA supported researchers to form inter-institutional, interdisciplinary, Canada-wide collaborations and share data and resources for developing joint publications, and jointly supervise graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
• The DRS has contributed to increasing research capacity through funding in the field of dementia research as well as through supporting trainees.

Recommendations and Management Response

1. CIHR should continue to invest strategically in the DRS and re-assess the nature and extent of funding to meet its expected outcomes as well as the needs of the National Dementia Strategy.

   Response: Management agrees and CIHR, in collaboration with partners, will ensure that the next phase of the DRS contributes to the research needs of the National Dementia Strategy (NDS), by continuing investments in research that are aligned with both the NDS's objectives and the Strategic Plan (i.e. CCNA & others).

2. CIHR should ensure that the appropriate objectives, resources and structures are in place to better integrate the national and international components of the DRS to work cohesively and synergistically to achieve its overall objectives.

   Response: Management agrees and CIHR will set coherent goals and objectives for strategic investments in dementia research, ensuring that they are feasible and aligned with the Strategic Plan; positioning CIHR's investments in dementia research for success. CIHR will also develop a governance structure and measurement approach, which integrates international and national components of the DRS.

3. CIHR should examine approaches to enhance communication with, and engagement of, stakeholders, particularly with DRS partners, knowledge users, people living with dementia and their caregivers.

   Response: Management agrees and CIHR will design and implement inclusive and ongoing engagement mechanisms with diverse members of stakeholder communities, including people with lived experience, knowledge users and partners, in strategic dementia research-related activities.

About the Evaluation

CIHR's Evaluation Unit conducted the evaluation to meet requirements of the Policy on Results and provide senior management with valid, insightful and actionable findings regarding: needs addressed by the program; effectiveness of program design; achievement of expected results.

Associated Links

• Evaluation Report
• Management Action Plan

Date modified:

2024-03-15