1. An Introduction to Knowledge Translation at CIHR 1st National Knowledge Translation Conference in Rehabilitation Montréal, QC May

2. KT at CIHR How does CIHR define KT?
CIHR’s aim is to excel in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into real-world applications.
CIHR defines KT as a “dynamic and iterative process that includes synthesis, dissemination, exchange and ethically sound application of knowledge…”
What does this definition mean?
KT is about engaging and sharing research findings with those individuals who can use them.
For my institute specifically, we define KT as Integration of Research into Practice for MSK, skin and Oral Health.
We include:
Epidemiologic and behavioural studies
Knowledge synthesis
Outcomes and health services research
Exploration of different models of care
Development of therapeutic interventions, new technologies, and commercialization opportunities.
As well we include:
Clinical trials and studies
Rehabilitation studies,
Personalized medicine
Assistive technologies
and basically any study design to help close the gap between what is already known and what is being delivered.

3. KT in CIHR’s Strategic Plan
Health Research Roadmap II includes commitments to:
Promote a culture of excellence in KT.
Mobilize health research for transformation and impact.
Integrate stakeholders into the research process
Include knowledge users in peer review
Support KT science
Facilitate evidence-informed health promotion and prevention
Build an entrepreneurial advantage
CIHR has new strategic plan - Strategic Plan 2014/15 – 18/19
KT integrated throughout
iKT facilitated through our structure, with 13 virtual institutes that help bring R and KUs together
Strategy specifically committing to promoting iKT so that relevant stakeholders engaged throughout research process

4. Health Research in Action
CIHR KT Support
Impact through FUNDING
CIHR funds research that:
Uses KT approaches iKT, patient engagement
Supports practice of KT EofG KT, application
Studies the discipline of KT KT/Implementation Science
Impact through DOING
CIHR works with stakeholders to:
Provide evidence to policy makers
Profile findings from individual projects
Develop policies and platforms for enabling the sharing of research evidence.
1. At CIHR, iKT is about bringing both the creators and potential users together in meaningful engagement
Purpose is two fold
Make users aware of evidence
R aware of societies information needs
Shown that co-production of knowledge increases relevant and therefore chance of findings being moved into action
2. End of grant such as publications, presentations and/or posters at conferences, presentations for various stakeholders
3. Supporting through both the priority driven research and institute specific funding
Best Brains: delivers high-quality, timely and accessible evidence that is of immediate interest and use to senior government policy decision makers. They are one day in camera meetings for policy decision makers and researchers focused on a topic of high priority to the health ministries and Health Canada.
Some topics have been:
Physician compensation models
Using electronic medical records to improve chronic disease management and prevention
Health inequalities, health policy and the social determinants of health of first Nations communities
Open Access: a free and unrestricted online access to research publications and data.
PMC Canada provides free access to a stable and permanent online digital archive of full-text, peer-reviewed health and life sciences research publications. It builds on PMC, the archive developed by the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) and is a partnership between the National Research Council's national science library, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Health Research in Action

5. CIHR KT Support - Funding
CIHR promotes and enables KT through:
Funding
KT requirements;
Knowledge users/partners can or must be involved in research;
Opportunities for networks and platforms.
Corporate Functions
Knowledge users/partners involved in developing and governing Initiatives.
Activities
Match-making portals or workshops to bring together researchers, knowledge users and partners.
All teams we have, in terms of Signature Initiatives and Institute teams have representatives from the knowledge translation branch embedded.
Several activities I have been involved in have had different portals/workshops. Embedded clinician award, used to match up individuals with appropriate partners and knowledge users.

6. CIHR Funding Strategies
Investigator-Initiated Research
CIHR has a new Investigator-Initiated Research Suite, replacing CIHR’s previous ‘Open’ programs.
Priority-Driven Research
CIHR supports major initiatives aligned with its refreshed research priorities:
All major initiatives incorporate at least some KT considerations, ranging from iKT to commercialization.
Enhanced patient experiences and outcomes through health innovation
A healthier future through
preventive action
Health and wellness for
Aboriginal peoples
Improved quality of life for persons living with chronic conditions

7. KT within CIHR Project Grants
Project Grants support ideas across the spectrum of research and KT/commercialization.
Inclusion of knowledge users and/or partners is encouraged when appropriate.
Funding is available through a ‘special consideration’ to incentivize KT and commercialization projects that include a knowledge user and/or partner.
KT/commercialization incorporated into the adjudication criteria.

8. Project Grants - Adjudication Criteria
iKT can be particularly addressed in certain sections:
Importance of the Idea
Describe how the research question will address an identified KU need.
Approach
Define and justify how the iKT approach is appropriate to accomplish the objectives of the project.
Expertise, Experience and Resources
KUs may be responsible and accountable for the application of outputs; demonstrate in appropriate positions and levels of influence.
A cash or in-kind KU contribution can demonstrate commitment.
Adjudication Criteria
Sub-criteria
Concept
Quality of the Idea
Importance of the Idea
Feasibility
Approach
Expertise, Experience and Resources
KT can be integrated throughout, but iKT can be specifically highlighted in certain sections
Importance of idea – how question will address KU need
Approach – how using iKT approach to increase chance of achieving impacts
Expertise, experience and resources – demonstrate Kus in positions to make/influence decisions and can give cash/in-kind contributions

9. Project Grants - Special Consideration
Portion of the budget allocated to partnered/integrated knowledge translation (iKT) projects
Dollar value based on applications received,
Target consistency with past levels of investments.
To facilitate knowledge translation and commercialization projects:
Principal applicants and co-applicants can be knowledge users;
Partners and contributions can be included;
Knowledge translation and commercialization projects may be reviewed by knowledge user peer reviewers and researchers.
The purpose of the Partnered/iKT flag is two-fold:
To help easily identify Partnered/iKT projects for the purpose of finding appropriate reviewers; and
To ensure CIHR is continuing to support Partnered/iKT projects at an appropriate level.
CIHR will be allocating a portion of the Project Grant budget for knowledge translation and commercialization projects that include a partner and/or knowledge user.
The dollar value will be based on the applications received, but will target consistency with CIHR’s past levels of investments in investigator initiated knowledge translation and commercialization projects. There is no specified budget envelope for these projects but CIHR will watch the success of these projects and may intervene as required. It is a transitionary measure to ensure that these projects are well integrated within the Project Grant Competition.
To facilitate knowledge translation and commercialization projects:
Principal applicants and co-applicants can be knowledge users;
Knowledge translation and commercialization partners and contributions can be included;
Knowledge translation and commercialization projects will be reviewed by knowledge user peer reviewers.
Partnered and integrated knowledge translation projects will be peer reviewed with all other projects. There will not be a separate cohort of reviewers for these projects.
Under each adjudication criteria above, we went over how each criterion will be reviewed for partnered and knowledge translation projects. Overall, if you are submitting a Partnered/iKT project, remember that you application should demonstrate:
How the idea has been validated as important to partners and/or knowledge users; and
How partners and/or knowledge users will be meaningfully involved in informing and/or implementing the project, and using the results.
The purpose of the Partnered/iKT flag is twofold:
To help easily identify Partnered/iKT projects for the purpose of finding appropriate reviewers; and
To monitor Partnered/iKT projects to ensure that CIHR is continuing to support these projects at an appropriate level.
You may include knowledge users in your application without flagging the Partnered/iKT special consideration option, however, by implementing the Partnered/iKT flag, CIHR is looking to capture any project where the applicant has a Partnered/iKT approach in order to adequately monitor these types of applications. Therefore, you are encouraged to check the Partnered/iKT box if this is appropriate for you, keeping in mind that you will require a letter from your partner attesting to their cash or in-kind support.
If you choose to flag the Partnered/iKT special consideration, one of your knowledge users or partners must be a Principal Applicant.
If you select the Partnered/iKT flag and your project is subsequently deemed ineligible for the special consideration, your project is not excluded from the competition, only from the special consideration.
Whether or not you check the Partnered/iKT special consideration, your grant will be subject to the same evaluation process as described above, except that the reviewers selected for your project may include knowledge users if you checked the Partnered/iKT special consideration flag.

10. Incorporating KT in Project Grant Applications
Expertise, Experience and Resources:
Knowledge users may be responsible and accountable for the application/uptake of project outputs.
Signed letter of support from every partner must be provided for all cash and/or in-kind contributions.
Expenses associated with engagement, dissemination and patenting remain eligible.
KT can also be highlighted in the Expertise, experience and resources section - by demonstrating that Knowledge Users are in positions where they can make/influence decisions and give cash/in-kind contributions

11. KT funding aligned with CIHR Institute Priorities
Planning and Dissemination Grants:
Support activities focused on planning, partnership development and/or increasing understanding of the health research landscape; OR
Events/activities focused on the dissemination of health research evidence to appropriate researcher and/or knowledge user audiences.
Launched in June/December; up to $25K.
Travel Awards:
Support trainee, new investigator, and knowledge user travel to present research results at conferences.
Launched in June/December; minimum value $500.

12. CIHR iKT Resources Resources:
Guide to Knowledge Translation at CIHR: Integrated and End-of-Grant Approaches
CIHR Knowledge Translation Learning Modules, Evaluation Tools, Casebooks and Resources
Applying to Integrated Knowledge Translation Funding Opportunities at CIHR: Tips for Success seminarseries
SPOR Patient Engagement Framework
Initiatives providing funding to develop iKT teams, and holding workshops and organizing portals to match R with interested Kus
Series of resources to support capacity building in different aspects of iKT

13. For more information on KT at CIHR, contact: CIHR Knowledge Translation Strategy