Funded by our provincial government, Health Research BC supports a health research system that improves health and health care and strengthens the economy. Our 2022-2025 strategy developed research talent, created jobs, addressed health and health system issues, and increased the competitiveness of our researchers.

 

This strategy refresh for 2025-2028 builds on our successes. It also responds to an increasingly complex landscape where global competition for talent, continued inequities and a shifting political and fiscal situation threaten BC’s health research excellence. It capitalizes on the significant opportunities that exist despite these challenges, including advances in discovery and technology, the unique strengths of the province’s regions, increased patient and public engagement leading to relevant and usable research, and a growing life sciences sector.

 

Download our full strategy here:

Looking to the Future

Guided by our values of community, learning, integrity and courage, we commit to working in partnership towards a future where: 

  • The gap between evidence creation and use is significantly reduced. 
  • BC’s diverse health research talent spans the province and the cell-to-society continuum. 
  • Indigenous-led research is thriving. 
  • Patients and the public are actively and widely engaged in research. 
  • People, organizations and communities partner to resolve health and health system issues. 
  • National and international investments drive significant economic benefits for BC.

STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS 2025-2028

Build and retain health research talent

A diverse workforce is critical for a strong knowledge economy and well-functioning health care and health research systems. Career paths continue to adapt to evolving market and academic needs. Addressing talent gaps and inequities requires evidence and action. 

We will advance activities to support the diverse skills, experiences, and talent BC needs. 

 

Over the next 3 years, we will:

  • Adapt our funding programs to build and retain diverse health research talent
  • Enhance funding and support for Indigenous health researchers
  • Co-fund programs that prepare researchers for a range of careers

 

By 2028:

  • Funding supports diverse health research career pathways
  • Indigenous health researchers are benefiting from increased opportunities
  • Researchers are applying their expertise in multiple sectors

Catalyze health research system solutions

In an environment of fiscal and societal uncertainly, increased efficiency and effectiveness of research is paramount. Addressing duplication, streamlining processes, monitoring system improvement and maximizing BC’s collective strengths will accelerate research as well as economic growth.

We will connect and progress system-level efforts to improve research production and use.

 

Over the next 3 years, we will:

  • Strengthen the clinical trials ecosystem
  • Partner to enhance provincial research supports and change initiatives
  • Advance the field of research impact assessment

 

By 2028:

  • Clinical trials activity and investments increase across BC
  • The health research system is more efficient
  • More institutions adopt robust and meaningful research impact measures

Mobilize action on health research priorities

Research plays a critical role in solutions to complex health challenges. But to make progress, we need partnerships among the people who experience those challenges and others who work to solve them, including researchers across disciplines and policy makers and practitioners across sectors. 

We will fund research on BC priorities to improve outcomes and deepen understanding of how to create and sustain positive change. 

 

Over the next 3 years, we will:

  • Advance research on four priorities: population aging, climate change and health, public health emergencies, and health human resources challenges
  • Co-design initiatives that advance Indigenous-led health research
  • Fund teams to advance evidence-based seniors’ care

 

By 2028:

  • Increased funding and research improve outcomes in priorities
  • Indigenous-led health research benefit from increased support and fewer system barriers
  • Evidence-based interventions for seniors are sustained across the province

OUR COMMITMENTS

 

Our commitments to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and Indigenous reconciliation underpin our work. They operate at three levels: our organization, our programs, and our external relations.

 

Equity, diversity & inclusion

 

Health Research BC envisions a health research system that advances equity by removing barriers to participation; promotes diversity by recognizing the underserved and underrepresented; and enables inclusion by supporting cultural change that allows for meaningful involvement.

Indigenous reconciliation

 

We envision a health research system that is culturally safe, values Indigenous ways of knowing, and respects the rights of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.