Canadian research funders join forces with the international Research on Research Institute

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and Michael Smith Health Research BC (Health Research BC) are pleased to become core partners in the Research on Research Institute (RoRI) to help ensure that Canada is at the forefront of research funding practices. As core partners, SSHRC, CIHR and Health Research BC will engage in key projects and provide input on RoRI’s strategic direction.

Research funders in Canada and around the world are looking at ways to increase the value and impact of their investments by improving their processes as well as how they guide and support research practice. Piloted in 2019, RoRI is now an international consortium of research partners that examines how research is funded, practised, communicated, and evaluated. RoRI’s mandate is to help funders and other key players transform research systems and cultures to deliver on the full potential of research.

As part of RoRI, SSHRC, CIHR and Health Research BC will work with the research consortium and its partners in a coordinated way. Lessons learned—including interdisciplinary perspectives—will be shared with Canadian and international research ecosystems to improve research outcomes for Canadians and the global community. SSHRC and CIHR will also work closely with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, a RoRI observer, to harmonize actions learned from the RoRI partnership across Canada’s three federal research funding agencies. The goal is to maximize the benefits of Canada’s research investments informed by evidence of what works best.

Quotes

“In a rapidly changing world, research on research provides crucial insights into how best to fund, communicate, and evaluate research. SSHRC is excited both to learn about and share best practices across disciplines and funding agencies and to engage with RoRI as it advances its mission to strengthen the research ecosystem.”

– Ted Hewitt, President, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

“A vibrant research funding system requires experimentation and continuous learning. That is why CIHR is thrilled to be a part of the Research on Research Institute and to be collaborating with our global partners to improve how research is funded, practised, communicated, and evaluated.”

– Tammy Clifford, Acting President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research

“Health research drives discovery and innovation for better health and health care. As British Columbia’s health research agency, we are excited to be part of this international partnership led by the Research on Research Institute. This collaboration will enhance our own learning, facilitating evidence-driven advancement in our work, and thereby increasing the value and impact of the research we fund.”

– Stirling Bryan, Chief Scientific Officer, Michael Smith Health Research BC

“We’re delighted that CIHR, Health Research BC, and SSHRC have joined the RoRI international consortium. This collaboration creates exciting opportunities to lead innovative and experimental approaches to research funding and evaluation, and to position Canada at the forefront of these efforts globally. This can only be to the long-term benefit of Canadian and international research.”

– James Wilsdon, Executive Director, Research on Research Institute