The purpose of this initiative is to develop leadership capacity in the Canadian health care system. This will be done by identifying and addressing gaps in applied research and practical knowledge within and between the researcher and decision-maker communities. These individuals will be brought together as networks so they can better understand and learn from each other. The networks (one national and five regional nodes) will carry out research on how to identify and apply the qualities of effective leadership in regional settings across Canada and how to adapt the knowledge learned into professional development and degree programs offered in those regions.