Second round of CFN Strategic Impact Grants awarded

CFN’s second Strategic Impact Grant Program competition was launched October 2nd, 2014.  CFN’s priority for this competition was to fund projects that 1) investigate system changes for the benefit of the frail elderly, and 2) improve the uptake or application of existing evidence to improve the care of the frail elderly. All proposals were required to have partner contributions equal to at least 25% of the amount requested from CFN.

Expressions of interest were submitted, and those of interest based on strategic fit within CFN and excellence of the research teams were invited to move to a full proposal stage. These teams were then introduced to other like-minded researchers with projects in similar areas and encouraged to consider how greater impact could be achieved by collaboration on a final proposal. Several successful collaborations resulted.

Three projects were awarded SIG grants, with first-time CFN funding for five of the six principal investigators and a new Network member institution — Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal.

More-2-Eat: Nutrition care pathway and optimized protein supplementation for malnourished elderly patients

Heather Keller, University of Waterloo

Adam Rahman, Western University

Care of frail, acutely ill older persons: making health care work like a system

Paul Hébert, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM)

John Hirdes, University of Waterloo

Helping the primary care system identify, plan and care for seriously ill, frail elderly

Robin Urquhart, Dalhousie University

Fred Burge, Dalhousie University