Member Announcement

Health Minister Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid today announced a $48-million funding commitment to support the ongoing work of the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR).

October 04, 2012 - Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research

"Our government's $48-million investment in the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research is a commitment to advancing the health of BC families," says Dr. MacDiarmid. "From work to improve ovarian cancer outcomes to looking for a cure for childhood diabetes, and to helping patients in remote communities better manage chronic diseases at home, the Foundation supports health research that benefits thousands of families."

The funding announcement signals a bright future for MSFHR and BC's health research community. In addition to supporting existing programs and awards, this investment allows MSFHR to develop new initiatives to harness the power of health research for the benefit of British Columbians. With this renewed commitment, MSFHR will move forward with several exciting initiatives in the next year, including:

• A funding competition for post-doctoral fellows in early 2013
• Renewal of platforms that streamline research infrastructure through collaboration and data sharing
• Developing a health research strategy for BC that will shape a more coordinated approach to health research

"We are pleased that our provincial government understands and has responded to the need for continued investment into BC's health research enterprise," says Dr. Diane Finegood, MSFHR president & CEO. "It is a valuable investment that increases the competitiveness of BC researchers and positions our province to succeed in the knowledge-based economy of the 21st century."

With the support of the provincial government, MSFHR has invested $360 million over the past decade to build and strengthen BC's capacity for world-class health research. Since 2001, MSFHR programs have funded more than 1,800 research positions, including 1,491 individual researchers and 65 research teams.

This investment has helped recruit top scientists to BC, nurtured homegrown talent, and brought additional health research funding to the province. Between 2001 and 2012, BC’s share of federal health research grants nearly doubled, increasing from 8.6 percent to more than 14 percent.

To learn more about how MSFHR is supporting health research in BC, visit our website.