Skip to main content

Guide for Submitting Applications to Michael Smith Health Research BC Funding Programs

The following information is a guide to help applicants understand when PHSA should be identified as the host institution for Michael Smith Health Research BC funding, requirements that must be met and resources available.

In 2016, the Michael Smith Health Research BC launched eight newly updated funding opportunities with the intention of increasing interaction between health researchers and the clinical environment. By supporting more interaction, these refreshed funding opportunities ultimately aim to help increase knowledge translation, collaboration and adoption of research-based innovations.

The number of health authority based clinicians, health professionals and health researchers applying for Health Research BC funding has been on the rise since these awards launched. This shift has led many applicants to seek clarification on when to list PHSA, BC Cancer or UBC as the Host Institution for an award.

The frequently asked questions below aim to provide clarity for health authority applicants.

Frequently asked questions

The location of your research project and paymaster determine which host institution you should select in your application.

Use the simplified list below or the Host Institution Selection (PDF) document as a guide.

Location of research + Paymaster = Host institution

Scenario 1

  • Location of research: PHSA site (excluding BC Cancer)
  • Paymaster: PHSA
  • Host institution: PHSA

Scenario 2

  • Location of research: BC Cancer
  • Paymaster: PHSA
  • Host institution: BC Cancer

Scenario 3

  • Location of research: PHSA site or BC Cancer
  • Paymaster: UBC
  • Host institution: UBC

Some exceptions may apply based on intellectual property under development or unique circumstances. If you have questions, contact your local research manager.

 
Some Health Research BC applications require a 'Department Head Form' and a 'Dean Form'. These requirements are based on traditional academic research tracks at universities and have prompted clarification in the health authority setting.  

When PHSA is the host institution, these forms should be submitted by PHSA department heads and leaders. Which PHSA leader is most appropriate to provide the forms you need depends on whether you are a clinician and whether you are applying for a salary award. You are strongly encouraged to provide those completing forms with a draft form with key communication points about your research proposal.

Forms must be submitted via Health Research BC's ApplyNet system. Please note that some clinical department heads may not have ApplyNet accounts. If your department head requires assistance, they are asked contact their local research services office.

Department Head Forms

If you are a clinician and the award to which you are applying includes funding for your salary (i.e. salary award), your Department Head Form must be completed by your clinical department head within PHSA or BC Cancer. Your form must explicitly address the impact on service that will result if you are successful in your application, and how clinical service levels will be maintained. 

If you are not a clinician or you are applying to a non-salary award, your Department Head Form can either be completed by your PHSA or BC Cancer research program department head or clinical department head (if applicable).

Dean Forms

At PHSA, the following leaders are the appropriate individuals to provide a "Dean Form":

  • BC Cancer: Vice President of Research
  • BC Children’s Hospital and Sunny Hill Health Centre: BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute (BCCHR) Executive Director
  • BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre: Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI) Executive Director
  • BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services: BCMHSUS Research Executive Director
  • BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC): BCCDC Executive Medical Director
  • For other PHSA programs, please contact PHSA Research and Academic Services for guidance

Signatures Cover Sheet (BC Cancer only)

If your host institution is BC Cancer, you must complete a 'Signature Cover Sheet' signed by your principal investigator and department head. This must be submitted to BC Cancer’s Office of Research Administration (ORA) prior to completing the full application. Please direct questions to Karen Hagan and Jillian McKenna from BC Cancer’s Office of Research Administration.
 
You must obtain institutional approval as part of your Health Research BC award application. Institutional review and approval is carried out by PHSA and BC Cancer delegates. 

Applicants must submit the complete application through ApplyNet. Your institutional approver will review the application and, if complete, provide institutional approval through ApplyNet.

The delegate for all PHSA sites (excluding BC Cancer) is Nur Eisma, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. The delegates for BC Cancer are Karen Hagan and Jillian McKenna from BC Cancer’s Office of Research Services.
 

For PHSA institutional approval

To obtain institutional approval from PHSA‎, you must submit your complete application through ApplyNet a minimum of two days prior to the Health Research BC deadline.

For BC Cancer institutional approval

To obtain institutional approval from BC Cancer, you must submit your 'Signature Cover Sheet' to Karen Hagan and Jillian McKenna from BC Cancer’s Office of Research Administration a minimum of five days prior to the Health Research BC deadline.  

You must also submit your complete application through ApplyNet a minimum of two days prior to the Health Research BC deadline.
 
If you have been asked to provide a Department Head Form and do not have an ApplyNet account, please contact your local research support staff from the list below for assistance.

BC Cancer:
Karen Hagan
Grants Officer

Jillian McKenna
Grants Officer

BC Women’s: 
Kathryn Dewar
Senior Research Manager

BCCDC: 
Priscilla Vuong
Research Manager

BCMHSUS:
Deborah Ross
Director Research Knowledge Exchange

BC Renal:
Dr. Adeera Levin
Executive Director

cc: Pam Sewell, Executive Assistant

BC Children’s and all other PHSA programs:
Nur Eisma
Research Manager, ORS/BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute
 

SOURCE: Guide for Submitting Applications to Michael Smith Health Research BC Funding Programs ( )
Page printed: . Unofficial document if printed. Please refer to SOURCE for latest information.

Copyright © Provincial Health Services Authority. All Rights Reserved.

    Copyright © 2024 Provincial Health Services Authority