Public Services and Procurement Canada

In 2012 CIMVHR entered into an agreement with Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), now Public Services Procurement Canada (PSPC) to assist with finding specialized teams to conduct research that would meet the needs of Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) and Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC).

CIMVHR, along with DRDC, CFHS and VAC are interested in optimizing the health and wellbeing of Canadian military personnel, veterans, and their families by harnessing and mobilizing a national capacity for high impact research, knowledge creation and knowledge exchange.

With an increase in operational deployments in hostile and austere environments, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel have experienced continued high levels of injuries and deaths, mounting mental health demands, and a wide variety of general health issues related to occupational and environmental factors. Canada strives to increase medical knowledge and develop capabilities (technologies, techniques and systems) to prevent, diagnose and reduce immediate and long-term health effects from weapons and operations and to improve the effectiveness of the CAF when operating in adverse environments.

Task Authorizations may include but are not limited to Literature Reviews, Experimental and Clinical Studies, Surveys, Field Studies and Data Analysis, Population Statistics, Develop and Deliver Educational Programs, Organize Workshops and Presentations to Government and Health Care System Stakeholders, Develop Tools and Treatments, Develop Roadmaps, Provide Advice and Expert Support in the following areas:

Mental HealthPublic and Occupational Health
Trauma CareEpidemiology and Population Health
Primary CareOperational Medicine
Health PersonnelHealth Care Resource Management
Transition from Military to Civilian LifeHealthcare Policies and Programs

Health Canada

At Forum 2014, CIMVHR secured vital support from Health Canada to foster partnerships and collaborations and to bolster knowledge translation activities. The $5 million over 5-years commitment has facilitated knowledge exchange that spurs collaborative projects and encourages policy development.

With this support, CIMVHR has been able to build new knowledge translation tools while strengthening the ones that currently exists. For example, their support of our annual research Forum allows us to attract military personnel, Veterans, government policy makers, philanthropists, industry representatives and researchers from across Canada and around the world. In addition to Forum, CIMVHR’s key knowledge exchange mechanisms include publishing Forum abstract summaries, maintaining a bilingual website, facilitating networking opportunities through UNIWeb, hosting a network partners meeting, facilitating research theme working groups, maintaining an active presence on social media, and publishing a scientific journal, the Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health (JMVFH). All of those activities are supported by the HCPCP.

The Royal Canadian Legion

The Royal Canadian Legion is a national organization committed to our Veterans, their families, and the communities they call home. The Legion offers programs and services to a wide variety of groups on both local and national levels that aim to improve the lives of those involved while instilling in them the importance of Remembrance.

At Forum 2013, The Legion made a 5-year commitment to CIMVHR by announcing The Royal Canadian Legion Masters Scholarship in Veteran Health Research. The purpose of this scholarship is to address the unique needs over the life course of those who have served our nation and their families. First awarded in 2014, scholarship recipients receive $30,000 over 2 years.

The Legion’s continuous support for CIMVHR is also demonstrated through their annual sponsorship for CIMVHR’s Military and Veteran Health Research Forum and their representation on CIMVHR’s Technical Advisory Committee.

True Patriot Love

True Patriot Love (TPL) is a national charity with the mission to inspire every Canadian to contribute to the resilience and well-being of our military and Veteran families. Since 2009, TPL has provided more than $18 million to support military families, including funding more than 100 community-based programs across the country that address the unique challenges resulting from service including mental health, physical rehabilitation, transitioning to civilian life and the special needs of children. Additionally, TPL is contributing to advancements in research and technology through a $5 million commitment to CIMVHR.

TPL, in partnership with CIMVHR, is supporting relevant and innovative research and program evaluation with a goal of improving health and health outcomes for Canadian military personnel, Veterans and their families. By funding timely and relevant research, this partnership aims to strengthen the dissemination of actionable knowledge between CIMVHR’s network of university researchers, government partners and other stakeholders to ensure that research can be rapidly translated into practice, policymaking and program development and implementation. Research activities funded through this partnership will also encourage the development of new skillsets and expertise of post-doctoral or graduate students, in turn supporting the next generation of researchers in relevant fields. TPL and CIMVHR will be administering a number of research activities in the imminent future.

Wounded Warriors Canada

Founded in 2006, Wounded Warriors Canada is a non-profit organization that helps Canadian Forces members – be they full time or reservists – who have been wounded or injured in their service to Canada.

In May 2013, CIMVHR and Wounded Warriors Canada (WWC) made a ten year commitment that will ensure a lasting legacy for military and Veteran health research in Canada by training a future generation of researchers. The Wounded Warriors Doctoral Scholarship in Military and Veteran Health Research is a 2-year scholarship awarded annually to a PhD student who demonstrates excellence in research issues relevant to military members, Veterans and families while also exhibiting significant potential for a high impact research career.

To learn more about WWC’s past scholarship winners visit – cimvhr.ca/scholarships.

In addition to their scholarship commitment, WWC has shown support for CIMVHR’s annual Forum and sponsored the inaugural Student and Post-Doctoral Engagement Committee (SPEC) networking event at CIMVHR Forum 2017. This event provided graduate and post-doctoral students who study in the field of military, Veteran and family health research a peer-supported network through their academic journey.