Fall 2016 (Volume 26, Number 3)

2016 CIORA Awards

By Janet Pope, MD, MPH, FRCPC

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The Canadian Initiative for Outcomes in Rheumatology cAre’s (CIORA) mission, as a unique granting organization, is to improve the care of Canadians living with rheumatic diseases. To that end, CIORA awards grants to scientists whose research helps advance our knowledge and understanding of rheumatic diseases and might not otherwise be eligible for other peer-reviewed funding.

More specifically, CIORA’s grant program supports projects that are sustainable and help promote one of its three core pillars: Awareness/Advocacy/Education, Early Access for Rheumatic Disease Patients, and Multidisciplinary Care Teams. Ten percent of each grant is withheld until the final report is received, which allows CIORA to assess how its grants are being used and to evaluate the success of the program overall. CIORA is also acknowledged in each presentation and publication, which also promotes the success of its program.

CIORA’s grants review panel works in much the same way as that of the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR). Individual reviewers, who are often past awardees, score each grant, which is then followed by a panel discussion to determine a final consensus score. Dr. Paul Fortin, is the current chair, and we are indebted to him for his leadership.

CIORA held its 9th grant competition in March and received 29 grant applications this year, which is a record number.

Congratulations to the 2016 grant recipients! CIORA funded three one-year grants and five two-year grants for a total of just over $650,000. This was a very competitive cycle. The topics for CIORA grants are very broad with many unique ideas. Special thanks to our sponsors.

Janet Pope, MD, MPH, FRCPC
Professor of Medicine, Division Head,
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine,
St. Joseph’s Health Care, Western University
London, Ontario