Knowledge Translation at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research: A Primer

major federal agency responsible for funding health research in Canada. It aims to excel in the creation of new health knowledge and to translate that knowledge from the research setting into real-world applications. The results are improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health-care system. It was created under an act of parliament that came into force on June 7, 2000. CIHR consists of 13 “virtual ” institutes, each headed by a scientific director and assisted by an institute advisory board. The institutes work together to shape a national health research agenda for Canada. They bring together researchers, health professionals and policymakers from voluntary health organizations, provincial government agencies, international research organizations, industry, and patient groups from across the country––all of whom share an interest in improving the health of Canadians. The work of the institutes embraces the four pillars of health research: (1) biomedical; (2) clinical; (3) health systems and services; and (4) population and public health. A major challenge for the institutes is to forge relationships across disciplines to stimulate integrative, multifaceted research agendas that respond to society's health priorities while adhering to the highest ethical standards. Translating knowledge from the research setting into realworld applications for the benefit of Canadians is a key component of CIHR’s mandate and is the topic of this issu