Our Dynamic Context Requires Dynamic Leadership

 

In September 2025, the National Alliance of Provincial Health Research Organizations (NAPHRO) released a thought leadership piece focused on the critical role that provincial research funders (PRFs) play in understanding, communicating and catalyzing the value of research.

 

Since then, the research ecosystem in Canada has continued to shift and change creating an even greater need and opportunity for collaboration and leadership to advance impactful research. Building on decades of experience collaborating across the provinces and at the national level, PRFs are ideally poised to lead and catalyze national collaborations:

 

            As investors: PRFs make investments in service of the public good. PRFs are stewards of public dollars, making deliberate choices about evidence base gaps and what capacities the research ecosystem will need over time. Publicly funded research is not about picking winners for gain, but about stewarding the conditions for knowledge, equity and system change. Return can be defined as the demonstrated use of generated evidence leading to change. Research that sits on the shelf has not delivered that return to the public it is meant to serve.

 

            As catalysts for change through their interventions: PRFs are one type of funder within the provincial and national context. What PRFs fund reflects what their contexts value and complements the work of other funders. Unique to Canada is the federated model funders operate in. PRFs are positioned to prioritize local needs through investments they make. They also help elevate research strengths unique to their region. As such, PRFs are not passive allocators of capital. The terms PRFs create shape behaviours and action. In an increasingly competitive environment this is where PRFs’ influence on the research system has the greatest potential. PRF interventions shape, for example: conditions for success and impact; who becomes a researcher; what questions are asked; the composition of research teams; and what the ecosystem values.

 

            As connectors and convenors: PRFs place a high value on developing and facilitating activities to enhance sharing and learning across the research ecosystem. Provinces play a key role in connecting research, health, and political leaders both within their respective provinces,

across provinces and federally to advance issues of collective interest and ensure Canada collectively is strong. We cannot advance unless we are learning together. 

 

            As provincial-federal collaborators for impact: PRFs facilitate and advance opportunities for strategic alignment among interest holders in the research ecosystem to advance impactful research, reduce duplication of effort and create synergies. National funders cannot do this alone. If actions are synergistic, strategic, and aligned, the potential for impact is greater. (I.e., The whole is greater than the sum of its parts). The federated nature of Canada means PRFs can work nationally, but advancement requires provincial implementation and action. As a result, the provincial-federal connect is essential.

 

            As advocates for regional equity: PRFs promote regional equity as a core guiding principle, particularly when engaging in national dialogue relevant to research funding policies and practices. An effective and efficient research ecosystem has all parts of the system working together, side by side, without power imbalance often perceived by size of budgets and number of grants awarded.

 

            As a collective: PRFs enhance collective impact, communication, and coordination, by contributing leadership to initiatives in the research ecosystem to advance interprovincial, national and federal efforts. PRFs aim to ensure their voices are at the table and assist provinces in their collective work to increase understanding about the value of research to various audiences and through various communication modalities. PRFs make a significant contribution to advancing research to understand and address issues of relevance and importance in their jurisdictions and beyond. Examples of these investments were included in our first thought leadership piece.

 

Shaping Change for the Future

 

NAPHRO will continue to contribute to understanding and addressing important issues in the research ecosystem while also catalyzing much needed change. Pressing challenges and opportunities we can address together, include:

 

• improving the reputation of science through communication

• investing in research talent for the future

• research excellence and effective assessment/peer review of research applications

• understanding how to measure and communicate the value and impact of research

• improving knowledge mobilization and use of research

• implementing research, including commercialization

 

As provincial research funders, NAPHRO members stand ready to lead and work with the federal government and our partners, old and new, to advance impactful research across Canada. Successfully navigating our shifting context depends on all interest holders in the research ecosystem coming together as a united Canadian front.