Support for researchers Including multi-regional research in their CIHR Spring Project grant application
Researchers interested in using multi-regional health data in their CIHR Spring Project Grant applications can find tools and support through HDRN Canada’s Data Access Support Hub (DASH). DASH is an invaluable resource for studies seeking to conduct research across multiple provinces or territories, said Anne Hayes, Director of Partnerships and Data Services. “We know that accessing data from multiple regions can feel daunting. That’s why we want to make sure that researchers who are considering multi-regional research know just what kind of support is available to help them apply for funding through the CIHR Spring Project Grant.”
She continued, “In particular, DASH can provide feasibility confirmation, cost estimates, and Letters of Support, all free of charge, to support applications proposing multi-regional research. All researchers have to do is submit an online intake form, and DASH will take it from there.”
What’s new is that we’re offering distributed analysis. This leading-edge approach enables multi-regional data analysis without the need to pool data in a single location, representing a significant advancement in how this work can be done. ~ Anne Hayes
Once a study receives funding, researchers can request data from more than one province or territory through the Data Access Support Hub’s centralized online data access request form. “What’s new is that we’re offering distributed analysis,” Hayes added. “This leading-edge approach enables multi-regional data analysis without the need to pool data in a single location, representing a significant advancement in how this work can be done.”
The DASH Team is made up of HDRN Canada members from provincial and territorial data centres as well as pan-Canadian organizations like CIHI and Statistics Canada. It provides coordinated support throughout every step of the data access process. “The goal is to make it easier for researchers to access health and health-related data from multiple provinces and territories and Pan-Canadian data centres,” said Hayes. “DASH staff do this by bringing data centres together to make the data request process as streamlined and simplified as possible for research teams.”
Other free DASH tools that support researchers conducting multi-regional research include a Data Assets Inventory, which is searchable by keyword, category or region. The Algorithms Inventory is an online collection of published algorithms measuring population health, health service use, and the determinants of health that have been validated or tested for feasibility of implementation in two or more Canadian territories or provinces, or nationally.
Researchers interested in receiving DASH support for their CIHR Spring Project Grant applications should submit an online intake form by February 18. Questions? Email DASH at dash@hdrn.ca.
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