BBE Program Details
Policy makers at the Federal or Provincial/Territorial levels are invited to submit health-related topics for a BBE session at any point in the year. Successful applicants will work with CIHR to plan and host the sessions. BBEs are planned in collaboration with CIHR’s Institutes and Initiatives.
Format
BBEs are private, by-invitation only events delivered virtually over a period of one to two half days. The format includes a balance of short, high-level presentations followed by protected time for facilitated discussion. The objectives, discussion questions and anticipated outcomes of the BBE are driven by policy partners.
Participants and Speakers
The BBEs are limited to a small number of participants, a facilitator, up to eight speakers, and the organizing team (CIHR and partner staff). The BBE team at CIHR collaborates with colleagues across CIHR’s thirteen Institutes, to identify potential speakers and facilitators for the BBE through its network of researchers and implementation experts, environmental scans and other sources.
CIHR is committed to equitable representation of speakers and participants at the BBEs as CIHR continues to build meaningful relationships founded on equity, diversity and inclusion and respectful of Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) Peoples as rights-holders. This commitment will further expand CIHR’s relationship with communities inclusive of perspectives from those affected disproportionately by inequitable health. Such efforts further strengthen the Canadian health research ecosystem, as CIHR aims to fund research shaped by, conducted by, and mobilized in collaboration with, health equity deserving communities.
Time Commitment
Each BBE takes a minimum of 3-4 months to plan following the review and approval process. CIHR leads regular planning group meetings to prepare for the BBE. Policy partners are expected to participate in the meetings, support the development of BBE materials a select the facilitator and presenters and manage the participant list.
Cost
CIHR covers the cost of most core operations such as presenter/facilitator fees. Policy partners are responsible for some costs related to optional services such as report writing or simultaneous interpretation.
For more information about the program, or to request an application form, please contact the CIHR Best Brains Exchange team at BBE-EMC@cihr-irsc.gc.ca.
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