In partnership with the Ministry of Health, the Faculty of Medicine and UBC Health are offering researchers up to $50,000 through the Ministry of Health Research Seed Grant Program, which provides funding to universities in BC to produce research that responds to pertinent health-related questions identified by the ministry.

The ministry has prioritized the following research questions:

• How have environmental hazards like heat domes, wildfires, and floods impacted the use of health services in BC? How can administrative healthcare data be used for planning or early warning systems to minimize these impacts?
• Through a learning cycle approach, what are the perceptions of healthcare providers and patients on pharmacists’ scope of practice in primary care settings?
• What was the experience of community pharmacists in providing the dispensing and related clinical services for nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid)?
• What are the needs of the perinatal population facing systemic health inequities in BC, and what programs are currently addressing the needs? What are the gaps in these programs, and how do the programs and their assessment processes differ across the BC health authorities?
• How can public health system monitoring and evaluation contribute to reduced inequities in service delivery? Which strategies and mechanisms are most effective in eliciting feedback from communities accessing public health services?
• How can a quality improvement-based approach enhance the reach and delivery of priority clinical prevention services in primary care?

Researchers interested in submitting an application are asked to complete a Notice of Intent by December 9, 2022 at 12:00 pm. Shortlisted project leads will be invited to consult with the Ministry of Health in January 2023 about their research question and proposed project. Final applications must be submitted by February 10, 2023. 

For more information, visit the seed grant program page.

Posted November 24, 2022