EMPOWER Projects VI RFP Released
The vital role that research evidence and data plays in supporting health system decision making has been amplified in Ontario in the last two years, with the COVID-19 pandemic at the forefront of the health system, and health system restructuring. Knowledge users have collaborated closely with researchers to make the most informed policy decisions, relying heavily on scientific expertise and research evidence to shape policy decisions under tight timelines. Patient-oriented research is more important than ever in these times, as it has the power to align the needs of patients and the public with responses from individuals, the health system and health policy.
The Ontario SPOR SUPPORT Unit (OSSU) is inviting proposals from qualified groups for additional knowledge mobilization and implementation funding to empower patient-oriented research projects to achieve broader impacts on health, health policy and health system for Ontario. The EMPOWER Project (Engaging Multi-stakeholders for Patient Oriented research Wider Effects & Reach) provides a structure (integrating the Ontario SPOR SUPPORT Unit and its Research Centres and Initiatives) and funding (up to $25,000) to allow existing patient-oriented research projects that require additional support to have impacts. Applications are invited from research teams that have completed or are completing patient-oriented research studies that have demonstrable patient partnership. EMPOWER Project recipients will be expected to also build patient partnership into their EMPOWER Project. EMPOWER Projects are for a maximum duration of six months.
In the EMPOWER Projects VI, OSSU is soliciting proposals that are co-designed (with patient and caregiver partnership) that relate to one or more of the following 3 priorities that advance the objectives of OSSU for the development of capacity and sustainability of POR in Ontario:
- Equity with a focus on: Improving health equity through using data OR Equitable access to and use of health data;
- Mobilizing knowledge with diverse populations and minorities, linguistic groups including/not exclusive to Francophone community partners, Indigenous community partners, patient partners, and decision makers;
- Projects that demonstrate the general goal of advancing the goals of the quadruple aim (improved patient experience, better outcomes, lower costs, and improved provider experience).
The application and impact of the work should be relevant and tailored to the needs of stakeholders in the province (from patients to healthcare practitioners, to health policy and the health system). The RFP and related documents are available below. Please submit following the guidelines and using the linked document templates.
Proposals are to be submitted electronically to OSSU via email to ossu@ossu.ca by 5:00 pm eastern on Thursday October 20th, 2022.
For any questions and for submitting the proposal, please include RFP – EMPOWER Projects VI – attn Hilary Edelstein in the subject line.