In March, Research Impact Canada (RIC) welcomed five new members, bringing the total number of RIC members to 46. The new members include one university (Laurentian), the first health charity (Canadian Cancer Society), a funder/convener (CIFAR), the Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families and Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) Ontario.
Laurentian University (Sudbury, Ontario)
Laurentian University is a bilingual and tricultural post-secondary institution that has significantly enhanced its research capacity and intensity over the past 60 years, with recognized strengths in areas of Northern impact, including mining and critical minerals, health and social well-being, and environmental studies. Laurentian University is deeply committed to advancing research impact through meaningful community engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the mobilization of knowledge to inform policy, practice, and innovation. Membership in Research Impact Canada will provide a valuable opportunity to further strengthen their institutional capacity for knowledge mobilization, to learn from leading practices across the Canadian research ecosystem, and to contribute to a national community dedicated to maximizing the societal benefits of research.
Canadian Cancer Society (National)
The Canadian Cancer Society is one of the largest national charitable funders of cancer research in Canada, funding approximately $50M of cancer research annually. They are signatories of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (SF-DORA) and members of the Internation Impact Funders Forum (IFF) alongside internal initiatives to advance best practices such as our Advisory Council on Research (ACOR) and the Centre for Cancer Prevention and Support (CCPS). As both funders and supporters of research, they are very interested in evolving best practices with a particular focus on the vital role of knowledge mobilization and research engagement. They believe membership in Research Impact Canada would further help them embed these important best practices in the cancer research ecosystem in order to maximize impact on outcomes and people affected by cancer.
CIFAR (based in Toronto, national organization with international reach):
While Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) has existed for over 40 years, the explicit goal of driving impact at scale reflects a relatively recent shift in mindset along with a reflective examination of how CIFAR strategies, approaches, activities, and resources can better support this goal. With a dedicated Research Department focused on driving impact and an evolving portfolio of programs, participating in RIC is a timely opportunity for CIFAR to expand its perspectives while contributing both long-established experience in the research ecosystem and new perspectives brought about by new leadership. Through RIC membership, CIFAR can further grow as a learning institution, implement impact ideas and perspectives gained through RIC at the scale of its 15-program portfolio, and develop new facets to existing partnerships with other Canadian research institutions.
Atlas Institute for Veterans and Families (national)
ATLAS believes RIC membership will greatly support and build their capacity to fulfill their Institute’s four strategic directions:
- Engage and Inform: Build trusted relationships with Veterans and Families, engaging them in all key Atlas Institute projects and processes, and empowering them with curated, trustworthy information that supports their health and well-being journeys
- Expand What We Know: Partner with Veterans, their Families, and leading researchers to discover new horizons for care and support, and actively and widely mobilize that information.
- Prevent and Prepare: Work with partners to strengthen upstream prevention and support for Veteran and Family health and well-being.
- Improve Care and Support: Increasing capacity across Canada for more accessible, culturally competent, and trauma-informed care and support.
ATLAS joins the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans as the second RIC member with a focus on veterans and their families.
Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) Ontario
Funded by the Government of Ontario, BORN Ontario is a prescribed registry established under the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004. BORN Ontario is entrusted with a unique responsibility: to collect, curate, and mobilize vital data that empowers families, care providers, health systems, and policymakers – all in pursuit of healthier beginnings and brighter futures. BORN aspires to lead with excellence in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of perinatal and child health information, supporting high-quality care, informed decision-making, improved equity, and continuous system learning. As a learning health system, BORN also has a mission-driven research program to inform operations and help them achieve their strategic plan. Finally, BORN applies evidence-informed knowledge mobilization (KM) strategies to partner with end users, co-design innovations and knowledge products, disseminate findings, support adoption of BORN’s systems and products, and position their findings for implementation in the health system.
Diversity. A university, a health charity, two research/research user organizations and a funder with an international convening reach. This diversity of membership means we have to work hard to use inclusive language (not everyone has students or tenure) and broaden our offerings to benefit all members. Our roots are in the university sector but our branches now span across the continuum of research organizations.
If you are interested in joining RIC, we hold a membership application deadline every December, date TBC for 2026. You can learn what it is like to be a member in the new member information kit and read the requirements for application in the New Member Application Package. For more information, email info@researchimpact.ca.