RIVERVIEW HEALTH CENTRE RESEARCH GRANT COMPETITION

Riverview Health Centre is proud to sponsor an annual research competition to foster investigation into enhanced quality of life for patients, residents, and families in the areas of dementia, rehabilitation, palliative care and long term care. $15,000 is available to investigators each year to support projects in these areas of study. An additional $5,000 is available for postgraduate student and post-medical school resident/fellows research projects. These funds are allocated for costs to run the project and are not a student bursary. In the past most awards were made to projects related to patient care related projects. A broader definition of Research is now in place to encourage more Research applicants.

More than one project may be funded in this competition. Interdisciplinary projects are encouraged. All studies must include Riverview Health Centre as a site for the research.

If you have any questions about the Riverview Health Centre Research Grant Competition, please contact:

Prof. Brian Lithgow
Chair, RHC Research Committee
Research Manager, RHC
blithgow@rhc.mb.ca

Application deadline for the 2025 Competition is Friday, April 25, 2025.

Eligibility

This competition is open to university/college-based researchers, Riverview Health Centre staff members, and persons with an ongoing clinical presence at Riverview Health Centre. University/college-based researchers must include a Riverview Health Centre employee/researcher as a member of the research team. Please note that postgraduate students and post-medical school residents/fellows submitting projects for consideration are eligible to apply (using the same application form) for the additional $5,000 designated to support their research materials costs.

Specifications

The Riverview Health Centre Research Grant is an operating grant designed to offset the normal direct costs of research, not including conference travel expenses or investigators’ salaries, and limited publication/poster preparation costs. The grant submission package includes the application form and guidelines for the competition.

Grant applications will be reviewed by a Research Review Committee coordinated through Riverview Health Centre. The committee will include both university/college-based Research Affiliates and appointed Riverview Health Centre staff members.

Assessment criteria include:

1. Scientific Merit (clarity of research questions/objectives; appropriateness of methods; generalizability and validity of research methodology utilized; experience and skills of the investigative team)
2. Potential Contribution (significance of the research for the people we serve at Riverview Health Centre; extent and appropriateness of the communication/dissemination plans).
3. Impact or projected impact on the care and treatment of the people we serve at Riverview.

The Research Review Committee will make recommendations regarding the projects and amount of funding to the CEO, Riverview Health Centre. Unsuccessful applicants may request written feedback from the Research Review Committee regarding their proposal.

All proposals submitted for funding must have the written approval of an ethics committee (e.g., Manitoba University or Shared Health) as well as Access Approval by the Riverview Health Centre Research Committee prior to the release of funds. Investigators without an affiliation with the University of Manitoba should submit their proposal to the appropriate University of Manitoba REB (and/or RITHIM), in accordance with WRHA policy. Any major change in the study protocol or budget during the project must be approved before the grantee undertakes the change. Given the impending complete implementation of Research Improvements Through Harmonization in Manitoba (RITHM) ethics procedures, these will also need to be met if in place at the time of application.

The research grant(s) will be administered through the Finance Department of Riverview Health Centre. Before funds are released, successful applicants will be required to sign a contract of acceptance indicating other sources of funding applied for or received.

Projects should not exceed 18 months in duration, although extensions to the funding will be considered if a written request is provided to the committee three months prior to the original deadline. At the end of the grant period, the grantee must submit a copy of the project report to the Manager, Research, including an Executive Summary for distribution to the public and/or health care community.

It is expected that grant holders will acknowledge the assistance of Riverview Health Centre Inc. in all presentations and publications arising from the funded project and will provide a presentation at Riverview Health Centre on their findings within six months after the completion of the project. It is also expected that a copy of any publication that results from the research supported by this competition will be forwarded to the Manager of Research at Riverview Health Centre.

PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS

2024
No Grant or Scholarship was awarded in 2024.

2023
Winner of the Riverview Health Research Competition / $15,000
Dr. Cheryl Glazebrook
Team: Dr. Jennifer Salter, Dr. Jacquie Ripat, Dr. Kathryn Sibley
“Multiple Perspective for Multiple Benefits: Co-designing a dance-based movement program in Acquired Brain Injury”

The proposed co-design of a dance-based movement program in acquired brain injury is interdisciplinary in its design, including perspectives of patients and families, with the purpose of co-designing a program that will contribute to rehabilitation goals that cross disciplines, are a priority for patients, which will support quality of life.

Winner of the MS Research Fund Award / $38,933 (one-time award)
Allison Robinson, Occupational Therapist, Health Sciences Centre
“Functional Electrical Stimulation for upper extremity function in Multiple Sclerosis”
No Riverview Research Scholarship ($5,000) was awarded in 2023.

2022
Co-Winners of the Riverview Health Research Competition 2022 ($11,900)
Kirsten Reynolds and Courtney Grosky
“Engaging Frontline Long Term Care Staff in Examining Moral Injury and Unmet Mental Health Support Needs”

Co-Winner of the Riverview Health Research Competition 2022 ($3,100)
Robin McClure
“The impact of COVID-19 visitor restrictions on the health care team of a palliative care unit”

Riverview Research Scholarship ($5,000)
Courtney Grotski
“Gender Differences in perception of recovery and life satisfaction following impatient stroke rehabilitation”

2021
No Grant or Scholarship was awarded in 2021, due to COVID-19 restrictions.