With key funding from the federal and provincial governments, the Prince Edward Island Health Research Institute (PEIHRI) will be established at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI). The PEIHRI will coordinate PEI's health research activities and facilitate partnerships with community groups, governments and the health community. Building on UPEI's current research excellence, the goal of the PEIHRI is to increase the University's ability to attract nationally peer-reviewed funding.
"UPEI, in partnership with the broader health community on PEI, has the talent and ability to be a centre for health research excellence across a broad range of disciplines," said UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. "The PEI Health Research Institute will have a snowball effect. As we attract more funding and world class researchers, our capacity to conduct research will grow, boosting the economy and creating new knowledge."
"Research and development have been identified by the Government of Canada as critical to the economic success of the country. I congratulate UPEI on leading this initiative to help expand our province's health research capacity," said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Solicitor General of Canada representing the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
Studies indicate that an immediate economic benefit, estimated to have a multiplier effect of 2.5, results from the research activity supported by grants attracted from federal, philanthropic and voluntary organizations. The possible long-term benefits through savings in health care and the commercial activity based on research findings, is estimated to have an eventual multiplier effect of up to 40 times the grant total.
Premier Pat Binns reaffirmed the Government of Prince Edward Island's commitment to health research through the establishment of a $2 million PEI Health Research Fund last year.
"We are very pleased to be a partner in the new Health Research Institute. Working together, we have much greater capacity to leverage new research funding which can benefit the whole province in terms of economic benefits and new knowledge about our health and health services," said Premier Binns.
The PEIHRI will provide training for skilled researchers and will facilitate collaboration in funding proposals. It will also increase employment opportunities on the Island for people with a variety of skills.
The PEIHRI will start as a virtual organization, based in existing facilities on the UPEI campus. The interim director will be Dr. Alastair Cribb, UPEI/AVC professor of Clinical Pharmacology, and Professor Donna Murnaghan of the UPEI School of Nursing will serve as the interim associate director.
"PEI is poised to establish a vibrant and viable health research community with the right kind of support and collaborative effort," says Dr. Alastair Cribb. "This initiative will assist researchers on PEI in attracting the funding needed to create new knowledge. Current areas of health-related research include primary health care, cardiovascular health, cancer, drug safety, tobacco, human development, environment/health interactions, diabetes, and asthma."
The first year for the PEIHRI will be a period of development. It will be a time to facilitate health research initiatives and collaborations. The interim director and associate director will work with an advisory council composed of UPEI faculty and representatives of the broader health community to prepare a plan for the Institute's future. ACOA is contributing $250,000 toward the development of this strategic plan. The Province of Prince Edward Island is providing $500,000 over the next five years to the PEI Health Research Institute.