About NSHRF

We were founded in 2000 after the Health Research Foundation Act (Bill 22) was proclaimed on January 1, 2000. The Act received Royal Assent on December 3, 1998. Our goal is to assist, collaborate with, and fund individuals and organizations conducting health research in the province.

We support the health research enterprise through three programs: Research Enterprise Development Initiatives (REDI), Research Programs, and Knowledge Programs. Program elements are either investigator or priority driven. Our priorities maximize the impact of the health research enterprise on informed decision making through the focused and efficient use of NSHRF resources.

We define the health research enterprise as organized health research activities that are aimed specifically at growth or innovation.

The word "health" is defined broadly at NSHRF. We have accepted the Ottawa Charter definition of health as "a complete state of physical, mental, social and emotional well-being...a resource for living that enables people of all ages to realize their hopes and needs and to change or cope with the environments around them.” The determinants of health as outlined by the World Health Organization are encompassed within how we define factors which influence health.

What we do

The NSHRF exists to improve the health of Nova Scotians through health research.

NSHRF Logic Model (PDF Attachment)

We do this by working with our stakeholders, including provincial government, health authorities, and health researchers on a number of initiatives and funding opportunities. These include but are not limited to:

• Working to support health research in Nova Scotia by nurturing careers, monitoring progress, and championing health researchers provincially, nationally and internationally;
• Offering funding opportunities that reflect contemporary standards of excellence;
• Providing a foundation for informed decision making with research; and
• Generating greater public awareness about health research.

We have four health research categories:

Medical Research
Basic scientific and biomedical study; clinical and epidemiological investigations.

Health Policy Research
The impact of social factors; allocation of resources; legal and ethical issues; and the administration, organization and financing of health care.

Health Outcomes Research
Changes in the health status of populations as a result of health programs or services.

Health Services Research
How efficiently and effectively health services are managed, organized, and delivered.