Military and Veteran research organization receives $25 million 

Announced last month the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) will be receiving $25 million over ten years from government funding.

The government’s current agreement to fund CIMVHR’s projects, through Health Canada, ends on March 31, 2020.

Additionally, Veterans Affairs Canada Minister Lawrence MacAulay also announced that Queen’s University will be receiving a total of $210,000 over five years from the VAC Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund.

This funding will help to support the work Queen’s University’s staff has done to update the Servicewomen’s Salute website to the Servicewomen’s Salute Online Portal for Research and Resources.

“Meeting the health needs of those who served in Canada’s armed forces depends on access to leading scientific research in the military and Veteran health field. Queen’s University has been an invaluable asset to our Veteran community in this regard, both in terms of the work they’ve done for CIMVHR and Servicewomen’s Salute. Continued collaboration between all stakeholders in this area benefits not only military members, Veterans and their families—but Canada as a whole,” said MacAulay.

The Servicewomen’s Salute Online Portal for Research and Resources, according to VAC press release, is designed to compile a comprehensive literature review of research about women veterans and a scan for resources, in both English and French; transform the Servicewomen’s Salute website into an online Portal that can accommodate greater traffic, web-security and data protection, content generation, and regular cross-postings with social media; and to produce English and French language blog posts for knowledge translation of research materials for women veterans.

“Research has shown that one in four Canadian Armed Forces members will have trouble transitioning from military to civilian life—this is particularly true for women in uniform. A robust and customized research and community resource of information, research, support, and engagement for Canadian military women would help servicewomen navigate their transitions more easily. This financial contribution from the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund will allow Queen’s University and the Centre for International and Defence Policy to partner with Servicewomen’s Salute Canada to provide access to these resources and assist servicewomen leaving the CAF and veteran servicewomen to transition into civilian life and thrive in their local communities,” said Dr Allan English PhD CD Associate Professor, Department of History, Queen’s University, Kingston.

The funding is part of a larger effort to include more veteran-centric research projects in Budget 2019.

CIMVHR’s research is used across various sectors to help shape policy, create programs, and make departmental decisions. The research is also used by health managers, clinicians, and various other stakeholders invested in the physical, mental, and social health of veterans and their families. CIMVHR Is part of the 5-Eyes Mental Health Research Innovation and Collaboration.

This year’s CIMVHR Forum will be held in n Ottawa-Gatineau at the Hilton Lac-Leamy from October 21-23, 2019.

“CIMVHR has worked tirelessly to build a collaborative network between academia, government, industry, and philanthropy to advance research in the area of military, Veteran and family health and wellbeing. Recognizing the importance of research and the impact it has on those who so selflessly serve, and their families, this Government of Canada funding will continue to strengthen the foundation for CIMVHR to continue leading the way for the next ten years. We are honoured to continue serving those who serve us,” said Dr. David Pedlar, Scientific Director, Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research.