Become a College Member

College Members are recognized experts in their fields and are committed to the health research funding landscape. The College will facilitate Member participation in peer review while ensuring predictable and manageable workloads. It will support Members with learning and mentoring programs as well as review quality tools to promote excellence in peer review.

The College of Reviewers (College) began enrolment of Members in June 2017. Initial enrolment efforts focused on individuals who fully met the Membership Selection Criteria (listed below) through a phased-in approach. Ongoing and future enrolment efforts will be more targeted to address any equity, demographic and expertise gaps in membership. The College continues to work closely with research institutions to bolster participation and recognition.

The College is developing capacity through its Reviewer Pathway to allow those individuals who do not currently meet all of the academic membership selection criteria to gain the necessary peer review skills to become a part of the College. The Reviewer Pathway is a comprehensive suite of learning and capacity development programs aimed at supporting the development of peer review skills across career stages, expertise and background, such as patients and knowledge users. The Pathway will incorporate both new and existing programming in an effort to ensure excellence in the peer review system.

Membership selection criteria

  • Indigenous Health Research

    Under development: Will be based on criteria and processes proposed by the Reference Group on Appropriate Review of Indigenous Health Research

    Appropriate peer review of Indigenous health research requires varied expertise from:

    • Elders, knowledge guardians and keepers;
    • Community-based Indigenous researchers working for and with their communities; and
    • Academic scholars - researchers engaged in Indigenous community health research.
  • Academics*
    • Review experience: participated in at least two peer review roles at CIHR or other recognized organization
    • Knowledge and experience: Knowledge and experience within CIHR's mandate
    • Research/Professional experience: academic/professional appointment; and at least one federally funded (or equivalent) peer reviewed grant as a Principal Investigator

    * Individuals that do not currently meet all of the Academic selection criteria for College Membership may be eligible for learning and capacity development programs. Please consult the Reviewer Pathway for details.

  • Knowledge Users
    • Review experience: participated in at least two peer review roles at CIHR or other recognized organization
    • Knowledge and experience: knowledge and experience within CIHR’s mandate
    • Research/Professional experience: academic/professional appointment (as appropriate)
  • Patients and Caregivers

    Under development: Work is underway to develop criteria that recognize patients and caregivers and the unique contributions they bring to peer review

Membership roles and responsibilities

In order to ensure the highest standards of confidentiality, integrity and transparency in peer review are upheld, the College Member Roles and Responsibilities defines and clarifies expectations for members participating in peer review roles and activities on behalf of the College.

How to become a College Member

If you are interested in becoming a Member of the College or would like to nominate a candidate for consideration, we encourage you to contact us at college@cihr-irsc.gc.ca. All candidates will be assessed as per the Membership Selection Criteria and asked to complete a Reviewer Profile. Individuals that do not currently meet all of the Academic selection criteria for College Membership may be eligible for learning and capacity development programs. Please consult the Reviewer Pathway for details.

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