Together we are moving from research to impact
We are delighted to share the news with our Research Network, partners and wider community that the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) Program has renewed Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) for a final three-year grant of $11.7 million. In addition to the NCE’s support, KBHN gratefully acknowledges a further $12 million commitment from our many partners to support our collective work together.
The NCE Program mobilizes Canada’s best researchers to focus on specific issues that require critical analysis and a solutions-oriented approach. As the first national network in Canada focusing on brain development and neurodevelopmental disabilities, Kids Brain Health Network has dedicated the past 10 years to ensuring the best possible outcomes for children, youth and their families.
Through partnerships and collaboration KBHN has forged a Network which brings together the best academic minds across multi-disciplinary areas of expertise, with public and private sector partners and the wider community to solve critical issues related to earlier identification of children with a neurodevelopmental disability, evidence-based interventions, and enhanced family support.
“The vision of the Kids Brain Health Network is to ensure that all children with neurodevelopmental disabilities enjoy quality of life, are included in all aspects of society, and reach their full potential,” said David Kuik, Board Chair of KBHN.
“This renewal allows us to continue our mission of catalyzing collective action between researchers, front-line agencies, and other partners for the benefit of children, youth and their families,” continued Kuik. “We are honored by the NCE’s decision and indescribably excited about the next three years.”
As part of its renewal planning, KBHN conducted a comprehensive assessment of all research projects funded in Cycle II to identify those initiatives which have the evidence to support larger scale implementation across health systems to reach more children and families.
“This will be the focus for Cycle III funding,” said James Reynolds, Chief Scientific Officer of KBHN. “KBHN will be supporting the collaborative efforts of research and implementation teams for advancing knowledge to action, improving outcomes for children and families through enhanced access to the products and practices developed by the Network. This renewed funding is the result of collaborative efforts of many including the KBHN Board, researchers, partners, network members, families and stakeholders, and we are so grateful for the encouragement and support from each of them.”
The Network’s administrative centre and staff will reside with KBHN’s new host institution, Simon Fraser University (SFU) at the Surrey Campus. This is a natural home for KBHN with Simon Fraser University’s strategic focus areas including improving health across the human lifespan, emphasis on community engagement and the translation of knowledge for the greatest societal impact.
Nicky Lewis, KBHN CEO, said: “Our partnership with SFU symbolizes a strong alignment between our collective visions. It will serve as a solid foundation for the continued work of KBHN towards positively impacting children with neurodevelopmental disorders and their families all across Canada.”
Joy Johnson, SFU Vice-President, Research and International, added: “I am proud of the contributions SFU’s interdisciplinary researchers are making to the far-reaching communities across Canada this network impacts. This partnership exemplifies SFU’s commitment to engage with communities, organizations and partners to advance knowledge that improves life and generates real change.”
SFU has pledged significant support to KBHN over the next three years. The scope of this commitment is a testament to the high regard that the university places on KBHN’s vision, mission and collaborative approach to find creative solutions to identified needs.
Kids Brain Health Network
Since 2010, Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN) has been supported by the national Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) Program. The NCE is a Canadian government initiative, which funds partnerships between universities, industry, government and not-for-profit organizations to create large-scale research networks with the overarching goal of delivering socio-economic benefit to Canada.
As a research network, KBHN engages and partners with community groups, non-profit organizations, industry, parents, clinicians, health professionals, provincial and federal governments, and everyone who can play a role in advancing knowledge to improve outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families.
SFU Office of the Vice-President, Research
The Office of the Vice-President, Research serves to encourage, facilitate, administer and promote research at SFU; advocate for university research generally; and guide policy development at university and government levels.
Media Contacts:
Justin Wong, SFU Office of the Vice-President, Research
778.782.7362 | jrwong@sfu.ca
Communications, Kids Brain Health Network
778.782.7281 | communications@kidsbrainhealth.ca
