4th edition of Joule Innovation grants to deliver $200,000 in support of Canadian ingenuity in health care

OTTAWA, Feb. 28, 2019 /CNW/ - The 4^th annual Joule Innovation grant program is underway and, more than ever, aims to drive change in the health care system. This year, selected recipients will share $200,000 in grants for initiatives designed to help shape a better health care future for all Canadians. Since 2016, the grant program has provided $500,000 to 19 recipients, powering physician-led innovation in the country.

"Joule Innovation grants are aimed at driving physician-led innovation by providing flexible funding to Canadian Medical Association members who are making a difference in health care," says Lindee David, CEO of Joule, a subsidiary of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA). "It's no secret that Canadian physicians have a lot of ideas — we're here to accelerate the spread and scale-up of those ideas to the benefit of all Canadians."

The Joule Innovation grant program opens today and will accept applications until March 28, 2019 (11:59 PM EST). This year's categories are as follows:

• Access to care (2 grants: $100,000 & $20,000)
  These grants support CMA member-led initiatives that focus on innovative solutions to improve access to health care for all Canadians. This year there is a special emphasis on projects that focus on marginalized communities who face challenges in obtaining equitable access to health care services and rural and remote populations who often find themselves underserved for all or part of the year.
• Health care solution (2 grants: $40,000 & $20,000)
  Each day, physicians, governments and policy-makers struggle to manage the limited resources available for our health care system. Health care solution grants will support initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality, safety and efficiency of health care and improving health outcomes for patients, while at the same time reducing overall costs within the Canadian health care system.
• Emerging physician innovator (4 x $5,000)
  - Student grants (2x $5,000)
  - Resident grants (2 x $5000)
  Grants for medical students and residents representing the future of medicine in Canada. These grants will help support the ideas of medical learners and residents who are looking to increase or improve access to care or create health care solutions that will provide better outcomes for patients.

In addition to valuable, flexible funding, recipients will also benefit from Joule Innovation Council mentorship and access to a network of innovation leaders. To learn more about the application process or to submit an idea, visit www.joulecma.ca/innovate/grants.

Joule is the Canadian Medical Association's (CMA's) subsidiary designed to assist physicians in the pursuit of clinical excellence. Joule does this explicitly through the support of physician-led innovation, and by inspiring physician-adoption of knowledge products and innovative technologies and services. Our purpose is to accelerate physician-led innovation and adoption of advances that deliver excellence in health and patient care. Our mission is to help physicians be at their best.

SOURCE Joule

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