History

Friends of Canadian Institutes of Health Research (FCIHR) was created to promote the value of health research and establish community-based partnerships.

The organization began as an association of alumnae of the Medical Research Council of Canada (MRC) to promote the goals and values of MRC, thereby enhancing its profile. Thus, Alumni and Friends of MRC was established, dedicated to expanding public understanding of the importance of health research to the well being of society.

Alumni and Friends of MRC collaborated widely with community-based organizations that shared an interest in progressive medical research and actively sought partnerships to promote that purpose. Through published newsletters, the group informed university and government officials of important activities.

In 2000, an Act of Parliament established a new organization, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), as the major federal agency responsible for funding health research in Canada, effectively replacing the MRC. The members of Alumni and Friends of MRC felt strongly that the new organization must be supported and that the high values and research standards maintained over the 40 years of MRC’s operation be preserved. A new mandate and a new name, Friends of Canadian Institutes of Health Research (FCIHR) were officially adopted in 2001.

Since 2001, Friends has specifically supported the goals and initiatives of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and has expanded its role to represent all health disciplines.