ALBERTA HERITAGE FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH

Established by the Government of Alberta in 1980, the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR) was mandated to nurture and develop a first-class community of health researchers for the benefit of Albertans and people around the world. AHFMR has invested more than $850 million in a spectrum of research activity in Alberta. The Foundation’s funding comes from the AHFMR Endowment, now valued at $1.2 billion, which was created in 1980 with $300 million and an additional $500 committed in 2005 by the Alberta Provincial Government.
 
AHFMR is governed by a Board of Trustees with representatives from the universities, the medical profession and the general public. AHFMR is headed by President and CEO Dr. Kevin Keough and the Board of Trustees is chaired by Ms. Gail Surkan. The Board of Trustees is advised by an international Scientific Advisory Council and other groups, including committees of researchers who assess applications for awards. AHFMR reports to the people of Alberta through the Minister of Innovation and Science, but is arms’-length from government. Every six years an International Board of Review assesses AHFMR Programs and submits a report to AHFMR and the Government of Alberta. The most recent IBR Report in 2004 praised AHFMR for its enormous impact on the quality of health research and care for Albertans.

AHFMR FUNDING CRUCIAL TO ALBERTA’S HEALTH RESEARCH

Since 1980, AHFMR has contributed more than $700 million directly to the scientific community and for every AHFMR dollar invested, researchers attract at least two dollars in external funding to our province from public and industry sources. More than 8500 researchers and researchers-in-training have been supported at some point in their careers by AFHMR. The Foundation currently funds more than 235 Alberta-based biomedical and health researchers recruited from around the world and more than 350 students and post-doctoral fellows.

DISCOVERIES EARN AHFMR INVESTIGATORS INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION

Heritage investigators have earned international acclaim for their pioneering work in areas such as: islet transplantation for diabetics, heart attack therapy, nerve regeneration, the cell biology of cancer, drugs for viral infections, electrical therapy for paralyzed people, vaccines, and better understanding and treatment of arthritis. Heritage funding has contributed significantly to a top-notch research environment in Alberta which is attracting the best scientists involved in a wide spectrum of research from the laboratory to the bedside. Outstanding research groups which collaborate internationally attract, train and retain the brightest students, and contribute knowledge that helps make Alberta one of the top Canadian medical education centres.

A PROUD SPONSOR OF INNOVATION ALBERTA

AHFMR is a proud sponsor of the Innovation Alberta Omnimedia Project. An excellent and innovative means of communicating the latest in health and medical research to Albertans and people from around the world, working with Innovation Alberta also supports AHFMR’s goal of maintaining and improving communication with the public, government, the research community, universities, and health-related institutions.

PUBLICATIONS

AHFMR publishes the Research News newsletter four times a year. AHFMR Research News can be accessed on the web at www.ahfmr.ab.ca/publications.html

AHFMR also produces an annual report in the form of a calendar featuring vivid photos of some of the talented and dedicated researchers AHFMR supports, along with brief descriptions of the work they are doing to keep you informed about current health research throughout the year.

For a free subscription (available in Canada only) to AHFMR Research News or a free copy of the AHFMR calendar, please contact us with your name and mailing address at the address below.

TO CONTACT AHFMR

Website: www.ahfmr.ab.ca
E-mail: ahfmrinfo@ahfmr.ab.ca

Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research
Suite 1500
10104 – 103 Avenue NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4A7

Telephone: (780) 423-5727
Fax: (780) 429-3509