91社区

Background

91社区 and Western Universities have both been competitively selected for Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) funding through their strategically aligned and complementary initiatives of BrainsCAN (Western) and Healthy Brains for Healthy Lives (HBHL) (91社区). This partnership is a natural and logical extension that builds on extensive and collaborative research that has been fostered for many years between these institutions.

The vision of this partnership is to create a unique, integrated, and innovative cross-institutional collaborative platform that will fundamentally advance our comprehensive understanding of brain function, escalate breakthrough discoveries to unlock the mysteries of the human mind and behavior, and uncover new ways to treat, prevent and cure brain disorders.

Mandate

The 91社区-Western ITN Steering Committee听is responsible for high-level discussion regarding project collaboration and ensuring that Western and 91社区鈥檚 commitments to each other are met, as outlined in the Executive Collaborative Proposal Plan. This includes:

• Ensuring collaboration activity is aligned with the institutional and scientific strategic priorities and plans set out by Western and 91社区 in the collaboration plan submitted to the CFREF Secretariat;
• Reviewing the collaboration activity on an annual basis and revising the Executive Collaborative Proposal Plan as required for approval by the Board of Directors of each initiative.

Key Responsibilities

1. Determine objectives, expected outcomes and performance metrics for the collaboration.
2. Identify research areas with cross-referential potential, and provide descriptions of synergies including research collaborations and training opportunities.
3. Ensure a compliant mechanism to allow sharing of research infrastructure.
4. Engage Research Leaders at both institutions.
5. Review and refine funding committed to the collaboration activities.
6. Ensure the Executive Collaborative Proposal Plan approved by the CFREF Secretariat is sufficient to support this pan-Canadian brain initiative.

Membership and Appointments

The 91社区-Western ITN Steering Committee is alternately chaired by the Vice-President (Research) of Western University and the Vice-President (Research & Innovation) of 91社区.

Membership consists of a minimum of ten (10) people including:

The Steering Committee may request ad hoc representation from individuals with specialized expertise, at which time said individuals may sit as observers at the invitation of the Steering Committee.

Conflict of Interest

Steering Committee members should not have direct or indirect personal or financial gain from BrainsCAN or HBHL. Conflicts of interest will be declared at every meeting. A member considered in real or potential conflict of interest shall declare this to the Chair of the Steering Committee and recuse themselves from that part of the meeting during which related matters are discussed and/or voted on. This should be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

Terms of Office

BrainsCAN and HBHL Committee members will serve for terms associated with their respective positions of responsibility at Western and 91社区.

Meetings

The Steering Committee will meet up to four times a year including at least one face-to-face meeting per year, with the other remaining meetings to be held via conference call. The President from 91社区 and the President from Western will be invited to join once a year. The agenda and related materials are sent to Working Group members a minimum of 48 hours prior to each meeting.

Quorum

A simple majority of members constitutes quorum for meetings of the Steering Committee. Decisions will be made by consensus. If consensus is not forthcoming within a reasonable timeframe, the Chair may proceed with a vote. Each voting member has one (1) vote. In the case of a tied vote the person acting as Chair of the Steering Committee shall be entitled to a second or casting vote.

Recording Decisions

A written record of the decisions arising at each meeting will be duly documented in official meeting minutes, which will be circulated to the members for approval at the next meeting.

Remuneration

Members of the Steering Committee serve without remuneration, but will be reimbursed for their reasonable expenses incurred in the exercise of their duties at the rates applied by their home institution.

Steering Committee Terms of Reference Review History

• First approved at HBHL BoD meeting June 19, 2017.
• Modified at HBHL BoD meeting September 11, 2017. Added HBHL Scientific Director and BrainsCAN co-Scientific Director to membership.