Grant: SPOR Networks - Knowledge Mobilization and Implementation Science - Extension

Since its inception in 2015, the Chronic Pain Network (CPN) has built a strong national foundation for patient-oriented research (POR) and knowledge mobilization (KM) related to chronic pain and its assessment and management. In the lead up to this proposal, CPN’s legacy and sustainability committee completed a 3-year strategic plan that was guided by our successes, feedback from interest holders, and identification of opportunities for further growth and impact. This proposal is the culmination of that process, which addresses several goals outlined in Health Canada’s An Action Plan for Pain in Canada (Canadian Pain Task Force, 2021) prepared by the Canadian Pain Task Force. (Canadian Pain Task Force, 2019). This proposal outlines a clear and feasible plan to sustain and expand that impact through targeted investments in leadership, infrastructure, and community partnerships, that will ensure the Network’s tools, connections, and momentum continue to benefit Canadians well beyond the end of the CIHR-SPOR funding. CPN’s proposal leverages the Network’s most enduring assets: its people, partnerships, platforms, and proven capacity to put research into action. The pillars of our strategic plan that this extension funding will support include: 1. Serving as Canada’s Home for Patient-Oriented Pain Research 2. Implementing Evidence to Improve Outcomes for People Living with Pain 3. Championing Community-Based Pain Research 4. Informing Provincial and Territorial Pain Care These pillars build on the Network’s existing strengths by investing in core infrastructure; supporting our people to sustain POR and KM service, maintaining key platforms such as Pain Connect to continue linking people with lived experience (PWLE) and researchers, and upholding our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), including the protection of Indigenous-led programs and relationships. CPN will continue to coordinate with other SPOR-funded entities, including but not limited to the National Training Entity for Patient-Oriented Research, PASSERELLE , on training initiatives, the Ontario SPOR Support Unit on policy brief development, and the Alberta SPOR Support Unit on patient engagement digital storytelling. This collaborative approach enhances the Network’s collective impact and supports national progress of the SPOR program. This extension funding ensures continuity of POR and KM services for pain assessment and management in Canada’s communities while new resourcing strategies are developed and operationalized over the next two years. With this investment, the Network will be able to complete high-impact work that will further advance the trajectory of the CPN as outlined below. These efforts are not only feasible within the project timeline but have a high likelihood of unlocking long-term sustainability and broader systemic change. By retaining what makes the CPN unique, its ability to connect, convene, and turn knowledge into action, this funding will enable the Network to solidify a national legacy of leadership in patient-oriented pain research that cannot be achieved without this support. This extension funding also provides time to review the Network’s governance structure, leadership succession planning, and to assess the most suitable long-term organizational model.