The Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Health System (PRIHS) aligns the knowledge production efforts of researchers with the evidence needs of the health system. Building on the momentum of previous competitions and the new paradigm presented by the COVID -19 pandemic, we are excited to offer the seventh iteration of this program, PRIHS Digital Health. Leaders in our health system can now leverage digital and data-enabled technologies to deliver innovative models of care for patients in Alberta.
In collaboration with our partners at the Strategic Clinical Networks (SCNs) and Integrated Provincial Programs, researchers will identify and propose the implementation of promising solutions to priority health system challenges. These academic-clinical collaborations will help Alberta Health Services (AHS) identify and advance solutions that improve healthcare quality, health outcomes and overall value for Albertans in acute, primary/ambulatory, and/or community-based settings.
We define digital health as the application of technologies to support the delivery of innovative care models that empower patients, families, and their healthcare teams to improve quality of care. Technologies include, but are not limited to, virtual and augmented reality, mobile-health applications, big data analytics, connected devices, sensors, wearables, 3D printing, and computer simulation and modelling.
Alberta Innovates and AHS are investing up to $7 million in the PRIHS Digital Health competition:
- No maximum budget is set for each proposal
- The Project term is up to three years (2023 – 26)
- Proposals with project terms less than 3 years are welcome to apply
Successful PRIHS Digital Health Projects
| Institution | Lead Applicant | Lead SCN | Project Title | Funding Amount |
| University of Calgary | Kamala Adhikari | Pan-SCN | Integrating Prevention into Connect Care for Health (IPiC-Health | $1,050,000.00 |
| University of Alberta | Maria Castro-Codesal | Medicine (Respiratory) | Adoption and enhancement of a care pathway for children with medical complexity: an implementation evaluation project for tracheostomy in pediatrics | $1,128,393.00
|
| University of Alberta | Justin Chen | Medicine (Hospital) | Optimization of Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia Management (OPTIMUS-SAB) | $990,175.00
|
| University of Alberta | Alim Hirji | Medicine (Respiratory) | Telemonitoring to reduce adverse events for hospitalized patients in Alberta | $1,376,850.00
|
| University of Calgary | Matthew James | Medicine (Kidney)
|
UPTAKE: Using personalized risk and digital tools to guide transitions following acute kidney events – computer decision support and remote monitoring to reduce acute care hospitalization. | $1,243,670.28
|
| University of Alberta | Darren Lau | Diabetes, Obesity, and Nutrition | Linking diabetes care: An integrated digital health approach to diabetes with First Nations in Alberta (LINK). | $1,433,750.00
|
| University of Calgary | Prism Schneider | Bone and Joint Health | POWER Program: Personalized Osteoporosis Care With Early Recognition, a novel digital provincial outpatient fracture liaison service. | $1,230,489.00
|
| University of Alberta | Karen Wong | Digestive
Health |
Patient dashboard (PD-IDB) to improve complex care and self-management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) | $1,115,895.92
|
| Total | $9,569,223.20 |
How the Program Works
For a proposal to be considered for funding, applications must:
- be represented by a Primary Lead (Applicant Representative) who holds an academic or research appointment at an Alberta-based Post-Secondary Institution;
- include one co-lead (Co-Applicant Representative) from the SCN or Integrated Provincial Program Leadership Team;
- address a priority as outlined in the SCN and Integrated Provincial Program Transformational Roadmaps;
- consist of one or more evidence-based digital health solution(s) that can be formulated into an implementation study leading to the development of an innovative care model;
- be supported by strong evidence of clinical effectiveness (generated from pilot testing in Alberta (preferable) or another health care setting)
For further details, including application deadlines, please consult the program guide below.
Competition Timeline
Phase 1: Expression of Interest (EOI) to SCNs and Integrated Provincial Programs
EOI Development
January to April 2022
Prospective Primary Leads (Applicant Representatives) connect with Strategic Clinical Networks (SCNs) or Integrated Provincial Programs to discuss ideas. SCNs or Integrated Provincial Programs will invite high potential opportunities to submit an EOI. Contact information and the priority of each SCN can be found here.
Each SCN selects up to two projects to advance to phase 2.
- Submission deadline: April 8, 2022 at 4:00 pm MT
- Decision communicated: May 6, 2022
Phase 2: Full Application
Full Proposal Development
May to July 2022
Primary leads (Applicant Representatives) will be invited to submit a full proposal.
Ten projects advance to Phase 3.
- Submission deadline: July 26, 2022 at 4:00 MT
- Decision communicated: October 7, 2022
Phase 3: Den Presentations
Interactive Proposal Presentation
November 14 – 18, 2022
Successful Phase 2 applicants are invited to present their proposals to the PRIHS Digital Health Selection Committee.
PRIHS Steering Committee approves all funding recommendations.
- Decision communicated: February 2023