The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (The Institute) recently announced the recipients of the Beyond the Paper – Knowledge Mobilization Grants, an initiative designed to help researchers extend their findings beyond academic publications into practice, policy and community settings.
Developed through the Mentorat intégral pour la science inclusive (MISI) project led by the Institute’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and The Desjardins Centre for Advanced Training teams, the program provides awards of up to $3,000 per project. The competition funds initiatives that develop knowledge mobilization strategies adapted to women and Indigenous communities, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Projects are selected through peer review and aim to strengthen the translation of research into action.
2026 Grant Recipients
The funded projects represent diverse approaches to advancing inclusive research impact:
- Alexandra Kindrat, PhD – Hybrid panel bridging Indigenous and women’s health perspectives
- Emily McDonald, MD, M.Sc. – Co-created educational tool reflecting Indigenous priorities in medication safety
- Romina Pace, MD, M.Sc and Sahar Fazeli, PhD – Indigenous peer mentor storytelling to improve diabetes care and the Chisasibi Photovoice Exhibition promoting culturally safe care
- Judy Luu, MD, PhD – Culturally responsive cooking workshops mobilizing heart health and nutrition knowledge
- Marilyn Ahun, PhD – Toolkit to strengthen crisis support for women experiencing mental health challenges in Ghana
- Carrie Martin, BA, BSW – Community-based research translation on sexual and reproductive health for Indigenous women living with HIV
- Annie Leung, MD – Her Circle of Care community health initiative
- Andraea Van Hulst, PhD – Knowledge exchange on interprofessional collaboration in perinatal care
- Stella S. Daskalopoulou, MD, M.Sc., PhD – Community initiative on resilience after preeclampsia
Together, these projects aim to ensure that research findings are accessible and responsive to community needs. In doing so, they contribute to research environments, methodologies and outcomes that prioritize collaboration, inclusion, and impact across the life course.
The importance of this approach has also been emphasized by researchers at The Institute who focus on moving research beyond publication. As Argerie Tsimicalis, RN, PhD, Shriners Investigator in the Surgical and Interventional Sciences Program, has noted: “Moving research beyond the paper means ensuring that discoveries are translated into care, creativity and maintaining community engagement. It means sharing findings in ways that people can understand, apply and integrate into everyday practice.”
The Beyond the Paper grants aim to ensure that this approach continues to shape how research is shared and applied across The Institute.
Acknowledgments
The MISI Project is supported by the NovaScience Program in partnership with the Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie, Gouvernement du Québec.
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Beyond the Paper – Knowledge Mobilization Grants for Inclusive Science