The Client
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is responsible for encouraging and funding scientific research in its specific areas of interest. Together, they are responsible for the distribution of approximately $500 million of government and corporate research grants annually. This amount is expected to at least double in next two years.
The Business Challenge
The current system, used to apply for and distribute these grants, is a paper-based process that is very administrative and time consuming. CIHR was interested in streamlining this process to encourage more people to apply for the grants and to ease the workload of the scientists who volunteer to evaluate the applicants and their research proposals.
The Solution
Accenture was selected to help this agency define a strategic framework to understand the needs and expectations of all of the involved stakeholders of this process (the universities, the researchers, the governments, the granting agencies and the applicants).
Accenture also developed a strategy involving the creation of an Internet research portal to streamline all of the mechanisms involved in awarding the grants and much more. This portal would allow CIHR to promote their brands, to be recognized as a group who provides research funding, to highlight the
research that they have funded in the past, and also to allow researchers to see any related research that is taking place across Canada.
The Results
Accenture's work provided a foundation for CIHR to develop a proof of concept that could be turned into an actionable work plan. This proof of concept will begin the transformation of this organization's internal processes to establish a delivery model that will create a research net entity where many partners will participate and use this shared service.
This work has set forth a tool that will allow applicants to effectively seek out all of the funding options that are available to them while reducing their search and application time via this specialized Internet portal.
Value Summary
This work brought together Accenture's eCommerce strategy frameworks to help the client establish a number of alternative solutions with Accenture's understanding of the technological
capabilities required to accomplish the client's goals.
Accenture showed this client that their eCommerce strategy should go beyond putting forms on the Internet. This strategy will change the way that they do business and increase the scope of their operations.
Contact Information
For more information on this or related services please contact:
Ron Babin, Associate Partner
Toronto West office
416-641-5483
ronald.babin@accenture.com Graeme Gordon, Partner
Ottawa office
613-750-5265
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