As a result of diminishing funds for anesthesia-related research from provincial and national agencies through the 1970’s and 1980’s, the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society (CAS) identified that new funding for focused laboratory and clinically-based research would be essential in advancing the knowledge base in the field of anesthesia. Only in this manner would continuous improvements in clinical anesthesia, perioperative medicine, and acute and chronic pain management be ensured.
As a result, CARF was founded in 1979 to administer research funds, and provide support to researchers in anesthesia who are members of the CAS. The funding framework allowed the CAS to launch the Society’s Research Grants Program in 1985, with the first annual CAS Research Award being presented to Dr. Howard Nathan for his work on “Anesthetics and Myocardial Ischemia”.
Today, the Program administers almost $300,000 annually in the following target areas:
- Operating Grants (New Investigator and Open Awards)
- Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society Award
- Dr James Beckstead Award
- Dr R A Gordon Research Award
- Fellowship Awards (Research training Award)
- Career Scientist Awards (Two Salary Awards to support the investigator’s non-clinical research time)
- Resident Research Award
- Ontario Anesthesiologists – CAS Residents’ Research Grant
- Section Operating Grants
- Ambulatory Section Research Grant
- Section for Education and Simulation in Anesthesia Research Grant
- Environmental sustainability Section Research Grant
- Obstetric Anesthesia Section Research Grant
- The Su Ganapathy Regional Anesthesia Research Award
- Dr Earl Wynands CVT Section Grant
The Awards are administered annually, based upon the peer-review process and recommendations of the CAS Research Committee.
