OTTAWA – The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) has announced a new grant program designed to create or expand communities of interest within the medical profession. The CMA’s Communities of Interest Grants program will offer four grants of up to $5,000 and one grant of up to $10,000 to CMA members who want to create or expand a community of interest to address issues affecting patients, the health system, or the medical profession.

“Exchanging ideas can lead to solving some of our most pressing health issues,” says Dr. Laurent Marcoux (pictured), president of the CMA. “Communities of interest enable individuals who share a common interest to discuss, debate and dissect an issue and we need to foster and grow their potential. The CMA wants to play a key role in enabling and growing communities that are authentic and applicable to the medical community and other stakeholders.”

As part of the program, the CMA will also provide grant recipients with strategic advice, community management coaching and communications support.

CMA members interested in submitting an application will need to clearly identify the scope of the issue the community will address and have the support of no less than five CMA members or medical learners. Recipients will be selected based on criteria such as inclusion, impact, relevance and strategic approach.

“Connecting and sharing best practices with colleagues is an opportunity to bring real change in healthcare,” adds Dr. Marcoux. Applications are now being accepted for this grant program until May 31, 2018. To apply, or to get more information, CMA members can visit https://www.cma.ca/En/pages/communities-of-interest-grants.aspx.