What is CAHR?
The Canadian Association for HIV Research (CAHR) is the leading organization of HIV/AIDS researchers in Canada. Since its founding in 1991, CAHR has promoted excellence in HIV research, including mentorship and career development of investigators entering the field. CAHR fosters collaboration and cooperation among HIV research communities, including basic, clinical and social sciences, epidemiology and public health and community based research. CAHR is committed to engaging people living with and working within HIV/AIDS and AIDS service organizations in ongoing dialogue and information exchange to ensure that HIV/AIDS research remains responsive to the epidemic and all interested, affected and relevant parties.
Best known for organizing the Annual Canadian Conference on HIV/AIDS Research (CAHR Conference), CAHR also supports its membership via training opportunities for new researchers and other activities that help Canadian researchers respond to the HIV/AIDS challenge. Uniquely, CAHR represents the full diversity of HIV research, active in all disciplines, themes, communities, sectors and regions of Canada.
Membership
CAHR membership is open to all who are involved in or interested in HIV research in Canada, and includes researchers and trainees in academia, community, industry and government; as well as policy makers, service providers, and others from across those sectors.
Vision
CAHR’s effective research training and knowledge sharing improves Canada's HIV/AIDS outcomes.
Mandate
CAHR represents nearly 2,000 members from across Canada. It partners with researchers and people living with and affected by HIV, to:
- promote excellence in HIV research;
- foster collaboration and cooperation among HIV research communities, including basic science, clinical science, epidemiology & public health and social science and support community-based research approaches in all tracks;
- promote education and the development of new researchers; and
- provide a platform for Canadian HIV researchers, and engage diverse stakeholders (community, industry, government, NGOs etc.) in ongoing dialogue and knowledge exchange to ensure that HIV research remains responsive to their needs.
The CAHR Conference
The CAHR Conference is the only national venue for HIV researchers in Canada to present the results of their work and engage in vibrant knowledge exchange activities with their peers, including investigators in other disciplines, and with the HIV/AIDS community at large. For over 30 years, the conference has been held annually in different cities across Canada. What started out as a small annual gathering of biomedical scientists is now the key national meeting place each year for 800-900 delegates from all pillars of research, affected community members, students, policy makers, and other interested parties. The event features award recognition, plenary presentations, special panel discussions, nearly 150 oral abstract presentations including a key populations centric session, and more than 300 poster presentations. As well, each Conference plays host to more than a dozen ancillary meetings, each led by a different partner organizations. As community involvement has been a hallmark of health research and action on HIV/AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic, those living with HIV and/or working in community-based organizations participate at no charge.
Evolution of CAHR
Beyond the annual conference, CAHR has taken great steps over the last decade to fulfill its ambitious mandate. Today CAHR leads multiple workshops a year (over 100 since 2012), undertakes webinars, leads the creation of training e-modules (over 40 developed to date), and offers many academic and professional awards to its members. To support the HIV community, CAHR supports community-based research workshops, supports science cafes, offers nearly 100 community and travel scholarships each year, and promotes and showcases the excellent work taking place in communities across Canada.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
As part of its anti-racism and anti-oppression position statement (2020), CAHR committed to the ongoing training of CAHR Board/staff and undertaking an audit of CAHR bylaws, policies, conferences, workshops and other activities to support new actions. The organization has adhered to these commitments including strict EDI guidelines for CAHR activities, including the conference scientific committee, the selection of speakers for keynotes and oral presentations, and ensuring that the topics of presentations reflect the diversity of affected groups and regions of Canada. Further, CAHR has developed codes of conduct and enhanced data collection efforts of CAHR Conference-goers to ensure future programming reflects the diversity of the HIV community.
Overview of CAHR Annual Supports
Outlined below is an overview of the supports that CAHR offers it membership:
Recognizing and Supporting Excellence
- Red Ribbon Award: community driving award for service to the cause of research and enhancing the quality of life for those living with HIV)
- Mark Wainberg Lecture Award: senior career award which recognizes research excellence and commitment
- CAHR-CANFAR Excellence in HIV Research Awards: mid-career awards in all streams including Community-Based Research (CBR)
- CAHR Conference Academic Scholarships: 8 per year to the highest-ranked abstracts
- CAHR Conference New Investigator Awards: 5 per year to recognize the best oral abstracts
Supporting Training/Education/Knowledge Translation
- CAHR-leads and/or supports Workshops (4-5 each year) covering all tracks including CBR and training level (New Researchers, Early Career, Mid-Career, etc)
- CAHR Conference Community Registration Scholarships (80-100 each year)
- CAHR Conference Community Full Travel Scholarships (5 minimum)
- CAHR support for HIV Science Cafes (1-2 each year)
- Wainberg Fund Travel Awards (12+)
- Health Care Professional (HCP) Travel Awards (30+)
- Training E-Modules (2-3)
