Research Contract and Funding Administration

Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) Research Contract and Funding Specialists can:

• identify potential funding sources;
• negotiate contract agreements;
• develop a budget for grant proposals; and
• create and maintain research accounts.

Funding

The SHA administers research funding (awarded to SHA affiliated researchers) from organizations that have a current memorandum of understanding with the SHA, such as:

• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR);
• Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF);
• Royal University Hospital Foundation (RUHF);
• Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation (JPCHF); and
• Hospitals of Regina Foundation (HRF).　 

SHA Contract and Funding Specialists provide support to practitioner staff, staff, and learners seeking research funding. Services include assistance with proposal development, interpretation of granting agency guidelines, review of application content, and recommendations to improve clarity, organization and competitiveness. 

Funding Application Review

Funding applications that will be administered through the SHA must be submitted to the Contract and Funding Specialists for institutional review prior to submission. To allow sufficient time for a comprehensive review, applications should be submitted at least five (5) business days before the application deadline.

Notification of Funding Awards

All SHA researchers who receive research funding to be administered through SHA, including grant funding, sponsored research, and donations, must notify the Contract and Funding Specialists by providing a copy of the award notice/letter. A study specific research account must be established before funds can be administered. 

Institutional Overhead and Indirect Costs

To support the infrastructure, administrative services, and institutional resources required to conduct research, SHA applies a 30% institutional overhead rate for indirect costs to eligible research grants and service contracts. Researchers are encouraged to include these indirect costs in their funding applications and budgets whenever permitted.

Invoice Submission Guidelines

For submitting research-related invoices to researchaccounts@saskhealthauthority.ca, please use the appropriate template based on your study’s funding source. Templates are available in the "Related Documents" section at the bottom of this page.

• SHRF-Funded Studies: Use the SHRF Funded Study Invoice Template.
• CIHR-Funded Studies: Use the CIHR Funded Study Invoice Template.
• Other Research Studies: Use the General Invoice Template for studies not funded by SHRF or CIHR.

Ensure all invoice items are categorized under the correct expense category for accurate and consistent reporting.

These templates are effective as of August 1, 2025. Download the templates from the "Related Documents" section or contact us for assistance.

Contracts

All research contracts and agreements must be reviewed by the Contract and Funding Specialists. Please note that the Research Department will not draft research agreements. The requesting institution is expected to provide the draft of the agreement. 

Documents required for initial review of an agreement:

• A copy of the Study Protocol;
• A draft of the Informed Consent Form (or evidence of an Informed Consent waiver form from the REB);
• A copy of the REB application;
• If the study also involves the University of Saskatchewan or Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, a list of SHA resources (facilities, personnel, and/or records) are required.

SHA needs to be party to a research agreement when a study will be:

• sharing data or personal health information;
• using SHA facilities or services; and/or
• involving SHA patients in research.

Research contracts outline terms relating to study conduct, responsibilities, payment, confidentiality, and liability, among other things. There are several types of research contracts that may be required when conducting research, including but not limited to: 

• Confidentiality agreement/non-disclosure agreement (CDA/NDA);
• Clinical trial agreement/clinical study agreement (CTA/CSA);
• Data sharing/transfer/agreement (DSA/DTA); and
• Material transfer agreement (MTA).

Please send requests for Data Sharing/Transfer Agreements and/or Material Transfer Agreements to SHA Research Contracts team. 

If a research sponsor, collaborator, or lead site has provided you with a research contract, you must include it in your Operational Approval Application.