History

The concept to create the Canadian Arthritis Network grew from Arthritis 2000, an in-depth consultation with the arthritis community held by The Arthritis Society in April 1997.

It was created in response to the need for a multi-disciplinary, collaborative approach to arthritis research.

In the months following Arthritis 2000, a task force led by Drs. Tony Cruz, Jeff Dixon, John Esdaile, Cy Frank, Ed Keystone and Robin Poole defined research themes and identified key services needed to carry out the research. Their vision also involved the creation of a novel program to develop Canada's next generation of arthritis researchers.

In October 1998, the Canadian Arthritis Network received a four-year, $14.5 million grant from the federal Networks of Centres of Excellence program, becoming the first NCE to receive a disease-specific grant.

Revenue is reinvested into our operations. CAN's long-term goal is to create a national research infrastructure that supports ongoing excellence in arthritis research and development through multi-institutional transdisciplinary partnerships between researchers, industry, government and consumers. These interactions will forge a legacy of collaborative research and development initiatives that will generate innovations of benefit to Canadians with arthritis.

In November 2004, the Canadian Arthritis Network received a $16 million grant from the federal Networks of Centres of Excellence for the first four years of a second cycle of funding.

In December 2008, that funding was renewed by the federal government for another three years to enable the Canadian Arthritis Network to complete its full 14-year-term. With a further $12.2 million in funding and a deadline of March 2012 looming, the Canadian Arthritis Network is committed to spending wisely to offer strategic support to its researchers and stakeholders over the next three years while identifying its legacy and exploring opportunitites for sustainability.

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