2026 CIHR-IHSPR and CAHSPR Health Services and Policy Research Impact Award

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research's Institute of Health Services and Policy Research (IHSPR) and the Canadian Association for Health Services and Policy Research (CAHSPR) are pleased to offer the Health Services and Policy Research (HSPR) Impact Award.

The HSPR Impact Award recognizes HSPR that has made an impact by demonstrably contributing to the transformation of health systems, improving people’s lives, or generating social or economic benefits. This award celebrates research that has moved beyond publication to achieve real-world impact, such as influencing policy, improving service delivery, advancing health equity, or contributing to economic and social prosperity.

Dr. S. Monty Ghosh

Dr. Sumantra Monty Ghosh has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Health Services and Policy Research Impact Award for his research and subsequent impact through the National Overdose Response Service (NORS).

Dr. Ghosh was selected through an extensive, national peer-review process in recognition of the exceptional impact of his work. In particular, the review committee recognized his project’s ability to scale and sustain success over the long term, as well as its contributions to social and economic prosperity through the creation of meaningful employment and leadership opportunities for people with lived experience of substance use.

The committee was also impressed by the project’s demonstrated contributions to the quintuple aim. Between 2020-2024, the research demonstrated:

• Lives saved: Over 18,600 service uses with 164 overdose reversals (now more than 300) with zero deaths and only four false emergency call‑outs, confirming the model’s safety and minimal impact on emergency responders.
• High reach among equity-denied populations: 75% of callers were women or gender‑diverse people, and 57% reported they could not access SCSs due to distance, limited hours, or the absence of inhalation services.
• Enhanced access: NORS extended access to overdose prevention to rural, Indigenous, and suburban communities where no SCSs exist.
• Strong economic value: every dollar invested saved the health care system $8.59 and generated $15.84 in broader social return through avoided emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and premature deaths. 
• Economic and social prosperity impacts: meaningful employment and leadership opportunities were created for people with lived experience of substance use, who served as essential operators, researchers, and knowledge translators of NORS.

As the inaugural recipient of this award, Dr. Ghosh is helping to establish a powerful benchmark for excellence in impact-oriented health services and policy research in Canada and beyond. 

Read more about Dr. Ghosh's work and award