• SEARCH Classic
  • Delivering Residential Learning Programs
  • Curriculum
  • SEARCH Faculty
  • Applying to SEARCH
    • Who Should Apply?
    • Sponsoring a SEARCH Participant
    • Application Forms
    • Application FAQ
    • Timelines for SEARCH VII
    • Learning Charter
  • SEARCH Projects
• SEARCH Custom
• Seed Funding
• 2009 SEARCH Forum
• Awards of Excellence
• Events
• Knowledge Services
• SEARCH Network

Sponsoring a SEARCH Participant

Participants in SEARCH are sponsored by their employing agency.  Organizational sponsorship entails:

1. Time to attend learning modules
2. Negotiation of relevant project topics
3. Job design that encourages research and evidence-based practice
4. An environment that allows for the application of skills and knowledge, and
5. Commitment to address project results

SEARCH participants are expected to attend a two-day module preparation, plus all of the modules. They also require protected time, to work on SEARCH-related projects -- facilitated by managers.

There are two projects to be completed during the two-year program:

1. Broadly applicable to choosing and synthesizing evidence for application
2. Focused on a locally relevant question related to creating evidence for application in the local context.

Both projects are designed to be important, timely and relevant to both the organization and the participant, so as to have great potential to inform decision-making at a local and provincial level.

Managers are absolutely key to ensuring participants are supported throughout the program, and are advocates for evidence-based decisions within the organizations and the SEARCH Program role in building that capacity. The value of SEARCH is enhanced through the commitment of the supervisors, mentors and research champions in the health organization.

Recognizing the key role managers play over the two years of a participant's learning, SEARCH builds support for this group into the program. A manager orientation is held prior to the formal start of the SEARCH Classic Cohort to help managers better understand the program and the impact it will have on them, their employees, and the sponsoring organization. Two additional managers' meetings will be held throughout the cohort; it is important that managers attend these sessions as a starting point in supporting their SEARCH participant.