Our Project Spotlight series highlights special initiatives that Research Manitoba and RITHIM contribute to, whether through funding or staff support and involvement. It showcases the impact of these collaborations across Manitoba and beyond, highlighting how strategic investments and partnerships are advancing research, strengthening capacity, and supporting innovation in priority areas.
Research Manitoba is proud to be supporting Canada’s Clinical Research Workforce Strategy, a national initiative hosted by N2 Canada aimed at strengthening the talent pipeline that supports clinical trials nationwide and increasing visibility of the research delivery workforce that underpins Canada’s broader research and innovation ecosystem. With RITHIM Director, Elizabeth Lylyk, serving on the national Leadership Committee, Manitoba is helping shape a coordinated, pan-Canadian approach to strengthening our clinical research workforce.
“With more than 18 years of experience working across the clinical trials ecosystem, I’ve seen firsthand how essential a strong, skilled, and sustainable clinical research workforce is to Canada’s ability to advance high‑quality health research. My passion for this work comes from watching talented coordinators, investigators, and research professionals overcome systemic challenges every day to deliver high‑quality studies that directly benefit patients.
I am deeply committed to advancing a national workforce strategy that recognizes their expertise, strengthens training pathways, and builds the capacity we need to conduct world‑class research here at home. Supporting and elevating Canada’s clinical research professionals isn’t just a priority – it’s a responsibility, and one that I’m proud to champion.”
A clinical trial is a research study involving human participants that evaluates the safety and effectiveness of new treatments. These studies are essential for advancing medical knowledge and ensuring that new therapies are safe and effective before they are widely used.
Behind every clinical trial is a team of Clinical Research Professionals (CRPs), who manage and coordinate the study from start to finish. They work closely with patients, clinicians and sponsors to support participant recruitment, collect and manage data, ensure ethical and regulatory compliance, and keep trials running smoothly and safely.
These professionals are the operational backbone of the health research ecosystem, working across roles such as coordinators, data managers, regulatory specialists and ethics professionals. Despite their essential contributions, the workforce remains under-recognized and under-supported.
The national strategy responds to a growing workforce crisis. High turnover, temporary funding models and limited career pathways are creating instability across the system. As highlighted in the strategy, these challenges can disrupt trial continuity, increase costs and, in some cases, lead to delays or even study cancellations. At the same time, there is no consistent national framework for training, job titles or qualifications, making it difficult to build a strong and cohesive workforce.
Canada’s Clinical Research Workforce Strategy aims to address these challenges through coordinated, system-level solutions. The strategy brings together partners from across the country to align and strengthen existing training and workforce development efforts rather than duplicating them. A key pillar of the strategy is also to support internationally educated health professionals who choose to transition into clinical research careers, but who often encounter barriers related to non-recognition of foreign credentials and limited formal entry pathways into the field.
Several core priorities guide this work. These include:
- defining clear entry and advancement pathways;
- aligning job titles and role descriptions across jurisdictions;
- establishing equitable compensation structures; and
- building a stronger professional identity for CRPs.
The strategy also includes the pursuit of a National Occupational Classification, which would formally recognize clinical research as a distinct profession and improve access for skilled workers, including newcomers to Canada.
Beyond workforce stability, the strategy highlights broader system benefits. A more coordinated and well-supported workforce will help accelerate clinical trial timelines, improve data quality and strengthen patient safety. It will also enhance Canada’s ability to attract and deliver clinical trials, ensuring that patients have faster access to innovative treatments and that Canada remains competitive globally.
RITHIM’s involvement reflects our ongoing commitment to strengthening clinical research infrastructure and collaboration both in Manitoba and across Canada. By participating in this national initiative, RITHIM and Research Manitoba are helping to advance solutions that support researchers, improve system efficiency and ultimately benefit patients.
This strategy represents an important opportunity to recognize and invest in the workforce behind clinical research. By working together across provinces, institutions and organizations, Canada can build a resilient, skilled and supported workforce that is ready to meet the future of clinical research.
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Contact:
Research Manitoba
info@researchmb.ca | researchmanitoba.ca | rithim.ca
Research Manitoba
Research Manitoba promotes, supports, and coordinates the funding of research excellence and innovation in health, natural and social sciences, engineering, and the humanities in Manitoba. Research Manitoba supports local talent development by providing research support to early career researchers and graduate students, along with fostering strategic partnerships to strengthen research and innovation in Manitoba.