Montreal University Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM)

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Opportunity The Montréal University Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM) is the research arm of the Centre hospitalier de l’université de Montreal (CHUM). Despite a centralized administration, researchers and students were conducting research across six sites, creating less than optimal conditions. In 2000, a modernization program was launched to bring all CHUM activities together on one site, a massive multi-building healthcare complex covering four blocks in downtown Montréal. The first step in the multi-phased redevelopment project involved the construction of new CRCHUM facilities on the south end of the future hospital site. In July 2007 the Ministry of Health and Social Services announced that CRCHUM would be built would be built using a public-private partnership. Innovations The private partner was required to finance the project, with periodic payment throughout the design and build phases linked to progress, incentivizing on-time completion. Monthly service payments over the duration of the Project Agreement are performance-based, incentivizing the private partner to keep facilities available and to meet or exceed expectations. Results The new CRCHUM facilities consist of two new buildings totaling 68,000 square feet. It is one of the first research centres to house a full research continuum including basic science, clinical research and population health research. The research centre is comprised of a series of wet laboratories generically organized to support fundamental research. CRCHUM focuses on seven research themes related to CHUM’s priorities: cancer; tissue injury, infection, immunity and inflammation; neuroscience; cardiometabolic; risks, prevention and health promotion; evaluation, care systems and services; and imaging and engineering. The research centre has an integrated teaching and training facility for CHUM personnel. More than 1,730 people work at CRCHUM including 443 scientists and 420 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. CRCHUM scientists publish more than 750 scientific articles each year contributing to the institution’s excellent international reputation. In 2015-2016 CRCHUM generated $73 million dollars in research and operative revenues. CRCHUM’s continued ability to conduct high quality academic research contributes to better health for Canadians.

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