The M.S.I. Foundation was established in 1970 through the efforts of Alberta physicians, led by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta. After the advent of Medicare in Canada, the Alberta physician-sponsored medical services insurance plan was no longer required, and the $3 million dollar reserve fund was used to endow a foundation to support "research into any aspect of the provision of medical and allied health services." Over its 49 year history, the Foundation has contributed over $12 million to more than 900 medical and health research projects in Alberta.
The Foundation fosters and supports research into any aspect of the provision of health and allied services to the people of Alberta, and the promotion of matters of health in the interest of the people of Alberta. At the present time, the Foundations resources are focused on building capacity in community-based research through program funding, and supporting novice and emerging investigators in the field of health services and population health research.
The Foundation is a registered charity and may receive gifts for charitable purposes. It does not conduct research itself, but rather supports research projects of interest to the Foundation and based in Alberta institutions or organizations that are eligible recipients as defined by the Federal Income Tax Act.