Canadian Cardiovascular Society
 
Canadian Cardiovascular Society

2026 CCS Call for Topics Information Guide

The 2026 Call for Topics is now closed.

A PDF of the Guidelines Development Process can be found here.

Introduction

The Call for Topics (CfT) season for Guidelines and Clinical Practice Updates (CPU) has arrived!

The Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) Guidelines Committee is seeking submissions from CCS members in good standing to help determine topics for the development of Guidelines and CPU beginning in 2026. The Guideline Committee aims to approve 2-3 Guidelines/CPUs for the upcoming year.

In addition to the CCS Call for Topics (CfT) there are three other submission categories:

  • Major Recurring Topic
  • Targeted Topic
  • White Paper

These additional categories were created to address identified process improvements and in response to feedback from CCS member leaders and consultations with the CCS Board, CCS Council, Canadian Journal of Cardiology (CJC) and Canadian Cardiovascular Affiliate Senate (C-CAS)*.

We look forward to receiving high-quality submissions that support CCS’s Mission and Vision:

  • Mission: We advance heart health for all.
  • Vision: Strong heart teams in a heart-healthy Canada.
  • Strategic Pillars:
    • We set standards for excellence in heart health and care.
    • We build the knowledge and expertise of the heart team.
    • We influence policy and advocate for the heart health of Canadians.

Read CCS’s Strategic Plan here

Submission Link: MY.CCS.ca

The Call for Topics submission system opens November 3, 2025 and closes December 1, 2025. Detailed timeline is below. Note that no late submissions will be accepted.

The process for each category is described below. Please ensure you read each of the sections in detail.

Open Call for Topics (CfT)

The Call for Topics submission system opens on November 3, 2025, and closes on December 1, 2025 at 11:59 pm ET. Please login to MY.CCS.ca, click Get Involved and Call for Topics. 

Please review the deadlines, criteria and checklist listed below to ensure all requirements are satisfied. Additionally, kindly review the footnote at the end of this document.

No late submissions will be accepted – the link will be disabled after 11:59 pm ET, December 1, 2025.

______________________________________________________________________________

Submission Requirements Checklist

PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW THE CHECKLIST TO ENSURE ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE SATISFIED

Develop a complete, well-prepared submission including the following:

Submitting Member Information

  • CCS Member submitter’s complete contact information. 
  • Active, paid CCS membership and number (required to submit)

Topic

  • Identify whether the topic is a Guideline or CPU (see table at end for comparison). Please review the Major Recurring Topic list below. Topics that clearly duplicate or conflict with a scheduled Major Recurring Topic in the same year are unlikely to receive high priority.
  • Given the potential nuances and variations in overlap, it may be beneficial for you to contact the Guidelines Committee at guidelines@ccs.ca to inquire about the degree of any conflict or overlap. Alternatively, the committee may reach out to you directly regarding this issue.
  • If the topic is a CPU, state the document format (e.g. pathway, position, clinical advice or update, algorithm, checklist, etc.).
  • Signature of the President of any CCS Affiliate(s) who agrees to collaborate on the Guideline/CPU: please list the Affiliate(s). See CCS.ca for CCS Affiliates.  Please note this is optional.

Title, Scope and Rationale for the proposed Guideline/CPU (up to 1,000 words); items to address include:

  • Brief description of clinical burden to be addressed: breakthrough recommendations, gaps in care, major changes or gaps in evidence, large and unique implications for Canada (in published evidence or context), clearly defined needs/voice of People With Lived Experience (PWLE) (those who use health or care services, carers, or communities affected by the Guideline/CPU).  
  • Indicate why there is potential for this Guideline/CPU to address gaps in care and outcomes for PWLE.  
  • Identify sources of clinical evidence (e.g. systematic reviews) or any preliminary literature reviews and include reference to policy and/or economic evidence (if possible). Please note this is optional
  • Up to 5 key references. Please note this is optional
  • The target audience(s) for the Guideline / CPU. (i.e. Physicians (specialists [community and academic], primary care providers), nurse practitioners, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, exercise physiologists, social workers/psychologists, people with lived experience (PWLE), carers of people with lived experience). 
  • Date of last CCS Guideline or CPU publication, if applicable (past Guideline/CPUs: https://ccs.ca/guidelines-and-position-statement-library/)
  • Guidelines and CPUs currently in development are listed at the bottom of the page here: https://ccs.ca/guideline-development/  
  • Suggestions for knowledge translation approaches (evidence-based welcome) that address clinician and PWLE need.  
  • If you wish, you may include the names of potential co-chair(s) and/or possible Primary Panel Members. However, please note the process whereby these positions are populated has changed. The CfT submitter may identify a second Co-chair for Guidelines Committee consideration. 

Nomination Information

Co-chair nominee(s) and Primary Panel member suggestions:

  • The Guidelines Committee will select Co-chairs and will approve the Primary Panel^  

Co-chairs:

  • Self-nomination from the CfT submitter is welcome for one Co-chair position (see Co-chair position description)
  • Letter-of-intent with an up-to-date list of conflict(s)-of-interest (COI) is required for self-nominations

The Primary Panel, including the second Co-chair, will be co-created with the Guidelines Committee, is subject to Guidelines Committee approval and will be a balanced group with:

  • All members provide relevant and complementary expertise necessary to address the Topic and Scope of the CPU/Guidelines.
  • Equity, diversity, and inclusion; gender, geography, and career stage will be considered.  
  • A total of 7-20 members with representation from the target audiences of the Guideline/CPU with clinical and scientific expertise, and experience as a Guideline/CPU panel member.
  • Methodologist(s) who are experts in assessing evidence, have knowledge of or practice in the topic area and GRADE (1 for CPU and 2 for Guidelines).
  • 1-2 PWLE and/or carers on the primary or secondary panel to inform questions and validate needs and scope of the Guideline/CPU (this is topic dependent).
  • Inter-disciplinary heath care providers/teams (i.e., pharmacists, nurses, primary care providers). 
  • Any other important end-users that are not covered above.
  • Competencies described in the CCS Core Competencies for Committee members.
  • Balanced COI: Primary Panel must be 50% + 1 with no significant conflicts. COI will be verified with CCS staff support. 

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please review list of Major Recurring Topics below. You should avoid submitting a Guideline topic that is listed in this category (you may submit a CPU on these topics). One or more of these topics will be developed in 2026. 

Submission Evaluation

Evaluation will be assessed according to the submission criteria above.

All Guideline Committee members will assess each submission, and the committee will meet to review results, discuss, and identify successful topics^. 

Steps and Tips

  1. Begin discussing your topic idea with other CCS members and Affiliates.
  2. Draft your submission according to the submission criteria above, including a letter-of-intent if you are self-nominating as Co-chair.
  3. Enter your submission into the submission portal from November 3, 2025, and closes 11:59 p.m. ET, December 1, 2025.

NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Timeline

DatesStepOwner
October 21Heads-up communications (Pulse): begin planning and submission draftCCS Member
November 3Portal opens enter submissionsCCS Member
December 1Portal closes 11:59 p.m. ET ABSOLUTELY NO LATE SUBMISIONSCCS Staff
December 2 – December 12Report development  CCS Staff
December 12 – January 9Assessment period Guideline Committee
January 15Guideline Committee Review 1  Guideline Committee, CCS Staff 
February 2-4Communication and letters preparationGuideline Committee, CCS Staff
February 12NotificationsCCS Staff to CCS Member Submitters

 

The Guidelines Committee aims to approve 2 to 3 Guidelines/CPUs for the upcoming cycle. General information about the CCS guideline development process can be found here; detailed information will be provided during the development processes, if approved to proceed.

New for Guidelines / CPU Development

There are three (3) additional categories for Guideline / CPU development

Major Recurring Topics

Pre-determined, high-impact Guideline topics that require regular updates, address the greatest needs of CCS members, patients and the broad healthcare community. These will be administered by the Guidelines Committee, are scheduled in advance and DO NOT require an application, though CCS Members may email their interest in participating as outlined above.

The priority for the upcoming topics is outlined below, though they may be subject to change:

  • Acute Ischemic Heart Disease – 2026
  • Chronic Vascular Disease – 2026
  • Heart Failure – 2027
  • Valvular Heart Disease – 2027
  • Cardiac Devices – 2028
  • Slot for potential new major recurring topic

Topics slate will be on a 4- to 5-year rotation, priority/order defined by the Guidelines Committee.

Targeted topic(s)

These are topics approved in response to a significant need or urgent/important change in the cardiovascular environment. The decision is made by the Guidelines Committee in consultation with stakeholders: CCS Leadership Team, C-CAS, CCS Board, CCS Council, Advocacy Committee, CJC, EDI Committee, Continuing Professional Development Committee.

Targeted topics could be a Guideline or CPU.

White Papers

These are topics of interest that indicate new or evolving information, controversy, or specific interest related to sub-specialty Affiliates. White papers require involvement of the Affiliates, but do not rise to the level of CPU/Guidelines, as determined by the Guidelines Committee and must undergo and be accepted by the traditional Peer Review process by the CJC. The CCS does not provide support for topics in this Category because White Papers may be submitted and accepted to the CJC without Guidelines Committee involvement, the Guidelines Committee will serve to ensure that a proposed white paper does not conflict with nor duplicate a Guideline or CPU. If a white paper in scope, aligns with a Guideline or CPU, the topic will be submitted in the CfT and assessed according to the requirements listed above. If a CCS member has an interest in a white paper, consultation with the Guidelines Committee and CJC is strongly encouraged.

Read more about white paper publications at CJC online: https://onlinecjc.ca/content/authorinfo 

Questions

If you have questions related to the CfT process, please email guidelines@ccs.ca; your email will be responded to within 24 hours, excluding weekends. 

If you have questions related to the submission system, please contact Christine Le Grand at legrand@ccs.ca 

Thank you! We look forward to reviewing your submission.

Related Information:

  1. CCS Guideline Co-chair Position Description with CCS Competencies 
  2. CCS CPU Co-chair Position Description with CCS Competencies 
  3. CCS Chair and Committee Member Competencies 

Footnotes: 

^ Guideline Committee decision authority is documented in the CCS Delegation of Authority instrument and aligns with the CCS Governance structure.

*CCS Board, CCS Council, C-CAS, CCS membership and CJC.

Guideline vs. a CPU  

  

Guidelines

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