The Government of Canada recognizes the important role of researchers in developing innovative solutions to health and societal issues. We also recognize the impact that COVID-19 has had on these operations. On Friday, our government announced $450 million in funding for universities and health research institutes across Canada. This funding will:
- Provide wage support of up to 75% per individual, amounting to a maximum of $847/week, and will also apply to research staff whose work has been temporarily suspended. This is equivalent to wage support offered through the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.
- Offer cost-coverage of up to 75% for current essential research and re-starting operations after COVID-19. This will support activities such as the safe storage of dangerous substances and restarting data sets that were interrupted during the pandemic.
- Be distributed through the three federal granting agencies: the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
- Build on the $291.6 million to federal granting agencies to extend expiring federal graduate research scholarships and postdoctoral fellowships, and supplement existing federal research grants to support students and post-doctoral fellows, announced on April 22nd.
- Allow all Canadian universities and health research institutes that are eligible for funding through these federal granting agencies, and ineligible for other COVID-19 emergency wage measures, to access support through this temporary program. The funding will be delivered as a block grant, so institutions can access help quickly to address their most pressing needs.
More information can be found here: https://pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2020/05/15/prime-minister-announces-support-research-staff-canada
While my office is closed, my team and I are here to help. Should you need assistance in accessing the above funds, please feel free to contact us at the coordinates below.
