Canada’s COVID-related Research Support
Public health emergencies such as COVID-19 affect the lives of people, families and communities. In early March, the Government of Canada announced an investment of more than $275 million in funding for research on measures to combat COVID-19. Of this investment, $27 million was allocated to research through the three federal research funding agencies―the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) ―the Canada Research Coordinating Committee, through the New Frontiers in Research Fund, the International Development Research Centre and Genome Canada. The international research community, research funders and public health institutions are cooperating to look for novel solutions, from new vaccines to more effective communication about the pandemic. To date, over 95 projects led by Canadian researchers are focussed on developing and implementing measures to rapidly detect, manage, and reduce transmission of COVID-19, as well as assess its impacts.
- Government of Canada invests $27M in COVID-19 research (https://www.canada.ca/en/institutes-health-research/news/2020/03/government-of-canada-invests-27m-in-coronavirus-research.html)
- Government of Canada funds 49 additional COVID-19 research projects (https://www.canada.ca/en/institutes-health-research/news/2020/03/government-of-canada-funds-49-additional-covid-19-research-projects.html)
Information from Canada’s Tri-Funding Agencies
If your research is funded by a federal agency such as CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC, review each agency’s websites for information on how your current and/or future research may or may not be impacted.
- Tri-Agency Message on COVID-19 (https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/51915.html)
- Reimbursing non-refundable travel fees due to disruptions caused by COVID-19 (https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/51898.html) and (https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Media-Media/ProgramNewsDetails-NouvellesDesProgrammesDetails_eng.asp?ID=1133)
- Funding ongoing and incremental costs of research activities during the COVID-19 pandemic (https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/InterAgency-Interorganismes/TAFA-AFTO/guide-guide_eng.asp)
- Tri-agency College and Community Innovation Program – Applied Research Rapid Response to COVID-19 (https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Innovate-Innover/CCI-COVID_eng.asp)
- NSERC and SSHRC Grant Extensions. Academic institutions can immediately approve extension requests up to 12 months for Agency grants with an end date between February 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021, inclusive.
CIHR
CIHR is closely monitoring the evolution and impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and is taking action to support its grants, scholarship and awards recipients, as well applicants and peer reviewers. Visit this page regularly for messages from CIHR President, Dr. Michael Strong, and updated information for the research community: https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/51917.html.
- Impact on CIHR’s policies, programs and operations (https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/51912.html)
- Cancellation of the Spring 2020 Project Grant Competition (https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/51927.html)
- Canada’s rapid research response to COVID-19 (https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/51890.html)
SSHRC
As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, SSHRC management is assessing additional measures that may be needed to support SSHRC-funded students, postdoctoral fellows and research personnel and address concerns. Visit this page regularly for updated information on the impacts of COVID-19 on SSHRC’s policies and programs: https://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/news_room-salle_de_presse/covid-19-eng.aspx.
- A Message from SSHRC’s President and Vice-President, Research, in response to COVID (https://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/about-au_sujet/president/2020/covid-19-eng.aspx)
NSERC
NSERC continues to adjust its operations as it monitors the evolution and impact of COVID-19. Visit this page regularly for messages from CIHR President, Dr. Alejandro Adem, and updated NSERC program information in relation to COVID-19: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Media-Media/NewsRelease-CommuniqueDePresse_eng.asp?ID=1139.
- Extension of Discovery Grants (https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Media-Media/ProgramNewsDetails-NouvellesDesProgrammesDetails_eng.asp?ID=1144_
- Update on COVID-19 and impact on policies, programs, and operations (https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Media-Media/ProgramNewsDetails-NouvellesDesProgrammesDetails_eng.asp?ID=1136)
- NSERC Alliance COVID-19 grants (https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Innovate-Innover/COVID-19/index_eng.asp)
- Other exceptional expenditures – NSERC confirms that if there are other costs incurred that are not covered by other sources of funds within the institution, and provided these expenses would otherwise have been eligible to be paid out of the grant, these can be paid from existing grant funds.
- Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE). Application deadline for letter of intent extended.
- Research Tools and Instruments (RTI). Release of results proceeding as planned.
Other Funding Sources
Others may have funding from sources other than the tri-agencies (for example, provincial funding, associations, foundations, private industry, universities); in that case, check in with your funding provider to assess the impacts of COVID on your research funding and deadlines.
Where do I go for more information?
To obtain important and up to date information about COVID-19, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) website at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
Provincial, territorial, and some municipal associations of psychology often maintain referral services. For the names and coordinates of provincial and territorial associations of psychology, please visit: https://cpa.ca/public/whatisapsychologist/PTassociations
This fact sheet has been prepared for the Canadian Psychological Association by Dr. Lisa Votta-Bleeker, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Psychological Association.
Date: May 7, 2020
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