Funding, News and Announcements

Date:     April 28, 2020
From:    Dr. Alice Aiken, Vice President Research and Innovation
To:          Dalhousie’s research community
CCs:       Deans / Associate Deans Research

First let me thank you all for continuing to work to the best of your abilities during these very challenging times, and for your patience as we navigate through these uncharted waters. I sincerely hope you and those closest to you are safe and healthy. Please know the Office of the Vice President Research and Innovation (OVPRI), the Office of Research Services (ORS) and the Industry Liaison and Innovation (ILI) office are here to support you in any way we can to help you continue to be as productive as possible. Our goal is to continue to support research in a manner that facilitates the safety and well-being of our research community.

There have been many messages coming to you about HR and working with your staff and students, their memos are here.  We are very pleased that the Tri-Agency has directed that research personnel should remain employed through the research shut down (link here). The Federal government has also announced supports for graduate and undergraduate students (link here) that may help mitigate some financial concerns for those who should be paid, but who may not be doing research at this time. We are meeting weekly with your Associate Deans Research (ADRs) who are also able to support you.

For those who have funding from industry, ILI has been reaching out to help those concerned about meeting the terms of their contracts. Should you require assistance please contact ILI (Stephen.hartlen@dal.ca) and they will help you work with your industry partners. For those who have funding with other partners, such as foundations and government departments, and are concerned about meeting the terms of your agreement please contact ORS (Nancy.hayter@dal.ca). We are standing by to help.

In addition, our Dal Innovates innovation and entrepreneurship programming has moved online and has adjusted to support students and researchers responding to the pandemic, including Lab2Market Health, Ready2Launch and CDL Recovery. The OVPRI and ILI have also supported researchers working with the Emera ideaHUB in developing PPE for hospitals and health professionals.

Our team has been working with Environmental Health & Safety, Facilities Management, the Dalhousie Research Advisory Committee (DRAC) and other academic leaders to develop a robust and meaningful road map that will lead us to a thoughtful, structured and safe re-opening of research space. Accordingly, the OVPRI expects to communicate with you very soon about how we will work together to start up laboratory and field research again, in a phased and controlled manner, when and as it is safe to do so. 

Thank-you for working with us through this very difficult time. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any concerns.

My best,
Alice