Krista Davidson

Memorial is poised to launch a number of programs, initiatives and services in the New Year as part of the Strategic Research Intensity Plan 2014-20’s vision to “be one of the most distinguished public universities in Canada and beyond.”

The Seed, Bridge and Multidisciplinary Fund will support new, “early days” innovative research projects, provide valuable funding for researchers between grants and encourage multidisciplinary research, particularly research that is aligned with the priority research themes of the Research Strategy Framework. Normally, the fund will stimulate research intensity through student engagement, thereby enhancing the student research learning and training experience. Recipients can receive up to $10,000 to fund their research over a two-year period.

The deadline to apply for the 2015 pilot program is January 15, 2015, by 5 p.m. Click here to apply online.

“One of the common barriers that researchers face in their work is locating and identifying possible funding sources when grants and awards come to an end,” said Dr. Carrie Dyck, associate vice-president (research), pro tempore. “The creation of this fund will eliminate this significant research barrier, while also presenting opportunities to engage in multidisciplinary research that enhances the student research learning and training experience.”

“Building on the foundation of the Research Strategy Framework’s goals of excellence, growth and impact, the Seed, Bridge and Multidisciplinary Fund is one of many activities that have been identified in the upcoming years that will help Memorial to enhance its research capacity and grow the pool of talented researchers,” said Dr. Ray Gosine, vice-president (research), pro tempore.

For the inaugural 2015 year, there will be two competitions. In the first competition, applications will be solicited for a January 2015 deadline date (with results announced in early to mid-February). For the second competition, applications must be received by Nov. 30, 2015 (with results announced Feb. 1, 2016).

In subsequent years, the fund will have two competitions, also. The relevant dates are as follows: applications must be received by May 1, 2015 (with results to be announced by June 1), and Nov. 30, 2015 (with results announced Feb. 1, 2016).

For each competition, the vice-president (research) will chair and select a peer-review committee of five members from five distinct academic units. Applications will be adjudicated based on a number of criteria, such as excellence of the research proposal, degree to which the proposal constitutes a request for seed, bridge, or multidisciplinary funding, a track record of educating, training and supervising students and other criteria which will be provided in a call for proposals.

The fund implements one of the eight recommendations outlined in the Strategic Research Intensity Plan 2014-20, which reflects a synergistic and integrated approach for strengthening all aspects of research at Memorial University, including scholarship and creative activities, as well as the transformation of knowledge into projects, practices and policies, and other forms of community engagement. To view the plan or find out more about the fund, please visit www.mun.ca/research.