Call for Proposals: York University is offering up to $250,000 for COVID-19 research proposals 

In these unprecedented times, York University is issuing a call for time-sensitive special research proposals with a COVID-19 focus. Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars have been committed to this Call as a demonstration of our on-going commitment to research and innovation in this most difficult period. Applicants from across the University are encouraged to apply with a focus on any aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Applicants from across York are encouraged to apply. Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars have been committed.

“As communities around the world struggle to face this pandemic, we have seen the devastating impacts ripple through society. Members of York University’s exceptional interdisciplinary research community are called to respond to this unique challenge with proposals that span all aspects of the pandemic management and its affects and effects: from the personal, social and human health impacts, to the public health and emergency management challenges, and beyond.” says Rui Wang, Interim Vice-President, Research and Innovation, York University.

Applicants should be in a position to initiate the work immediately. The competition is open to all disciplines and may be a submission by an individual or a team taking an interdisciplinary approach. Matching funds from industry, non-profits, or other partners, while not necessary, are of course welcome. Research results may range from publications to all other forms of scholarly and creative production.

Objective: We are seeking innovative and original projects that engage with a made-in-York question/solution interrogating some aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic in which we find ourselves. This question, its investigation, and its outcomes should take up the challenges we face in a unique way.

Value: Funding level is open dependent on project needs.

Duration: 12 months.

Deadline: Submission of application to Vice-President Research & Innovation: 12 noon, April 22, 2020.

Announcement(s) of Award: April 30, 2020.

The proposals will be reviewed by an interdisciplinary Committee of Scholars. For this reason, it is important to make the proposal as clear as possible to an informed, articulate reader who may not know your field. Please complete the linked MACH form and include the following:

1. What is the COVID-19 related challenge you hope to address? (Scope of the Problem) 1/2 page
2. What do you expect to accomplish within 12 months, how do you plan to do it and why is it innovative? (Methodology/Feasibility/Risk) 2 pages
3. What community or communities will be impacted by your research and its outcomes? 1/2 page
4. Budget and Budget Justification. (Overhead is not an eligible expense.) 1 page
5. References. 1 page max.
6. Research bio sketch. How are you (and your team members) uniquely positioned to lead and accomplish this work? 1 page.

Proposals will be judged on originality, clarity, soundness of design, and the bio-sketch as detailed in the sections above. The goal with be to distribute the funds approximately equally across the three broad areas of arts/humanities/social sciences, health and STEM areas to encourage the exploration of diverse perspectives and issues.  However, depending on the number of proposals, their ranking and funds approved, the distribution may vary.

Please use the MACH form to apply.

For questions or additional information, contact Celia Haig-Brown, Associate Vice-President Research (haigbro@yorku.ca) in the Division of the Vice-President Research and Innovation.