The leadership at the College of Medicine is committed to supporting our researchers and expanding on our strengths as we grow our research mandate. In light of this I am delighted to announce a new and competitive internal funding initiative called the CoMRAD – College of Medicine Research Award.

The official call for applicants will be issued on February 8^th, 2016. Researchers within the College who wish to apply will be able to competitively apply for funding for initiatives ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 for a period of one year.

Depending on uptake and peer review the College of Medicine is willing to commit up to $500,000 in this fiscal year.

The office of the Vice Dean Research will be issuing the call and more information about the program including the guidelines and application form will be available on the Vice Dean Research SharePoint website.

We are excited about the possibility of expanding upon our existing strengths in Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Research, Medical Education, Health Systems Services, and Social, Cultural, Environmental and Population Health Research. The College of Medicine recognizes that through the support of our researchers and their endeavours, this work has the potential to make an important and timely contribution to the field of health sciences and health care practices.

Extra Notes on Initiative:

• $5,000 to $30,000 for a period of one year
• Funding is provided for 1 year in length.
• All faculty – Academic and Community Based are encouraged to apply.
• The call will be issued on February 8^th and open until February 29^th.
• There are 5 categories that faculty are encouraged to apply under
  • Biomedical Sciences,
  • Clinical Research,
  • Medical Education,
  • Health Systems Services, and
  • Social, Cultural, Environmental and Population Health Research
• Preference will be given to Early Career Faculty – faculty whose appointment is within 6 years of July 1^st, 2015.
• Faculty are able to apply as A Principal Investigator on 1 grant and a Co-Investigator on 2 others.
• The applications will be peer reviewed by a committee established by the Vice Dean Research Office. The panel will consider:
  • the quality and clarity of the research proposal
  • the feasibility of the proposed research (i.e. Timeline)
  • the novelty and innovation of the research
  • the national or international significance and relevance of the proposed research

I would like to thank Dr. Stephan Milosavljevic for his leadership on developing this funding stream for researchers at the CoM. As many researchers have told me Steve has been a “breath of fresh air” in our research office and this innovation coupled with transparent and credible process is typical of the approach he has brought with enthusiasm to this important role. I would also like to thank Megan Steeves, our Research Manager, who has been very helpful, Dr. Bruna Bonavia-Fisher (COM research facilitator) for her thoughts and guidance, and Brad Steeves, our Acting Chief Operating Officer, who has been instrumental in marshalling the resources to support this initiative.

Thanks to all others who have provided input to construct this award. I look forward to seeing our researchers, especially those launching their research careers or those in need of a short term boost take advantage of this opportunity.