A new funding program to address public health challenges created by the pandemic has been announced by the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF) and the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation (NBHRF).

The fund will support research efforts to develop, test, and implement new methods of detecting and/or combatting COVID-19; and assessing its effects on people, communities, and the economy, the partners said in a statement.

Applicants may request a maximum of $50,000. Proposals for amounts as small as $2,000 will be accepted. Matching funds are not required.

Projects with budgets in excess of $50,000 can apply, and the partners request applicants list additional funding sources (requested or secured) and the corresponding amounts, for informational purposes only.

A researcher may submit more than one application.

For information on the award administration and eligible expenses, refer to the NBIF Research Award Administration Guidelines which also apply to funding from NBHRF. 

Applications will close on April 20 at 5 pm.  Notices of decision will be sent by May 11th, 2020.

The start of the project should be within 6 months of the decision date and projects may have a maximum duration of 1.5 years.

Applications must be made via the NBIF application portal. 

Note that total funding for each application will be disbursed by one of the partnering organizations, depending on the area/sector/nature of research identified in a proposal. Applicants will receive a notice of decision from either NBIF or NBHRF.