Science + Policy
Strength in Numbers How Canada’s federal granting agencies joined forces in the response to COVID-19
Alejandro Adem
President of the Natural Science and Engineering Recearch Council of Canada (NSERC)
Ted Hewitt
President of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)
Roseann O’Reilly Runte
President and CEO of the Canada Foundation of Inovation (CFI)
Michael Strong
President of the Canadian Institutes of Health Reserch (CIHR)
T
he COVID-19 pandemic and resultant lockdown have been difficult for Canadians, as these unprecedented events have created significant turmoil and uncertainty across our society. Yet, amidst this upheaval, we have seen some positive stories emerge. One of these stories involves the extraordinary response of Canada’s research community as well as the rapid collaboration amongst Canada’s research funders in the face of this crisis.
Canada’s researchers dedicate their lives to answering critical social and scientific questions and to solving our problems, both big and small. From societal concerns, to health issues, to technological solutions and beyond, researchers are now increasingly called upon to share their knowledge as all sectors look to them for answers and trust them to provide evidence-based solutions. During times of crisis, as we are now seeing throughout the world, citizens also look to their governments for direction, support, and the resources needed to overcome challenges that arise. Canada’s researchers have been exemplary throughout it all. From the moment the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, researchers from across Canada immediately stepped up to assist in our country’s response. From vaccine development and personal protective equipment manufacturing, to epidemiological tracking, mental health, and wellness guidance, researchers have been working tirelessly to meet the many challenges arising from the pandemic. This included researchers from other fields who set aside their own work to contribute their expertise. As just one of many examples, Dr. Art McDonald (winner of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics) switched from physics to engineering to help create an inexpensive and
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