TORONTO, Tuesday, April 7, 2020: As researchers around the world harness their efforts to make progress in the fight against COVID-19, 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 as a demonstration of York’s on-going commitment to research and innovation. Proposals from applicants across the University, with a focus on any aspect of COVID-19, are encouraged.

“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.

The competition is open to all disciplines and a submission may be made by an individual or a team taking an interdisciplinary approach. Funding for successful projects will be determined by need. Submissions will be accepted by the Vice-President Research and Innovation until noon on April 22, 2020 and successful submissions will be announced on April 30, 2020.

For more detailed information about the York University COVID-19 research fund, please visit the VPRI website.

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York University champions new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-disciplinary programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. York students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world’s most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. York U is an internationally recognized research university – our 11 faculties and 25 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, York is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 300,000 alumni. York U's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.

Media Contact:  Barbara Joy, York University, 416-333-3374, barbjoy@yorku.ca