Published: December 6, 2023
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Congratulations 2023 public impact award recipient, dr. steven beyea

Congratulations to Dr. Steven Beyea on receiving the 2023 Public Impact Award at the 21st Discovery Awards.
The Public Impact Award is proudly presented and sponsored by Research Nova Scotia. It’s awarded to a researcher whose research has benefited the well-being of the province and people of Nova Scotia. The recipient’s work intentionally responds to the needs of society, solves a problem, manages a risk, or creates an opportunity for Nova Scotians.
Congratulations to all three finalists: Dr. Sara Kirk, Professor Jennifer Llewellyn, and Dr. Steven Beyea.
Scotia Scholars Undergraduate Award

The 2023-24 Scotia Scholars Undergraduate Award provides financial support to students with exceptional potential who are, or wish to be, engaged in a health research project at participating institutions.
This award supports the growth and retention of highly skilled individuals who are advancing and translating knowledge in disease detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention; strengthening health care delivery systems; caring for vulnerable populations; and preventing negative impacts to health and wellbeing.
There will be an information webinar on December 13, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. (AST). Register here.
Application deadline: February 1, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. (AST)
Canadian Science Policy Conference

In November, Stefan Leslie, CEO of Research Nova Scotia, had the pleasure of participating in a panel at the Canadian Science Policy Conference in Ottawa. Thank you to fellow panelists Tim Murphy and Bev Holmes, and Frédéric Bouchard for framing the discussion on the critical importance of aligning Federal and Provincial/Territorial vision and action for a stronger Canadian Health Research System.
Provinces should take every opportunity to exchange views on supporting research.
Here are some key takeaways:
- The absence of a national strategy for science, research, and innovation fosters duplication and fragmentation. The presence of a strategy would drive the whole ecosystem toward common strategic objectives.
- A gap in research support is connecting research and innovation. Canada’s “challenged middle” (between discovery research and market use) necessitates co-design and co-decision making to bring research and innovation together, which would produce great benefits for society.
- Adequately supporting the talent continuum in a simplified and harmonized manner is not only a moral imperative, but it also has large strategic ramifications for Canada, if not addressed.
- Fragmentation (funding and timelines) at several levels of infrastructure, equipment, projects, people, operating funds and talent (etc.) is an impediment to the necessary synergies for Canada/provinces/territories to achieve better research and innovation performance.
- The National Alliance of Provincial Health Research Funding Organizations is a natural partner vehicle for governance insights, strategy development, and execution.
Current Opportunities
Ukrainian Emergency Research Support Program

The Ukrainian Emergency Research Support Fund will provide funding to undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers who are accepted by a Nova Scotian institution to continue their research work. Postsecondary research institutions and research-focused organizations are eligible hosts for the grants, which are intended to offset some of the costs of outfitting offices and labs, renting out or sharing equipment, and integrating visiting Ukrainians into a Nova Scotian education system.
join cihr’s governing council

CIHR is seeking diverse and dedicated individuals to join its Governing Council. Your expertise will help shape strategic directions, goals, and policies for CIHR.
Application review date: December 15, 2023
CIHR FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

CIHR has a large list of current funding opportunities including Team Grants, Project Grants, Fellowships, Undergraduate and Doctoral Awards, Operating Grants, Catalyst Grants, and more.
Cancer Research Society Operating Grants

The Operating Grants Program is the principal means by which the Cancer Research Society (CRS) fulfills its mission to support fundamental, early translational and environment-cancer research on all types of cancer to contribute to the advancement of science aimed at preventing, detecting and treating this disease.
The CRS Operating Grants Competition takes place every year and is open to researchers across Canada.
CIHR Institute of Cancer Research is also a co-funder.
Letter of Intent due December 19, 2023
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS – DALHOUSIE CROSSROADS INTERDISCIPLINARY HEALTH RESEARCH CONFERENCE

Abstract submissions for the Crossroads 2024 are open. Submissions are open to current students (undergraduate, graduate, post-doctoral, or professional programs) or students who have graduated after March 2020.
Crossroads provides a forum for interdisciplinary learning and collaboration between students and experts in health-related fields.
Abstract submission deadline is December 18, 2023.
perennia climate adaptation leadership program

The Climate Adaption Leadership Program (CALP) is funded through the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change to increase Nova Scotia’s understanding of the impacts of climate change and specifically support individual agricultural sectors develop and implement plans that help to build capacity within the Province to increase resilience to those changes.
For more information, please contact:
Allan Thomson
athomson@perennia.ca
job opportunities with solutions for kids in pain

Dr. Christine Chambers’ team at Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP) have two new positions available:
Lead, Knowledge Mobilization
SKIP is seeking a driven and innovative individual to join the team as a “Lead, Knowledge Mobilization” who will help advance pediatric pain management at IWK Health and across the Atlantic Region.
Applications close December 18
LEARN MORE
Communications and Engagement Specialist
SKIP is looking for a Communications and Engagement Specialist as they transition from an NCE-funded network to an official research centre at Dalhousie University. This individual’s expertise will be vital in crafting SKIP’s strategic communications and engagement initiatives.
Applications close December 8
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UPCOMING EVENTS

MSSU WEBINAR: SUPPORTING MARITIME LEARNING HEALTH SYSTEMS
What is a learning health system?
At its core, learning health systems (LHS) aim to generate evidence through healthcare practice and apply those lessons to improve the health system and healthcare. While the idea is gaining in popularity, there are still many ways to structure these systems in practice.
This three-part session will introduce the concept of LHS; walkthrough a new Maritime-made model for LHS and discuss available supports; and share reflections on the role of community in LHS.

MHRC WEBINAR: NAVIGATING WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH – DATA UNVEILING AND PROACTIVE STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
Join Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC) as they delve into the results of their latest reports in partnership with Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, compliments of Canada Life.
Renowned workplace mental health expert, Mary Ann Baynton, will guide attendees through the revelations of this report and unveiling strategies for enhancing mental wellness in the workplace.
Beyond Research Podcast

On the Beyond Research Podcast we discuss how important discoveries across disciplines are helping shape our lives. Listen as we speak with talented researchers who are working to solve our biggest challenges.
Season 3 recording is now in progress.
We invite you to catch up on our first two seasons and download a few of our most popular episodes from last month.
Available wherever you get your podcasts.
NEW EPISODE: SEASON 3, EPISODE 3 – Agricultural Resilience: The Blueberry Effect

On the surface, this episode may seem like a story about boosting blueberry production, but it’s a tale of how local research can shape not only an industry, but an entire sector.
In this episode, we hear from Dr. David Percival and blueberry veteran, Gary Brown as we explore how this research isn’t just about more blueberries in the box; it’s about influencing agriculture on a broader scale, both locally and internationally. This work is addressing challenges facing all agriculture crops, like disease, pests, and a changing climate. Listen to discover the intricate connection between research, agriculture, and the broader public good.
TOP EPISODES FROM November

In the news
- 2023 Public Impact Award Finalists (video)
- Child Poverty: How behavioural science can help improve uptake of social programming (video)
- Dal researchers tested the water in a local lake for viruses. Here’s what they found
- Nova Scotia biologist adapting COVID-19 technology to detect oyster disease
- MSSU Report to Community 2022-2023
- Health Research Foundation announces the recipients of two health research awards
- Scotia Scholar looking for people to participate in a study who engage in activities to share knowledge related to child health and pediatric pain
- Psychology professor studies the silent epidemic of burnout in healthcare
