Brandon University’s (BU’s) research infrastructure will benefit from $516,686 in federal funding for the 2021-22 year through the Research Support Fund.
The Research Support Fund helps to cover the indirect costs of sustaining top-notch research environments at Canadian universities. It offsets expenses such as maintaining and updating institutional facilities and equipment, administration of research programs, and other support. The amount of funding each university receives is based on the value of Tri-Agency research grants it has earned over a three-year period. This is the first time BU’s Research Support Fund allocation has been more than $500,000 for a single year.
“Our researchers have had tremendous success in developing and attracting federal funding for world-class projects in recent years,” said Dr. Heather Duncan, Associate Vice-President of Research at BU.
“Producing high quality work requires an investment in infrastructure, and the Research Support Fund allows our faculty to remain on an equal footing with the best researchers in their fields.”
Last year’s funding was used for items including updates and repairs to the animal care facility. It also was used by Information Technology Services at BU to maintain and improve high-speed network capabilities and improve access to research tools. The Research Support Fund supported the John E. Robbins Library in enhancing access to digital research databases and research preservation, as well as for the digitization of newspaper, historical records and oral histories. Additionally, the funding assisted in communication of Brandon University research by enabling the production of the popular Research Connection bulletins and the formalizing of the BU Strategic Research Plan booklet.
More information about the research support fund is available at https://www.rsf-fsr.gc.ca/home-accueil-eng.aspx
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When next semester comes into effect next year at Brandon University, not much is expected to change. The school said it is going to continue with its “strong precautions” to protect students and staff against COVID-19 in the winter semester, which starts in January 2022.
“We’re on the more cautious side, and we are not apologetic about that. We have seen a successful Fall Term, we know this has been working and we believe this is a roadmap for a successful Winter Term,” said Dr. David Docherty, the president of the university, in a statement.
With school staying as status quo, it means classes of 25 or fewer people will be held in person and larger classes will be held online.
The school added there is one change to that rule as classes larger than 25 can be held in person if a professor requests it, there are reasons that support the decision, and physical distancing can be maintained.
Physical distancing, indoor mask-wearing, and proof of vaccination will all be required at the campus.
“We know how important certainty is for everyone at BU, and throughout the pandemic we have striven to outline plans that we can stick to, making changes only when we believe they are firmly supported and that we can be confident in them,” the president said. “There’s been enough uncertainty and our goal is to deliver another safe term of learning and working with no surprises.”
The school will also allow some events to be held on campus like meetings for community groups, as long as all members follow the school’s rules.
