COVID-19 changes to BrainsCAN’s Accelerator Internal Granting Program 

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused on-campus research to be put on hold, resulting in delays for BrainsCAN Accelerator Program projects.

Ensuring the viability of Accelerator projects during this time of physical distancing is essential. Therefore, the BrainsCAN Executive Committee has approved supplementary funding to support active grants and assist grant holders, resulting in the following interim changes to the BrainsCAN Accelerator Internal Granting Program: 

• All active grants are immediately provided a one-year, no-cost extension. This is an automatic extension; no further action is required.
• All salary lines and animal care costs for Accelerator projects will be fully funded for the period of the essential services model (starting March 25th and ending once the essential services model is lifted). Once the university announces that on-campus research can resume, grant holders will be asked to outline the additional costing that was needed for this period.

When the essential services model has ended and the extent of the disruption to research projects is known, additional funding mechanisms for Accelerator project holders may be considered. Details will be communicated at that time.

Questions about the interim changes to the BrainsCAN Accelerator Internal Granting Program can be directed to brainscan@uwo.ca.

COVID-19 update on the BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Fellowship Program 

April 28, 2020  -  BrainsCAN Communications

Over the last two months, BrainsCAN has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 shutdown. It is clear that the current environment has caused research disruptions and difficulties that are affecting outputs from BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Scholars. 

In response, BrainsCAN’s Executive Committee has worked with the BrainsCAN HQP Committee to provide an extension to all Tier I and Tier II BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Scholars for the length of the university’s closure. The official length of the extension will be communicated once the essential services model is lifted by Western. This is an automatic extension – BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Scholars do not need to apply for this extension.

Some postdoctoral researchers may also experience longer research disruptions due to the pandemic. BrainsCAN is developing a process to provide additional funding on a case-by-case basis. Details will be communicated once the extent of the shutdown is known.

On top of the automatic COVID-19 extension, BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Scholars can still apply for the two-year (Tier I) or one-year (Tier II) program extension. It requires filling out the PDF Extension Form located in the menu on the BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Fellowship Program page. This extension form can be completed up until three months before a fellowship term is set to end.

Questions about the COVID-19 BrainsCAN Postdoctoral Scholar extension can be directed to brainscan@uwo.ca.

Details about the impact of COVID-19 on BrainsCAN's Accelerator Internal Granting Program are coming soon. 

BrainsCAN notice for the neuroscience community regarding COVID-19

March 19, 2020  -  BrainsCAN Communications

As we continue to monitor the evolving situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, BrainsCAN is taking necessary precautions and aligning with direction from the university. As such, BrainsCAN staff, including BrainsCAN Research Core staff, have transitioned to remote work for the foreseeable future. 

All BrainsCAN staff are still accessible by email and Slack. Zoom is our primary video conferencing tool available for those wishing to book a virtual meeting. Please note that while BrainsCAN staff are working from home, some working hours will change to accommodate childcare responsibilities. These changes are taking place on a case-by-case basis; please connect with the BrainsCAN team member for specific details.

Based on the directive from the provincial government, Western moved to an essential services model on Tuesday, March 24. All buildings are closed and are not accessible by keycard. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at brainscan@uwo.ca.

Last updated April 28, 2020.