During the COVID-19 pandemic, Health Research BC played a pivotal role in supporting British Columbia’s research response. We swiftly mobilized to enable researchers, institutions, and decision-makers to navigate an unprecedented health crisis. Through targeted funding and strategic partnerships, we worked to keep research moving forward, informed public health decisions through evidence, and responded to emerging needs across the following fronts:

COVID-19 Research Response Fund

With $2 million in provincial funding, supplemented by contributions from our organization and partners, the COVID-19 Research Response Fund was established to tackle immediate and emerging challenges. This initiative provided crucial evidence for decision-makers, particularly in strategies aimed at preventing or mitigating future transmission waves. View the funding recipients and their projects

COVID-19 Research Continuity Fund

Following extensive outreach to Health Research BC-funded researchers by our team during the summer of 2020, the Research Continuity Fund was developed. This fund focused on the continuity of vital research by providing up to an additional six months of salary support for researchers whose work was disrupted by the pandemic. Additionally, we provided supports that aligned with federal funder policies, for example, the reimbursement of caregiver expenses for peer reviewers of our competitions.

Child, Youth & Family Mental Health Impact Grant

Recognizing the pandemic’s impact on mental health, we partnered with Mental Health Research Canada and BC’s Ministry of Children and Family Development to develop the Child, Youth & Family Mental Health Impact Grant. This grant funded one research team to investigate the mental health effects of COVID-19 on families and caregivers of children and youth with special needs. 

Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Research Initiative

In partnership with Genome BC and the Pacific Public Health Foundation, we launched the Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Research Initiative to address knowledge gaps related to COVID-19 vaccinations. BC researchers were invited to submit proposals that addressed priority questions aligned with the work of the BC COVID-19 Strategic Advisory Committee.  

BC COVID-19 Strategic Research Advisory Committee

Health Research BC provided strategic and secretariat support to the BC COVID-19 Strategic Research Advisory Committee, which acted as a vital link between the Provincial Health Officer, government decision-makers, and the BC health research community. Through this work, and in collaboration with national and international partners, we helped increase research funding to the province by optimizing resources, coordinating efforts, and reducing duplication.

COVID-19 rapid response funding 

Health Research BC has historically provided urgent funding when the province needs critical health research data, and the pandemic was no exception. At the request of Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, we funded four urgent research projects. View the recipients and projects

Throughout the pandemic, Health Research BC focused on supporting BC’s health research community by addressing urgent needs and ensuring important work continued to move forward. This work reflects our ongoing commitment to support research talent, strengthen the health research system, and drive action on key health priorities.