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Research Nova Scotia grants support new perspectives for a healthier future

Posted by Andrew Riley on February 2, 2023 in News
 

To kickstart research innovation with the potential to improve health care in the province, Research Nova Scotia (RNS) has awarded close to $1 million in New Health Investigator Grants to 10 Dalhousie researchers.

The funding goes to scholars at the outset of their careers to establish and expand projects that promise to help solve some of our toughest health care challenges. Grant recipients will grapple with urgent issues, including the impacts of COVID-19, emergency room use, equity in access to services, our aging population, and leading causes of death like cancer and kidney disease.

“This early-stage funding is incredibly important for getting new innovations and careers off the ground. Researchers build their impact over time. It starts with a brilliant idea, but that idea can only flourish with the appropriate support. Strategic funding like this ensures ideas turn into innovations that improve and extend lives,” says Dr. Alice Aiken, Dalhousie’s vice president, research and innovation.

Recipient and Faculty of Health researcher Dr. Shanon Phelan focuses on understanding and improving the inclusion and belonging of young people with disabilities and their families. She says the funding is empowering her to bring benefits to the broader community.

“This award has created an opportunity for me to lead an interdisciplinary team of researchers and youth co-researchers focused on gaining insights into social inclusion for children experiencing disability to improve and promote health, well-being, and inclusion in all aspects of community and cultural life,” she says.

Funding for New Health Investigator Grants is provided by the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness. Recipients received between $47,125 and $100,000.

“Improving healthcare is a priority in our province and we are confident these recipients’ work will inform practice, policy, and decision making to positively impact Nova Scotians’ health,” says Stefan Leslie, CEO of RNS.

Meet the Dalhousie recipients of the New Health Investigator funding and learn more about their research.