Canada Research Continuity Emergency Fund

The CRCEF is being rolled out in three stages. Stages 1 and 2 correspond to the first objective above, with Stage 2 effectively serving as residual support for demonstrated needs in excess of the Stage 1 allocation.

Stages 1 and 2 are directed specifically at wage support for research personnel (graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and other personnel associated with research projects) paid from non-governmental sources (e.g., philanthropic funds, industry-sponsored trials).

Stages 1 and 2

Upon confirmation by TIPS of program specifications for the CRCEF program, the University of Toronto and its Toronto Academic Health Science Network (TAHSN) affiliated institutions moved quickly to establish discussion tables to ensure coordination and consistency in responding to this important opportunity. TAHSN established a CRCEF Steering Committee, comprising representatives of the twelve hospital research institutes and the University, complemented by a TAHSN CRCEF Data Working Group, comprising financial/research operations representatives of each of the twelve institutions. Each group is diverse in its make-up and all members of each group have undertaken unconscious bias training.

The University of Toronto, in collaboration with the Steering Committee and  Data Working Group, undertook analysis to determine “notional allocations” across the 12 institutions, using to the full extent possible the Canadian Association of University Business Officers (CAUBO)-informed formula/data applied by TIPS in determining the TAHSN Stage 1 allocation of $41.6M. The allocations and supporting data were shared with all affiliates. Open and transparent exchange of information has been a cornerstone of engagement throughout the process, consistent with the approach to all matters of shared interest over many years. Together, and in consultation with TIPS, the 12 institutions confirmed a common approach to determining CRCEF-eligible funding sources and FTE.

Given the timing of the receipt of the Stage 1 payment by TIPS to the University of Toronto, all twelve institutions, including UHN, were able to complete their Stage 1 and 2 eligible wage subsidy analyses, rendering data regarding the eligible head count and wage subsidy expense for both Stages 1 and 2. This enabled the University of Toronto  to clarify the exact amounts required at each Stage for each institution. In a few cases, institutions required less than the CAUBO-informed Stage 1 amount, which was reallocated on a pro-rata basis to those institutions that required additional funds beyond the CAUBO-informed allocations. These actuals (and projections to 29 August 2020) were entered on the Convergence Portal confirming our shared need for the full $41.6M allocated to the TAHSN system in Stage 1, and an additional $9M sought through Stage 2. The University of Toronto has entered into an inter-institutional agreement with UHN and each of the other affiliated hospitals/research institutes to enable transfer of funds upon receipt from TIPS.

Stage 3

Funding for this stage of CRCEF support will follow the same principles and processes as in Stages 1 and 2. Details related to Stage 3 will be provided at a later date.

UHN is deeply committed to championing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in our learning, research, work and service environments and strives to embed these values in all of its activities and decision-making processes.

As part of its CRCEF decision-making process, UHN established a CRCEF Advisory Committee (CAC)—comprising the Executive Vice-President, Science and Research; Director, Research Strategy; Director, Research Financial Services; and various research leaders—to oversee the institutional approach to allocation of CRCEF funding. The committee comprises diverse and representative individuals from UHN’s seven research institutes and includes members from different equity-seeking groups. The committee also includes a Human Resources Research Equity Advisor who is part of UHN’s Research EDI Advisory Committee. To ensure EDI best practices, the EDIAC was consulted during the CRCEF decision-making process.

UHN’s strategy for EDI in the allocation of CRCEF funds incorporates a number of EDI principles, including the following:

• Internal communications regarding the opportunity use inclusive language and highlight UHN’s commitment to EDI in managing CRCEF funds;
• Personnel involved in managing the allocation of CRCEF funds are required to complete unconscious bias training;
• Decision-making processes recognize and value research that is non-traditional or unconventional, based in Indigenous ways of knowing, outside the mainstream of the discipline, or focused on issues of gender, race or minority status. This is achieved through several measures including multidisciplinary CAC membership that includes knowledge in a range of fields;
• Decisions are not negatively affected by a researcher’s inability to work during the pandemic due to child/family care or increased risk related to exposure to COVID-19; and
• The CAC reviews all processes and supporting documentation, to ensure that processes were robust, transparent and that all potential beneficiaries were treated equitably.