Nova Scotia Health awards $1.9 million to 28 researchers

A total of 28 researchers have been awarded $1.9 million through the Nova Scotia Health Research Fund.

Held once a year, this fund aims to build the capacity of Nova Scotia Health’s researchers and students and helps to catalyze new research opportunities.

“We are so very pleased to be able to provide members of our research community with either their first project funding or ‘seed’ funds to test new ideas,” said Dr. Gail Tomblin Murphy, Vice President, Research, Innovation and Discovery and Chief Nurse Executive at Nova Scotia Health. “The care we provide is directly impacted by the research we conduct, and we aim to continually increase the support available to our researchers and use their insights to inform how we can provide the best possible care to Nova Scotians.”

There was an unprecedented level of interest in this year’s competition with 65 applications submitted. Priority areas included:

• Aging and continuing care
• Mental health and addictions
• Vulnerable populations
• Expanding telehealth/virtual care
• Chronic illness
• Improving access to primary health providers
• Recruitment and retention of health professionals
• Addressing surgical wait times
• Women’s health
• Prescription drug coverage
• Overall patient access and flow

“Research is what helps us change people’s lives and transform our health care system,” said Dr. Jordan Warford, Senior Director of Research. “Building on what’s possible, our talented research community is opening up new opportunities to improve health services for Nova Scotians.”

Nova Scotia Health’s Research Fund has four categories:
• Category 1 – $100,000 for experienced researchers
• Category 2 – $100,000 for early career researchers
• Category 3 – $50,000 for all researchers
• Category 4 – $10,000 for research students and trainees

A complete list of recipients is available online on the Nova Scotia Health Research Fund webpage at http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/discovery-innovation/research-fund.