Inaugural funding competition attracts applications from 35 teams
Author: Maria Lee Fook
Six teams involving researchers from across the disciplines have received funding from the Interdisciplinary Research Fund (IRF).
The IRF supports research projects involving two or more Faculties and is intended to build and strengthen academic, industry and community networks to better position research teams to apply for major external grant awards.
Bonny Ibhawoh, acting associate vice-president, research, who spearheaded the initiative, says each project will receive $20,000 from the fund in addition to contributions from each Faculty.
The competition attracted over 35 applications and included more than 125 researchers from all six Faculties and a number of centres and institutes.
“The crux of these awards was to bring together researchers from across all Faculties who share a common research interest,” says Ibhawoh, adding that the response demonstrates there is a collective desire to tackle research projects from a variety of perspectives.
“The strong response to this initiative is a true testament to the versatility and innovative spirit of our researchers here at McMaster,” he says.
Interim Vice-President, Research, Allison Sekuler, agrees and notes that McMaster has built its brand on creating a culture of collaboration.
“The Office of the Vice-President, Research, is excited to put more resources behind this effort by contributing to these awards, fostering cross-discipline activity and realizing our research potential to promote economic, social and cultural prosperity,” she says,
The IRF awards are supported through the Forward with Integrity initiative and the Office of the Vice-President, Research.
To read the full article click here: https://www.research.mcmaster.ca/news/interdisciplinary-research-fund-awards-six-research-teams
