In 2020, the Covid Quick Start Fund was launched to help address pandemic-related challenges with 11 projects funded (see below). This enabled Memorial University’s faculty, staff, and students, in partnership with public partners to work together on ways to help address the impacts of COVID-19 on individuals, groups and organizations.

The COVID-19 Quick Start Fund (CQS) for Public Engagement offered up to $2500 for projects, partnerships or initiatives that contribute to addressing immediate and long-term needs of COVID-19 and align with Memorial’s Public Engagement Framework. Proposals were assessed based on the potential impact and timeliness of the proposed project in addressing and responding to COVID-19 and related challenges.

See the FUND GUIDE HERE for more information.

For additional program questions, please contact engagement@mun.ca.

COVID-19 Quick Start Fund Recipients

Spring-Summer 2020

• Professional Learning for TESL Teachers in NL in a Time of Change. Xuemei Li, Faculty of Education
• Breath: Digital / Virtual Commissions for Choirs during COVID-19 - Audio & Video Support. Matthew Milner, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Re-Building Welcoming Communities: Discovering Local Solutions to Address Community Concerns in a Post-COVID Newfoundland. Chris Paterson, The Harris Centre
• Supporting individuals with respiratory problems virtually through exercise and singing. Jane Gosine, School of Music
• What do Mothers Think About Virtual Care? A Public Engagement Survey of Maternal Mental Health Care Experiences During COVID-19. Caroline Porr, Faculty of Nursing
• The Short-term and Long-term Business Responses to COVID-19 Pandemic. Tony Fang, Faculty of Business Administration
• Creating professional development and networking opportunities for international students in and newcomers to NL. Andrew Kim, School of Grad Studies
• The Development and Evaluation of Online Educational Videos to support local breastfeeding families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Anne Drover, Faculty of Medicine (Pediatrics) 
• Empowering maritime key workers in the COVID-19 global pandemic. Desai Shan, Faculty of Medicine, Community Health and Humanities
• The impact of COVID-19 isolation on long-term care (LTC) residents and their families in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). Robert Wilson, Faculty of Medicine, Community Health and Humanities