Eligibility of travel fees for researchers due to disruptions caused by COVID-19
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) are aware that the rapidly changing situation involving COVID-19 may have an impact on researchers with plans to travel for meetings or other research-related activities.
Individuals may decide to cancel trips as a result of various considerations and factors such as cancelled conferences, travel advisories (including those from Health Canada and Global Affairs Canada) or personal choice due to health or other concerns.
The agencies confirm reimbursement of non-refundable travel fees from agency funds is acceptable, considering the impacts of COVID-19. This applies to travel for both principal investigators and research personnel when cancellation occurs as described above.
Please note, given the uncertainty of the situation with COVID-19, the agencies suggest anyone travelling for agency-funded research consider purchasing either cancellation insurance or tickets that are at least partially refundable. In this specific situation, some additional cost could still be viewed as economical if it allows for partial or full reimbursement/credit in the event of cancellation.
If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Squires, manager of research accounting, Financial and Administrative Services, at extension 2471 or smelissa@mun.ca.