Supporting research excellence

Memorial University is a place of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship in all its forms. This work enriches Newfoundland and Labrador, contributing to its long-term sustainability socially, culturally and economically while advancing our presence on the world stage. As articulated in Memorial's Research Strategy 2023-28, the university supports and encourages local, national and international research collaborations, while encourages support in high impact research activities in Strategic Research Team areas.

Memorial’s robust research environment is significantly sustained by a dedicated team of grant facilitators officers (GFOs) who are embedded within faculties and units – a vital program directly supported by the Research Support Fund (RSF) base grant. These expert advisors provide critical support to researchers navigating the complex landscape of grant applications and funding opportunities.

During the reporting period, RSF funding enabled Memorial to maintain a full complement of GFOs, directly impacting research success. Officers provided individualized guidance to research teams on proposal development, budget preparation and compliance requirements, resulting in a demonstrably increased application success rate across all disciplines. Beyond application support, GFOs proactively identify funding opportunities aligned with researcher expertise, fostering strategic partnerships and maximizing funding acquisition.

Crucially, GFOs bridge the gap between researchers and research administrative processes, alleviating administrative burden and allowing researchers to focus on scientific innovation. This support is particularly vital for early-career researchers and those new to grant seeking.

RSF investment isn't simply funding research; it's investing in the people who enable research to flourish, ensuring Memorial remains a competitive and impactful force in the national research landscape. Without this consistent support, researchers would face significant hurdles, potentially jeopardizing valuable research initiatives. 

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Turning transformative ideas into real-world impact

Memorial University researchers are at the forefront of addressing challenges facing Newfoundland and Labrador and communities around the world. Through innovative research, collaboration and entrepreneurship, students, researchers, staff and community partners are generating new knowledge and developing solutions with real-world impact.

As Newfoundland and Labrador’s university, Memorial is committed to fostering a culture of innovation-driven research and entrepreneurship to create vibrant communities with sustainable economic contributions within the province and beyond.

The Research Innovation Office (RIO) plays a central role in advancing these efforts, providing support that helps move discoveries beyond the laboratory and into communities, industries, and markets. This work is made possible through the Research Support Fund (RSF), which enables RIO to deliver specialized services and programming that help transform promising ideas into tangible outcomes.

Over the past year, RIO has supported students, post-doctoral fellows and researchers in advancing innovations toward commercialization. RIO advisors provide strategic guidance on intellectual property protection, patent and legal processes, proof-of-concept development, market validation and accessing commercialization funding. RIO also delivers intellectual property awareness and educational programming, engaging hundreds of participants annually and helping to build a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across Memorial.

RSF funding also supports RIO's efforts to connect researchers with industry, government and community partners. Through networking events, workshops and sector-focused initiatives, RIO helps create opportunities for collaboration, knowledge exchange and innovation. One example from the past year was the successful delivery of a panel at a national cold ocean technology innovation event, bringing together researchers, industry leaders and innovators to explore solutions for challenges in harsh ocean environments. These connections help bridge the gap between academic research and industry needs, creating pathways for commercialization, economic development and societal impact.

By supporting innovation, intellectual property development, commercialization and partnership-building activities, RSF funding helps ensure Memorial researchers can maximize the impact of their discoveries and contribute to a more innovative and prosperous future.

Updated Aug. 6, 2026