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In an announcement made today by Premier Doug Ford and Ross Romano, Minister of Colleges and Universities, the province is investing $20 million to advance medical research and develop tools and resources against COVID-19.

Various types of research will reportedly be eligible for the funding, including researching the COVID-19 strain, developing a vaccine, enhancing testing procedures, improving modeling tools to help track the virus, and more.

The Ontario government says it’s particularly interested in proposals that are “highly feasible with achievable results within one year or a maximum of two years.”

The province is calling on its research institutions, postsecondary institutions, and non-profit scientific partners to take action.

“We have some of the best and brightest minds anywhere in the world right here in Ontario,” said Premier Ford.

“Whether it’s developing a vaccine, using 3D printers to make personal protective equipment or designing better portable ventilators, our brilliant researchers are leading the charge in the fight against COVID-19 and giving our frontline health care workers the tools and resources they need to deliver top-notch care for patients.”

Ontario researchers are encouraged to submit their proposals through the Ontario Together portal, which launched on March 21 to locate or manufacture emergency products and identify innovative solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to individuals and corporations, the portal includes an option for research institutions to submit ideas about how to expand health care capacity and knowledge, better utilize artificial intelligence, or build Ontario’s current and future supply chain capacity.

“Our province, our country and the entire world face an unprecedented situation, and the innovation and expertise of our research community is needed now more than ever,” said Romano. “We need to continue mobilizing people and ideas and leveraging our top talent in this global effort to find a solution to this crisis and keep people safe.”

Research submissions through the Ontario Together portal will be accepted until Friday, April 24, the province says.