The government of Prince Edward Island announced today that new funding of $700,000 will be made available over the next three years to enhance health research in the province. The funds will be allocated from the PEI Health Research Fund established by the province last year.
Provincial Treasurer Pat Mella advised that this is a strategic initiative by the Government of Prince Edward Island to support the current work of Island researchers, and to attract new federal research dollars to the province.
"The federal government will soon be implementing several major new health research funding initiatives," she said. "The funds we are announcing today will enable Island researchers to apply for up to $900,000 in additional federal matching grants. This will mean a total of $1.6 million in new health research dollars for PEI over the next three years."
Health and Social Services Minister Mildred Dover advised that there is a growing interest in research at the provincial and national levels, and the funding will be a welcome announcement for the Island research community. "Most research funds now available are in matching grants, and it is difficult to attract a dollar if you do not have a dollar of your own," said Minister Dover. "By helping our researchers to leverage these new funds, the whole province benefits in terms of economic benefits and new knowledge about our health and health services."
Minister Dover advised that enhancing PEI's research capacity has many benefits. "Research can enhance our understanding of common illnesses such as asthma and diabetes, and it promotes evidence-based decision making in our health system," she said. "Credible research enhances the profiles of our university and educational institutions and creates employment; for example, it is estimated that up to 75 percent of research grants are used for salaries," she said.
Guidelines to apply to the PEI Health Research Program are now available. For information, call the Department of Health and Social Services at 368 6147, or visit our website at www.gov.pe.ca/hss.