Appointment of Special Advisor on Graduate Student Pathways

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Rachel La Touche as Special Advisor on Graduate Student Pathways from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. Professor La Touche will work collaboratively with the Vice-Dean, Graduate Education and units within A&S to review the pathways aspect of the current Milestones & Pathways program and advise on modifications to further enhance the success of the program.

New Virtual Mental Health Offering

The A&S mental health team is offering a new suicide alertness training program that helps to create suicide-safer communities. This two-part training includes an interactive online module and a follow-up webinar specific to U of T. This training is available to Arts & Science faculty, staff, graduate students and postdocs.

2020-21 Learning and Education Advancement Fund Call for Proposals

The Learning and Education Advancement Fund (LEAF) has released its call for proposals for 2020-21. LEAF accepts applications from first-entry divisions across the University for teaching and learning projects that anticipate, leverage and create positive changes in both the modes and mechanisms of undergraduate education.

New for 2020-21: The Impact Grant stream will not be offered during the 2020-21 funding cycle, as the program undergoes a five-year review. The Seed Grant stream will continue to accept applications. Faculty and units can apply for $5,000 – $15,000 per year for up to three years with the Seed Grant. Arts & Science faculty and units are asked to follow the internal A&S review process if they are interested in developing a LEAF application.

Reminder – Mitacs Research Training Award

Arts & Science welcomes applications for Mitacs Research Training Awards. The award will provide opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to undertake a short-term paid research training internship at a Canadian institution. Students receive an opportunity to enhance their skills through interaction with faculty and hands-on research and training experience. Projects must begin by August 31, 2020. Internal A&S application deadline: July 31, 2020 at 4 pm. For complete program details, process, requirements, etc., please consult the A&S Mitacs Research Training Award Program page.

New Frontiers in Research Fund – Exploration 2020 Application Development Support

Arts & Science faculty members who are preparing an application to the New Frontiers in Research Fund – Exploration (NFRF-E) 2020 competition and would like application development support, please contact Monica Caverson, Funded Research Officer, Office of the Dean, Arts & Science. The deadline to submit a mandatory Notice of Intent (NOI) on the Convergence Portal is August 11, 2020 at 12 pm. MRA approval is required by Research Services for NOIs by August 11, 2020 at 12 pm. Please submit on MRA before August 11, for Unit and Divisional approval. Further details can be found on the U of T Funding Opportunities website.

Making & Sustaining the Pivot: Adapting Your Research During COVID-19 and Beyond

The Centre for Research & Innovation Support (CRIS) is launching a new webinar series: Making & Sustaining the Pivot: Adapting Your Research During COVID-19 and Beyond.

This series will offer practical supports and tools for adapting and reinventing traditional research methods and approaches on the third Tuesday of every month. Registration is now open.

Session 1: August 18, 2020, 11 am-12 pm
Introduction to REDCap – A tool to support data collection at a distance

Session 2: September 22, 2020, 10 am-11 am
Remote Research Involving Human Subjects – Exploring security, privacy and ethical considerations

Call for Proposals – International Student Experience Fund (PDAD&C #5)

The International Student Experience Fund (ISEF) supports curricular and co-curricular initiatives that: enhance the experience of international students; foster intercultural and international-to-domestic student, staff and faculty engagement; and internationalize the U of T student experience. ISEF supports two streams of activities, Seed ($5,000-$15,000 per year) and Impact ($15,000-$60,000 per year). Seed applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Impact letters of intent are due on October 16.

U of T Measure for Non-Medical Masks or Face Coverings in Indoor Public Spaces

As of July 7, individuals who are in an indoor space that is normally publicly accessible are required to wear masks or face coverings when measures such as physical barriers are not available – a measure the University will be extending to classrooms. Work is underway to provide more guidance on the wearing of masks in classrooms and other settings on campus in the coming weeks. The guidance will consider issues of enforcement, accommodation for those who can’t wear masks for medical reasons and equity.

Fall 2020: U of T’s Plans, COVID-19 Updates & FAQs

Read the latest news about U of T’s plans for a safe and gradual return to campus on the main UTogether website. And please continue to refer to the following resources, which are updated frequently:

• A&S Student FAQs: A&S-specific answers to questions and concerns from students, updates to academic policies and deadlines, and messages from Dean Woodin to students.
• Research FAQs: A message and answers to FAQs from the Division of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation.
• Top 10 COVID-19 Research Updates and other helpful links: Arts & Science round-up of all COVID-19 related research information, resources, funding opportunities and supports.
• HR & Equity COVID-19 website: Guidance on topics such as telecommuting, flex-time arrangements and pay continuity.

To stay informed, please consider signing up for the Provost's Digest. You can also refer to Government of Canada travel advisories, Toronto Public Health advisories and the University of Toronto website.