Wall Solutions Initiative

This program is under review. We are not accepting new applications at this time.

The Wall Solutions Initiative provides opportunities for University of British Columbia researchers, community organizations and partners to work collaboratively towards solutions. The fundamental aim of the Wall Solutions Initiative is to harness high-level research to the practical needs of local, national or international community partners. The Institute welcomes projects with a transformative vision. Some examples of issues being addressed include impacts of climate change, socio-economic inequality, health care delivery, food and water security, cleaner energy options, challenges in rural communities, etc.

Wall Solutions projects focus on achievement of ‘solutions’, and may include activities beyond the scope of traditional research funding. Where a feasible solution already exists, the project should propose new approaches to overcome remaining issues that are preventing the implementation or adoption of the solution through practice or policy.  Projects are expected to demonstrate active participation and engagement with appropriate end-user and/or community partner(s).

Principal investigators must be full-time UBC faculty in grant/tenure track positions (i.e. Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Full Professor). Clinical Professors are also eligible. Other faculty levels who may be independent researchers, adjunct professors, or instructors are not eligible as principal applicants but may be co-investigators.

  • Local, national or international community partners are eligible co-applicants.
  • Topics addressed may impact communities locally or globally.
  • Plan for implementation and adoption of proposed solution through practice and policy is required.
  • Digital and other forms of knowledge mobilization are eligible for support.

Funding of up to $50,000 for direct research costs.  Eligible expenses include: stipends for research assistant(s), honoraria for non-academic research participants; costs for data collection, online surveys, data analysis; research materials; expenses incurred by community partners; digital formats for knowledge mobilization such as videos and webinars, etc.

UBC Point Grey and UBC Okanagan award recipients/principal investigators must assure compliance with institutional guidelines for conduct of research involving human subjects or animal studies,and diligent oversight of the award funds.

Approval by the relevant UBC Research Ethics Board must be received by the Research Services office prior to Award activation, for any awards involving research on human subjects. Furthermore, award recipients must adhere to UBC guidelines regarding financial conflict of interest, and research conduct. Studies involving animals require UBC Animal Care Committee approval of relevant protocols.

The application window for the Wall Solutions Initiative is currently closed.

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For more information, please contact the Program Manager at: solutions (at) pwias.ubc.ca.