Save time and advance your research with the help of Health Research Services

A student is sitting at a lab bench wearing a lab coat and blue gloves. Behind them are other students and lab equipment.

Health Research Services operates within the office of the vice-dean of Research, Faculty of Health Sciences to support both basic and clinical researchers in a variety of ways, ranging from grant applications and funding opportunities to fully-operated core facilities and equipment.

By Jennifer Stranges

Posted on October 23, 2024

Research is a powerful tool that can change the world. But with so many barriers and the often-difficult task of securing and managing funding, it can be a challenge for researchers to focus on driving innovation and discoveries.

That’s why Health Research Services (HRS) was established: to assist McMaster researchers within and outside of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) in maximizing their research success.

The HRS team operates within the office of the vice-dean of Research, Faculty of Health Sciences to support both basic and clinical researchers in a variety of ways, ranging from grant applications and funding opportunities to fully-operated core facilities and equipment.

“McMaster is home to some of the best minds and laboratories in the country, and research is one of our most prized assets, but we understand that our scientists face many operational challenges when securing grants funds and ensuring their work is compliant with the ethic, regulatory and funding bodies,” says Jonathan Bramson, vice-dean of Research, FHS. “That’s why Health Research Services was established. Whether you need help accessing a specific resource, have questions about using our core facilities, or need advice on which resources might be most beneficial for your research project, HRS is available to support our researchers’ projects from start-to-end.”

Here are some of the supports available through HRS:

Core research facilities: HRS operates state-of-the-art facilities offering specialized services at affordable rates to both basic and clinical researchers. At the cores, scientists can safely study dangerous germs, reveal the tiniest details of materials, analyze immune responses and even create custom scientific equipment. The technical expertise is built into the core operation of each facility, so there’s no requirement to know how to use them.

Research space and equipment: Space and equipment are vital to many projects. HRS can support in securing laboratory space, large equipment purchases, or laboratory furnishings.

Securing funding: HRS guides researchers through the funding process; from finding funding sources and completing grant applications, to facilitating account setup to access your funding to ensure compliance with all university and agency policy and guidelines.

Managing funding: Once funds have been awarded, HRS assists with the drafting and negotiation of agreements as well as issues pertaining to ethics and conflict of interest related to grants. HRS will also help researchers with obtaining a research project to access their grant funds, while adhering to; university policies, the terms of the grant agreement and granting agency policies. The research project will be opened by the Health Sciences Research Finance office.

Access to necessary resources and forms: HRS has compiled a one-stop online shop to help create easy access to research-related training, policies and how-to documents. The resources range from research facilities and library training opportunities to policies and procedures that relate to specific research, and how to create and submit research ethics applications and amendments.

Learn more about the ways HRS can help save time and advance research.

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