Organization: Thistledown Foundation

A philanthropy-backed experiment in fast, flexible funding for COVID-19 delivered results

The pandemic provoked a bold experiment in research funding that put money into the hands of two dozen Canadian COVID-19 researchers in record time. Known as Fast Grants, the philanthropy-backed initiative has changed how COVID-19 is detected, tracked and treated and inspired others to rethink how science is funded, especially during emergencies.