**The new deadline for applications is Friday, November 11th, 2022!**

The ScienceUpFirst Community Engagement Grant program aims to fund CASC member organizations to deliver facilitated activity(ies) in consultation with equity-deserving communities across Canada (such as Indigenous Peoples, racialized people, LGBTQ2+ individuals, Newcomers and persons with disabilities).

We are offering microgrants of up to $15,000 to not-for-profit and for-profit CASC member organizations for public engagement activities addressing misinformation about COVID-19, vaccines, boosters, and other relevant topics to the community.

The application deadline is November 4th, 2022 and activities must be completed by March 31st, 2023. See the Program Guide for details.

Let’s make following science-informed facts a trend!

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a marked rise in misinformation and conspiracy theories related to COVID-19 vaccines, virus transmission, health information and governments’ response. The WHO has called this a global infodemic. Nationally, almost half of Canadians may believe one or more COVID-19 related conspiracy theories.

Conspiracy theories and misinformation are rapidly spread on social media and represent a threat to health and safety. This results in poor public health response, destruction of property and threats to life. They create a chaotic information environment, making it difficult to tease out sense from nonsense. These false messages require immediate and effective evidence based responses.